There have been times in my life when I’ve listened to whatever music I wanted whenever I wanted, but these days, I have a lot more constraints. At work, I’m pretty underslept and need all the concentration I can get—that means a silent work environment. At home, I don’t feel right cranking up Swedish death metal or even Katy Perry in front of the kids. I get my classic rock fix while shopping in the supermarket late at night, and in the car, all the trashy dance music stations I like are full of static.

So I’ve started listening to 97.1, My Country. It comes in crystal clear and plays terrific new country. Trust me that I’m as surprised as you are as I’ve always been an “I don’t like country” guy. The twang and the stories and the guitar always bugged me. I’m not totally sure what’s changed, but over the last few weeks I’ve Shazamed several songs that I’ve had to buy on iTunes. Here are my current favorites:

• “Country Must Be Country Wide” (by Brantley Gilbert): This is a straight-up country anthems and it’s so rockin I swear Bon Jovi could have recorded it in the mid 80’s. It’s got awesome guitar and great lines like “In every state there’s a station playing Cash, Hank, Willie, and Waylon”.

• “Got My Country On” (by Chris Cable): Another anthem, this reminds me of all those rap songs that brag about being the biggest gangsta around. Except this gangsta is “Gonna do some chillin, chicken grillin and guitars”. He even says he’s “Trickin [his] truck like a Cadillac”.

• “This” (by Darius Rucker): This song couldn’t be more earnest: “Thank God for all I missed Cause it led me here to this.” I’ve never been a Hootie and the Blowfish fan, but maybe I need to give them a chance. Yikes.

• “Drink On It” (by Blake Shelton): This one is less sweet, but just as earnest. It’s about a country boy trying to get a girl drunk so he can sleep with her.

Maybe this will country thing be a fad for me. Or maybe I’ll be wearing Wranglers and cowboy boots by this time next year. I’ll definitely pass on the Skoal though.