Small Town USA Blog

Though he may be a big city star today, John Cougar Mellencamp is regarded nationwide as a major advocate of small town America. With humble roots in Seymour, Indiana, not only does Mellencamp understand the value of less heavily populated, close-knit communities, he is a product of it. As a result, he often champions the cause of small town citizens, giving voice, quite literally to rural dwellers across the country. In one of his more famous hits, aptly titled “Small Town,” Mellencamp pays tribute to his upbringing, the connection he developed with the lifestyle he enjoyed before moving to a bigger stage. Enjoy the very relevant, relatable lyrics, a true small town anthem if there ever was oneWell I was born in a small townAnd I live in a small townProbably die in a small townOh, those small communitiesAll my friends are so small townMy parents live in the same small townMy job is so small townProvides little opportunityEducated in a small townTaught to fear Jesus in a small townUsed to daydream in that small townAnother born romantic that’s me Read More »

There’s a lot to be said for living in a small town, but don’t just take it from us. Major influences and big time personalities have stemmed from humble beginnings, never made possible without their small town roots. How can places so often overlooked on the map make unmistakably profound marks on society at large? No one knows better than those who have made small town USA their home and office.”Football, that’s just athletics. But in the business world – doing everything – people are competing. So you need good work ethics, and I think it helped me to develop good work ethics, being in a small town.” Herschel Walker, UGA, NFL and USFL running back“There’s a lot more business out there in small town America than I ever dreamed of.” Sam Walton, founder of Walmart Read More »

Recently, country singer Justin Moore captured audiences worldwide when he released his 2009 hit song “Small Town USA.” Reaching all the Way to 1 on the US Country charts, a lot of fans connected with the ideals and truth’s Moore’s song evoked about living in a small town and the benefits it gives both its inhabitants and the world at large. Moore knows a little something about small town life, growing up in Poyen, Arkansas, where he kicked off his debut tour, paying homage to his humble roots. In fact, several stops along the way saw big shows go down in lesser known names across his home state, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and North Carolina, including acoustic shows in Walmart stores and trips to local radio stations. In his own words, Justin Moore is on record saying, “I grew up in one of those towns where nothing mattered but baseball on Friday night, church and family. I always loved that. I was never one of those kids that wanted to get the heck out of Dodge. I always wanted to stay there, and I’d love to move back one day.” Here’s a look at the lyrics to his best-selling song, a true tribute to the small town way of lifeA lot of people called it prison when I was growin’ upBut these are my roots and this is what I loveCause everybody knows me and I know themAnd I believe that’s the way we were supposed to liveWouldn’t trade one single day here in small town USAChorus Read More »