Cassette Tapes & Country Dreams: A 90s Kid's Musical Detour!

From Bollywood to Blue Ridge Mountains: My Journey with John Denver and Country Music

John Denver. The name itself evokes a sense of wide-open spaces, gentle breezes, and a yearning for simpler times. For many, it's synonymous with 70s country music, but for me, a 90s kid growing up in Maharashtra, India, it was the gateway to a whole new world of music.

English in our house was like any other subject – math, history, the whole drill. We learned it, aced tests, maybe even enjoyed a good book. But music? That was a different story. Back then, music discovery happened through cassette tapes, and that's where things got interesting.

The first taste of non- filmi English music, like for many 90s Indian kids, was the legendary "Brazil... la la la la." We belted out that chorus like nobody's business, even if we had no clue what the actual lyrics meant. (Hey, catchy is catchy!) We, the 90s kids of India, often latched onto catchy choruses, blissfully unaware of the actual meaning.

As cassette tapes gave way to CDs and then the revolutionary iPod (remember those?), my music taste broadened.

Bryan Adams' rockstar vibes, thanks to Mr. Avadhoot Gupte's (one of my fav musician from childhood!) "Jai Jai Maharashtra Maza" for introducing me to "Summer of 69", Michael Jackson's infectious energy, Taylor Swift's teenage dream anthems – it was all there. But honestly, a lot of it felt… impersonal. Like I was listening to improve my English, not because the music truly spoke to me.

Then, John Denver entered my world. It was "Take Me Home, Country Roads" that did it. The gentle strum of the guitar, the evocative lyrics painting a picture of rolling hills and mountain mamas, and John Denver's warm, sincere voice – it all created a mood I'd never experienced before.

This was the birth of my love affair with country music. John Denver's music led me down that path.Its "thehrav" – the calmness in Hindi – resonated deeply. Unlike the in-your-face rock or metal, country offered a soothing melody that intertwined with well-written lyrics. Perhaps it was the influence of Bollywood music, or the rich storytelling tradition of Marathi film music, that drew me to this genre.

From "Take Me Home" to "Annie's Song" and "Leaving on a Jet Plane," I devoured John Denver's music. 

It opened a door to a vast landscape of country music – from the twangy guitars of Johnny Cash to the soulful voice of Dolly Parton. Each song was a story, a glimpse into a world far removed from my bustling city life, yet strangely relatable.

Today, as I write this blog, Vince Gill's "I Still Believe in You" fills the air. It's a testament to the enduring power of country music – its ability to transport you to a place of serenity, to tell stories of love, loss, and the simple beauty of life.

My journey from Bollywood to John Denver and beyond may seem unconventional, but it's a testament to the universality of music. It transcends language and cultural barriers, speaking directly to the soul. So, the next time you hear a song with a gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics, take a moment to appreciate the magic of country music. You never know, it might just become your favourite genre too!

So, Let's wrap it up for now! Hit me up in the comments and tell me what unexpected musical detours you took as a kid! 

Did a cassette tape full of Backstreet Boys lead you to opera? 

Maybe a Bollywood soundtrack sparked a love for heavy metal? 

Share your stories coz music is one wild ride, and there's no telling where the next song will take us! 

Until next time, happy listening!