Before there were country concerts full of sluts in boots there were the real country women — women that were not afraid to get dirty, drive a tractor or go hunting.

This was my life growing up in a small town with only two stoplights and less than 1,500 people. It was filled with country music's biggest fans, especially considering that we did have one of the biggest country concerts around.

Growing up in rural Ohio, country music was all I listened to. Even into my teenage years when all of my classmates were listing to Britney Spears, Eminem, Vanilla Ice and Nelly, I was jamming out to Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Garth Brooks and Toby Keith. Just because country music was the only radio station that would come in clearly it not the only reason I still stand tall and proud with country music.

Unlike other music genres, country music comes from the heart. For example, Lee Ann Womack’s "I Hope You Dance" speaks to the heart about not living life to the fullest. This song is still played at high school graduation and life changing events. Another example is “Boys of Fall” by Kenny Chesney, a song about the friday night lights and how it takes him back to the high school football days. This song still plays at the ole stadium every senior night to remind the seniors about this one last game before their time is over. How about Florida Georgia Line’s “Dirt.” a song about an elderly man that just lost his wife? The first time many hear these songs they tear up. Is there any song from another genre that speaks to the heart better than country songs?

And the memories that are attached to country music! Shaina Twain’s “Man I Feel like a Women” is another great hit that I was singing in all the talent shows and was my first dance for my pageant journey. This is the earliest memory that I have with a song other than “Twinkle, Twinkle.” The memories that are attached into country music are the main reason I still listen to country music. The memories that country music holds are soul deep.

In addition, the healing that country music possesses! “Love You through It” by Martina McBride is about how hard it is for people to get diagnosed with Breast Cancer and how the caretakers are helping. “Ready, Set, Don’t Go” by Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus is about how Billy Ray does not want his little Miley to grow up. “Picture to Burn” by Taylor Swift is how she healed after a bad break-up. There are songs about happiness, sadness, anger and every other emotion. What ever you're feeling, country music has a song for it. Country music had the magic power to heal pain and soothe the listener.

Do you enjoy your freedom? There are countless country songs about the troops and veterans: Billy Ray Cyrus’s “Some Gave All,” Toby Keith’s “American Solider,” Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA,” and Tim McGraw's "If Your Reading This." Country music and the troops go great together. It's a way the troops receive the "thank you" they deserve.

Plus, country music is kid-safe, with less cursing than other genres.

Even though country music has been changing, it is still my favorite music and my favorite pastime. So, next time you listen to the radio, turn the station to get the country feel and enjoy the ride because country music is the best around!