BITTER SWEET, Ky. — There are two things I want to talk about this week. One is farming, and the other is country music – two of my most favorite things in the world next to God, family and country.

First, the music, I’ll just bet that Craig Morgan is likely one of the most famous country singers you’ve never heard of. He has quietly racked up a series of hit songs for more than a decade including a couple of my favorite tunes: That’s What I Love about Sunday and Almost Home.

If you go on the Internet and search for those songs, once you’ve heard the first couple of measures, you’ll know exactly who I’m talking about.

He just has one of those country voices; that’s about the best way I know how to explain it. His music is down home and about topics that are easy to relate to, especially for those of us living in rural America. But more than that, he is a real country kind of guy. He served 20 years in the U.S. military; he has worked in real tough jobs like as a contractor and an EMT, to name a few. He races motorcycles for Pete’s sake, and even has his own outdoor show, All Access Outdoors.

I think it is the experiences he has had away from his music life that blends into the kind of music Morgan sings.

Which brings me to the farming part, it would only seem natural that a guy like Craig Morgan would sing a song about farming; and as luck would have it, he did. International Harvester was one of his biggest hits off of the Little Bit of Life album released in 2006.

In the song’s chorus, he describes a farmer, on his IH combine moving across a rural highway and the un-pleasantries experienced from people who just want him to get out of the way.

My favorite line in the song says, “I’m proud to say, I’m a God fearin’, hard workin’, combine driver; Hoggin’ up the road on my p-p-p-plower; Chug a lug a lugin’ five miles an hour; On my International Harvester.”

Not only is it a great song but I tell you about it, to tell you this; it’s harvest time in rural America and our hard-working farmers are out there bringing in the crops. So the next time you get behind one and feel like honking the horn or giving an obscene gesture, remember this.

That guy or gal out there on the tractor or combine is feeding you and me and the rest of the world. So instead of honking, smile at them and wave with all your fingers and be thankful we still have them around. For defending our country for two decades and bringing us some of the most down to earth country music around, and for just being a good ol’ country boy, I give Craig Morgan a big 200, AA.

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.