MDBCs 17 Sep 2023

Celebrate all things country on September 17 or International Country Music Day. The unofficial holiday was created in 2003 as a way to bring together musicians and fans of the popular music genre, and to increase the number of country music aficionados around the world.

Country music is a type of music that originated in eastern and southern United States during the 1920s. A combination of several styles, country music grew out of folk music brought to America by European immigrants. Unlike the prevailing European music at that time, however, country music took on a very distinct American flavor when it came to song lyrics. Singers and musicians avoided lyrics about love and romance, and instead sang about the daily life struggles of an ordinary working class person.

Many Styles

Stylistically, country music usually includes harmonies that are guided by instruments like the banjo, guitars and the harmonica.

As country music has evolved over the year, several sub-genres have emerged. Some of these include honky-tonk, bluegrass music, rockabilly, country rock and country pop. Today, country music is some of the most widely heard music in the United States and in many other parts of the world.

In the U.S., people celebrate National Country Music Day on July 4.

How to Celebrate?

Celebrate this musical holiday by listening to all your favorite country music songs.
If you have never been introduced to this genre of music, today is the perfect reason to take some time off, put in your ear phones and discover the wonderful, melodious world of country music.
Visit a local country music concert or host a country music party at home. Play country music and have your guests come dressed as their favorite country music artist.

Did You Know…

…that Nashville, Tennessee is considered to be the home of country music?

***

In an attempt to balance work and motherhood, I delegated the grocery shopping to my young babysitter. But the job proved a tad daunting. One day while I was at work, she texted me from the supermarket.

"Can't find Brillo pads," she wrote. "All they have are Tampax and Kotex."

***

My mom moved into a new condo, and I went to visit for a couple of days. Searching for a coffee cup one morning, I sighed, "It seems like I'm always looking for something in your kitchen."

"That's good," Mom said. When I looked confused,

she explained, "Because when you know where to look, it's time to go home."

***

Over dinner, I explained the health benefits of a colorful meal to my family.

"The more colors, the more variety of nutrients," I told them.

Pointing to our food, I asked, "How many different colors do you see?"

"Six," volunteered my daughter. "Seven if you count the burned parts."

***

When my customer ordered  iced tea, I asked, “Sweetened or  unsweetened?”