I watched that Billy Ray Cyrus special on the History Channel on Sunday about hillbillies and it was quite a revelation. They were Scots-Irish and they came to Philadelphia first before spreading out, mostly into the hills of W.VA. They were an independent breed who had trouble towing the establishment lines in their homeland (thus the moniker Scots-Irish), and struck it out on their own here. NASCAR came about from building hot rum-runners that could beat the cops to Atlanta with more shine. Their Appalachian country music evolved from their Celtic roots.Richard Sinkler wrote:When I was younger, the term "hillbilly" was used a lot as a derogatory term for country folk, or anyone that liked country music. That's where I learned not to like it.
I don't know how we wound up here in Northern PA, but I came from the same roots, so I guess I'm a bonafide hillbilly.
As much as I have always had disdain for Billy Ray, that was a good show. If you haven't seen it, you should check it out.
BTW, I'd go see the Doobies at the Opry. Loved those boys.