[Elizabeth]

One interesting thing about Country, Plenty of folks who like country are not listening to it. They are PLAYING it, out back on the porch, or around the table, at a friends house.

[JerryM]

I don't listen to Country music on purpose, but I don't find it 'unlistenable'.

Country music tends to make me think of very specific people and times in my life. Who knows why. To Elizabeth's point, maybe it's because I've heard it at a friend's house some time(s).

Other, more preferred genres, tend to just take me to a different place.

[Scott F.]

First, let me state that I don't consider myself an 'audiophile' any more. I shed that burden a while back. I  now consider myself, and always have, a music lover. Music is my copilot that accompanies me through whatever mood or situation I might be in, or want to be in. It's always been there for me.

That typed, I have a pretty deep Country music collection that I lean on regularly. There are a few things about the genre that you need to understand. First, this music is lyric driven. Sure, there are plenty of catchy tunes, riffs and hooks but the music is solely grounded in lyrics. Next, and this is NOT a political or religious statement, much of the country genre leans 'right' and based on 'belief'. If you have issues with either of those, you may want to listen to something else.

Trace Adkins may have stated 'what country music is all about' the best in this song;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOvRw4dstkE

"those are songs about me, and who I am, songs about lovin' and livin', good hearted women, family and God" That pretty much encapsulates a big chunk of county.


Now for a few examples. These type of songs and be found in any genre but country, for me, they seem to bring the message home better than other genres.
Do yourself a favor and listen to each of these songs. Pay attention to the lyrics, not the twang. It will give you a better appreciation of the genre. Granted, this my not trip your trigger but, you'll have a little better understanding of another genre.


Tim McGraw, Live Like You Were Dying
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9TShlMkQnc

and Don't Take the Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vn6QdqxK3g

Big & Rich, Holy Water
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dXLC1butGc

and Live this Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h18OF8upQ3Q

and something a little lighter, Kick My Ass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz7zJ8kv5jk

and back to one that we all can relate to (Alzheimer's) Rascal Flatts, Ellsworth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d7COitcsPo

How about something from an ex-rocker Aaron Lewis (Staind), Endless Summer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL6quWwTiRk

Now for someone with a little harder edge, Jamie Johnson, In Color
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYGwxf1gCC4
 and, Mowin' Down the Roses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q6AeOTSiDM

I could go on and on. Country is and has been a mainstay in my galaxy of music. I listen to everything. I can find 'good' songs in nearly every genre to listen to. The big thing for me is, does it 'move me'. If it doesn't, regardless of genre, I don't listen to it. And like other things in life, I try to be as open minded as I can. Sure, like all of us, I have person bias' that I try to deal with but I do my best to not let that get in the way of me and (potentially) good music, music that could speak to my sole.


As for the recording quality of the genre for you 'audiophiles', some is really good, others are crap. Personally, I don't give a crap. As I sit here and sing along to Big & Rich stream from my phone to my Klipsch 'The One", I am singing, NOT listening. That is a key distinction.

....in the end, what do you want your music (or system) to do for you?



me, I want to sing and dance.....you, maybe, not so much

 
(EDIT) sorry about the jacked up formatting, when I posted this, all of the formatting I inserted went away and turned my post into one giant run-on sentence.

[Kenneth Patchen]

And there’s this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFrpzPR6TLY

[pehare]

hey ccklone thanks for the great recommendations....Zeph is fantastic!  I'm with you on the Gram Parsons sound.   Others I enjoy lately are Lee Ann Womack - Lonesome Lonely & Gone, Marty Stuart - Way out West, anything by Sturgill Simpson, Buddy Miller or Chris Stapleton, Brent Cobb - Shine on Rainy Day, Lukas Nelson & the promise of the real.

cheers

[Don_S]

Good voice honestly portrayed without masking by accompaniment.  Some country which I did not care for but some ballads that are sweet. You can actually hear the lyrics and I do love a good story.

Standing Knee Deep In A River (Dying Of Thirst)
Last Night I Dreamed Of Loving You
Seeds

This track may be a little tongue-in-cheek poke at country:
Lonesome Standard Time   

https://www.amazon.com/Lonesome-Standard-Time-Kathy-Mattea/dp/B000001DVT/ref=tmm_acd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1530997071&sr=8-8&dpID=61m53Al2tjL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWyFW1siCwQ

[Don_S]

Suzy Bogguss and Jerry Jeff Walker - Night Rider's Lament (live)  Lady can yodel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avWd9BAcNqU