West Virginia: Everyone’s Country Road Leading Home
John Denver wasn’t even from West Virginia, yet his indelible words “Country Roads, Take Me Home…” make him sound like he was a true Mountaineer. His infamous song can be heard all around the world. In a basement bar in Brugge, Belgium late at night, as we stumbled in after a long day of sight-seeing. The last song of the night to close out a rockin’ wedding reception. Or being played at a huge stadium in Seattle after the big USA win in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It’s shocking to see that such a song on a world stage can radiate so much love - us West Virginians have long-known the power and pride in that song. It’s a beautiful thing to see the rest of the world sharing our love for “Country Roads.” Everybody knows the words, sings them loudly and proudly, while swaying arm in arm, as if each person has some familial tie to the state. The world has caught on - It’s about togetherness, pride, a feeling, and love. Lots of people want to be part of that these days.
West Virginia has many amazing qualities. We have beautiful national parks, hills, countryside, and native animals and plants. Most kids in school are required to take a West Virginia civics class, to learn about our history, state emblems, the West Virginia flag, and the counties to name a few. My dad can still recite from elementary school all 55 counties in alphabetical order. Our state pride is booming and clearly we take knowing our state very seriously.
Growing Up in Wheeling, WV
Growing up in a small town was a wonderful place to be as a kid in the 1980s and 90s. There were local festivals that we still take part in now (see my video blog about OglebayFest,) we rode our bikes everywhere, and chances are when you went to The Ye Olde Alpha neighborhood tavern, you would see someone you knew. (insert Pittsburgh-influenced sayings like “Hey, how’s your mom and ‘em?”)
We had it made.
We also knew that our little world was small and the importance of helping our neighbors and having each other’s backs.
This is just a tiny peak inside having that “Wheeling Feeling.” It’s hard to describe it, (I’ve tried my best here) but man can you feel it when you are here.
I think all of this is ingrained in our souls, and has influenced the way we are now as adults, and how we interact with others, personally and professionally.
Importance of Spending and Thinking Locally
You hear “Shop Local” so many times, especially during the holidays. It really is true though. I want to support artists and their craft - It lights my fire to hang up a friend’s artwork on my office walls.
Buying locally could be the difference in that shop owner paying their rent that month, or pushing over a sales hump, or helping them to put dinner on the family table. You are helping out your neighbors in a really personal way.
Rather than going with that huge agency that’s completely cut off from your local town and unaware of all the small-town intricacies, go with your neighbor’s cousin’s company that will help them hit their goals this month.
Rather than going to Columbus to hire that really flashy digital agency to do your next marketing campaign, why not hire the local small business, much like Strong Minded Agency and create a really great partnership with some really creative people.
Inspiring and Outspoken Celebrities from West Virginia
Jennifer Garner was raised in Charleston, WV, and she is quick to share that fact. From a glance at her social media, you can see her watching her family compete in a high school sporting event. She celebrates her love of our state with reflections about her family and traditions, her advocacy and fundraising efforts during natural disasters that have affected WV (Save the Children and Flood relief efforts), and the fact that she doesn't hide her roots now that she has become famous.
Brad Paisley - raised in Glen Dale, WV is a celebrated musician, artist, and Grand Olde Opry member. According to this WV Public Broadcasting article, “At age 14, he became the youngest-ever regular cast member of Jamboree USA. He remained with the Wheeling radio show for eight years.” He’s a fan of WVU and supports local Marshall County craftsman, Bill Crook, who is responsible for custom-building his guitars. He even has a street named after him in Glen Dale, and every time I drive by it, it makes me think of his humble beginnings.
Pretty amazing that such a place can birth such greatness and all around good-hearted, talented humans.
The Power of Music and Human Connection
Whether you are from the Mountain State, or from somewhere else that doesn’t have such an ode to all of its natural beauty and way of life, I’m willing to bet that you’d sign up to be part of something pretty special that encompasses sport, music, values, talent and nature.
“Country Roads, Take me home, to the place I belong…West Virginia…”
It’s about belonging and a sense of community and being connected. When I hear it I think of my wedding, our family reunions, my friend’s bluegrass band, and now add the World Cup Soccer tournament to that list of beautiful associations all devoted to our beloved West Virginia.
