Every once in a while, bands I listened to in childhood pop up in my daily life without me even realizing it. The Byrds are one such band. Music was always prominent in my house, with everything from U2 to Joan Collins to The Eagles, and almost everything inbetween. I can see why I listen to albums such as Sweetheart Of The Rodeo, having grown up with John Prine, Johnny Cash, and all other kinds of country-influenced artists. (Though some would argue the former not fitting into such a genre.) Regardless of that, I discovered Gram Parsons before The Byrds, at least recently. I found a bunch of Byrds albums in my parents' collection recently, and was actually introduced to Gram Parsons via Whiskeytown's cover of "A Song For You". This might seem trivial, since Parsons was more of a side member than a major force, but I still find it interesting.
I'm still amazed at some of the things I find myself attracted to, with the previously mentioned Byrds and Gram Parsons included. I discovered Johnny Cash rather late in life, when I checked out his two cover albums at the library last year. At the same library, I bought a duet album John Prine did with a few female artists, as well as some early Loretta Lynn. I never thought I would be one to enjoy "country" (I use the term loosely) as much as I do. I'm sure my parents would be a little surprised to find that I now have Sweetheart Of The Rodeo in my collection, even if it was from someone else. I had more aligned myself with the alt-country bands like Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown, Old 97's, The Jayhawks, and others who very loosely fit into that genre. I find Gram Parsons' story to be a particularly interesting one, and it makes me want to go to Joshua Tree again more than ever. I can hear the influence of the bands I love now, especially in Jason Molina's bands Songs:Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co. I find the whole idea of how people discover their now favorite bands fascinating.
Now Playing: The Byrds- You're Still On My Mind
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