Evolution of Music

            I am a country music fan but only by association. Before I met Branden, my knowledge of country music was the song Elvira by the Oak Ridge Boys, whatever the  Mandrell sisters were singing on TV, and that Kenny Rogers knew when to hold 'em. Branden introduced me to country music like Hank and Randy Travis. Especially in those early years, country music was playing on the radio when we were in the car together. It was fine, I developed my own taste in country music that didn't always jive with his. Sometimes I would even listen to country when I was alone. But, I hadn't listened to any country music since he died 9 months ago. Listening to country music was more our thing than my thing. 

    One day in October,  I forgot my phone at home when I drove off to work. The horror. How was I supposed to stream my podcasts? Actually sitting in silence was not meshing with my Monday vibes. That's when I remembered my radio had this feature called FM. The first station that I tuned to was the local country station. It was fine, it was familiar. Then it happened. A Chris Stapleton song started and so did my tears. 

    The last concert Branden and I saw together was Chris Stapleton. It was a good weekend. It was 2019 before the world shut down. It was before Branden's mental health took a nose dive. We had gone to Louisville with two other couples and I was starting to see what life as a couple of empty nesters could be. I love being a mom, but I was looking forward to quality time with my husband, 

    Obviously, life in 2023 is not what I pictured back in 2019. In November, my youngest son and his girlfriend flew to Florida to go to a concert with my oldest son and daughter-in-law. It was HER, Imagine Dragons, and Chris Stapleton. (I know, weird combination). My daughter-in-law sent me a text during the concert to let me know that it was being live-streamed on the WalMart webpage. I decided to sit in the comfort of my own home, connect my computer to the TV, and enjoy the show. I wasn't sure how I would feel when Chris Stapleton started to play. But, I was fine. Music brings memories to the surface, but that's a good thing. 

    Every once in a while I will turn on country music when I am in the car. But, more than likely you will hear some 80s rock if you're next to me at a stop light. If I am in a mood, it might be Eminem or Nelly. If I feel I need some Jesus it will be Matt Maher. I like that my tastes are diverse. It's because of Branden that my diverse interests include country music.