I confess that I have been tough on country the last few years. However, I have been a fan all of my life, learning to play the guitar to Hank Williams Sr. So, my quarrel with country is a "lover's quarrel." Country seems to be leaving the field for the beach. Some country is less about the family farm and more about sitting on the beach. I think Jimmy Buffet has been adopted as a major influence on modern country. I am also a parrot head and think Buffet's music stands apart, and should stay that way. As somone on this page said, "good music is good music" and labels often get in the way of just enjoying the music. However, it is the distinctive subject matter of different genres that have made all forms good. It is possible to have "distinction" and "contribution." Country, I believe, should own its orignial distinction of telling human stories about the human condition, "away from the asphalt." And, I think, away from the beach. A song here or there does not alarm me, but there seems to be a trend of moving country from its rural origins. When that happens, what genre will speak to rural Americana? Springsteen, Mellancamp, are masters at small town American life. Dylan, Young, Springsteen and others write well of the political climate of our nation. Now country sounds like top 40 radio with a twang. Perhaps this has to do with the loss of the family farm as we knew it. Now less people live in the country and less do not "live country." I must also admit it is difficult to watch country videos of artists singing on a beach wearing boots and cowboy hats. The late southern humorist and country music lover Lewis Grizzard has to be turning in his grave over such videos. Perhaps the trend away from rural American life and its unique style of life is a faulty perception on my part. Maybe I am out of touch with modern country. I value knowing how you understand modern country and its place in and contribution to the world of good music.