Country Music Infographic

Here's a pretty great infographic we found that reviews some of the most definitive country songs throughout the last century. These songs weren't all necessary the number ones of the decade, but they were songs that made an impact on the country music culture.



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7 Valentine's Day Gifts Ideas

Valentine’s day is quickly approaching and whether you’re doing your shopping in January or on February 13th you want to make sure that your gift (or lack thereof) isn’t going to break your loved one’s heart.

Chocolate and cards are always…well, fine – but you should look at Valentine’s Day as a bit of a way to ease off of the holidays. It can be a great opportunity to celebrate with a little bit of gift-giving on a day that’s not Christmas or someone’s birthday. You are probably already going through enough trouble to make Valentine’s Day special for your significant other, but by the time the passions subside and the last candy heart is gone, they’ll probably forget what may have been a pretty romantic night. Give them something that they can hold onto and remember the evening by. Now you may or may not be someone who enjoys the sappy V-Day mawkishness that happens at this time of year, so here are some gifts that range from the silly to the sincere. But I’m not putting flowers on the list. I’m just not going to do it. You can do better than that.

Heart Buckle

Here’s something for the country couple that doesn’t like to get too sappy with their Valentine’s gift exchange. These heart belt buckles from Montana Silversmith at BootCity.com are great for the little lady who would rather spend V-Day two-stepping than getting schmoozy during an overpriced dinner. Plated with 99.9% silver, the buckle is something that people aren’t going to miss the next time you two go out to the honkey tonk.

Dinner

Some couples want to spend the evening enjoying one another’s company in a more traditional way. It’s never a bad idea to have a night of intimate conversation over a quiet dinner. Chamberlain’s Steak & Chop House in Dallas offers its guests a sophisticated atmosphere with an absolutely stellar dinner menu. Steak dinners might seem too butch for your tender evening together, but pairing your food with wine instead of a beer will give the entire meal a romantic quality that both of you can appreciate. Not to mention your honey’s sweet tooth will appreciate something off the dessert menu a whole lot more than candy.

Jewelry


Maybe it’s only your first Valentine’s Day with that special someone, and both of your tastes side with the simple. You don’t want to get anything that will look too serious, but you want to reassure her of your newly-blossoming affection. These silver necklaces from ZuluMoon have the straightforward simplicity that you want from a first-Valentine’s gift. But even if you and your loved one have seen many seasons together, one of these necklaces can be the small gesture that reminds her of when your love was in its infancy. If you’re not quite ready for a proposal these gifts will make a good primer for when you do decide to get down on a knee.

Men's Jewelry

Women aren’t the only ones who can appreciate a bit of jewelry as a gift. The fact is that plenty of men enjoy wearing jewelry, and actually know how to wear it well. We’re not talking giant medallions hanging behind an unbuttoned card shirt, but a little bit of ‘bling’ so to speak can actually bring balance to a guy’s outfit. Most guys won’t care for anything too flashy, but something like these Magnetic Bracelets from WesternHats.com can offer a subtle flair to a guy’s image. These bracelets don’t hang, swing, jingle, or shine more than you’d like – they’re for the down-to-earth everyman who doesn’t buy into every fashion trend, but is still conscious about how he looks.

Spa Treatment

Every girl wants to be pampered, and although she may want to spend all of Valentine’s day with he hubby, it won’t be long before she’s craving some ‘me-time’. A spa treatment gives a woman the chance to unwind and be reassured of her beauty when work, school, or (yes) her boyfriend is becoming more than she can handle. A certificate for a facial, massage, pedicure, or any activity where your girlfriend can just relax will definitely be well-received and will save you the agony of having to choose between a dozen different gifts at the department store.

Chocolate

So I know that no matter how many unique gift ideas are given to them, some men are just going to play it safe this year with a box of chocolates. Now I suppose this gift isn’t anything to scoff at (it is the most characteristic Valentine’s Day gift), but at least try to make it interesting by getting your Valentine a box of chocolate that's as unique as she is. Variety boxes are possibly the most hackneyed gift you can find – go to a gourmet chocolate shop and find something that's different, but still decadent. Chocolate is delicious, but it can be boring if you aren’t willing to experiment with something you haven’t tried before. Chocolate can be infused with chili, salt, alcohol, and even bacon (though, probably not the most romantic selection), so don’t limit yourself to the usual caramel or coconut fillings.

