CMT Blog: Archive

In the back of my mind, I've always thought country artists might embellish their stories to make their lifestyles sound a little bit more worthy of song. I mean, how exciting is real life? But I never thought people actually did all these things, like shooting buffalos from 100 yards, salt-curing hams, taking Louisville Sluggers to headlights, drinking moonshine and smoking Pall Malls while watching Laura Ingalls. But this weekend, I went to a "Redneck Yacht Club." And it was exactly like Craig Morgan said it would be.

I was on Lake James in Indiana, not Party Cove (which I think is in the Lake of the Ozarks). But it was still just as he described it: boats strung together like a floatin' trailer park. Astroturf, lawnchairs and tiki torches. And plenty of guys in Bermudas, flip-flops and tank-top tans. Anchored out and getting loud. There was no signing up, no monthly dues. I even saw girls on the upper decks rubbing in the 15 SPF. I couldn't believe I was seeing a song come to life so literally. There was some other stuff going on that Morgan didn't include in his song. Guys with charcoal grills somehow perched on top of anchors, so they could barbecue while swimming. There were all kinds of dogs in the water. And there were chicken fights that went three folks high. I guess you have to draw the line somewhere. Otherwise, songs like this might end up being six minutes long.

Now that I know that Morgan was telling the truth about what goes on out on the lake, I'm more inclined to believe everything I hear in country music. So when my son starts dating, remind me to watch out for guys like Rodney Atkins who stay up all night cleaning their guns.