The more time that goes by, the more I fail to understand its popularity. Most of the generalizations about it measure up. It's all pretty depressing, If it's not depressing, they literally sing about tractors or drinking, It all abuses the southern accent, They really do use "honky tonk" as actual lyrics in many songs, and they can't lay off the damn steel guitar to save their lives.
I listened to it until I was 12 or 13 simply because I accepted what my family listened to. I had not been exposed to better things. I will show my country listening friends an array of amazing songs of varying genres in attempt to show them something other than Keith Urban or Kenny Chesney, but they would honestly rather buddy up with the rest of their flannel wearing brethren and sing off-key to a song about "loving in the sticks."