September 17 - International Country Music Day

 

Happy International Country Music Day! On September 17, today encourages any and all of us to break out the banjo, the fiddle, and the steel guitar. Crank up some tunes by Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, George Strait, and Tim McGraw. 
 

Country music began right here in America. In the early 1900s, country music roots sprouted in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.  

Victor Records produced the first country record with singer American fiddle player Alexander Campbell "Eck" Robertson. However, American singer-songwriter and musician Jimmie Rodgers, earned the name of the “Father of Country Music.”  

In 1927, his song, “Blue Yodel #1” sold more than one million copies. Sadly, his death on may 26, 1933 cut his career short due to kidney disease. Rodgers was 35. 

In the 1930s and 1940s, cowboy movies featuring Roy Rogers and Gene Autry fanned the flames of country music. 

By the 1950s and 1960s, Nashville earned the country music capital of the world crown. The genre spread to the West Coast, where country music combined with rock and roll to create rockabilly. 
 

Throughout the years, fans fell in love with the heart-felt lyrics pouring out of country music songs. Not all country songs are about heartbreak and heartache, though.  

Some of the best country songs sing about sexy tractors, watermelon crawls, unanswered prayers, boot-scootin’ boogies, friends in low places, islands in the stream, and rhinestone cowboys. It’s no wonder that so many people love country music! 

This genre of music truly loves its country. What other kinds of music create songs like, “God Bless the U.S.A,” “Some Gave All,” “Ragged Old Flag,” and “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?” 
 

No matter who you are, you are bound to find a country song that makes you cry, laugh, love your country, remember the good ‘ol days, and make you want to dance. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

One of the best ways to observe International Country Music Day is to tune in to your local country music station.  

Go to the bar and get in on some line dancing action. Watch a country music film like 'Nashville' (1975), 'Coal Miner’s Daughter' (1980), 'Pure Country' (1992), 'The Thing Called Love' (1993), 'Hope Floats' (1998), 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' (2000), 'Walk the Line' (2005), 'Crazy Heart' (2009) or 'Country Strong' (2010). 

If you’ve never listened to country music before, you might be surprised that there is hardly any twang in modern-day country music.  

Try some Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, John Denver, Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Lee Greenwood, George Strait, Tim McGraw, Charlie Daniels, Alan Jackson, or Billy Ray Cyrus. 

You can even go to a country music concert or country music festival to observe this day as well.  

No matter what you do, you’re bound to have a rootin’ tootin’ good time! Don’t forget your cowboy hat and be sure to share #CountryMusicDay on social media! 

HISTORY 

International Country Music Day was established in 2003. The day was created to bring country music artists and fans together to celebrate country music all over the world.  

September 17 also commemorates the birthday of Hank Williams, one of the most influential artists in country music. 

Who is your favorite country singer(s)? What is your favorite country song(s)? 

#CountryMusicDay

@VictorRecords 

@nichecinmea 

September 17 - Paul Feig

 

Happy 58th Birthday, Paul Feig! Born today in 1962 as Paul Samuel Feig, this American actor, writer, producer and filmmaker is best known for directing films starring frequent collaborator Melissa McCarthy. 

 
Born in and raised in Mount Clemens, Michigan, Feig's mother was a telephone operator and his father owned Ark Surplus on Gratiot Avenue.  

 
Feig's father was born Jewish and later converted to Christian Science; Feig's parents met at a church social, and Feig was also raised in Christian Science. 

 
After a year at Wayne State University, Feig moved to Los Angeles, California and later transferred to the University of Southern California.  

 
He also later worked as a tour guide at Universal Studios Hollywood, embarked on a stand-up comedy act, and landed minor roles on various television shows. 

 
In the mid-1990s, Feig appeared in the 1995 American family comedy film 'Heavyweights', in which he played camp counselor Tim Orford. 

 
The following year, on the first season of the American television sitcom Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996–2003), Feig portrayed Mr. Eugene Pool, Sabrina's science teacher. 

 
In the late 1990s, along with 'Heavyweights' co-scripter Judd Apatow, Feig created the short-lived American teen comedy-drama television series Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000). 

 
The show was inspired by Feig's experiences at Chippewa Valley High School in Clinton Township, Michigan. The show aired on NBC, and eighteen episodes were completed in all. 

 
Despite the short run, Freaks and Geeks has since maintained a devoted cult following. Time had named the series 100 Greatest Shows of All Time. 

 
In summer 2008, Entertainment Weekly ranked Freaks and Geeks as the 13th best show of the past twenty-five years. Feig was eventually nominated for two Emmys for writing the show's pilot and the season finale. 

 
According to the 2009 TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All-Time list, the Freaks and Geeks episode "Carded and Discarded" (S01E07) ranked in at #41. The episode was co-written by Feig and Apatow and directed by the latter. 

 
Airing on January 10, 2000, the forty-five-minute episode tells of how the pretty new transfer student, Maureen Sampson (Kayla Ewell) at school befriends Sam (John Frances Daley) and the geeks.  

 
However, things change when she starts talking to the popular kids; Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) and Nick (Jason Segel) decide to get fake ID cards so that they can see a hot local band perform at a bar.  

 
Later, after they go through the trouble of getting their IDs and going into the bar, the group is stunned to find out who the hot local bands lead singer is. 

 

Feig directed fourteen episodes of the American mockumentary sitcom television series The Office (2005–2013). The last episode he directed was "Goodbye, Michael" (S07E22). It had aired on April 28, 2011. 

 
That same day, the feature of which Feig is best known for directing was released. This was the 2011 American comedy/romance film 'Bridesmaids'. The film was co-produced by Apatow and co-written by Kristen Wiig, of whom also starred. 

 
One year later, 'Bridesmaids' was nominated an Oscar for both Best Supporting Actress (Melissa McCarthy) and Best Original Screenplay (Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo). 

This made the film the first Apatow-produced film to be nominated for an Academy Award. This occurred at the 84th Academy Awards in late February 2012. 

 
Among his other film credits, Feig is also known for directing 'The Heat' (2013), 'Spy' (2015), 'Ghostbusters' (2016), 'A Simple Favor' (2018) and 'Last Christmas' (2019). 

 
Among his other television credits, Feig is most notable for directing seven episodes of Arrested Development (2003–2019), one episode of Weeds (2005-2012), one episode of 30 Rock (2006–2013), one episode of Mad Men (2007–2015), and one episode of Parks and Recreation (2009–2015). 

 
For his work on television, Feig has received nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards for writing on Freaks and Geeks and two for producing and directing on The Office. 

 
According to his personal life, Feig has been married to Laurie Karon since September 23, 1994. 

 
Feig has worn many hats throughout his enduring showbiz career. From teenage standup to high-profile Hollywood player, his unique perspective always seems to offer something fresh and innovative.  

Feig has been active from 1986–present. 

 
#borntodirect 

@paulfeig 

@TVGuide 

@time 

@entertainmentweekly 

@nytimes 

@letterboxd 

@getFANDOM