I was driving back from my little sister’s wedding, where she had just married a Black man in a Celtic-style ceremony held in a small Southern town on the Redneck Riviera along the panhandle stuck somewhere between Alabama and Louisiana. During my journey back from Pensacola to Nashville, my eyes were hypnotized by the road just outside Birmingham, Alabama. I pull off the interstate, passing the 6th Avenue Baptist Church, before pulling into my hotel. Of course, as soon as I made it into my room overlooking the colorful murals of the city, I was hit with a second wind.
I love this - the flow of your words, the adventure we agree to join you on as we read, the history that you plainly address, pulling back the whitewashing that has been layered over it.
Now I suppose I should listen to that album from beginning to end - I look forward to hearing the story unfold.
The review was everything you promised. I know I told you we were listening to the album as we came into Nashville that Friday, because you said you'd be writing a review. Did I mention that the last notes of "Amen" played as we pulled into our hotel parking lot right by Opreyland Hotel? It was like she serenaded us into the city. I appreciate that you paused your listening for our tour, and absolutely agree that Painters Alley is much better than the tourist areas.
My dad grew up country, old country. So that is what I listened to. And I absolutely love every bit of this album, and everything it represents. It satisfies my soul on so many levels. Thanks for the history lesson to go with it.
And no, we're not taking Kid Rock back. We called no take backsies on that one, we already took Betsy DeVos back. See if Ohio will have him.
As a fellow Son of the South, I wholeheartedly agree with every word you wrote here. I was born and raised in southeastern Tennessee, lived there or North Georgia for the first 25 years of my current 54 (I now live in Butte, MT, a tiny blue dot in a big red sea) and reading this piece just reminded me of home in a way few things have in the past couple of decades - the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.
Thank you for this article and saying what many of us do not know how to articulate. As an old white woman who wasted years trying “teach” anti-racism in a mainstream Protestant culture, this gave me new hope and resolve. I already love the album and now I understand so much more than I have all these years along. I am happy to step aside and follow. My soul is shaking.
Thank you. Outlaw county is the best. Queen Bae will be getting my money, again, because yes, country is BLACK MUSIC. I'm from Virginia, my mom still lives in a town called Charlotte Courthouse. It's the middle of nowhere. Thanks to the military I've lived from Maine to Georgia as a kid. Everyone thinks "The South" is all racist confederacy white folk. We're better than that. I'm Indigenous and Irish by blood. The nicest people I've ever met were from South of the Mason/Dickson.
As a Canadian, I have what is probably a caricatured impression of the US. This was the most illuminating piece of US history I have ever read. Thoughtful and nuanced, which is what history should be.
Holy Crap! I didn't realize her song twisted so many panties until yesterday. (I enjoyed your history lesson. ) Stupid me, I was under the impression that if you don't like a song you simply don't listen to it. My son loves Primus. I don't. Therefore I do not listen to them. See how simple that is people? What a bunch of self righteous assphincters.
I’ve listened to the full album twice now. And most likely will listen to it while I paint (I’m an artist.) It is simply brilliant. I feel like I just got schooled. I am the Scottish that founded parts of Maine and the Scottish who settled in Appalachia. I am steamed lobster and grits, Yankee and fried catfish, mountain and sea. I feel this music deep in my soul. It feels familiar, yet fresh. I grew up with Southern gospel and old school country, until it was whitewashed by Billy Graham. I also grew up with gritty hip hop and Third Day. My father from the South was a fire and brimstone pastor who loved the dancing in the aisles and the shouted amens. My New England mother is stoic and offers elegant nods and smiles. This album IS country. It’s also blues, funk, bluegrass, hip hop, outlaw, gospel, r&b, spirituals, electronics, pop, and more. I’m in love and awe.
GawdDAMN that was a good read! Phew.
I love this - the flow of your words, the adventure we agree to join you on as we read, the history that you plainly address, pulling back the whitewashing that has been layered over it.
Now I suppose I should listen to that album from beginning to end - I look forward to hearing the story unfold.
This is the best album review I've read in a long time. The history lesson makes it better. Thank you for your down home insight.
The review was everything you promised. I know I told you we were listening to the album as we came into Nashville that Friday, because you said you'd be writing a review. Did I mention that the last notes of "Amen" played as we pulled into our hotel parking lot right by Opreyland Hotel? It was like she serenaded us into the city. I appreciate that you paused your listening for our tour, and absolutely agree that Painters Alley is much better than the tourist areas.
My dad grew up country, old country. So that is what I listened to. And I absolutely love every bit of this album, and everything it represents. It satisfies my soul on so many levels. Thanks for the history lesson to go with it.
And no, we're not taking Kid Rock back. We called no take backsies on that one, we already took Betsy DeVos back. See if Ohio will have him.
As a fellow Son of the South, I wholeheartedly agree with every word you wrote here. I was born and raised in southeastern Tennessee, lived there or North Georgia for the first 25 years of my current 54 (I now live in Butte, MT, a tiny blue dot in a big red sea) and reading this piece just reminded me of home in a way few things have in the past couple of decades - the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.
Thank you for this article and saying what many of us do not know how to articulate. As an old white woman who wasted years trying “teach” anti-racism in a mainstream Protestant culture, this gave me new hope and resolve. I already love the album and now I understand so much more than I have all these years along. I am happy to step aside and follow. My soul is shaking.
This is fabulous, Nathan. Seems like every day you give me a reason to admire you more.
Fabulous. What a great read!
Thank you. Outlaw county is the best. Queen Bae will be getting my money, again, because yes, country is BLACK MUSIC. I'm from Virginia, my mom still lives in a town called Charlotte Courthouse. It's the middle of nowhere. Thanks to the military I've lived from Maine to Georgia as a kid. Everyone thinks "The South" is all racist confederacy white folk. We're better than that. I'm Indigenous and Irish by blood. The nicest people I've ever met were from South of the Mason/Dickson.
Fantastic review!
Yes, sir!
As a Canadian, I have what is probably a caricatured impression of the US. This was the most illuminating piece of US history I have ever read. Thoughtful and nuanced, which is what history should be.
Holy Crap! I didn't realize her song twisted so many panties until yesterday. (I enjoyed your history lesson. ) Stupid me, I was under the impression that if you don't like a song you simply don't listen to it. My son loves Primus. I don't. Therefore I do not listen to them. See how simple that is people? What a bunch of self righteous assphincters.
I’ve listened to the full album twice now. And most likely will listen to it while I paint (I’m an artist.) It is simply brilliant. I feel like I just got schooled. I am the Scottish that founded parts of Maine and the Scottish who settled in Appalachia. I am steamed lobster and grits, Yankee and fried catfish, mountain and sea. I feel this music deep in my soul. It feels familiar, yet fresh. I grew up with Southern gospel and old school country, until it was whitewashed by Billy Graham. I also grew up with gritty hip hop and Third Day. My father from the South was a fire and brimstone pastor who loved the dancing in the aisles and the shouted amens. My New England mother is stoic and offers elegant nods and smiles. This album IS country. It’s also blues, funk, bluegrass, hip hop, outlaw, gospel, r&b, spirituals, electronics, pop, and more. I’m in love and awe.
Wow! Wonderful. Thank you. I'm literally speechless. Passionate and informative. ❣️