I can’t be silent about the X58 alternative music played in the campus courtyard any longer. It sends too many negative messages to students; it lacks songs about the valuable aspects of life; it’s obviously inspired by drugs.

Music inspired by God and the great USA, that’s the kind of music my ears like. I’m talking about country music.

In this day and age, country music stands alone as the last thing left worth listening to. It glorifies hard work, takes pride in country and community, and reminds us of family worth. It’s fun while being uplifting; everything the campus alternative radio station fails at.

Songs on X58 don’t glorify hard work. In fact the only time work is mentioned in an X58 song someone is either a) getting into an argument with their boss, b) quitting their job in a fit of rage, or c) unemployed and proud of it.

I’ve never heard a song on X58 that takes pride in this country. If someone is singing about the USA they are usually enraged with the president, complaining about how unfree they feel, or fearful that the government is somehow lying to them. Police officers are not respected and, in many songs, illegal activities are glorified such as marijuana use, vandalism, theft or disorderly conduct.

In almost every song on X58 there is some reference to love. But in most cases it’s not the proper kind of love people should have for each other. Certainly not songs about a man’s love for his wife, or a woman’s love for her husband. You never hear about the joys of having a family. In fact, most of the time families are criticized in alternative music. Alternative musicians love to sing about how their parents are wrong and stupid.

All this negative music has to be having an effect on students.

I see that it distracts students trying study at the tables next to the bookstore.

After I walk through the campus courtyard, it usually takes a few minutes before a song gets out of my head. This can be a real distraction in class. Having X58 songs in my head has been a real impediment to my education. I’m sure a big part of my failing grades last year was in large part due to the X58 song format.

That’s why I’d say it’s time for a change at X58. Change the station to TEX58, all your favorite country hits. Instead of Weezer, Nirvana, and Nine Inch Nails, people can listen to their favorite songs from Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Gretchen Wilson, and the one and only Garth Brooks.