In celebration of the country singer:
I love country music - especially the lyrics. So, while I loved Luke Combs lyrics, i detested the fact that his concerts were wrapped in the Confederate flag, which I found offensive. He had always told himself that he was just expressing his proud Southern heritage, but finally came to recognized that the Confederate flag was a painful reminder of slavery and the Jim Crow South. So, he recently pronounced:
"As I've grown in my time as an artist, and as the world has changed drastically in the last five to seven years, I am now aware how painful that image can be. I would never want to be associated with something that brings so much hurt to someone else... I'm trying to learn. I'm trying to get better. I know that I'm a very highly visible member of the country music community right now. And I want to use that position for good, and to say that people can change, and people do want to change, and I'm one of those people trying."
I was delighted that he has grown as an artist and a decent human being who recognizes how painful it is for so many when we see the Confederate flag flying from a rooftop, yard, or pickup truck, I can now publicly admit my affection for his lyrics:
"I can't turn it off once I turn it on," "It takes one hand to count the things I can count on." "Taste the salt on the rim, feel the sand on your skin." "Even though I'm leavin' I ain't going nowhere." "I got away with you. And somehow I still ain't been found out. It's the crazy truth. Like I strolled out the gates of Alcatraz. And walked in the Louvre. And the Mona Lisa's hanging in my house. I bust out of Buckingham Palace with the crown jewels. And I got away with you." "The moon went hiding. Stars quit shining. Rain was driving, thunder, lightening. You wrecked my whole world when you came. And hit me like a hurricane." "I was the one phone call when my brother went to jail. Pawned my guitar just to pay his bail. No, I'll never get it back. But I'm okay with that." "I'm one number away from calling you. I said I was through, but I'm dying inside. Got my head in a mess, girl I confess. I lied when I said: I'm leaving and not coming back." "I like a sunrise, duck blind. Birdie on a par five. Miller Lite before noon. I like two-door old Ford. Wood board back porch. Three cords and the truth." "I love the way she ride." and "Nothing picks me up like a beer can."
Ladies and gentlemen, those are right up there with: "If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?" and "I am the only hell my mama ever raised." and my favorite: "You are the reason my kids are ugly."
Luke was born in 1990 in North Carolina. He has been performing since he was a child and dropped out of college to pursue a highly successful singing career in Nashville with several hits including the number one on the hot country songs chart, "The Way She Rides." He won two Grammy Awards, five CMA awards, two iHeart Radio music awards, and a host of other accolades. He is an amazing performer. And now I can proudly proclaim my admiration.
Good on you mate!