BITTER SWEET, Ky. — The marriage between country and rock music has been a long one with many ups and downs through the years, like any marriage I suppose.

But the genre has survived and to an extent, I feel like it is seeing an upswing of late, I think for a lot of reasons; but before we tackle that thought, let’s go back a few years to the 1970s – a time very near and dear to my heart.

I think this was the era when this type of music really got its teeth with bands like The Outlaws, the Marshall Tucker Band; and one of my favorites, The Charlie Daniels Band. And this is just a small sample of the great CR groups of that decade. How about Pure Prairie League, The Eagles and Lynyrd Skynyrd. I’ll bet these names are bringing back some memories for many of you, as they do for me.

I played many of their hits on stage as most garage bands of the day did.

But for me, this type of music was a release of sorts for a youngster looking to make his way in the vast music world.

Growing up in the South, and with a father who was anchored to one type of music, traditional country, my knowledge of anything else was minimal at best. My grandfather was a country musician, my uncle was a country musician and by golly I was going to be one, too. For the most part, that has been true but for that bit of time, I grew my hair, learned every Nitty Gritty Dirt Band song and played every chance I got to whatever audience would listen, and I loved it. The music was different and I learned it was okay to be different.

Today, there is a whole new legion of CR bands and performers, like Florida-Georgia Line, Big and Rich, and A Thousand Horses (what a cool name) again, just to name a few.

I think these and other bands like them are so popular today, much for the same reason they were 40 years ago; they bring along a new generation of music lovers and remind us older folks of a time we knew and loved so dearly.

There’s just something about throwing a rock guitar lick into a catchy country song that works; it did then when this marriage was new and it does now.

If only all marriages lasted so long and were so strong. For the country rock groups on the big stages and in the small garages, I give you all a big A. I’ve long since returned to my roots but every now and then I drag the Fender out and let what hair I have left, down. Let’s rock.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.