Bluegrass State of Mind

4 hours ago

I can still remember one of the first times I ever visited Kentucky. We were heading down to Oklahoma to visit one of my dad's old buddies from the Navy and we stopped for a day or two in the town where Mammoth Caves are. A long long time ago there used to be an old west themed park called Guntown or Rifletown or something like that where you had to ride a chair lift to get up to it.

From the moment I heard the story about how Mammoth Cave was discovered and I took the walk down the stairs in to the historic entrance, I knew there was something magical about Kentucky. I've been back a few times since then. My sister and her husband lived outside of Lexington for a while. I still remember the thrill of driving 55 down the windy curvy back roads. It's honestly some of the most beautiful country you have ever seen. Horse farms with fences running for miles, black tobacco barns, bourbon. You get the idea.

I've driven through Kentucky a few times on my way down to Nashville, Tennessee as well, and there is always something that makes you want to stop and linger just a little longer in the Bluegrass State, no matter how eager you are to get down to Tennessee. There is a reason the hills and hollers of Kentucky are so well know across the world, they are just amazing places. It's like you are stepping into a whole different world.

Don't get me wrong, I still love Michigan, and I wouldn't trade living here for pretty much anything, but there is just something really special about Kentucky and though I have only visited about half of the US, Kentucky would definitely be high up in the list if I was ever considering moving.

In case you haven't guessed, our musical road trip through the United States in alphabetical order takes us to Kentucky this week. This is part of the #threetunetuesday prompt started by @ablaze. It's been a lot of fun working through these posts and unlike some of the other states, Kentucky was almost too easy this week.

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Call me crazy, but I have never been much of an Elvis fan. Even when I was back in high school and there was this girl that was totally in love with him, I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy his music. Sure, there were a couple of songs that I don't mind, but for the most part I just didn't see the appeal. I used to hate the song "In The Ghetto", but thanks to South Park, I don't mind it too much anymore. "Kentucky Rain" on the other hand is one that I have always enjoyed despite my disdain for the The King.

It's just a really good song and it has a good vibe to it. What I mean is, it's kind of upbeat for a sad song, but it just works really well. If you remember the rules of my posts, the song has to have the name of the state in the title or lyrics. This one fits the bill on both counts. If you have never heard Elvis or you aren't sure you like him, this is a good song to start with. It might just change your mind.

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I am unapologetically a huge Neil Diamond fan. I just think he is pretty amazing as a singer and a songwriter. It's easy for people to get caught up in the whole "Sweet Caroline" schtick and forget that he has a whole catalog of songs that are just as good if not better than that one. They might not have the same sing along value, but there is no question they are amazing songs.

"Kentucky Woman" is one of those that I kind of feel like falls through the cracks at times. It's got some good lyrics, a nice message, and just a pretty amazing feel to it. There is a lot to love about this song. I almost makes you want to go out and find a nice Kentucky woman of your own. My friend told me once that Kentucky women always have great legs because of all the hills they have to walk up and down.

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Finally, that brings me to a song I know I have shared with you here before, but it just fits so well into this category that I would be crazy if I didn't include it here. "I Love My Country" by Florida Georgia Line is just a fun rocking country song that you can't help but sing along to. If you can work your way through some of the tongue twister lyrics that is. I think one of my favorite parts of the chorus is how they slide that "whiskey from Kentucky" line in there. You wouldn't think there were would be a way to fit it in and make it rhyme, but they totally do.

Just a quick reminder, all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon and Kentucky is basically the home of bourbon by law though many other distilleries in other states are co-opting the technique and the name.

As I said before, there are so many great places to visit in the United States, but there is just something extra special about Kentucky. At least to me. What do you think?