Growing up in Western Canada, a Country and Western mecca, I’ve always avoided and denied Country music.

I lost my girl. I lost my truck. I lost my dog.

Country music has some wonderful talent (Shania Twain jumps to mind) … but I still see it as the preserve of dumb white people. Simple minded closet racists all endorse both kinds of music, Country and Western.

But times are changing …

… While album sales of most musical genres have declined, country music experienced one of its best years in 2006, when, during the first six months, U.S. sales of country albums increased by 17.7 percent to 36 million. …

… I keep hearing about this guy named Brad Paisley. One of my favourite critics calls his most recent album – American Saturday Night – the best of the year.

The second radio single is “Welcome to the Future” which Paisley said is his favorite song on the album.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I love it. Paisley played it at the White House for President Barack Obama. In fact, he was inspired to write this song by Obama.

Finally a Country star who can sing about big, modern issues. Technology. Racism. People who aren’t descended from Hillbillies.

This song could be covered by U2 or the Black Eyed Peas.

Paisley has signed to join a new hour-long drama TV series called Nashville. If that show is a hit, he’ll have crossed over to yet another huge market.

As Ron and Kate often urge, perhaps it’s time I give Country Music open minded consideration.

Hip Hop and neo punk are in decline.

How many Beyonce clones can I listen to?