Just a Little Bit Country

Felicia in the control room, two weeks on the job

My youngest granddaughter, Felicia, is graduating next month with a diploma in Media and Communications. And she has already been hired as an on-air radio personality, hosting her own radio show on a country station (not her usual genre) on the Canadian Prairies. Some might think her choice is unusual for a 19-year-old in this day and age, I mean, is radio even a ‘thing’ anymore? But you know, it is! But more about that later. First, she needs an introduction to country music appreciation. Which is where I come in.

I used to listen to country music at one time in my life, so in an act of solidarity with my granddaughter, I began listening to it again so that I could encourage her to develop a palate for country music. The theory is that by sharing with her the country music that I used to like, or songs I’ve only recently come to enjoy, she might learn to like them too! It’s worth a shot.

First up is an old country song called “Thank God for the Radio” by Alan Jackson. It was released in the mid-80’s stone age but the lyrics are a timeless reminder of how listening to songs on the radio can touch us, bring back memories or keep us company. Felicia should feel proud that the music she plays could brighten someone’s day or help them to feel less lonely.

And as I cast my 70-year-old mind back to what role radio has played in my life, I remember buying my first transistor radio when I was about 12 years old. I loved that thing and took it with me everywhere. The Beatles were IT back then. And Van Morrison came out with “Brown Eyed Girl”. Being the owner of a pair of baby-browns, I loved that song.

Then, there were the contests. When I was 13 years old, a local radio station, CFOX, offered a prize for the first girl with shoulder-length hair to show up at the station. I walked my shoulder-haired self the several miles it took to get there, only to find out I had to be a beautiful 18-year-old shoulder-haired girl to qualify. Undaunted, by the age of fifteen I was winning all kinds of radio contests – first caller gets the prize! I discovered a gift for speed-dialing the radio station on the push-button phone that had replaced my parents’ old rotary phone (look it up). I won tickets three times in a row to a floating disco (look that up too) that was moored in the Montreal harbour. Of course, my parents wouldn’t let me go.

As a teenager, I went about making myself as odious as possible by regularly taking a radio into the bathroom with me and playing my music full blast for 45 minutes while I showered until I’d drained every drop of hot water. We were five people living in a town house with only one bathroom. But oh, how I loved listening to that radio!

Fast-forward to 1990 when I was hired by CKX in Brandon, Manitoba to write and produce radio and television commercials in the exact same building where Felicia now works. These were mostly 30-second ‘spots’ and I had to choose music for the D.J., who voiced my commercial, to play in the background. Being in farm country, I found myself writing a lot of ads for farm equipment dealerships. And so, this big city girl from Montreal quickly had to become versed in the world of harvesters and balers, seeders and plows, a ‘harrowing’ experience, to say the least. And in the process, I listened to lots of country music and even developed a taste for it. I still like listening to George Strait singing “Ace in the Hole” because it reminds me of the ad I wrote to promote seeders. “You’ve got to have an ace in the hole, a little secret that nobody knows.”

And now that I’ve committed myself to discovering, and re-discovering country music that I like, I’ve added a few tunes to two of my playlists. One playlist I call, One Twenty because the songs are recorded in 120 beats per minute, perfect for my daily walks. Included are Brad Paisley’s instructive “Limes”, “and his cheeky “I’ll Take You Back”. Randy Travis’ long and lanky “King of the Road” also makes this playlist.

My other playlist is called Housework Music because it’s music that motivates me to keep cleaning, and I need all the help I can get. These include a longtime favourite tune by Charlie Daniels, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”. Brad Paisley takes center stage with the sarcastic “I’m Gonna Miss Her”. Randy Travis’ “Forever and Ever, Amen” is an absolute favourite because it makes me think of my sweet husband of 50+ years.

(So, there you go, Felicia if you’ve read this far into my blog. I have other country tunes in these playlists, but you can ask me, and I’ll share them with you).

One final thing. I know that Felicia’s new job will include touring small-town festivals and meeting country music fans. A long time ago, I asked a friend why she loved country music so much. She said something that has stayed with me ever since. “I like the kind of people who like country music.” And I knew exactly what she meant. I hope Felicia will too.

COMING UP NEXT

My next blog will introduce you to my father, Maurice. Stay tuned!