Getting my students into modern country music

@NJChicaa (121846)
United States
March 11, 2025 2:14pm CST
Like 15 years ago I went to a Toby Keith concert with my family. I was laughing at the idea of me going to a country concert. After that I saw Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Rodney Atkins, Zac Brown Band and, well, I was officially a fan of modern country music. (not the stuff that @FourWalls likes ) I listen to Pandora on the computer at work. I have a Kenny Chesney channel that I mostly listen to. I like Pandora because it will play songs and you can give them a thumbs up or down so it learns what you do and don't like. The songs it plays for me are a combination of country and beachy island music like Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, etc. I usually keep the music turned down low so I can hear it but the students really can't. (most of them have their headphones or AirPods in anyway) Lately though I've been playing it a bit louder. One student who sits right in the front said to me a few weeks ago that she was surprised she was really starting to like it. Another class insists that I turn it up when they are doing a quiz or test because it helps them to focus. . . I have no idea how but that's what they want. Today I had it on for all of my classes and it was loud enough that most of them could hear it. I was surprised to see that they didn't complain or revolt. I asked my last class if it was distracting them and if they wanted me to turn it down. They all said no. Fine with me. Of course the country and beachy songs invariably include references to beer, whiskey, boat drinks, etc. I *did* skip over Toby Keith's "Red Solo Cup" today but I let Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville" play. I have absolutely no rationale for that decision-making process. I heard this song today for the first time and love it. I immediately added it to my Apple Music playlist. It is called "Good With Me" by Walker Hayes.
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3 people like this
4 responses
@TheHorse (224348)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Mar
Did they enjoy "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw"?
3 people like this
@NJChicaa (121846)
• United States
11 Mar
That one didn't come on. I honestly can't remember if I've ever heard it on Pandora before.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (224348)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Mar
@NJChicaa Well, you can always play them this one instead. This our usual encore song.
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1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (121846)
• United States
11 Mar
@TheHorse HAHAHAHAHA I've known about that song for decades. There is an entertainer in this area, Rich Meyer, who basically has been doing the same one man show forever. He does this song when he is doing a later-night "adult" show. I texted my cousin last summer after my neighbor and I went to see one. I texted her "You piss me off" and she immediately "you F-ing jerk!"
2 people like this
11 Mar
3 people like this
@TheHorse (224348)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Mar
Yes?
@AmbiePam (96426)
• United States
20h
I love Walker Hayes, and country music is my favorite. You chose a good one.
2 people like this
@NJChicaa (121846)
• United States
19h
the kids loved it
2 people like this
@FourWalls (72167)
• United States
21h
That’s not country music. You can put a cowboy hat on Beyoncé but that doesn’t make her Loretta Lynn.
2 people like this
@NJChicaa (121846)
• United States
20h
Beyonce def isn't country but I enjoy most of what I hear on Pandora
1 person likes this