As always, depends on your personal definition of what is "southern". The SEC covers a region with high variances of culture.
Louisiana is not Tennessee. Texas is not Georgia. Kentucky is not South Carolina. Alabama is not Arkansas.
In my mind growing up with 1970's Burt Reynolds/trucker movies, the South or Southern pretty much evokes Alabama & Georgia. Mostly backwoods rural communities, low population, 2 lane roads.
Yeah and there's also a distinction between "Country" and "Southern". Kentucky is unique mix of both. We're definately a rural country state for the most past and also very southern in some ways as well. I know some try to call us Midwestern and no question parts of western Ky and northern Ky have that feel for use, but for the most part culturaly we're country/southern. And when you throw in the signature things we're known for (Bourbon, Horses, Bluegrass Music, Fried Chicken) it kind of seals the stamp for us as a southern state. I know I consider myself a proud southerner. So compared to the others on the list, I'd put us in the middle somewhere.As always, depends on your personal definition of what is "southern". The SEC covers a region with high variances of culture.
Louisiana is not Tennessee. Texas is not Georgia. Kentucky is not South Carolina. Alabama is not Arkansas.
In my mind growing up with 1970's Burt Reynolds/trucker movies, the South or Southern pretty much evokes Alabama & Georgia. Mostly backwoods rural communities, low population, 2 lane roads.
Agree. Kentucky is:Kentucky should get friggin bonus points for Southernhood ….. horse racing, bourbon, beautiful ladies, genteel culturing ….. and we’re holding the biggest border against that Yankee culture!
Florida panhandle is South AlabamaPerception is alot, several states in the SEC aren't southern, they just happen to be in the SEC.
I think Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and OU are mid western. South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and parts ot Tennessee are who I consider southern. I think Eastern Tennessee and Kentucky are Appalachian more than southern because of the mountains. I don't know where Florida fits but not the south.
Having grown up in Lexington-I personally identify with a more midwestern mindset. I see my Louisville friends the same way.I've lived in GA, TN, AL, Ark, and KY. I was born and reared in WKY and lived in NKY area also. I also have worked the whole states of KY, GA, AL, MS, TN and much of FL, MO and IL and other than Louisville, proper, Fayette Co., and NKY, there's very little difference in any of the populace of these states outside of the populated areas other than GA and FL. IMO the only reason SC can claim being Southern is because of where it's located. Of all the places I've worked it's the pits. They want to be like NC, sort of like UofL being little brother. Actually I consider most of KY and rural southern states Southern Red Neck.
Anyone who say's Kentucky is ''Midwest'' or ''Appalachian'' has no clue what they are talking about. Appalachian culture is in NC, AL, GA, and Tenneessee. It blends with the native southern culture there. Just like it does in KY. Are Alabama, Georgia, and tenneessee Appalachian? Nope, They're southern. Just like Kentucky isn't Appalachian because the eastern portion of the state is. Also, there's a reason southern indiana is very southern in feel. Most people there settled from KENTUCKY. The only parts that are ''midwestern'' are the 3/4 or so counties that border Cincinnati. And even then Cincinnati is often said to feel southern due to the Kentucky transplants there. Ask a Ohioan not from Cincy. They'll tell you. Also, there's a reason a part of Missouri close to Kentucky is called ''Little Dixie''.
I'm in south-central Kentucky and my ancestry is from VA, TN, and NC. My last name comes from TN. I had 2 grandfathers, (1 from KY, 1 from TN) 2 uncles, (all from KY) and 4 cousins (1st and 3 2nds. All from Barren County) all fight for the south. An additional GGG uncle rode with Forrest in the 8thTN Cavalry. I consider myself a southerner. As most everyone in KY should.
The eastern portions of those states is only like a 3rd of the cultures in those states.Never said I was right, but that is the perception I get from programs on TV about the areas. Eastern KY and TN gives the impression of more mountains than anywhere in Georgia, Alabama or Mississippi and the areas are portrayed as many with low incomes, hard workers. But never spent any time there, just passed through a few time. Lots of low income areas in Georgia too, but not in the mountain areas.
The eastern portions of those states is only like a 3rd of the cultures in those states.
It truly is a mix of all. Louisville and Covington are definitely midwestern feeling. Lexington has a bit of it all being in the middle of the state. Eastern and western ky are their own animals too. But I suppose every state has its own micro culturesYeah and there's also a distinction between "Country" and "Southern". Kentucky is unique mix of both. We're definately a rural country state for the most past and also very southern in some ways as well. I know some try to call us Midwestern and no question parts of western Ky and northern Ky have that feel for use, but for the most part culturaly we're country/southern. And when you throw in the signature things we're known for (Bourbon, Horses, Bluegrass Music, Fried Chicken) it kind of seals the stamp for us as a southern state. I know I consider myself a proud southerner. So compared to the others on the list, I'd put us in the middle somewhere.
