I own a couple of western hats - a Stetson and an old Resistol, both US made. I also own Wrangler jeans and two pairs of boots, one of which I got while still in high school, over 50 years ago. I wear this gear, on occasion, because I still like to ride horses and I was raised on a ranch in central California where we actually herded cattle. However, I never, ever wore western attire while singing.

The late actor, Slim Pickens, was raised near my home area. I saw him around rodeos as a young boy and teenager. He said there were "hat people" and there were many others who looked ridiculous wearing them. He felt lucky to be a "hat person." I never got the connection with Nashville and the cowboy hat anyway. I think it was a marketing gimmick that got out of control. George Strait is a Texan and it might make more sense for him. I don't remember reading of any historic "cowboys" in Tennessee, Alabama or Georgia however. Truth to tell, most of their "country" music actually has its historic roots in Ireland and Scotland.