Plastic People

 Last night I watched the 100 years of Grand Ole Opry. It was fun to watch, to sing along to all these old songs I've known my whole life. I have noticed something recently in the world of country music. Of course, there's a spiritual element to most country music. The underlying Christiam theme to the entire genre, to me, rubs against the next point I see. I have never seen so much botox and plastic surgery as I did last night! Even young country stars, the women, are using all sorts of enhancements. Carrie Underwood used to have a distinct, distinguished look. Beautiful. Natural beauty. But these days, I hardly recognize her behind those lips. And I see that with even Kelsea Ballerini. I saw it with Marty Stuart, I see it in Brooks and Dunn, and just so many others. The men and the women all look.... plastic. It makes me sad. I don't think I even see this much "work" being done on pop stars. Don't hold me to that, I don't really know. But what I do know is I've seen a BUNCH of old rockers and you can the booze and pills and cheap living, the women, the men, that sex-for-hire all over their bodies. There is a bunch of worn out rockers. But country stars, they seem to me to be obsessed with their appearance. 

On another note, I loved seeing Barbara Mandrell, Reba McIntire, Blake Shelton (and the tribute to his younger self's mullet), Marty Stuart, Randy Travis, and even Keith Urban. So many artists, so many great songs. I wasn't particularly impressed with the tribute to Dolly. I thought the contributing artist's rendition of Jolene fell flat compared to the great Dolly Parton. 

So while I enjoyed a lot of the music, it saddens me to see all the emphasis on physical appearance and the artificial perfection. What a let down. Country music tells so many real stories, why doesn't it emphasize the realness and that whoever you are, that is perfectly okay?

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