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If you've ever dreamed of running away to the mountains and never looking back, this one's for you. Read more here: https://www.wideopencountry.com/10-log-cabin-kits/.

Country music is about storytelling, and every great storyteller has a tool to help them tell tales. Find out more surprising instruments here: https://www.wideopencountry.com/10-legendary-country-music-instruments/.

If you want to learn Texan pronunciation, stick around and see how many of these places you can properly pronounce. Texas, texas places

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If there is one lasting legacy of The Andy Griffith Show it's that the little fictional town of Mayberry, where the iconic TV show is set, is synonymous with the ideal American way of life. With friendly sitcom characters like Sheriff Taylor, Aunt Bee, Opie, and Barney Fife roaming the sitcom's quaint small town it's hard not to disagree. Who wouldn't want to live there, wandering down main street, past Floyd's Barber Shop, and waving to real-life Wally, Otis, Gomer, or Goober? Great news! You can. There is a real-world version of Mayberry. It's Andy Griffith's hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina, upon which Mayberry was based. Not only is the town real, but it's loaded with fun stuff to do. Nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the North Carolina-Virginia border, Mount Airy is the exact type of charming small town people love to spend the weekend in at a Bed and Breakfast, taking in the local fare. But not only that, being the inspiration for Mayberry isn't just a piece of trivia for the home of Matlock, it's a part of their identity they love to celebrate. With all that in mind, here are some of the best things to do should you ever decided to head on down to Mayberry er, we mean Mount Airy. The Andy Griffith Museum Obviously you have to start with the man who put the town on the map. The Andy Griffith Museum was founded by Emmett Forrest, who passed away in 2013. In the museum you can find all sorts of artifacts related to Griffith and his famous characters, like Sheriff Andy Taylor and Matlock. Admission is only $8 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. The museum operates regular business hours Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Mayberry Days Every year the Surry Arts Council and City of Mount Airy put on this beloved local festival that includes concerts and shows at the Andy Griffith Playhouse inside the Historic Earle Theater as well as the Blackmon Amphitheater, tons of local food like pork chop sandwiches, a golf tournament, checkers, and other entertainment. The festival takes place in September. Squad Car Tours They say no visit to Mount Airy is complete without taking a tour of the town in a real deal, old school police squad car. Located at Wally’s Service Station at 625 South Main Street, hop into one of these historic police cars and see all the Mayberry sights, including where "Sheriff Andy" grew up. The Mayberry Motor Inn Need a place to stay? Ask for the Aunt Bee room at the Mayberry Motor Inn. It's decorated with items that used to be owned by the late actress Frances Bavier, who played Aunt Bee on The Andy Griffith Show. Snappy Lunch This is the place to eat in Mount Airy, and you cannot leave the town without a fried pork chop sandwich. Once a favorite spot of Andy Griffith, this charming diner located on (of course) Main Street is pure, classic Americana. Pilot Mountain State Park It's not all Mayberry and Andy Griffith in Mount Airy. The town is located in absolutely gorgeous Appalachian country. The solitary peak of Pilot Mountain sits 2,000 feet above sea level and is one of the great geographic sights in North Carolina. For more content like this, visit WideOpenCountry.com

Southern people have been making bottle trees for centuries, but their origin and folklore stretches back to ancient times. Read more here: https://www.wideopencountry.com/bottle-trees-uniquely-southern-tradition/

Did you know Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson all starred in a TV Western? Johnny Cash, Movies, SQUARE, WOC bumpers, Waylon Jennings, Wide Open Country, Willie Nelson, country stars, kris kristofferson, western

Brad Paisley and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, are opening a free grocery store in Nashville. Read more about The Store here. https://www.wideopencountry.com/brad-paisley-the-store-free-grocery-store/

This Texas wildflower season is the best its been in the last 10 years. Ain't Texas a beauty? Read more: https://www.wideopeneats.com/seed-bombing-plant-wildflowers-bluebonnets-and-more-in-seconds/

