MUSIC BOX RADIO

Pole star or polecat?

This may come as a surprise but since 1981 country music has been broadcast on French radio waves from an independent station, Music Box 92.8 FM. Apart from the novelty of hearing top Nashville hits, a kicky feature of the broadcasts is the anglo-saxon accents of announcers speaking French--an effect purposefully orchestrated to prepare French listeners' ears to the ensuing English. It's thanks to occasionally tuning in when driving that I've been able to keep up with the evolution of country and country rock songcraft. Recent revelations in story-telling lyrics include Tailgates & Tanlines where Luke Bryan sings, "like a tan on the skin, girl you faded away," matched only by Julie Roberts' "men and mascara always run." Makes me feel like I'm back home and in a Walgreens.

©2012 P.B. Lecron