But the definition of country we're talking about is definitely not the contemporary Nashville sound. The stuff going on now doesn't have much to do with that anymore. There's something wrong when Garth Brooks lists one of his main inspirations as Journey. All over Belleville, the only thing you see more of than churches are bars. Inside, the plaster is chipping off the walls.
Blankets hang over open doorways.
Unlike many small-town bands that flee to the big city in search of recognition and record deals, Uncle Tupelo has remained here, raking things at its own slow pace. Only Ken Coomer, who replaced the group's original drummer a year ago, lives away from here, in Nashville. But I don't think we'd do it. It's pretty cheap to live here. It feels like home.