My love of country music is maybe my most shocking cultural secret for a gay man who lives in Manhattan. But I have to admit that I used to be a regular listener of the last country station that operated in the city back in the 90s. I've also spent a lot of time at the Big Apple Ranch in Chelsea, where you can two-step every Saturday night with some like-minded country afficiandos (not to mention some professional dancers who put on quite a show!). And I enjoy stopping by Flaming Saddles, a surprisingly friendly nightspot in Hellsea, where they have guys doing the boot scootin' boogie on top of the bar.
My interest in country started accidentally, when I was working as a newscaster before I moved to NYC for an AM/FM station in Frederick, MD where the AM side was a country format (now it's gone country on the FM side). Anyway, I got used to hearing it in the booth and really enjoyed it. And now at least I can listen again by tuning my snooze alarm to the new 94.7 FM station. And you know what? I think I just might wake up a happier person.
