<p> <p></p> <p>It's been said that 'country music is the voice of the country.'&nbsp; We have seen it in times of national crisis from John Rich's <em>Shutting Detroit Down</em> (2009) </p> <p> <div class="wlWriterSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:7f2458ff-e34f-42c6-a4b7-9f5c874f42fc" style="display:inline;float:none;width:306px;margin:0;padding:5px;"><div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI1TPJ4xURI]</div></div></p> <p>to&nbsp; Alan Jackson's 9/11 tribute <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvj6zdWLUuk" target="_blank">Where Were You When the World </p> <p></p> <p>Stopped Turning</a></em><em>&nbsp;</em>(video - 2001), and Lee Greenwood's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RssIN3ustUw" target="_blank"><em>God Bless the USA </em>(video -1984)</a>&nbsp;</p> <p>Cross over artists like John Mellencamp tell America's story. Songs like&nbsp; <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXQ-cpiPYAE" target="_blank"><em>Little Pink Houses</em></a> celebrated the dream of a home for everyone.&nbsp; The link takes you to a video of his performance at the Obama Inauguration on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial while other songs bring the constant plight of the small farmer back in view with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwf3S0B5LFQ" target="_blank"><em>Blood on the Scarecrow</em></a><em>.</em>&nbsp; </p> <p>Our country's music has reflected the voices of its people since its inception - from Yankee Doodle, to the spirituals of slaves, the rallying calls on both sides of the Civil War, <a href="http://www.woodyguthrie.org/index.htm" target="_blank">Woody Guthrie's</a> tales of America during the Great Depression&nbsp; or another popular hit of the day, <a href="http://www.authentichistory.com/1930s/music/1932-Brother_Can_You_Spare_a_Dime.html" target="_blank"><em>Brother Can You Spare a Dime</em></a>&nbsp; (audio-1932). The music of the 60's brought us Joan Baez and Bob Dylan's rallying cries for Peace and Equality as they searched for an answer <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f01UehWq3v8" target="_blank">Blowing in the Wind</a></em> (video-1971.)</p> <p>If music is the voice of the country, I sometimes wonder who is listening.&nbsp; </p> <p>Each day I try to keep up with what is happening as we struggle through our current time of crisis.&nbsp; Reading the NY Times, the Financial Times, &amp; the Washington Post.&nbsp; Scanning from MSNBC to CNN to Fox and reading through the Republic and the Business Journal, I look for signs of progress.&nbsp; When I find them, sometimes I will send them out on <a href="http://twitter.com/joankw" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or Face Book - or blog them out through Plaxo or LinkedIn.&nbsp; The Challenges are out there for certain - but good stuff is happening too.&nbsp; It's important to <a href="http://jkw.typepad.com/corepurpose_joan_koerberw/2009/02/two-sides---same-story.html" target="_blank">show both sides of the story</a>.</p> <p>Don't worry - I have no intention of penning songs, re-stringing my guitar, and serenading you with my own songs of the times.&nbsp; There are others who can do it so much better and my family has begged me not to.&nbsp; ;-)&nbsp; </p> <p>So please, turn up the volume and listen to the voices of America around you.&nbsp; Use your voice.&nbsp; Sing out if you have that talent.&nbsp; Speak out about what you believe in.&nbsp; Volunteer to help others - and while you&nbsp; are there - listen to their stories.&nbsp; Share a story of hope.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Every voice makes a difference - especially as it blends with the voices of others around the country.</p> <p>Thanks for listening&nbsp; - Stay Tuned...</p> <blockquote> <p>- Joan Koerber-Walker</p> <div class="wlWriterSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:0e908ad4-c2e2-4f29-8639-ea2568e127a8" style="display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker" rel="tag">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose" rel="tag">CorePurpose</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/voices%20of%20america" rel="tag">voices of america</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/obama" rel="tag">obama</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/john%20mellencamp" rel="tag">john mellencamp</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/shutting%20down%20detroit" rel="tag">shutting down detroit</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/songs%20of%20the%20great%20depression" rel="tag">songs of the great depression</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/joan%20baez" rel="tag">joan baez</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/bob%20dylan" rel="tag">bob dylan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/social%20media" rel="tag">social media</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/finding%20your%20voice" rel="tag">finding your voice</a></div></blockquote>