For reasons that defy deep scrutiny, this song more than any other, encapsulates Alberta to me. In particular, the rural community I’ve been privy to visit sporadically thanks to my aunt and uncle who’ve lived in such surroundings for the past thirty-five years. I realize this association doesn’t make much sense. The poor, Southern, coal-mining and cotton-growing lifestyle of Alabama doesn’t immediately appear compatible with the rich, Northern, ranching and oil lifestyle of Alberta, but there is a kinship of sorts.
Play this song in either locale and you’ll get an identically enthusiastic response. The fiddle brings out the best in country folk and it’s infectious. You’d be hard-pressed to leave a small town celebration not feeling happier than when you arrived and the highpoint of the night likely occurred when this song started to play and the dance floor was overrun with revelers singing along.
Last month marked the twentieth anniversary of my momentous move to Saskatoon. It was the first step in what eventually led me to Calgary and almost everything I have in this life of mine. It’s been quite a ride. Perhaps not a storybook life, but a good one full of adventure, good friends, and wonderful memories. Let’s start the weekend with the song that makes me think of it all the most. Pull on yer boots, this is “Mountain Music” from the same titled 1982 album by Alabama.
Official Video:
This is a great one, worthy of singing in the car with the radio volume turned high.
I think you mean pickup truck. :o)