Closet Country Music Lovers

Most have a specific type of music they like to turn to.

Living in Texas, you'd think I would like a bit of country music, right?

Not that we, like, put forth any type of image that we like it. Source

Really, though, country music isn't all that bad. BUT I won't say it's my favorite type of music. I can't be prejudiced against those other types of music. Really, though, I do have varied tastes. Anyone who touches my radio dial can tell you that I've got country, pop, rock, and alternative just on the first set of FM stations (and I haven't had a chance to set the rest since the last reset).

I really don't like stereotypes. Even if I didn't live in Texas, I'd still like country. Why? Because my parents listened to country. Some parents don't, and their kids grow up thinking it sounds like nails on a chalkboard (which, to me, actually isn't all that bad- chewing ice bothers me more, but whatever).

Thing is, the southern states get pinned with the country stereotype, people get the emo stereotype for dressing in black, but what does your geographical location or clothing have to do with what music you like?

I love some Linkin' Park. I can remember sitting in my childhood best friend's driveway listening to her older brother's CD of Linkin' Park and thinking we were the coolest thing around. I also remember having a cassette tape of "Follow Me," at the time considered "contemporary" music. Corky was fiddling with my tape player and pressed play and record at the same time- the horror!!! Those of us old enough to remember cassette players of the time remember what pressing play and record did, right? It ruined that portion of the song....now it's on my mP3 files. The full version, of course. At the time I was devastated- I didn't know that within a decade I'd be able to have it conveniently stowed in a pocket to play at a moment's notice.

This is a cassette tape. You might not recognize it if you're younger than 20.
It actually looks just like the one I had.
It will probably be rendered totally obsolete within the next few years. Except on the internet, where you can find images. Like this one, which is now immortal on my blog. Enjoy!!  Source

And what that change in technology has done to advance my tastes! Often I find myself surfing through songs, and I'll find a sweep of songs linked to each other that I like, which I then add to my phone. Now I have a phone, with my internet and music all right there too, and even some games...my computer is good for typing blogs. My phone, for some reason, cannot figure out that when I point at the box, I want to type in it. That's ok, I still have my laptop!

Oh, music. OK, my genres? And....go!- Alternative, Punk, Blues, Classical, Contemporary, Country, Dance, Electronic, Emo, Grime (?), Hip Hop, Indie, Latin, Mainstream, Movie Soundtracks, Musical, New Age, Oldies, Opera, "Other" (what could possibly go here??), Pop, Soul, Soft Rock, Rock, Jazz, R&B, Rap, Techno, World, "Unknown" (seriously? not going there....)

Kind of like this. This is probably where all the Unknowns and Others go to play. Source

Basically, I don't have a favorite song. I don't have a favorite artist. I don't have a favorite band. I don't even have a favorite genre! I like them all! Actually, I'm not as keen on some of them (Rap) as I am on others, but that's ok. I still have some instances of them. I don't judge a song by its genre or singer or anything like that.

I once asked someone if they had heard a song that was new, and they asked who sang it. I told them, and they weren't even open to listening to it, because they didn't like the singer. They said the song probably sucked. They didn't even give it a chance. It really brought me down a notch, because it actually had a message that I was trying to get across. I eventually got it across another way.

I'm honestly glad that I'm able to be so open-minded toward music. I've been able to hear some awesome songs I'd have never been able to hear otherwise, songs that I've been able to relate to. I've gotten my parents to where they turn the radio to other stations sometimes too. Of course, they do really bad impressions (sorry mom and dad), but at least they're more open about turning the music on, after the efforts of my sister, my brother, and me. They've found some songs they like that way, too.

And you know what? I've gotten some people who never would have otherwise listened to country to do so. And they liked it. And they were embarrassed when they found out that they actually liked country. You know why? They were completely wrong about what they thought about country- whiney, blah blah blah love songs about blah blah blah. If you've got this stereotype, stop yourself. Turn on some Lady Antebellum, Unkle Kracker, Brooks and Dunn, Toby Keith (he's actually kinda funny), or Rascal Flatts, and listen to a few songs. You may be surprised.

You may be a closet country music lover and not even know it. Expose yourself!!!!!!!!!!

The hat is optional. I've never owned one. You can wear one if you want, though. Lots of people do. Source

Boots are optional too. Apparently tourists, even when not in Texas, like them. Eden of Edenland gets them when she visits America from Australia. Amazing! I'll never understand the boot thing. I don't have any. Source