From the Lawton Constitution
By James Finck, Ph.D. Jun 23, 2026
Finals are done and grades are all turned in. That means just one thing: summer. While there are many things that represent summer, my favorite is the road trip. I love traveling, seeing new things, and especially visiting historical sites. Hopefully I’ll be able to write about a few of these over the next few months.
In preparation for a summer road trip, I have spent the last few months putting together what I consider the perfect playlist. Of all the new technologies, streaming music is one of my favorites. While I do miss buying an album and listening to all the songs, discovering ones I liked that never got any airtime, I do not miss having to wake up my sleeping ‘passenger-princess’ wife every hour to change the CD. I should also say GPS is amazing. It sure beats printing several pages of MapQuest directions.
Since music is essential to a good road trip, I thought I would share some of the songs from my ultimate road-trip playlist. Don’t worry, there is something for everyone, as my playlist has both kinds of music: country and Western.
Starting with the A’s, the first artist on the list is Aaron Tippin. His songs on the playlist include “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong With the Radio,” “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You,” “You’ve Got to Stand for Something,” “My Blue Angel,” and “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly.”
Tippin broke onto the music scene in 1990 with his debut single, “You’ve Got to Stand for Something.” The song became a hit with troops serving in the Gulf War, and Tippin quickly became known for songs that celebrated the working man. During the 1970s and 1980s, he made a living singing in bars at night while working as a truck driver and pipefitter during the day. In 1986, he moved to Nashville, where he competed on a talent show on The Nashville Network and landed a songwriting gig that eventually led to a recording contract with RCA. Tippin still is known for his traditional country sound and blue-collar themes.
It does not take long to come to one of the heavy hitters on the list and, arguably, the greatest country music group of all time: Alabama. There are too many songs to list here, but the playlist is headlined by “Dixieland Delight,” which makes my Mount Rushmore of country songs.
The group was formed in 1969 by cousins Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, and the late Jeff Cook in Fort Payne, Alabama. After several attempts and a few different band names, the group, now known as Alabama, scored its first No. 1 hit in 1980 with “Tennessee River.” The band thought it was a fluke, but when “Why Lady Why” also hit No. 1, followed by 29 straight songs reaching the top of the charts, they knew they were stars.
Alabama became successful because they blended traditional country music with Southern rock and pop influences, helping them appeal to a wide audience. They also had strong songs, talented musicians, and spent years building a loyal fan base through relentless touring. Their rise in the 1980s came at a time when country music was becoming more popular nationwide, helping them achieve massive success.
I especially love their strong use of fiddles in songs like “Mountain Music” and “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band).” Alabama is an amazing live band. I have seen them a couple of times, and every song is a major hit, including concert favorites like “Old Flame,” where the audience does most of the singing. Put plainly, Alabama is simply country music at its finest.
The A’s just keep bringing the best of the best, as the next artist on the playlist makes my top three of artists that would play on the soundtrack to my high school and college years. Along with Garth Brooks and George Strait, there is Alan Jackson.
While it was not his first major hit, I still remember seeing Jackson’s music video for “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” on CMT when it came out in 1990. His neotraditional sound and tall, lanky build made him stand out, and his first major album, “Here in the Real World,” was packed with what are now classic songs such as “Wanted” and his first No. 1 hit, “I’d Love You All Over Again.”
As I said, there are too many songs from the playlist to list here, but the song that made Jackson an icon was “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” It became important because it captured the emotions and uncertainty many Americans felt after the Sept. 11 attacks. Its simple, heartfelt message helped people reflect, heal, and find comfort during a difficult time.
Jackson is an important country singer because he helped keep traditional country music popular during a time when many artists were moving toward a more pop-influenced sound. Known for his honest songwriting and authentic style, he wrote and recorded many classic hits, including “Chattahoochee,” “Remember When,” and “Drive (For Daddy Gene).” His songs about family, love, and everyday life connected with millions of listeners, and his success helped preserve the traditional roots of country music while influencing future generations of artists.
The final A artist on the playlist has my all-time favorite voice: Alison Krauss. Her songs on the playlist include “Every Time You Say Goodbye,” “Baby Mine,” “All Alone Am I,” “Stay,” “Ghost in This House,” “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You,” and “Down to the River to Pray.”
With her remarkable voice and accomplished instrumental talent, Krauss released her first bluegrass album at age 16 and won her first Grammy in 1990. By 1992, she had earned a second Grammy and developed a huge cult following, but her career really took off in 1994 when she released a cover of Keith Whitley’s “When You Say Nothing at All.” Finally, in 2000, she became a household name when bluegrass suddenly became en vogue with the release of “O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” which featured several songs by Krauss and her band, Union Station.
Krauss is an important artist because she helped bring bluegrass music to a wider audience while staying true to its traditional roots. Known for her beautiful voice and exceptional fiddle playing, she blended bluegrass, country, and folk music in a way that appealed to both longtime fans and new listeners. Through her solo work and performances with Union Station, she influenced many musicians and became one of the most awarded singers in music history, helping keep bluegrass music popular and relevant.
So those are my A artists on the playlist. Maybe you can add a couple of them to your own summer road-trip playlist. Let me know if I am missing anyone who needs to be included. After all, a perfect playlist is never truly finished.
James Finck is a professor of American history at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. He can be reached at james.finck@swoknews.com.
Historically Speaking 