Fence Post

Now this is a true story, for the most part, that occurred on the top floor

Of this big wig record executive's office in Nashville, Tennessee

Now understand I'm not poking any fun or disrespecting anybody

God knows I love country music with all my hear and soul

And I love the Grand Ole Opry

But I do have a problem with someone who can't even play a D chord on a guitar

Telling someone with a dream that they won't get far

So this song is dedicated to all those underdogs like me out there runnin' around

Don't get discouraged if you have a dream, don't be afraid to chase it down

This is how it goes

He said: Son don't get offended by what I'm about to say

I can see you have a passion for the songs you write and play

But you lack what we all call commercial appeal

And you just don't have what it takes to make it here in Nashville

Ouch

Well my heart felt like a train wreck but I wore a smile on my face

I said: Thank you for your time sir, I put my guitar back in it's case

Our little conversation was like a revelation redirecting my dreams

Cause God knows I'd never sell my soul to rock n' roll

Or rap or wear those tight skinny jeans

Cause you know I'd rather sing my own songs than be a puppet on a string

I wear what I wanna wear, I'm gonna sing what I wanna sing

Heaven knows all I need is my faith, my fans, my friends and my family

Besides I'd rather be an old fence post in Texas than the king of Tennessee

So I loaded up my ol' pick up truck, I drove back home to Amarillo

Got a gig off old route 66 at this ballroom called The Armadillo

And for the first 1000 show or so not a soul showed up

I thought about quitting every other day but I just kept on kicking that cup

Yeah I kept kicking that can surrounded by blood, sweat and beers

And wouldn't you know I became an overnight sensation in just over ten years

And now I'm packing out all the dancehalls and the rodeos every night

I got a pretty wife, a ranch, a band, a bus, a boat, I'd say I'm doing alright

And you know I'd rather sing my own songs than be a puppet on a string

I wear what I wanna wear, I'm gonna sing what I wanna sing

Heaven knows all I need is my faith, my fans, my friends and my family

Besides I'd rather be an old fence post in Texas than the king of Tennessee

Well wouldn't you know that ol' record man showed up one night at this honky tonking bar

After my show he said: Son I believe you might be the next big country star

He said: We like how you keep it raw, we like how your keeping it real

And I think you may just have what we all like to call commercial appeal

Huh, ain't that somethin', well sir

I'd rather sing my own songs than be a puppet on a string

I wear what I wanna wear, I'm gonna sing what I wanna sing

Heaven knows all I need is my faith, my fans, my friends and my family

Besides I'd rather be an old fence post in Texas than the king of Tennessee

God bless Tennessee

But I'd rather be just an old fence post in Texas

Than to sell my soul to rock n' roll or rap or wear those tight fittin' skinny jeans