I’ll admit it. I grew up in West Texas among what we called back then “kickers and cowboys,” and I listened to a lot of country music whether I wanted to or not. I did develop a taste for some of it, sentimentality and cryin-in-my-beer notwithstanding. My mom called it “honkey-tonk music.” Anyway, I have a daughter who likes the twenty-first century version of country, even though we live in the big city, major suburbia, so I thought I’d make her a mix CD for Christms of classic country songs. These are the songs I’ve picked out so far. Any suggestions to add to it?

Delta Dawn by Tanya Tucker

I Can’t Help it (If I’m Still in Love With You) by Hank Williams Jr.

Hey, Good Lookin by Hank Williams Sr.

Tennessee Waltz by Patti Page

Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash

Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine by Tom T. Hall

I Walk the Line by Johnny Cash

Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford. My daddy loves this song. He can’t carry a tune in a bucket, but he tries sometimes to do his Tennessee Ernie imitation, singing way down low.

Crazy by Patsy Cline.

Your Cheatin Heart by Hank Williams Sr.

Wildwood Flower by the Carter Family.

Luchenbach Texas by Waylon Jennings. My kids think this song is one of the funniest they’ve ever heard. Willie Nelson used to have a Fourth of July picnic at Luchenbach every July. I don’t think he does it anymore.

Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain by Willie Nelson

King of the Road by Roger Miller

Rose Garden by Lynn Anderson.

The Gambler by Kenny Rogers.

Here You Come Again by Dolly Parton

The Most Beautiful Girl by Charlie Rich.

Kiss an Angel Good Morning by Charlie Pride.

Galveston by Glen Campbell. Because I like Glen, and because we live near Galveston.

Gentle on my Mind by Glen Campbell.

Will the Circle Be Unbroken by The Carter Family.

Happiest Girl in the Whole USA by Donna Fargo.

Happy Man by B.J. Thomas. I used to love to listen to B.J. in his pre-Christian phase and in his Christian incarnation. Raindrops anyone?

You Light Up My Life by Debby Boone. Is this one really country?

Through the Years by Kenny Rogers. I once saw Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton in concert at Johnson Space Center. They were filming a TV special, and all the NASA employees got free tickets. It was outdoors by the big rockets, and we sat on a blanket and listened to Kenny and Dolly (I think) and others. Ahhh, memories.

I probably don’t need suggestions. I doubt if all of those songs will fit on one CD. Nevertheless, feel free to admit your guilty secrets if you’re a country music fan, and tell me your favorites.