I'm actually writing a paper right now on the juxtaposition between the sentiment of the Confederacy/the "Lost Cause" and the patriotism that we find in country music today. Also, there are a lot of interesting names for bands. Dixie Chicks, Lady Antebellum, Confederate Railroad, etc. How can these names and the music they produce show the lingering sentiment of the Lost Cause and the collective memory that is still shared by those that identify with the South?

There are many examples of songs that portray a loss. Loss of the South--now, as many of you have argued, this could be a loss of life, or a loss of a cause. There is a very real Confederate presence in a lot of country and folk music.

You should look at a book I found. Its called, "Neo-Confederacy" by Euan Hague. Chapter 9 deals with the Confederacy in contemporary music. You can find it on Google books and read an excerpt of Ch. 9.