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Country legend Loretta Lynn is one of the greatest songwriters and performers the genre has ever seen. Read more about Loretta Lynn songs here: https://www.wideopencountry.com/loretta-lynn-songs-ranked/

Nashville recording artist, television star and all-around entertainer Reba McEntire is one of the greatest creative forces in country music. For more Reba McEntire songs, visit here: https://www.wideopencountry.com/15-best-reba-mcentire-songs/

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, former First Lady and advocate for numerous causes, are celebrating yet another milestone in their 73 years together. They are now the longest-married presidential couple. The Carter Center wrote on Facebook that the couple has been together for 26,765 days. The previous record was held by George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush. What's their secret to a happy and lasting marriage? During an interview on Oprah Winfrey's SuperSoul Sunday in 2016, former President Carter says he supports his wife's dreams and ambitions while letting her have her own space. And they never go to bed angry. "Rosalynn has her own ideas, her own ambitions, her own goals in life, which, in some ways, are different from mine. I let her do her thing; she lets me do my thing," Carter said. "And we try to resolve our inevitable and fairly frequent differences before we go to bed at night.” Check out WideOpenCountry.com

The coal mining town of Butcher Holler (or Butcher Hollow), Kentucky is the birthplace of country music legend Loretta Lynn. Her home and the town in general not only got some love throughout her music career but became a tourist attraction that you can visit today. The home is located in the town of Johnson County, which Lynn honored in her timeless hit, "Coal Miner's Daughter". Her song also mentions the larger town of Van Lear in her song where Butcher Holler is located. The country singer was the eldest daughter and second born to her mother and coal miner father, Clary and Ted Webb. Loretta Webb and her seven siblings lived in their "cabin on a hill" off their father's coal mining salary but he did his best to make sure everyone felt loved and had food on the table. Loretta left home at 15 when she got married and went on to become a huge star. Her sister Crystal Gayle also found success as a country music singer making their childhood home in the tiny town in Kentucky a tourist destination for longtime fans. If you find yourself in Eastern Kentucky wanting to stop into Loretta Lynn's home, then you'll need to also stop at Webb’s Grocery in Van Lear. The 100-year-old store is owned and maintained by Lynn's brother, Herman Webb. Originally an old coal mining camp store, you'll be able to bring home some keepsakes and snacks. The actual home has guided tours that are only $5, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. every day of the week with no reservations required. Lynn's brother Herman even gives the tours himself, with other family members stepping in when he is unavailable. He undoubtedly has numerous stories about his famous sisters growing up singing on the front porch having no idea what the future held. The inside of the home also holds numerous original family items ranging from their mother's washboard, bed and more. The fee for the tour has remained $5 for years, keeping true to the family's humble beginnings. For more, check out WideOpenCountry.com

