A TROUBADOR FOR TROUBLED NORMALS.

Country singer Toby Keith dies at 62.  News reports for general consumption note his "Should've Been a Cowboy" and "Red Solo Cup."  There was so much more.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum remembered Keith as someone who was "big, brash, and never bowed down or slowed down for anyone."

"His story is a distinctly American one — a former roughneck oil worker who carved out his own space in country music with a sinewy voice and an unbending will to succeed. He wrote his breakthrough songs and later formed his own record label when he felt underserved by Nashville," the statement read. "He relished being an outsider and doing things his way. Proudly patriotic, he didn’t mind if his clear-cut convictions ruffled your feathers. For three decades, he reflected the defiant strength of the country music audience. His memory will continue to stand tall."

Shortly after the Al-Qaeda raids on the United States, he wrote "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)."  Undoubtedly, the sort of conscience-cowboy who would "contextualize" a raid with jet aircraft or a Hamas raid on a music festival would cringe at the sentiments, and the lyrics.  The troops at his live concerts were of a different frame of mind.  As are the people who continue to support Donald Trump, all the warnings from the coastal cosmopolitans notwithstanding.  Why are the people who consider themselves educated so stupid about being smart?

John "Bravo Blue" Lucas recommends his "American Soldier."

He notes,

I thought that the words of “American Soldier,” which Toby co-wrote, were particularly appropriate for the battalion’s wives and families at that difficult time. Listen and read the complete lyrics below. Please, don’t just skim them — read, re-read and reflect on the love that went into the composition and singing of this song.

That post continues, "So, thank you Toby Keith. You are a patriot who will be missed." R.I.P.