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Cowboy Hats, Country Music And Love Connections At Hoedown

Detroit (WWJ) - WYCD's Downtown Hoedown kicked up its heels this year at Comerica Park. We sent the girl from Nashville, WWJ's Kathryn Larson, to cover the story.

A heaping helping of boot tapping and "woo" guys and gals turned out for the annual country music festival in Detroit.

Our sister station 99.5 WYCD's 31st edition of the event took center stage and many Metro Detroiters spent the three-day event cuddling up with their cowboy, country crooner or even participated in a little do-si-do.

Decked out in her best country duds with her friends, Mackenzy Graham of Birmingham said Comerica Park is a great place to meet your country Casanova. "Sorry Marco," she apologized.

Mackenzy was one of the many ladies sporting the trend of Daisy Duke style cut off jean shorts, tank top and cowboy hat.

Country headgear was flying of the shelves of Maverick Hats. Owner Judy Kowatch said it's not a Hoedown without one of her handmade hats. "We have our traditional Western style hats. But 95 percent of what we sell are Western style fashion hats," she said.

According to Kowatch, the Jason Aldean hat was a popular selection for men.

WYCD's Tim Roberts summarized the event by pointing to where it's been and a bright future. "This festival started off with people like Johnny Cash playing it, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker in the 1980's when this event started," he said.

Hoedown has continued to grow in step with country music charts. "The format has changed as music has evolved and I think our radio station has been a reflection of that," Roberts said.

The Hoedown is a melting pot of various styles of music. Roberts added, "We have some very traditional artists and we have some of the more rock artists."

Chesterfield's Mike Embry enjoys the new crowd in the Detroit country music scene. "I grew up with country music, but I think it's great that the younger crowd is coming into it," he said.

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