Growing Up Country: What Makes Country Life Country

Synopsis: From Growing Up Country:

“I learned early in life that country is not a place on a map. Country is a place in your heart. In your soul. In the very depth of your being.” —Bill Anderson

“One of the things I like most about country life is that nothing much has really changed . . . My grandchildren and I are still walking and hunting in the same woods and fishing in the same creeks as I did with my father.” —President Jimmy Carter

“Food was at the heart of our home. And, other than those troublesome vegetables, I loved all of it. We fried everything—we’d have even fried water if we could’ve.” —Keith Anderson

“I can’t imagine what my life would have been without peaceful days, mountain streams, homegrown and home-cooked food, country church, and all-day singing with dinner on the grounds with family and friends.” —Dolly Parton

“Growing up country—there’s nothing like it. It’s growing up with your grandmother and granddaddy around . . . it’s a lot of love when you need it, great cooking in the kitchen, and always being real.” —Eddie Montgomery

Blackberry pie on the window ledge. The Grand Ole Opry on the radio. Sunday dinners on the table. Families swinging on the front porch after a hard day’s work. It’s all part of the country way of life.

Here, legendary country music singer Charlie Daniels introduces and edits a collection of heartfelt essays from an all-star cast of contributors on what it means to grow up country.

United by a love of music, these notables show us that country means more than just the twang of a guitar. They share a belief in hard work, integrity, strength of character, and having the courage not to quit. The stories here tell of rustic upbringings and rich spirits, of parents who believed in tough love and old-fashioned common sense, and of a strong sense of community, pride in your country, and a love of the natural world.

You’ll get an intimate glimpse into the lives of:

Country music royalty and all-time greats: such as Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Brenda Lee, Dobie Gray, and Lee Greenwood

Southern rock gods: such as Gary Rossington and Donnie Van Zant

The newest crop of stars: such as Sara Evans, Toby Keith, and Clint Black

Special guests: such as former president Jimmy Carter, and seven-time all around rodeo champion Ty Murray

These snapshots show how living country has allowed our favorite singers, songwriters, and stage performers to make a career out of doing what they love while never forgetting that when you’ve grown up country, home isn’t just a place where you live, it’s a state of the heart.