Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Wow. I learned a lot about country music this weekend. My wife and I vacationed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which has a very classic western vibe. The downtown area has wooden sidewalks and railings. And there are some old-west saloons, tons of antler decorations, and a lot of cowboy pictures everywhere.
It’s a beautiful place. And it’s just down the road from Yellowstone National Park.
Anyway, in the lodge resort where we stayed, we decided to listen to the radio one morning. Scanning through the radio stations, my wife laughed when she realized that EVERY station played country music … so it was really our only option. We found ourselves swimming in a sea of pure country the whole time we were there. Yee-haw!
I must admit that I resisted at first. But hey, you just can’t fight lyrics like these:
In the end, country music still hasn’t changed my life. But there were some pretty good songs on the radio. You might check some of them out … the melodies to each of these songs are especially nice:
- “Still the One” (Shania Twain)
- “Toes” (Zac Brown Band)
- “Backwoods” (Justin Moore)
Just give it a little time…country music can change your life. The music can be hicky and silly…but there are so many songs about real life, there is a song out there for everyone. Lyrics that hit home with me at a point in my life where I had a tough decision to make:
Swim to the nearest distant shore
There’s only so much a heart can endure
You gave it your best, forgive yourself
You can’t hold on anymore
It’s not as far as it might seem
Now it’s time to let go of old dreams
Every heart for itself
Swim to the nearest distant shore.
Trisha Yearwood – “Nearest Distant Shore”
If I hadn’t taken that swim…I might still be living in Hemet…probably weighing in at 300 pounds wearing frosted pink lipstick and eating off of Elvis TV trays.
Yeah, country music can change your life. :O)
That’s really cool. “Nearest Distant Shore” is a great line. And that song obviously worked wonders because you be fine, girl. Speaking of country music, I happen to think Shania Twain is a genius. Seriously, her whole “Up!” album is awesome. I remember when her single “I’m Gonna Getcha Good!” came out. I heard it over the speakers in a store and I couldn’t leave until the song was done. I love it every time I hear it.