By Andy Belilos

Sentry Staff Reporter

Whether you are a hater or a lover, everybody can find an opinion on country music; most are very polarizing with viewpoints of either loving or hating the genre that has roots in Appalachian folk music in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is one of the few music genres that America can truly call its own and is also arguably the most debated topic in music currently.

While many modern fans enjoy newer country music with artists like Brad Paisley, Kenney Chesney and Lady Antebellum, you may find something you like in older singers like Garth Brooks, George Strait and Alan Jackson, or even classics like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Willie Nelson.

I personally love country music. When I am in the car, I always find myself changing the radio channel to 98.7 WMZQ, much to the chagrin of a lot of my friends and family. They always ask me, “How can you stand this,” and I usually answer with a vague, “I just do.”  I have never really thought about why I like listening to country; I just always have.

My favorite country band is The Zac Brown Band.  Whenever I am feeling especially happy, sad or angry, I can always find a song by them that suits my mood and can get me feeling happy if I am not.  That is one of the great things about country music; there will ALWAYS be a song that you can relate to and make you feel good.

My enjoyment of the genre probably has roots with my dad.  As a younger kid in the backseat of our car with him driving, there was always the constant sound of “I’m in A Hurry” by Alabama or something similar coming out of the radio. With the consistent exposure of country music as a little kid, I guess it is no surprise that I turned out a fan.

However, as I have grown older, my understanding and appreciation of the music style has grown with me.  I now realize  there are many reasons why I like country. I consider country music to be the storytelling genre.  I know that the last comment will get a lot of disagreement from the other side, as many think that all that is talked about is trucks, beer and breakups.

That may be true with some current music, but that is not all that country music is. It can make you laugh (i.e. “I’m Gonna Miss Her” by Brad Paisley), make you sad (“Skin” by Rascal Flatts) and make you think about life (“For You” by Keith Urban).  I am constantly amazed by the variety shown by the genre as almost every time I hear a song that I have not heard before I find something I like about it.

Another reason that will probably get a moan out of my friends is how easy country music is to sing along to. While I may not be the best singer on the planet- okay, maybe the worst- I can have a blast singing country music. With usually uncomplicated lyrics and beats that are easy to keep along with, even I can have fun singing along to the songs on the radio or out of my computer when I should be doing homework.

While most songs in the genre are fun and upbeat, there are also tracks that make you put your thinking cap on.  There are songs like “American Soldier” by Toby Keith that remind you that we sometimes take our freedom for granted. In addition, there are tunes like “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw that make you want to go hug your friends and family.

Whether you are a fan or not, if you go out and listen to some good, down to earth country music, you will not be disappointed. The lessons taught in country music inspire me to be the best person that I can be, and they can inspire you too if you look past the common stereotypes and really listen to it.