10 Life Lessons that Country Music Taught Me

Alright, everyone knows I love music. I love all kinds of music, but I have a special place in my heart for country music. You love it or you hate it, but I love it.

I have realized over the years that country music has taught me a lot. And you can trust me on this one, boys and girls. I know about "country". I grew up in Spanish Fork! I've got it down. I dated boys who drove big trucks, though I always preferred my dad's. I can hold my own in a Ford vs. GMC debate any day. I participated in many-a bon fire in someone's back yard, and I've been to more than my share of demolition derby's, rodeos, and county fairs (yes, the kind with the animals, not the carnival rides). I know that not only is Reams a local grocery store, but also a local western outfitter. I know what it means to "show a pig". I've definitely been slowed down in traffic because of a tractor. I can spot a pair of knockoff cowboy (er, girl) boots from a mile away, and though I was never a part of FFA, and though I grew up in a subdivision, I know what a Greenhand Ceremony is, and I would have refused... I can't think of anything that would ruin a manicure faster...just puttin' that out there.

But not all things country can be learned by living in the sticks. Some of it, we have to get from the radio!

Here, for your viewing pleasure, are some life lessons I've learned straight from country music:

1. If you can chew gum through an entire set, and get watches as gifts from Kid Rock, you might be as cool as Aaron Lewis.

2. I can be considered a country singer and have only 1/4 of my album actually sound "country". Isn't a steel guitar kind of a pre-req? That's okay. We all still love her. And if we stop, she'll maybe write a song about us and make us pseudo-famous!! Gah. Couldn't resist but I do love her.

3. You can trash your nation, your president AND the very fans who make you famous, and STILL be famous! I'm team Toby Keith, but regardless...Who can forget Wide Open Spaces?? And I'm fine with a cowboy taking me away....

...speaking of which...

4. From the beginning of country music, the "bad boy cowboy" has always been cool. Country music and tattoos? They go together like Johnny and June.

5. Country music taught me that opposites attract.

6. Country music also taught me that you don't have to wear a Stetson to be a cowboy.

7. Apparently, equal rights for women in the workforce applies to country music, too. Something tells me they'll be just fine, thankyouverymuch.

 

8. Because of country music, I've learned that if I don't like what I'm doing, just try and do something else. Sometimes it'll work, most of the time it won't. (*cough, Jewel, cough* And let's just encourage J. Simpson to stick to designing amazing shoes, yes? Darius? Carry on my friend. You got this.)

9. I know now that a rose, by any other name, will smell just as sweet. But if you play it differently, it'll be called a fiddle.

...and last, but certainly not least...

10. Country music taught me that anything is possible. It is, in fact, possible to defy gravity. It's just probably a bad idea.

-L