Growing up in Texas, I always had a fondness for country music. It wasn't something I listened to all the time, but I've always enjoyed it. I rode the Urban Cowboy craze in 1980 and got hooked on Alabama a couple of years later. In the '90s, Garth Brooks was a regular in my CD player.

But it wasn't until last spring until country music became my favorite. I guess it started when I caught the show "Nashville Star" on TV. But regardless of when I was first interested in it, until this week, I had never heard anything somewhat different on the country music stations.

Oh, I guess it was last June or July that I was listening to US99 - my local station here in Chicago - when Lisa Dent played a song called, "Wild West Show."

I hadn't heard of "Big & Rich" before that, but as soon as I heard that song, I was absolutely mesmorized by it. One evening while driving my wife home from work, I made her listen to as well. She loved it. Aside from the fresh sound, the lyrics have a double meaning that was perfectly suited to the melody.

I had to hear more.

About three months ago, We were watching CMT (Country Music TV) and "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" debuted. Another "different" song.

I had to buy the CD.

Because money was tight and I needed to save for Chanukah presents for the kids, I had to put off buying the CD. But finally, I bought it last week.

To quote my daughter, "Oh my G-d."

John Rich and Big Kenny call their style "Country without prejudice." It's true. No two songs sound the same, nor are they even styled in the same genre. What they have in common is a deep influence of Country and Bluegrass - with Rock and Roll and (believe it or not) Rap.

Kinda sounds like Garth Brooks meets Dr. Dre meets Lynyrd Skynyrd meets Ricky Skaggs meets Jimmy Buffett meets Frank Sinatra.

No foolin'.

I have to admit, it has been a long time since I heard an album (CD?) that I liked the first time I heard it. It's that good.