Willie Nelson is one of the greatest names in country music, but did you know that he has some incredibly talented children? Get to know Willie's kids and read on for some things you might have not known about the Nelson clan. Lana Nelson https://www.instagram.com/p/pUfjQKAiaU/ The oldest daughter of Willie Nelson was born out of his first marriage to Martha Matthews. She had a bit part in Willie's 1986 film Red Headed Stranger and also worked in the costume department. While she isn't a performer like some of her siblings, she's clearly still very present in the Nelson family business and is frequently seen on Nelson's social media accounts. Susie Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNF4c9ecUrM&feature=youtu.be Susie was the second child from Willie's marriage to Martha Matthews. She wrote a book about her experience of having a famous father in 1987 called, Heart Worn Memories: A Daughter’s Personal Biography of Willie Nelson. She was the co-host of “Susie’s Gospel Hour” with Willie on his Sirius XM channel Willie’s Roadhouse back in 2012. As evidenced by the above clip, she can also sing like her siblings. Billy Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2iMupp_99g Billy was the youngest child of Martha and Willie. Sadly he committed suicide in 1991, early on Christmas Day. Before he passed away, he recorded this gospel tune that he had written as a duet with his father. Paula Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whCdxooLDpY Paula is the daughter of Nelson and Connie Koepke. She was born while Nelson was still married to Shirley Collie Nelson. This led to a divorce and Nelson then married Koepke. Paula inherited her father's musical genes and has released five of her own albums with the Paula Nelson Band including Under the Influence in 2014. She is the host of her own show on the Outlaw Country channel on Sirius XM. She is also well known for her duet with her father, "Have You Ever Seen the Rain,"on his 2013 album To All the Girls.... The song recently gained some extra attention for being featured on the soundtrackfor the hit HBO series, Big Little Lies. Read More: The Loves of Willie's Life from Martha Matthews to Annie D'Angelo Amy Lee Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F7JbPo0PkU Amy Lee is the only other child that came from Nelson's marriage with Connie Koepke. She's in an Austin, Texas musical group with Cathy Guthrie called Folk Uke. The duo has released two albums with guest appearances from their famous dads (Cathy's father is Arlo Guthrie). Lukas Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK4pHHLfXpk Lukas Nelson is the first born child from Willie and his current wife, Annie D’Angelo. His band, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, is based in California. Since their debut EP, Brando's Paradise Sessions, the band has been making a name for themselves at the top of the charts. They were also the backing band for Bradley Cooper in the 2018 film A Star Is Born. Lukas also served as a vocal coach for Cooper in the film and co-wrote many of the songs featured in the film. Micah Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yRYe486w3c The youngest son from D'Angelo and Willie is also a musician. He has recently been gaining notoriety for his rock band, Particle Kid. He has also toured with his father and brother so you know he knows what he's doing. For more check out WideOpenCountry.com

