A Great Country Song Makes You Feel – Are You “Feeling” Ken Burns’ “Country Music?”

As I write this there are four episodes yet to air. But even at the halfway point, it has been hard to watch “Country Music” and not feel something. But that’s how a show about country music should be, right? Because a great country song makes you feel.

The Feel

Sometimes a great country song makes you feel pain: a loss, a failure, a feeling of despair. It’s the story of course but it’s also more. It’s the moan of the instruments and the emoting of the singer. I’ve never heard this phrase before Rosanne Cash said it of the Carter Family’s vocals: they were “like wailing at the grave.”

That’s a “stop you in your tracks” observation.

Knowing what lay ahead added another level of mournfulness to the Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Hank Williams segments and music.

I always had a ready answer when asked “What’s the saddest country song?” But I admit that now I’m conflicted between “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (my go to) and after listening to it afresh, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (Patty Loveless’ “Nothing but the Wheel” gets a mention on my list too).

But a great country song makes you feel joy too. Or make you feel silly, pensive or nostalgic.

And sometimes words aren’t even necessary. Just listening to the original San Antonio Rose can supply the minimum daily supply of happiness, wistfulness, or serenity.

Beyond Words

Then there’s the role a performer plays in how a great country songs makes you feel. Bob Will’s on-stage antics and “ah-haas” made the music even better.

As did their drive. I love the lines about Roy Acuff’s “willingness to put everything into a song,” and how Bob Wills “motivated band members to play better than they could.”

And there’s the whole stage-wear thing – from Nudie Suits to riding britches, cowboy hats to Wrangler 13MWZs. Artists looked the part. They looked like the stars they were.  

Will the History Be Complete?

Looking ahead to the song list from the final episodes I didn’t see music from the late 90s and forward. That would leave some gaping holes in our history which includes both remarkable feats and less-than-proud moments.  

Similarly, hearing from more of today’s artists and musicians earlier in the series would have provided unique additional insights and perspectives. This would also have made for an interesting discussion about country’s continual evolution.

As Time puts it, country is “our life experience played out in 3½ minutes. Complexity is country’s friend, not its enemy.” 

Inspiration and Values

Still, despite any shortcomings (and how could you not have some when you tackle a project of this scope), “Country Music” so far has been incredibly entertaining and informative.

Like many of you, I’ve been in the format for decades. Yet in watching I’ve learned new things every night.

More importantly, I’ve found the series to date to be inspirational.

It’s hard not to be moved by the dedication of the artists and musicians, the fans’ love of music, and (yes) the DJs and the radio stations – especially those who competed for dominance in the live performance “barn dance” arena.

The View from Above

Taking a 10,000 foot view, I’m also reminded of many of the many values we share as country radio broadcasters – as well as how important it is to keep these mentally front and center so that they don’t get lost in the daily, ongoing grind to do more with less.

  • Be serious about our craft
  • Push boundaries
  • Challenge yourself and others to better than we thought we could be
  • Maintain the highest standards
  • Always be learning
  • “Leave it all on the stage”
  • Mentor others
  • Be inclusive and embrace diversity
  • Have fun – sometimes at your own expense
  • If you want to be a star, look like one
  • Support one another
  • Be true to who you are as an individual, but watch out for landmines
  • And, in the words of Judge Hayes, “Just love them honey and they’ll love you right back.”
A great country song can make you feel something

So can a TV show.

“Country Music” acknowledges radio’s prominent place in our format’s history. Watching had me reflecting anew of how proud (and how fortunate) I am to have a career in this incredible genre.

I hope watching has made you feel the same way.

Related:

Seven Showmanship Lessons from Blake Shelton

Shark Week: A Finny Thing Happened on the Way to the Marketing and Promotion Meeting

How Songwriters Can Help You Tell Better Stories

Photo Credit: Public Domain. Shahn/Library of Congress via pingnews



2 Comments

  • Thank you so much for pointing out that great country songs make you feel something even beyond the words sung. I love singing, and I am thinking of starting to release songs on some platforms to get my name out there. I love treating that country emotion in people, and I have stories I want to tell, but I am terrible at turning them into songs. Maybe there are services that could help me write soft country songs that speak to me and my crowd.

    • Mike O'Malley

      Thanks for the read, Greta! Songswriters have my utmost respect – country songwriters especially. I’m not a songwriter so any advice here comes from observations and interactions with writers. Since writing is personal instead of a service, I’d look for someone who has some songwriting experience and can internalize what’s in your head but yet to come out paper. The ability to talk through your ideas (perhaps a line) with a professional writer would be extremely valuable. You may well need to have a contract though as sharing “concepts” can be something professional writers avoid because of potential future copyright issues. Good luck!

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