Country stars declare their love for the U.S. via patriotic songs July 4 and year round

July 4, 11:26 AMNashville Country Music ExaminerLisa L. Rollins

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Aaron Tippin is a proud American in life and song. (Promo Photo).

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Country music-makers, hands down, are among the most patriotic entertainers around.

With only a passing gander at the playlists of country-radio playlists this time of year--and well, even all year, for that matter--quickly supports this scribe's assertion that country crooners love The Home of the Brave and Land of the Free, Old Glory and those who've fought for this nation's security and ensured freedoms.

With that thought in mind, then, an overview of patriotism via today's country artists isn't difficult to initiate, but choosing a favorite pro-U.S.A. country tune could prove more challenging.

Perhaps one of the most well-known such songs among country fans is the enduring "God Bless The U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood, circa 1984, or a pair of homages to Old Glory by brothers Johnny Cash, who cut "Ragged Old Flag," and Tommy Cash, who's known for his own "Thoughts On the Flag" tribute.

Elvis Presley, while not considered a country artist on first mention, certainly scored numerous times on the genre's charts, and The King's "American Trilogy" from 1972 certainly remains a spine-chilling, patriotic recurrent with country programmers and country fans alike, as does Ray Charles' 1976 rendition of "America, The Beautiful."

Charlie Daniels has long been an outspoken support of all things American, especially the U.S. military, and he's had several country singles that made their way to the forefront--namely, "America, I Believe In You," "My Beautiful America," "This Ain't No Rag, It's A Flag" and "In America"--that demonstrate the Grammy-winning fiddler's love for his homeland.

Kenny Rogers "red-white-and-blue" love shines on his 2001 song, "Homeland," a Top-40 cut about the beauty of the land that he was reared upon, while Big Kenny and John Rich, known collectively as country-duo Big & Rich, tip their musical hat to the  U.S. with the song titled "Our America," then movingly salute those who gave their life for others with the Vietnam War-focused "8th of November," a former No. 18 single that's based on a true story.

No list of patriotism-inspired country favorites is complete without Oklahoman Toby Keith, whose pro-America hits include 2003's "American Soldier" and 2002's "Courtesy Of The Red, White & Blue," both of which climbed to No 1 on Billboard's county-singles rankings. Meanwhile, Brooks and Dunn offered up "Only In America" and Hank Williams Jr. gave country fans "America Will Survive," just as Billy Ray Cyrus reminded us that "Some Gave All" and  Martina McBride belted out "Independence Day."

More light-hearted odes exist, too, including Rascal Flatts' "Mayberry," which recalls the good ol' days of small-town America. And then there's Trisha Yearwood's "XXX's and Ooo's (An American Girl)," Sugarland's "Everyday America," Phil Vassar's "American Child" and even Josh Turner's "Firecracker" tune that likens his sweetheart to a Fourth of July firework.

The classics always strike a winning chord, however, and LeAnn Rimes' "God Bless America" is always a show-stopper of flag-waving proportions, as is Aaron Tippin's "Where The Stars And Stripes And The Eagle Fly."

This scribe's overview, by all means, merely scratches the surface of country songs inspired by America, but it's a starting point from which other such songs can be added to. Thus, for those country fans who find themselves humming or singing like-inspired country songs, from Darryl Worley's "Have You Forgotten" to 2009 ACM Award-winner Carrie Underwood's "All-American Girl," do have a bit of musical fun and share your patriotic country song titles with other readers, here, in the comments section herein.

Happy Fourth of July, country fans!

Big & Rich commemorate the U.S. soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War, with their patriotic "8th of November" song.