Previous post
Next post
America-bashing is chic for celebrities. In Hollywood, they churn out anti-America movie after anti-America movies, bash our troops (remember the ridiculous waste statement?), bash our President, and flock to Europe in droves. They glowingly praise people like Hugo Chavez and Che Guevara. They publicly show support for terrorists and they bash us hicks in Flyover Country. Their patriotism is definitely in question on this blog.
But there is one area of celebrity where they do love America, and that’s country music. Country music stars are openly patriotic, and it’s probably the one place where celebrities can openly admit to being Republican without fear of reprisal. And for the election, Redbook magazine profiled some of the biggest names in country music, asking them what they love about their country. Here were some of my favorite responses:
Julianne Hough:
What do I value most about being American? Freedom. Freedom to have a dream!
Clint Black:
As an American, I most value the freedom and security I have. America has had many great men and women throughout its history to thank for their sacrifices.
Jimi Westbrook from Little Big Town:
The American dream has everything to do with freedom. If you can dream it, it is possible. Your future is in your hands. It won’t necessarily be dropped in your lap, but if you are willing to work and fight for your dream, it can happen. I think that’s our story as a band. Nothing has ever been easy, but we have continued to persevere and fight for what we believed we could achieve. That is the American dream, and we are living it.
Trisha Yearwood:
I see something every day that makes me proud to be an American. We have the ability to be at our best when things are tough. We come together ever so briefly at times — like right after 9/11 or right after Katrina — and we show who we can be. It’s a beautiful thing.
Rodney Atkins:
I was honored to be a part of the Memorial Day concert in Washington, DC this year. It was so humbling and amazing to stand there and sing ‘God Bless America’ with so many proud Americans and soldiers. Every time I visit one of the military hospitals, I’m reminded of what being a patriot really means. The men and women that have in the past and are presently defending this great nation inspire me and make me count my blessings.
SHeDAISY:
A few years ago we had the amazing opportunity to board the USS Reagan aircraft carrier, which was coming to port so the soldiers could be reunited with their families. We had a wonderful experience performing for everyone on board and met some amazing people that day. The experience reminded us of the freedoms we have in this country and that it is because of those who work so hard behind the scenes that we enjoy those beautiful freedoms. It was a day never to be forgotten!
Craig Morgan:
What do I value most about being an American? Freedom. No country shares the freedom that each citizen has in the United States of America.
Jeremy McComb:
The American Dream to me is hope, passion, and the ability to choose the path in life that fulfills both of them. That, along with the ability to be able to work on who you want to be — regardless of your background or your struggles — is all a part of being an American and building the dream. For a country boy, that’s a dream come true.
Sarah Buxton:
When you chose not to vote you choose not to honor the sacrifices that our soldiers are making in order for us to have our voice of freedom!
For more country music stars like James Otto, Martina McBride, and Sugarland showing some love to America, click on over to Redbook. But the entire article is what you should really read, so go pick up a copy. There’s even more from these celebrities, and all of it is touching and heartfelt.
We live in the greatest country in the world. Kudos to Redbook and these talented stars for proudly swimming against the Hollywood current.
Most of us, I think, understood where country music stars stand on this country…of late we can recall Charlie Daniels, and Toby Keith and their stand…but we can even revert back to the old tunes of Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard. It was Tom T. Hall who put out the song “Country is”, and he pretty well defined it.
Truth be known, country music is the home grown music of the “heartland” commonly referred to by the elitests as “flyover” country.
RM says: I’m not a big country music fan but I’ve come to admire many of the artists for their courage to stand up for the flag and what it represents (the likes of the Dixie Chicks excepted). Toby Keith’s recent statements as to why he left the Democratic party was telling of his character and values…the fact that he remained with that party so long is also a testament to his loyalty…great to have him on board as an independent.
MarkS says: Well, except for those Dixie Chicks…
Darius says: You’re pretty much right about the overall trend in Country. Just like there are exceptions in country music (someone mentioned the Dixie Chicks?), there are other exceptions as well.
One of my all-time favorite bands is a darkwave/goth band called the Cruxshadows. Think a crunchier, higher energy Depeche Mode without the nihilism/world is crap attitude of all too many goth/industrial/whatever bands (one reason I mostly stopped listening to the genre – I grew out of it…). Many of the songs are about heroism and sacrifice (Winterborn, Eye of the Storm, Sophia) and personal initiative (Birthday) and ASSUME a non-postmodern worldview without (usually) ramming it down your throat. I got to spend some time talking to him at DragonCon and it turns out he went to art school vice film for college – as the film school didn’t want him due to his political activities.
Given that he was in the Naval ROTC, and the political trends in films like “W” that get critically praised, it seems pretty obvious where at least SOME of his sympathies lay.
I also know a bunch of soldiers who love their music.
🙂
Cylar says: When you chose not to vote you choose not to honor the sacrifices that our soldiers are making in order for us to have our voice of freedom!
I understand the sentiment, but…
I’m formally climbing off the “it’s patriotic to vote” bandwagon. In my opinion, we have too many people voting, not too few. I hate seeing some idiot “man in the street” interviewed, and cringing as I watch him NOT be able to identify a photograph of George Washington, or not be able to tell how many senators there are. I cringe again when I realize that this person will probably go to the polls anyway, having been instructed to do so by MTV’s “Rock the Vote”…and almost certainly cancel out any vote that I cast, since uneducated people tend to vote left-wing.
It’s my opinion that anyone wishing to vote should have to pass a civics exam, re-administered every few years. Something along the lines of that given to people wanting to become legal US citizens. I don’t know how we’d pull this off (legally, politically, or logistically) but it seems like too high of a priveledge for just anyone to be throwing around. Let’s face it – the uneducated masses – those vulnerable to demagoguery casting ballots – are how we wind up with liberal majorities in Congress.
That having been said, I appreciate the contribution that country music stars make to our nation, the Ditsy Tricks’ disgusting outburst notwithstanding.
DMacP says: You know I love the Dixie Chicks music, and even though I didn’t appreciate their perspective, or the way it was delivered, or the audience it was delivered to (you don’t air your dirty laundry in public), that too is what makes America great.
MarkS says: Cylar said:
“It’s my opinion that anyone wishing to vote should have to pass a civics exam, re-administered every few years.”
I think that also, although I am invariably immediately told it smacks of Jim Crow-era literacy tests that prevented some from voting. I agree that the results of elections determine local, state and national policy for years and voting is something too critical, serious and important to leave up to someone who doesn’t know his or her senators or basic economic theory.
In my system, you take a civics/economics/history test (outlines and guides cheerfully provided – learning is a good thing!), and your vote is scaled according to how well you did on the test.
bballbob says: I don’t think anyone should vote unless they can show that they have paid taxes: income, property, or payroll. Everyone should have skin in the game. As of today, there are too many people who just vote for the person who promises to give them the most.
We are almost to the point where there will be more people in this country who do not pay taxes, than who do.
As the saying goes if you promise to rob Peter to pay Paul, you can always count on Paul’s vote.
8 Comments