Anything Heart-Shaped

You don’t always have to buy a gift that’s going to make your loved one tear up with joy - sometimes you want to save the big emotional payload for birthday or holiday gifts. Some people like to dote on their loved one a bit, but don’t buy into the Valentine’s Day hype. A gift that’s festive but practical is always a great choice for these intermediate holidays. These types of gifts are for people who would rather not break the bank or spend hours shopping in at the mall, but still don’t want to be empty-handed on the when it comes time to exchange presents. If this is the case, you’ll want to find something that has everyday use but is just novel enough to qualify as a gift for a special occasion. A heart-shaped mug or even a heart-shaped egg mold might be a little bizarre, but sometimes that’s all you need to remind someone that you care.

Jason Aldean's Hats

What sets country apart from other genres of music its Old-West aesthetic. Other musical styles may have a more eclectic look among their artists, but dirty boots and a broad-brimmed hat are what give country artists a sense of cohesion, and a visible identity. The hat, in particular, may be the most recognizable component of a cowboy's get-up; straw, felt, wool, or even leather hats have graced the crowns of country's finest stars throughout the decades.

The current generation of country crooners even knows how to wear the cowboy hat with its own unique style. Jason Aldean, for instance, has gained a lot of popularity for the casual dimension he brings to wearing the cowboy hat. Jason's headwear aligns nicely with his laid back, fun-loving, good-time-having style of country that so many fans adore.

Here's cool little post about the varied style that Jason Aldean brings to the world of contemporary country, and the hats he wears that make it possible.

Photo attribution: whittlz

George Strait "Rides Away" in Farewell Tour

The all-powerful King of Country is soon to embark on his recently-announced "Cowboy Rides Away" tour. Yes - the beloved George Straight is dusting off his boots and hanging his hat after a stellar career sprawling across four decades of country music history. The 21-date tour will go across the country before it finishes right here in the Lone Star State - George's long-time home (and, apparently, that of all his exes, too).

Strait was always known for his ability to breathe new life into classic styles of country music. George's refreshing interpretations of the honky-tonk and western swing traditions - ones that might have been otherwise lost for good if it weren't for his unique musical touch. With immortal two-step staples like "All My Exes Live in Texas" and "Check Yes or No", Strait has solidified his position as one of the most cherished western brands of our time.

In addition to his own particular musical style, Strait also managed to bring an authentic cowboy visual aesthetic to his act. Although casual, George Strait's is always outfitted in a manner reminiscent of the old west, unaffected by some of the flimsier trends that have no doubt sprouted up around him during his long career. 

This article from The Cowboy Boot discusses Strait's lasting impression on cowboy culture, and how it has impacted the musical generation that followed him.

The "Cowboy Rides Away" tour begins January 18 in Lubbock, TX, with support from Martina McBride.

Photo courtesy of subcmdr

The Las Vegas ProRodeo Finals

As the heat subsides and the desert sun dips below the Las Vegas horizon, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo takes over the Sin City with herds of cowboys from all over the country kicking up dust on the Las Vegas strip. For ten days young bucks will be stomping and stumbling into the Thomas & Mack Center for one of the biggest All American Pro Rodeo Series events of the year. Whether they’re coming from the East coast, West coast, or straight from the heart of the Southwest, you can be sure that every guy and gal in attendance will be strapping up their spurs to their best pair of boots.

Much like the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, boots are a tradition all over America. There'll be some West Coasters walking in to the rodeo in some narrow, exotic boots, and there'll be Eastern urban cowboys grinding grinding their soles on the pavement with some medium-round dress toes. So make sure you've got your feet dressed right, because the dust settles on the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo December 15!

Information about the final days of the ProRodeo even in Vegas can be seen at Prorodeo.com

You can check out every style of boot at BootCity.com

Photo Attribution: Larry Johnson

We LOVE pinterest! Don't you?

Check out this cool Pin It To Win It contest on Boot City's Boards right now! 

I don't know about you but I can ALWAYS use a new pair of cowboy boots so I'll be pinning multiple boards to increase my chances!

What is a Rodeo?

What is a Rodeo?
If you’ve lived in the South you’ve been to a rodeo or at least heard of one. In Texas and the surrounding southern states, professional bull riders attend rodeo competitions for cash and prizes. Some highschool and colleges have rodeo teams who compete across the country.

The word rodeo comes from the Spanish word “rodear” meaning “to surround”. When the west was one and much like today, ranchers and cowboys surround their live stock to round up their cattle. No animals get harmed in the process of hosting a rodeo. The amount of time a cowboy/cowgirl can ride a bull is 8 seconds. The Rodeo Cowboys Association made this the maximum time allowed for the safety of the bull.
Some cowboys are rumored to have superstitions like wearing a different colored sock on each foot or never laying your cowboy hat on your bed. Much like any sport, competing in a rodeo takes dedication and practice. If your not that brave, go see a rodeo! Start picking out your rodeo gear  here!