Shipwrecked in the Boondocks

I am really disappointed that God's Country Radio is no longer being aired on public radio in my market (Lexington, KY), which has Air 1 Radio & K-LOVE Radio- 88.1 Somerset,Kentucky.  Not that I am against the other stations, but there are ARE conservative, COUNTRY MUSIC fans like me that want to hear positive, upbeat & uplifting songs without having to filter through some of the "other" stuff.

PLZ TAKE NOTE, 92.9 The Bear because I have been switching to 98.1 The Bull / WBUL Lexington a LOT lately -- not just because they have a local morning show but because they also play a VARIETY of Country songs not only from the current hits but from past years.

There is a LOT to choose from, and you have an opportunity to play songs that will either encourage or discourage your listening audience as well as make or break the careers of upcoming artists many of which have been sadly overlooked in this market.

In this difficult, economic time, I would think that playing songs that will motivate people rather than make every-day tasks more difficult would be beneficial not only to the listener but also to the station as well as be more profitable for all.

I'm not saying that playing songs that reflect BOTH ups & downs is bad, but playing certain songs over & over -- especially in the Winter -- that are not emotionally nor spiritually uplifting is detrimental, and as much as I have tried to remain loyal to one station, I have found that doing so was like being trapped in a a bad marriage; something that I am not capable of doing.

I understand that there is a requirement by certain powers that be to play specific artists & songs, but there has to be a compromise somewhere in the playlist.  ...and I believe that there should be a choice, so having two stations that play Country music in a market as big as Lexington & Central Kentucky should not be an issue as long as both stations are making every effort to balance the music being played & the advertising that is necessary to provide this service to the public.

I can only guess that certain parties have catered to a few persons & parties that have made noise about this issue, and although there is a large number of residents in Lexington & Central Kentucky that are from or have relatives in Eastern Kentucky, not everyone wants to hear "traditional" Country nor even Bluegrass (-gasp-) all of the time -- NOT even those that live there as I can attest to by being someone who falls into both groups (as a former resident of Eastern Kentucky with many friends & family in that region, also).

I think that "old" Country AND Bluegrass are GREAT, and they have their place especially since they are the foundation of anything considered "Country" being played today, and I am equally fond of "Souther Rock" & artists that have crossed over & have combined styles, so to exclude all of one group to focus on another, to me, is just shooting yourself in the foot.

I am one who can appreciate that there is a new generation of artists creating new music every day, since I am both a Country Music fan & a parent of a young adult, but from my experience in both categories, I can tell you that appreciating what is BOTH "old" AND "new" is what MAKES a person a Country Music fan.

Otherwise, you not only drive the audience to a different station but ALSO drive them to search for other genres then ultimately, always coming back to what is considered as "home," which IS Country Music -- only to find that lying, dying & cheating is what is being glamorized & glorified 24/7 STILL -- what our parents & grandparents continuously & repeatedly WARN us about.

...when there are a LOT of artists who have graduated & EVOLVED THEMSELVES to a higher plane.  They have explored new styles & themes based upon THEIR own life experiences but are often being overlooked & neglected by younger, "hotter" artists that are singing about the same old thing (SEX), TOO, which is only setting up the newer artists as well as fans for future disappointment, ALSO.

Yes.  Indeed, sex MAY sell -- as well as going off about a cheating husband or boyfriend, but SO DO SONGS ABOUT OTHER THINGS IN LIFE because that IS what is "REAL."

I am overjoyed & honored that my own daughter has grown into a Country Music fan in her own right, but what concerns me is that she will feel the same, future disappointment by the time that she is my age when she searches for a radio station on the dial for something that isn't squawking about hooking up then giving up without thinking that she has to settle for "Gospel" stations if that is not what she wants to hear all day EITHER -- or "Oldies" that are NOT Country -- or "Pop"/"Rock" stations that, when they DO play a song by a "Country" artist, they are remixed, so they can be disguised as something more "acceptable" to those not living in the South or Rural (-gasp- again) areas.

God forbid that we are not ashamed of the fact that we believe in God, Redemption & our COUNTRY, which before interstates & skyscrapers, did have literal ROOTS -- from things like trees & FAMILIES.

It would be really nice if Kentucky could rally around & agree upon something other than the Wildcats.  ...not that there is anything wrong with that, but where does that enthusiasm go after the games end?

We are being steamrolled in every area but basketball.

Meanwhile, I miss "My Old Kentucky Home."  ...or at least what I thought of what it would be by now.  ...what I saw it as when I came here as a young child.  ...what I thought I had stayed here for by the time that I became a mother.

...but then again, I am "not always right."

I was just under the impression that morals did not change, and Biblical principles were the foundation of society in these parts.

Where is THAT Kentucky?  Was it just a dream?

Every place has both good & bad characteristics.

I just wish that more of the good ones could have lasted longer without feeling like we sold out & settled for everything else in the process.
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THANKS, AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN ALL STAY TUNED -- OR AFFORD TO BUY NEW STRINGS. ;) =)