A tribute to Barbara Mandrell

Younger readers may not recognize Ms Mandrell's name, but at one time, she was a big deal in country music. Beginning in the late sixties, she put out a string of hits, had a prime time, network television show and had a huge following. Her career faded as the nineties progressed and she is now retired, and just last year was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

None of this however, is why I offer a tribute to her today. In the late seventies, the success of a John Travolta movie - Urban Cowboy - began a resurgence in country music, and inspired a trend among city and suburb dwellers of wearing Western-styled clothing and particularly cowboy boots. In one of Dan Jenkins' books, Baja Oklahoma, he noted that it also inspired a new pickup line for use in local bars- I've always worn boots.

Shortly after this trend emerged, Ms Mandrell had a huge hit called "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" mocking those trendy folks. Being the redneck I've always been, I enjoyed very much that she was able to rub their noses in it.

Today that song I liked so much has inspired a bumper sticker which I might like even more. I only hope that those few of my relatives who voted the Democrat ticket can fully appreciate it.

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