So help me, I'm starting to actually LIKE some country music in my old age!

**El Chuxter** · 02-01-2005

Not all of it, of course. 99% of what's called country still sucks.

But for the past week or so, I've been listening almost exclusively to Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Hank Williams Sr. Man, I don't care what label you want to slap on 'em, those dudes can tell a story! And Willie has to be the most underrated guitarist in history.

The good stuff (read: the stuff that doesn't get played on "country" stations) isn't really all that distinguishable from great blues or folk music.

I don't believe there's been any line in music history as bluntly powerful as Johnny's "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die." Unless maybe it's Johnny's "If I hadn't-a shot poor Delia, I'd-a had her for my wife."

Seriously, if you're going to bash country, pick up (at least) American Recordings by Johnny Cash. One of the best albums ever!

**James Boba Fettfield** · 02-01-2005

I went through a similar experience. Except it was with Merle Haggard. There was a little Hank Sr. and some Johnny Horton and Statler Brothers and some Elvis...

I blame those Classic Country cd's. I was going through them recently and rediscovering my favorites.

Too bad most everyone else does not know the good country, just the bad Toby Keith stuff. So when I hear someone bash country I think of only how ignorant they are. There's more to country than that Shania Twain garbage.

"I turned 21 in prison doing life without parole"

**Rocketboy** · 02-01-2005

You're lucky El Chuxter...I thought you meant modern country music.
Johnny Cash was the man.

**slovak34** · 02-01-2005

Not all new stuff is bad. Well the stuff that t hey play on the radio is. I'd try checking out Robbie Fulks. http://www.robbiefulks.com

Plus there are a lot of alt.country bands that are pretty good. Jayhawks, Wilco, Lucinda Williams, etc.