Country and Western music.

For many people on the left Country and Western music is - red neck music - they failed to understand and appreciate its true roots. Its home is the poor - often white - working class agriculture workers of America. Its stories are of home, family breakdown and broken hearts. What could be more universal than that? I first came across it when in the US in the mid 1960's - interestingly in San Francisco. There were two great programmes about it all on BBC 4 on Sunday night - one in particular The Joy of Country is essential viewing if you want to get a true feel of its flavour. For me singers like - Patsy Cline, Bobbie Gentry, Dolly Parton, K.D. Lang, Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and many many more are the voice of this genre. This music is often seen as plebeian by many. For me its just great songs, tunes and singing about - how life is for all of us. So put those old prejudices behind you and take a look and these two programmes and - wake up and smell the coffee. Its about all of us in this world - you and me!