Just to be clear, I'm one who does like country music – Been to concerts of Mary Chapin Carpenter and Nanci Griffiths, I've had LPs and Cds with lyrics that shred the grammar and syntax of the language, I know at its sentimental worst it's like eating condensed milk, but I've also listened to words that easily slipped into prayers of praise, gratitude, lament and longing. Beth Nielsen Chapman can do that for me as can Carrie Newcomer.
Johnny Cash's Man in Black and San Quentin albums go back 50 years and some tracks still rebuke the nonsense of much of our politics. And for all his dreamy eyed and at times affected lyrics, John Denver was decades ahead on issues of environmental care, love of the animal world, and passion for a more just and peaceful world.
So, yes, I wouldn't like anyone to put me down. If they did I'd denigrate them for their musical snobbery.
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