What I'm Thankful for as a Country Fan
Tomorrow (Nov. 26) will be all about counting your blessings. The obvious ones, like your family, health and God willing, your financial security. And the not-so-obvious ones, like how the Halloween candy is finally gone or that you recently discovered the Boob Tube. But if we were all holding hands and going around the table talking about our country music blessings, this is what I'd be most thankful for:
* The way I can hear Jennifer Nettles' tears on "Stay" and her smile on "The Very Last Country Song."
* The goosebumpy thrill I still get when Keith Urban and Darius Rucker take their guitars and voices out into the crowd at a concert.
* The very slightest remote possibility that the Dixie Chicks will follow in Garth Brooks' shoes and come out of retirement.
* Ashley Gorley, for writing songs like "You're Gonna Miss This" and "It Won't Be Like This for Long" that remind me to love my kids while they're still kids.
* The readers of this blog, for being passionate enough to take time to read, analyze and comment. Yes, I even love the haters.
* My FedEx and UPS guys, who bless me with advance music almost every day.
* Older songs that still, to this day, make me laugh out loud, like Terri Clark's "Girls Lie Too."
* My keen ability to determine whether or not I'm going to love a song about 20 seconds into it.
* Cowboy hats, for making men of every age look sexy.
* Rookie artists, for their eagerness, hopefulness and gratitude.
* Steel guitar, for making even marginally country songs sound really, really country.
What else are you all thankful for?
Photo credit: Scott Gries / Getty Images
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Debbie W. says:
My “country thankful” is for Miranda Lambert and ALL her music! And I’m with you Alison, I would love for the Dixie Chicks to do some new music.
DCXROCK says:
I would love to hear some new music from the Dixie Chicks as well!
trink says:
I am thankful that I got 6 tickets to see Taylor Swift in Michigan.My Daghter 32,her Daughter 5,my Sister 56,her Daughter 21,a friend of my Daughters 21, and of course myself 54 are all very excited and can’t wait for the show. Thanks Taylor for emailing me the code so I could pre order the tickets.
Roy Mabe Jr. says:
Alot of singers have recorded Christmas CDs through the years, why doesn’t someone record a Thanksgiving CD?
lori jean says:
I am thankful for Martina McBride’s voice, and that she shares it with all of us.
JP says:
I am thankful for Carrie Underwood bringing me to Country Music, and her Angelic voice, and her sweet spirit!!
She really lifts my spirits!!! God Bless Carrie!!
Rugeruby says:
I’m thankful for Carrie Underwood to win American Idol
I’m thankful for Sugarland’s success
I’m also thankful for Tim McGraw’s return to the CMA stage
merlefan49 says:
I thankful for Dale Watson, Wayne Hancock, Amber Digby Miss Leslie, Roger Wallace and all the Texas Artists that keep it real and keep it country.
Diana says:
Im thankful that I learned to love country music. Growing up, I used to wonder how in the world my parents could listen to that stuff? I think I started loving country music while watching Dolly and Porter, loved Loretta and Conway and George and Tammy. I love those of the past as well as the new crop of pop country as well as Alison and her bluegrass. I think what I really love most about country is the singers, they seem like real people instead of the out of control personna most other genres seem full of. They seem like the folks next door, only they sing a lot better lol. Also thankful for kellie pickler, love that girl!
Pam says:
I’m thankful for Craig Morgan, Mark Wills, Ty England (miss ya lots) Brady Seals, Roger Creager, Jason Borland, Aaron Watson, Clay Walker, Trent Willmon.
Camilla says:
Yes . . . I, too, am thankful for country music and the artists associated with it. The music, their generosity in helping so many causes and their support of the fans. It has been a privledge to be entertained by these great entertainers and the songs for every mood, feeling and tenderness to the heart and soul. I thank Tim & Faith for bringing me into this genre . . . and still love them to this day. But I also have been able to be exposed to other great artists and expand my listenting pleasure to the artists such as Keith Urban, Martina McBride, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Sugarland, Brooks & Dunn, Lady Antebellum, and the Zac Brown Band. When I cound my blessings . . . country music is definitely one of them!
Lacee says:
I’m beyond thankful for Carrie Underwood. She has brought a breath of fresh air to country radio and deserves all the praise in the world. What a blessing she has been and will continue to be!
