Where do your country music roots begin?

[sunkisses]

Tell us if you are a California native. And if not, were you originated from and how you were first exposed to country music and what age?

[Rose]

California Native - Born in Burbank
Country music from Birth - Both of my parents were born and raised in Kentucky.
my first 45 was Tanya Tuckers - Delta Dawn

[uscpsycho]

Born in Phoenix but lived in LA since I was two years old so I consider myself a native.

I was one of those "anything but country" people until about four years ago. One night, a few days before Christmas I heard Tim McGraw's Live Like You Were Dying, I think I had the old Star 98.7 on for some reason. I loved the song and HAD to hear it again. I listened to Star for a few days and never heard it again.

So I caved in. I figured the only way I'd hear the song again was on KZLA. So I FORCED myself to listen to crappy country music long enough to hear that song again. And wouldn't you know, by the time I heard LLYWD I fell in love with country music. I guess I never gave it a fair chance before.

Now I won't listen to anything EXCEPT country music! All my friends think I've gone off the deep end. They call me a redneck, but I like to consider myself a Cardinalneck. I guess I finally came out of the hick closet. Funny thing is I had no idea how many of my friends like country music too, but nobody will admit it unless you do frist. LOL

I'm going to Nashville for CMA Fest in June for the second year in a row. Anyone else going?

[IheartMillerLite]

Born and raised in Los Angeles. Growing up my Aunt would listen to nothing but country so I got stuck on George Strait. That was the ONLY country I would listen too. Like uscpsycho I was one of those "anything but country" people. Around 4 years ago my boyfriend at the time was a huge country fan and that's all we would listen to in the car. I started to like a few songs here and there. Then my roommate got me listening to it more and more and yes, now I'm a fan. I've been totally converted and enjoying every minute of it. =)

[SassyVal]

I was born here in Orange Country California..
I was first exposed to country thanks to my momma... she listened to Barbara Mandrell all the time.. I remember "sleeping single in a double bed" the most...

[sunkisses]

I was born in Iowa and later moved to Colorado. I grew up to Waylon, Willie and the Boys....which I hated. My Dad would drop my brother and I off at high school in his Ford truck and when we'd open the door, he would jam "Mommas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys"! I was mortified. My friends would laugh and my Dad's truck was nicknamed "The Willie and Waylon mobile". I started listening to it on my own as I lived in a small town and that was all we got. The first time I heard Kenny Chesney sing....I was hooked. I love pretty much all of the country artists, past and present. Something about country music touches my heart and I hear parts of my lifes experiences in every song. I truly love it! It really speaks to me.

[GeorgeStraitfan1]

Born and bred in S.D. My mother listens to country music and i grew up on it. Loved it from the second i understood it and still love it to this day!

[KittyLeigh]

I helped convert IHML to a country fan!!! WOOOOOHOOOO!

Born and raised in So Cal - my dad listened to country when I was little (Alabama was one of my first concerts when I was around 9), Johnny Lee, Mickey Gilley, John Denver, John Anderson (I think that's his name - why am I thinking of a song called "Chicken Truck?" haha was that him?)

Anyway - was one of those "anything but country" girls from when I became a teenager (New Kids on the Block - haha) until around 6 years ago when I started taking line dancing classes. Discovered it wasn't so bad - now listen to MOSTLY country!

USC - you better be bringing that hat this weekend and having a photo op with IHML and I!!!!

[GeorgeStraitfan1]

Born and raised in Los Angeles. Growing up my Aunt would listen to nothing but country so I got stuck on George Strait.

Of course you did. Who doesnt get stuck on the KING OF COUNTRY MUSIC?? lol

[tgcali]

I was born in Iowa and later moved to Colorado. I grew up to Waylon, Willie and the Boys....which I hated. My Dad would drop my brother and I off at high school in his Ford truck and when we'd open the door, he would jam "Mommas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys"! I was mortified. My friends would laugh and my Dad's truck was nicknamed "The Willie and Waylon mobile". I started listening to it on my own as I lived in a small town and that was all we got. The first time I heard Kenny Chesney sing....I was hooked. I love pretty much all of the country artists, past and present. Something about country music touches my heart and I hear parts of my lifes experiences in every song. I truly love it! It really speaks to me.

Can I just say ditto?

Born in Iowa, later lived in Colorado, came to San Diego when I was eight. Spent 5 years in my twenties in Phoenix. Came back home to San Diego and haven't left since. Parents listened to Country, older brother listened to Deep Purple, Journey, Cheap Trick, The Who, etc., so I grew up with all of it and it shows because I listen to all of it. First and foremost a Country fan but I do need a Metallica fix now and again.

[TheMommie]

Born and raised in Los Angeles. Moved to the burbs once the kids came.

Always loved all kinds of music. But Lonestars Amazed, pushed me over the edge.

Hey Sun and Tg, where in Iowa, my husband is from Dubuque.

He says I'm the only hispanic Redneck Woman he knows.....

[sunkisses]

Hehe, Mommie. I grew up in a teeny town called Seymour, Iowa which is due south of Des Moines. Mid west people love country music and are simply the kindest, nicest people in the world! I am sure he'll agree with that!

[tgcali]

I was born in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County!

[sunkisses]

tg...we have SO much in common!

[sunkisses]

How young is everyone here? I will begin by saying I am proudly 40. I love this age. Feel better and look better than I did in my 20's

[uscpsycho]

USC - you better be bringing that hat this weekend and having a photo op with IHML and I!!!!

You better believe I'll be bringing that hat! And would be honored to have you lovely ladies grace a photograph with me

How do we find each other? Is there some stagecoach meeting place for the forum folks or just hope to find each other or xchg contact info?

[sunkisses]

Well I'm going to be brave and put my cell number out there. 909-763-1288 and my real name is Tracie Please call me so we can all get together! This only happens once a year.....let's start a tradition!

[Lizzy]

Born in Palm Springs, raised in the Coachella Valley. I have been listening to country my whole life, singing along to George Jones, Hank Williams and many more. Went through a phase where I listened to everything but country, but couldn't stay away for long. Now it is rare that I listen to anything else.

[Lewis]

Texas here. My roots started into country was hearing either Tish Hinojosa or Kathy Mattea. May have been around the same time. Still 18 Wheels is my all time favorite song.

[IheartMillerLite]

Of course you did. Who doesnt get stuck on the KING OF COUNTRY MUSIC?? lol

Yup, he's amazing!! I've seen him the last 2 years in Vegas....such a great show!