I may have told you this story before, and if I did, I apologize. But it bears repeating. Several years ago, an editor told me I write like I talk. I promptly thanked her, and she promptly informed me it wasn’t a compliment.

I was somewhat taken back with her dislike of my written words. I try to be simplistic and to the point, with a little hometown humor thrown in for seasoning. I think it is important my readers understand what I’m trying to say and using big, 75-cent words just isn’t my thing.

Needless to say, that editor and I soon parted ways and I moved on, in my opinion, to bigger and better things.

I say all that to say this: Recently I pulled up an article on a national news website to read a story about the most current evolution in country music. I think the article focused on the career of a quite popular female singer.

The problem for me was, I couldn’t get past the first paragraph because of the way it was written. It was way above my head, to say the least. In fact, it made no sense to me.

I will be the first to admit I’m not the brightest bulb on the tree, but if I can’t understand it, I would imagine there are others like me. So, my friends, I will always keep it readable even though I may venture off my subject from time to time.

Now that I’m finished with my little rant, I want to give a shout-out to the one and only Garth Brooks – not that he needs me to give him press. This guy is still so popular after a long career in country music. He continues to sell out large venues, day in and day out.

I’m not recognizing him for his popularity, but for his recent stop at the National FFA Convention. Brooks performed a private concert for these dedicated young people and, having been a part of FFA for a long time, I can tell you this: Those FFA kids were over-the-top excited.

Pulling a quote from a press release on his website, Brooks said, “I love the FFA and its mission. I have always wanted to play this gig. This isn’t going to be a concert, this is going to be a party! I bet there is not going to be a kid there who is half as excited as I am to be there.”

And a party, I’m sure it was. So, here’s to a giant superstar doing great things for a great cause, just because he wants to; and here’s to telling you about it without spending my 75 cents on words I have to look up in the dictionary.

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 country music. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.