Clint Eastwoodis one of the most celebrated actors and filmmakers inHollywood. He first hit it big in the television seriesRawhideand playing the role of the "Man with No Name" in a series ofwesternfilms in the 1960s and has since gone on to winAcademy Awardsfor Best Picture and Best Director forUnforgivenandMillion Dollar Baby.While his professional life has continued to soar over the past 50 years, Eastwood's love life has been a little rocky over the years. Across the span of 30 years, Eastwood has had eight children -- some from extramarital affairs, including a daughter he didn't even know about for 30 years. Here are some things you probably didn't know about all ofClint Eastwood's children as well as his two ex-wives. First Wife,MaggieJohnson In 1953, Eastwood met a young U.C. Berkley student named Margaret Johnson. While waiting for his young girlfriend to graduate college, Eastwood spent some time inSeattle, Washington. It was here that he had a brief affair with an unidentified woman who became pregnant and gave the baby up for adoption. Eastwood and Johnson were engaged at the time and tied the knot just a few weeks before theSeattlewoman gave birth to her child with Eastwood. Eastwood met actressSondra Lockewhile filmingThe Outlaw Josey Walesand Locke ended up moving in with the actor. Johnson moved to the couple's Pebble Beach home full time and it seems like this last affair was the final straw forMaggie. In 1978, Johnson realized that Locke was not like any of her husband's other affairs. Locke had been living with Eastwood for a few years at that point. It's estimated that Johnson's divorce payout was as high as $30 million, which she received in cash. Second Wife,DinaEastwood Eastwood ended his relationship withactressFrances Fisherin 1995, but the actor was already dating news anchorDinaRuiz, a woman 35 years younger than him. The couple was married the following year. It seemed like, after all of his relationships over the years, Eastwood had found the one. Dinahad her own reality show with E! in 2012 calledMrs. Eastwood & Company,which followed her and her daughterMorganas well as step-daughterFrancesca. She also made appearances in a couple of her husband's films,Blood WorkandTrue Crime.Sadly in 2013,Dinafiled for divorce and said that she and Eastwood had already been living separately. Kyle Eastwood Kyle was thefirst childto come from Eastwood's marriage to Johnson in 1968. Kyle had a small role alongside his father in the filmHonkytonk Manwhen he was a child. He had a few more acting roles, but he's really made a name for himself inHollywoodas a composer and musician. Some of his credits include his father's films,Million Dollar Baby,Gran TorinoandInvictus.He's also released nine studio albums. AlisonEastwood Alisonwas the second child of Eastwood and Johnson. Over the years she has had a stable acting career, most recently starring opposite her father inThe Mule. She also founded the Eastwood Ranch Foundation which saves pets from kill shelters while they wait to be adopted. LaurieMurray(nowLaurieEastwood) That baby Eastwood fathered inSeattle? That wasLaurie. When she was 34 years old,Lauriebecame curious about her biological parents. She found her birth certificate and it confirmed thatClint Eastwoodwas her father. Can you even imagine? Over the years she developed a close relationship with Eastwood and his other children. She even appeared on thered carpetwith him forThe Mule. KimberEastwood Six years into his marriage withMaggieJohnson, Eastwood was appearing on the TV showRawhide.It was on this show that he met a dancer andstuntwoman,Roxanne Tunis. Eastwood and Tunis began a 14-year affair that resulted in a daughter namedKimber. Kimberhas gone on to become a producer and prominentmake-up artistinHollywood. She's even worked on some of her father's films includingThe Mule(like a few other Eastwood children). Scott Eastwood Eastwood was still living with his mistressSondra Lockewhen he started having an affair with aflight attendantnamedJacelyn Reeves, who gave birth to Scott. Scott was originally born Scott Clinton Reeves, taking his mother's surname. When he decided to pursue an acting career he used Reeves to avoid any nepotism in using "Eastwood." He's gone on to have an incredibly successful film career and has starred in many of his father's films; which he promises he had to audition for. He's easily the child that looks most like his father and has become the most successful inHollywood. KathrynEastwood BornKathrynAnn Reeves, the second child from Eastwood andJacelyn Reeves,Kathrynalso went on to have a few acting parts over the years. For the most part, though, she has been out of the limelight, unlike her famous brother. FrancescaEastwood Despite Eastwood's relationship with Reeves, he remained withSondra Lockeuntil 1989. The following year,actressFrances Fishermoved in. Fisher and Eastwood had one daughter,Francesca. Francescawas MissGolden Globein 2013. She has also pursued an acting career and is currently in a relationship with her boyfriend and actor, Alexander Wraith with whom she has one child. MorganEastwood The youngest of all of the Eastwood children,Morganwas the only child to come from the second marriage toDina. She starred alongside her mother inMrs. Eastwood & Company.She also made a couple of appearances in her father's filmsChangelingandMillion Dollar Baby.Morgangraduated college in 2018 with her father and most of her siblings present. For more like this, check out WideOpenCountry.com!

