Blue collar tunes, blue ribbon views

By Lyndsie Kiebert
Reader Staff

I’ve long been a fan of the pre-game playlist. One can pre-game for anything: a party, an interview, a workout. It’s all about setting the mood. With the Bonner County Fair happening Aug. 18-21, it appears that a fair pre-game playlist is in order. After all, this year’s fair theme is “Lettuce Turnip the Beet.” These beats are worth it.

Courtesy photo.

‘REDNECKER’ by HARDY

We enter the playlist on a strong note, with this unabashed song about being the most hillbilly: my truck is louder, buck is bigger, town is smaller, collar is bluer, etc. Competitive chiding aside, HARDY is a songwriter to watch and “REDNECKER” is a hilarious track. It does the job when the adventure requires an extra tinge of country badassery. 

‘I Like It, I Love It’ by Tim McGraw

This is an obvious choice for a county fair pre-game playlist, thanks to it’s opening lyrics: “I spent 48 dollars last night at the county fair/ I throwed out my shoulder, but I won her that teddy bear.” This is your sign to spend a hefty wad at the fair — support local vendors, eh? — and also to fall completely and stupidly in love like McGraw does in “I Like It, I Love It.”

‘Only In A Small Town’ by RaeLynn

Country purists might take issue with RaeLynn’s pop sound, but there’s no denying that this girl can produce a redneck jam. I find this song supremely funny and deeply relatable; but, hey, maybe that’s because I’m from Clark Fork. (Pro-tip: Only a select handful of people are allowed to crack jokes about Clark Fork, and if you have to pause and think about whether you’re one of them, you’re not.)

‘Boot Scootin’ Boogie’ by Brooks & Dunn

Turn up this 1991 hit and take note of the people who can’t sit still — those are the country folk. When the steel guitar slides in and the bass line begins to thump, those who feel compelled by greater hillbilly forces will rise and do exactly as Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn declared: boot, scoot and boogie.

‘That’s Country’ by Copper Mountain Band

This song, made great by heartfelt lyrics and the powerful vocals of frontwoman Jacque Jolene, is the latest release from Copper Mountain Band, which also happens to be playing at the Bonner County Fair on Thursday, Aug. 19. Buy tickets at bonnercountyfair.com for the chance to hear this track in person.

‘Save A Horse (Ride a Cowboy)’ by Big & Rich

Some may call me tasteless for loving this song so much, but I can’t fight what’s right and true. Big & Rich has a way of taking any ordinary moment and dressing it up in rhinestones and redneck cheer. Many of the good folks attending the Bonner County Fair might not be saddling up horses to “ride into the city,” but I’ll be damned if we’re not as overjoyed as the men behind this wildly fun song to see all the hard work of our neighbors pay off in the form of gorgeous exhibits, bustling livestock barns and shiny, hard-earned ribbons.

Yee-haw, and happy fair week.