Yay! Country music is the best!

1) What's your favorite sub-genra (ex. Country-pop, Southern Rock, Outlaw) or era (decades/time period like the 70's, the 80's) of country or western music?

Hmm, let's see. What day is it? It changes. I love modern country (country/pop, today's country, whatever you wanna call it). I love just about everything from Taylor Swift to Johnny Cash, Lady Antebellum to Dolly Parton, Darius Rucker to The Judds. The only thing I don't like (I don't even know if this counts as country) is Bluegrass. I hate that stuff.

2) Who's your favorite singer/band? I don't really have a favorite. It changes. Taylor Swift used to be one of my favorites. Now, I've started to change. She writes too many breakup songs and about awful guys. And right now, I'm in a great relationship so most of her songs don't apply to me and I don't want to listen to them. Lady Antebellum is a favorite. Shania Twain as well. Lately, I've been completely addicted to Kenny Chesney. Alabama is an oldie but goodie. I also really like Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood.

3) What are some of your favorite songs? It changes. Currently some of my favorites are Summer Young by Rascal Flatts, God Gave Me You by Blake Shelton, We Owned the Night by Lady Antebellum, This by Darius Rucker, Somewhere With You and Reality by Kenny Chesney, and Reckless by Alabama.

4) What's your favorite thing and least favorite thing about Country or Western Music? I wish more traditional stuff was made. I love country/pop (look at my lists of artists and current favorite songs!) but I also like the traditional older stuff. "Classic Country" it's often called. And Outlaw country. There's not much of that being made any more.

And my other pet peeve is that most country songs are sad. That's kind of a theme with country songs is breakups (anyone ever heard Backwards by Rascal Flatts?). There's very few songs about good relationships done the right way.

Also, the few songs that are about good relationships are mostly done by men. You see even fewer done by women. Country music by women is usually about dumping an awful guy, being dumped by him, etc. Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift especially. Carrie Underwood too although she does have a GREAT song called Mama's Song.

5) What songs do you connect with the most? Songs that are about what I'm going through at the moment. Right now, classes are getting tougher, deadlines and mid-terms are looming, late nighters are becoming a common occurence, and spring break is just two weeks away. So for right now, I'm liking songs about having a good time, getting away, having fun, chilling out, etc. That and songs about being in a great relationship.

Well, aren't you just coming up with all the interesting topic ideas?!

I'm really glad that you started this... it's hard to find other country music fans. (even in RL) So, this is gonna be fun!

1) What's your favorite sub-genra (ex. Country-pop, Southern Rock, Outlaw) or era (decades/time period like the 70's, the 80's) of country or western music?

Hmmm... I guess Country-pop? But I've liked almost any country music I've heard. Not sure about era's... maybe the stuff from when I was growing up in the 90's?

2) Who's your favorite singer/band?

Although I like many others, it's without a doubt Billy Gilman. It's been fun watching him grow up from a 12 year old singing sensation, to a young adult with a great heart. Not only is he very talented musically, but he helps out with MDA (the muscular dystrophy association) as a celebrity/youth ambassador type person. If I ever became famous, I'd want to be like that... using my position to help others. So, yeah...

Honorable mentions have to go to: Rascal Flatts, Beverley Mitchell (of 7th Heaven fame), and Taylor Swift. But again, I like pretty much all of them.

3) What are some of your favorite songs?

I have to pick?!

Can I get back to you?

4) What's your favorite thing and least favorite thing about Country or Western Music?

Fave: I like how they are like... life, or stories, set to music.
Least Fave: not sure. maybe that we need more happy songs, and less sad ones?

5) What songs do you connect with the most?

I don't know... maybe "Stand" by Rascal Flatts or "Looked Into The Wings" by Billy Gilman? It depends on my mood, and what I'm going through, and such.

I just realized I forgot to put what my favorite thing about country music is.

The sound. That's probably the absolute best part. Also the stories that are in it. I am not a fan of rap and lots of pop songs these days have random parts that are rap or almost-rap with someone speaking. So I like the choruses and verses but I hate the rapping part! I like that country music never (that I'm aware of) has that. Also, country tends to be more clean than other genres.

Anyone know what you get when you play a country song backwards?

You get your dog back, your truck back, your job back and your wife back.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I admit I thought of that joke too, Shadowlander, upon seeing this subject. Great minds...or at least similar senses of humor.

I'm not as conversant in this genre as others, but wanted to make a few comments.

...That's kind of a theme with country songs is breakups

Good point, though there are some country songs that celebrate long-lived devotion to one's mate. I like a couple of old Kathy Mattea songs that fit this bill:

Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses

And, with Tim O'Brien, The Battle Hymn of Love. I really like this song; I even mentioned it in my 2009 NaNo story (yup, a pop culture reference ).

Yay, Country music!!!! I really like country music, even though it's not very popular here in Russia.

1) What's your favorite sub-genra (ex. Country-pop, Southern Rock, Outlaw) or era (decades/time period like the 70's, the 80's) of country or western music?
Well, I'm not really sure of all the "correct" names, and I probably don't know half of them, but I really like classical country! I don't really like Country Pop, I personnaly think it defeats the point of Country

2) Who's your favorite singer/band?
I really, really, really like Dolly Parton! Weeeell the way she dresses can sometimes be interesting, but her voice is amazing! I also really like Alan Jackson. Oh, and I just loooove Brad Paisley

3) What are some of your favorite songs?
Blowing in the Wind by Dolly Parton; Amazing Grace by Alan Jackson (I just looooove the way he sang it); Waitong on a Woman by Brad Paisley ; and New Again by Brad Paisley & Sara Evans

4) What's your favorite thing and least favorite thing about Country or Western Music? I really like Country because it's really relaxing. I dunno, it has this calm nature. The only thing I might not really like in Country is that sometimes the voices are a bit strange. That is my personal opinion, I don't mean to put anyone down.

5) What songs do you connect with the most?
Blowin' in the Wind by Dolly Parton and New Again by Brad Paisley & Sara Evans

Please note that this Special Feature will be closing on Friday, March 23, after which you may discuss Country Music in the current Favorite Music topic.

Remember, if you have an idea for a Special Feature (see the 2nd point under #1), please PM any of the Spare Oom mods with your suggestion(s).