It’s
a bit after nine o’clock in the evening. Skype is running. The call with a very
close American friend of mine is on. And on the webcam, I see the shocked look
on his face.
I
go back a few minutes to sum up what we’ve just talked about. It’s music.
“Do
you know any country music?”
That’s
what he’s just asked, as we have been chatting about music in general, and the
question’s made me go thoughtful.
As
an answer, I have slightly shaken my head and said, “Well, I know somehow Dolly
Parton and Johnny Cash but… not really, not that I could say.”
He
is not a fan of country music, as he says, but he’s still so shocked for my
reply that he makes an effort and sends me a link of a song. He asks me to
listen to it. He says it would give me a good impression of country music
because the singer is good; his music is country, he has a good classic-type of
country voice, and his shows always rock “in a country way”.
“Alrighty
then,” I think and open the link, because I’m always open to give a try to
anything new.
A
song starts playing. I ask him to wait for a moment. Then I focus on listening.
The
beat is interesting. I realize the music is not what I exactly expected.
And
then comes the singing.
First
I just listen to the music in general. But suddenly I pay attention to the fact
that the singer sounds a bit different… it’s not the kind of English I’m used
to hearing. But his voice is very pleasant. It’s enjoyable to listen to.
I
look at the title of the clip more closely: Garth Brooks – The Night I Called
The Old Man Out.
“So,
this is country music,” I think and a smile passes on to my face.
“So?,”
my friend asks when the song has ended.
But
I don’t comment. Instead, as a language lover, I approach the thing from that
aspect.
“I
wonder… why does he drawl the words?”
My
friend bursts into laughter. Then he says it’s part of the game in the south to
do that.
I
go a bit confused because I don’t understand his reaction and I’m confused
what’s so funny that it’s making him laugh.
But
we don’t get stuck to it, and the chat goes on.
Then years ago, my life came to a turn. I found
country music. I fell in love with it. And ever since, it’s played a big role
in my life.
But it’s not just country music. I find the culture
and lifestyle they lead in the southern US fascinating; the southern and
western stuff and everything from the accents to the attitudes.
When I learned the meaning of “to cowboy up” I
realized it’s very close to the Finnish “sisu” meaning guts. In many country
songs, it’s said that when you get thrown down (from the saddle) you’ve got to
cowboy up. That’s exactly what my attitude in general is like.
Any type of country music is good, even if I have
to honestly admit that I’m less fond of today’s country that is mostly pop or
rock and the artists and their fans just call it country. But I have my top
favorites. I call Garth Brooks my Country Music First Love because his music
opened the door to the world of country music to me. The others belonging to
the top group are Chris LeDoux, Lonestar, and Justin Moore.
So, I am celebrating today. But I’m celebrating
alone because it’s more or less “my thing”. Country music is not popular or
well known in Finland. Basically, people know Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and
Willie Nelson. But, for example, I’ve asked my friends if they know who George
Strait and Alan Jackson are. They don’t.
I have two dreams I’ll go for when I have a chance.
I’ve been in the US once, in Florida. I am going to have a vacation in one of
the southern states; Texas most probably. And I am going to see a country music
concert live; if it was Garth’s concert I’d be in heaven!
For dinner, I’m cooking Nashville Hot Chicken with
white bread, pickle chips, and goat cheese dip. And needless to say, country
music is playing in the background. That’s the name of the game on the 10th
Country Music Anniversary.
Related entry: Tipatius' Blog - The Five Meaningful Songs