Carrie says:
I am thankful for upcoming new music from my favorite artist Sara Evans, I am thankful for the legends that are still around….George Jones, George Strait, Dolly Pardon, Loretta Lynn, Hank Jr, Charlie Daniels. I am happy every time the predictable award shows do something smart and let any one of these people on, and I am thankful to be able to still listen to new music from Tracy Lawrence, now if radio just appreciated him like his fan’s do.
Taylor says:
I’m thankful for Sugarland’s success and for Jo Dee Messina making her way back into our lives and keeping the faith.
hotelmotel says:
I didn’t know Jo Dee Messina was doing much now.
Esther C. says:
I am thankful for all the country music that I listen to. The music has feelings and is right to the point for understanding.
linda says:
i too am thankful for country music - music that makes you feel something, that tells a story and words that you can actually understand instead of overhyped “oohh” “lalala” “ohoh baby baby” and all that other garbage in recent modern pop music.
Filipino Kid says:
im thankful for Nashville’s Countrypolitan, Texas Country, Red Dirt Scene, Bluegrass, Alt.Country, Folk Music, Celtic, Gypsie Jazz, Neo-Folk, and Cebu City’s brand of country music. I love ‘em all!!!
I’m also thankful for the following artists for giving us great music this year:
Adam Brand
The Avett Brothers
Brazos Stone
Brandon Rickman
Bearfoot
Carrie Underwood
Conor Oberst
Chris Knight
Colbie Caillat
Gloriana
Jack Ingram
Jason Eady
James Hand
Monsters of Folk
Mike McClure
Reverend Horton Heat
Rivermaya
Taylor Swift
Ericka says:
Hi.Im thankful for god and family and great country music.Everyone please vote for kelliepickler and mirandalambert and carrieunderwood and taylorswift on powerpicks and the top20.Thank you cmt for showing kelliep and mirandal and these other great artist vidoe.Take care all!
Banana says:
TAYLOR SWIFT AND HER MUSIC!!!
cindy says:
I’m thankful for God and his many blessings he deposited into my life like my family, friends, health, gift of music, and a job. And His Word, the gospel of salvation. It
encourages and strengthens me in life’s journey. And Christ
for providing the way. Praise be to Him!
glo says:
I am thankful for Tim Mcgraw’s amazing talent and ablity to get into the heart and soul of a song and tell ME how I FEEL. That is a rare gift that MOST singers do not have. Most can tell you how THEY feel but not how YOU feel.
He is the best at it. I am thankful he goes his own way and doesn’t follow trends and try to be like everyone else and copycat. He is true leader in this business and doesn’t pick music to follow a trend, but picks music that feeds your soul and speaks to your heart and life. His new album is filled with stories of life, good and bad. Nobody does it better.
I am thankful that he took that talent to the big screen and was part of one of the most uplifting movies in a long time with Blind Side.
Meg says:
I am very thanful for all of the music that makes me step bakc and realize how lucky and fortunate I have been to have seen and met them. I am very thanful for Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum for their wonderful music.
taylor says:
I started listening to country when I happened to catch Sugarland performing on a CMA show. I was blown away by Jennifer Nettles singing. Before that I was not a fan of country music.
Trent says:
Ia am thankful for Martina McBride, that her voice is still as great as ever.
hotelmotel says:
I’m thankful for these message boards which provide lots of entertainment when im taking a quick break from work or something else.
hotelmotel says:
I am not thankful for censorship. CMT removed a lot of posts this morning. For shame.
countryiscool says:
I AM thankful for some of the censorship on this board- thanks CMT.
Melissa says:
I am very thankful for Keith Urban!
Eric says:
I’m thankful for the Adam Lambert blog! omg that picture is sooooooooo hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!
countryiscool says:
Take it elsewhere Eric, we’re here for the music, not for your love interest- there’s other blogs for that I’m sure.
countryiscool says:
I AM focused- on music.
Christine says:
I am thankful for Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Justin Moore, Eric Church, Billy Currington, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, and Love and Theft. I would also love for the Dixie Chicks to make new music. They were one of my favorites growing up.
Eric says:
I am thankful for the Adam Lambert blog. It’s what brought me to CMT. That photo is sooooooooooo hot!
Granna says:
I am thankful for many, many things, but as far as Country Music…I’m thankful I found Keith Urban and he brought me to Country music!! Thanks Keith for being the best artist ever and such a good person too!
BOBBY B says:
I’m thankful that we have Tim McGraw in country music. He is the best singer out there. He sings from his heart and has something in his voice that no other singer has. I cant explain it. He is my favorite singer of all time, and we really need to appreciate this man for who he is and the singer he is. Living legend TIM MCGRAW!!