Aww Mondays
We have had some real winter. Temperatures have dropped well below zero at night and there has been a decent amount of snow. What is unusual about this weather is that it has lasted almost two weeks. Typically we get cold weather for a few days at a time, scattered throughout the winter and temps rarely dip into single digits. We often get three or four snow falls in the 2″ – 4″ range and maybe one that will exceed 6″. Some winters we don’t get any accumulations of snow. Right now we have about 6″ on the ground and 2″ -5″ on the way. It is historic…not just here but across most of the southern half of the nation.
The critters are not real happy either. The robins just don’t know what to do. The squirrels come by to check out any seeds that have fallen out of my bird feeders. This little fellow comes by almost every morning. He will just as happy as the rest of us when spring arrives.
Monday’s Music Moves Me
This week at 4M is a freedom of choice week. A couple of weeks ago I featured one of my favorite country artists that has been making music for over 40 years, Dwight Yoakam. Dwight, Buck Owens. and Merle Haggard brought the “Bakersfield Sound” to country music. The Bakersfield Sound was a combination of Western Swing, Rock n’ Roll, Bluegrass and Hillbilly Country. Today I am going to feature an artist that has been on the scene for several years now and is moving the country sound back to traditional country with a touch of rock and roll. Like Dwight, Chris Stapleton is a singer/songwriter and his much of his music comes from life experiences. Enjoy.
Driller's Place 
An interesting voice, and doing some reading, I see he once opened for Guns N’Roses, and also for Tom Petty. I read of his relationship with Tom Petty and their mutual admiration for each other. After listening to your selections I checked out a tribute cover of Tom Petty’s “Learning to Fly” after Petty’s death. Thank you for this intro.
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There is indeed a lot of grit in Chris’ voice and a lot of soul in his lyrics.
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We’ll all be glad for spring. The swamp critters are certainly not used to what was dished out this past week.
Everything old becomes new again, doesn’t it, even in music.
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Every few decades someone has to bring country music back closer to it’s roots. There is a current trend to add a pop beat and a little rap rhythm to country music and I am not terribly fond of it.
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Poor critters are ready for some warm. Great shots though. You’re a whiz with your camera.
Love Chris. I’m not sure I’ve heard him before. I like.
Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
Have a great day and week. Stay warm. 🙂
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The bird feeders have been very busy lately.
Glad you enjoyed the music today.
As always, thanks for stopping by.
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Funny because around here it was below zero day and night for quite a stretch, but double digits below zero for almost two weeks at night. Our squirrels disappeared in the cold but yours seem to come out. Now we are above zero and they are out along with lots of rabbits. Have a great week and great squirrel captures.
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The robins here were hunkered down on the ground and snuggled up against buildings to get out of the wind. It was a sad sight and I am sure a few did not survive the ordeal. However, tomorrow the temperature will soar to near 70 and spring will be in the air.
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What a cute little squirrel, I feel so bad for critters at this time of year.
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I felt sorry for all of the critters, but I always gain a little more respect for the pioneer settlers who endured these conditions with little more than what the animals had to keep them warm.
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That squirrel is adorable.
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Squirrels are unique little critters, but they can be annoying.
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You got some great photos of those bushy tail critters. I feel for y’all with this weird wintry blast. It’s been cold here but nothing like what’s been going on in the mid-west for which I’m very thankful. I can’t even imagine it being worse. This month is just about gone with spring fast approaching. Let’s hope good weather comes with the calendar change. I really enjoy Chris Stapleton’s style. Now, this is my kind of country!
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It was pretty brutal here for a few days but nothing like what our neighbors in Texas are having to endure. Our temperatures were colder but the damage was much worse in the Lone Star state.
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Magnificent wintry photos of the squirrel and great music ~ Happy Week to you ~ ^_^
Living moment by moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
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Glad you enjoyed your visit today.
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That last song is outstanding. I’m hearing more and more of Chris Stapleton.
I’m following a discussion right now about the effects of 9/11 on Country Music. Some are saying that the themes of the songs switched to toward revenge and anger and has evolved to the popular bro Country movement of the last several years featuring songs about tractors, harvests, getting drunk, and women and away from more traditional themes. I am not sure that I buy into that or not but it does seem the people like Stapleton are pulling things in a different direction that has more staying power. Many country acts nowdays are indistinguishable from rock music.
In some ways I think of country music as music for grownups. Not to throw shade at younger performers in hip/hop, soul, and all that but country music is more accessible to older people and the themes are more understandable.
You continue to inspire with the range of music that you like.
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On some levels, country music has always been about tractors, pick-up trucks, getting drunk, and women. Garth Brooks,”The Thunder Rolls” is certainly about a woman. Buck Owens, “Close Up All The Honky Tonks”, is about drinking and women. “Cold, Cold Heart” and “Honky Tonkin”, by the king of country music Hank Williams Sr. are about women and drinking. And I completely agree with you that country music has always attracted a little older audience. Some would say that rock n roll is the offspring of country music. Those of us who listened to Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles in the 60’s & 70’s turned to Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and Alabama in the 80’s and 90’s. Today we’re listening to Lady A, Chris Stapleton, and Old Dominion. There is something for everyone in country music.
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Awesome photos! I love your black and white images especially! Great tunes to tap my toe also! Thanks!
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I love playing with black & white photos. Sometimes, they tell the story more vividly than color.
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Before digital I used to develop and print my own B and W photos-and my color photos too ….so much fun!
Not sure where I would find a Photo lab these days- we could rent a space and work a way!
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Great photos and sending you some prayers and positive thoughts. Love your song choices.
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Things are looking up. It’s going to be nearly 70 tomorrow.
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What is with this winter anyway. Great skwerl photos we love those fellows
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Thankfully, I believe we have had our last winter blast and spring is about to fling.
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The Bakersfield Sound is great! Good playlist!
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