Country music shows the widest range of versatility. On the other hand [mainstream] country music seems to lack character. It always sounds like the best selling pop music of the era.

Sometimes I think Garth Brooks was country only because of the hat he wore/wears on stage. By listening to some of his music I tend to think that he's a camouflaged jazz musician.

No other type of popular music lets you play with such a variety across styles. There is Western Swing, sometimes only distinguished from Swing because of it's unique instrumentation; there is Bluegrass where falsetto is used ages before the BeeGees encountered it, there is Rockabilly with its pumping rhythm; there is Andy Williams and Perry Como type stuff; even the religious crowd has the gospel country western style. For others there is Cajun and Texmex.

And you have the people that are unique to country like Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Tom T. Hall each with their own minimalistic style -- or ... (too many to list.)

What I like most about Country is that if you have a good mix it doesn't bother too much while driving long distance. It doesn't make you aggressive nor does it put you to sleep. It is mostly predictable, usually telling a story. If you're open minded, of course...

But if I want to listen to music as a sole activity, then I prefer some, imo, good jazz.

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