There are plenty of country songsaboutdrinkin'and cheatin', but some of the bestsongsincountry musicare about plain oldloveand all that goes along with it. Most of the country greats likeKeith Urban,Blake Shelton,Rascal Flatts,Kenny Chesney,Garth Brooks,Josh Turnerand more continue to sing about relationships and love. From tracks on falling in love with your soulmate to tunes about unrequited love, here are 20 of the topcountry lovesongsof all time. "Breathe,"Faith Hill A soaring ballad released at the peak of country pop diva anthems,Faith Hill's "Breathe" is still one of the most belovedcountry love songsever.
 "I Will Always Love You,"Dolly Parton The greatestcountry musiclove song wasn't written about a romanticlove story.Dolly Partonwrote"I Will Always Love You"for her dear friend Porter Wagoner upon her exit fromThe Porter Wagoner Show.From then on, the song took on a life of its own. It was a No. 1 hit for Parton in 1974, then again in 1982 when she re-recorded it for theBest Little Whorehouse In Texas. (She's the first singer to score a No. 1 hit twice for the same song.) Ten years later, Whitney Houston had the best-selling single by a woman in music history with her cover of the song. But even without the massive chart success, "I Will Always Love You," a song about pure, selfless love, would still be thebestcountry love songever written. "He Stopped Loving Her Today,"George Jones Love doesn't always work out like we want it to. Some ofcountry music's greatest songs are born out of the notion that even the truest loves don't always last."He Stopped Loving Her Today,"about a man who carries a torch for his one true love until his dying day, is perhaps country's greatest example of heartbreaking, enduring love. "I Cross My Heart,"George Strait Released as the first single from Strait'sPure Countrysoundtrack, "I Cross My Heart" was a No. 1 hit for Strait in 1992. The song, a tribute to unconditional love, is still one ofcountry music's most requested wedding songs. "Ring of Fire,"Johnny Cash Written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore, "Ring of Fire" is one ofJohnny Cash's most memorable hits and a reminder of the powerful impact of romantic love. "When You Say Nothing At All,"Keith Whitley Written by country hit-makers Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, "When You Say Nothing at All" was a No. 1 hit forKeith Whitleyin 1988. After Whitley's tragic death, Alison Krauss and Union Station recorded the song for a Whitley tribute album. Krauss' tender vocals took the song back the Top 10 in 1995. "Forever and Ever, Amen,"Randy Travis Randy Travis' "Forever and Ever, Amen" has stood the test of time as one ofcountry music's most endearing love songs. As plain spoken and true as only acountry songcan be, "Forever and Ever, Amen" can be considered one of the greatestcountry love songsever written. "CowboyTake Me Away,"Dixie Chicks "CowboyTake Me Away" was co-written byDixie Chicksfiddler Martie Maguire for her sister (and fellow bandmate) Emily's wedding. The song, an ode to getting away from it all with someone you love, went to No. 1 in 1999 (this is easily one of my favorite songs in allcountry music). "Still the One"Shania Twain Shania Twain's scorching love song "You're Still the One" became Twain's first top ten hit on theBillboardHot 100. The crossover hit, written by Twain and her then husband Mutt Lange, also won two Grammy Awards in 1999. "Little Moments,"Brad Paisley Brad Paisley's "Little Moments" ignores grandiose gestures and focuses on the snapshot moments of a relationship that are truly special. For more, check out WideOpenCountry.com

Fried Green Tomatoes is a beloved southern film from 1991 inspired by the novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafeby Fannie Flagg. The film stars Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary Stuart Masterson (Idgie Threadgoode), Chris O'Donnell, and Mary-Louise Parker (Ruth Jamison) and follows two sets of female friendships and the hardships they endure together. Tandy landed an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress and the script was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. It's a classic film everyone should watch. Producer Lisa Lindstrom introduced the novel to the film's director, Jon Avnet back in 1987. It was not an easy road for Hollywood to get the film on the big screen. Avnet received a very small budget to develop the script and had his first two screenwriters leave the project including Fannie Flagg and Carol Sobieski, who wrote Annie. He ended up finishing the script himself since he had no budget left to complete the project. After a few years of developing the script, Flagg gave her seal of approval and they cast the film. Tandy was first choice to play Ninny Threadgoode as was Parker for the role of Ruth Jamison. The rest of the cast fell into place perfectly. Though Flagg had initally based Whistle Stop in her novel on Irondale, Alabama, production designer Barbara Ling found Juliette, Georgia to be the ideal filming location. The town, around an hour outside of Atlanta, seemed nearly deserted but there was an old antique and hardware store that made the perfect Whistle Stop Café. Following the release of the film, the town opened up a real Whistle Stop Café set up just like the movie set. Local, Robert Williams, had inherited the building and partnered with his friend Jerie Lynn Williams to open up Original Whistle Stop Cafe. The building was first built in 1927 by Edward L. Williams, Sr. who ran the space as a general merchandise store for 40 years. After that it was rented out until Hollywood came to town. If you're ever near Juliette, Ga., be sure to visit the Whistle Stop for some southern eats and sweet tea. The menu includes fried chicken, chicken fried steak, onion rings, pulled pork, pecan cobbler and of course -- fried green tomatoes. For more like this, check out WideOpenCountry.com!

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