![\"Britney-Spears-Cringe-Face\"](\"http:\/\/sites.dwrl.utexas.edu\/countrymusic\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2015\/09\/Britney-Spears-Cringe-Face1.gif\")
<\/a>Upon entering college, I immersed myself in a culture so enthralled with country music that it was abnormal to NOT have it playing at events. Bar-B-Q\u2019s, two-stepping date events, Midnight Rodeo, and football tailgates are just a few of the places that I have been exposed to the genre that captures the true meaning of southern pride.<\/p>\nThe first time I worked at the store, I remember hearing the whiney sound of some country song and thinking how much I wished I could control the station and change it to an indie or pop station. After a couple of weeks, it still did not sit right with my ears, because I felt as if it all sounded the same.<\/p>\n Prior to my college career, I had little interest in country music. Aside from my brief two-week phase in middle school, country music was never my music of choice, and at times, I even cringed when I heard it. Upon … Continue reading <\/a>Being in a sorority\u2014a sorority at The University of Texas in Austin, which happens to be the live music capital of the world\u2014has fed my passion for country music, but what ultimately marked my change in spirit was working as employee at a small boutique. I spend hours on end working away in that little store, and most of the time, we have the radio\u00a0set to country stations. It\u2019s relaxing, enjoyable, and fits in with the desired dynamic of the store.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Often what can define our taste in music are the people we surround ourselves with, such as our friends and family. That is why it came as a surprise to me when I realized that I was beginning to enjoy some of the more popular tunes found on various country stations. One such song that remains my favorite is “Like a Wrecking Ball<\/a>” by Eric Church. His music as a whole is well written and has an almost retro sound. It was then that I truly began to appreciate country music.<\/p>\n<\/a>Some may contend that contemporary country music can hardly be placed under the genre of country, because it has been so highly influenced by popular culture. I have found that modern country music has helped me slowly integrate older music into my life, and I have begun to fully appreciate its value.<\/p>\n<\/a>In the end, I am thankful to my boss for introducing me to such an amazing genre of music, and I cannot wait to continue to learn more about it through this course.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"