It truly is a mix of all. Louisville and Covington are definitely midwestern feeling. Lexington has a bit of it all being in the middle of the state. Eastern and western ky are their own animals too.
Like all SEC states are different, each state has distinct regional differences. Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee are quite diff from Louisville and Nashville, and both are diff from the Western ends of the states.
You'd have to go as far north as Philadelphia to find a place as Yankee as Atlanta is now.
Austin is as far left politically as San Francisco, the rest of Texas politically and culturally matches up with the South.
People see the geography. We are at the top of the South. So we border midwestern states. But that's just it. We are top of the south with Virginia. Kentucky was carved out of Virginia and we still maintain close ties. In the civil war many Kentuckians joined the confederate army when Virginia seceded. Many people at that time had parents or grandparents born in VA and considered it their 2nd home state.For anyone that thinks we are more culturally midwestern than southern, I'd love to hear what midwestern things Kentucky brags about. I can name a lot of "southern" things or things associated with being southern that Kentucky is proud of.
Spend some time in non metro rural areas in the south and we aren’t near that. Roughly 2 mil of Ky population lives right across a river from midwestern states…Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and add into that some of that influence working its way down beyond those cities for miles. Having lived in multiple southern states I would also say Ky is more midwestern weather wise. I wouldn’t argue that it isn’t southern but i don’t think we can argue it isn’t midwestern either. The Classic border state. As far as what we are known for outside of the state it’s essentially college basketball (not southern), horse racing (a sport steeped in the east coast originally and sport of the elite), and bourbon (which has become trendy and metropolitan over the last 10-15 years largely seems like a non geographical preference type product). We do have a lot of southern traits I just think it’s impossible to say we are southern based on living in some other southern areas.For anyone that thinks we are more culturally midwestern than southern, I'd love to hear what midwestern things Kentucky brags about. I can name a lot of "southern" things or things associated with being southern that Kentucky is proud of.
Louisville has no southern feel to me at all city wise. I love the people in northern ky and have family there but they might as well be cincinnati to me and there is a distinct difference to me.From my time spent in both areas. Southern Indiana and Southern Ohio are pretty darn "south". More than any part of Missouri.
Also popular in North Carolina. Kentucky is in the subtropical climate range with the rest of the south. Started in the south. More like the southern influence is working its way UP for miles. Climate map https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.7d2408d...oYxIqLMgr/dHl033HQ0G/tY=&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0Spend some time in non metro rural areas in the south and we aren’t near that. Roughly 2 mil of Ky population lives right across a river from midwestern states…Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and add into that some of that influence working its way down beyond those cities for miles. Having lived in multiple southern states I would also say Ky is more midwestern weather wise. I wouldn’t argue that it isn’t southern but i don’t think we can argue it isn’t midwestern either. The Classic border state. As far as what we are known for outside of the state it’s essentially college basketball (not southern), horse racing (a sport steeped in the east coast originally and sport of the elite), and bourbon (which has become trendy and metropolitan over the last 10-15 years largely seems like a non geographical preference type product). We do have a lot of southern traits I just think it’s impossible to say we are southern based on living in some other southern areas.
Lots of transplants in the bigger southern cities. You'll find the native accents out in the rural areas.Hardly anyone I work w around Lexington has a “Southern” accent. I hear it more in the older folks. Of course there are lots of transplants here.
You don’t make southern living magazine if you’re not a southern stateFor anyone that thinks we are more culturally midwestern than southern, I'd love to hear what midwestern things Kentucky brags about. I can name a lot of "southern" things or things associated with being southern that Kentucky is proud of.
They hang confederate national flags in the courthouses in WKY lolI grew up in West Kentucky, it’s very Southern.
Just from personal experience there is a noticeable difference in winters just between Lexington and Middle Tennessee. Also, I think my mind thinks of it as more midwest climate because the number of sunny days is pretty low so more gray/overcast. It's like 50/50 days with and without sun.Also popular in North Carolina. Kentucky is in the subtropical climate range with the rest of the south. Started in the south. More like the southern influence is working its way UP for miles. Climate map https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.7d2408d782c8296e6635688115222322?rik=PIpRUBOrE0L6/Q&riu=http://www.bonap.org/Climate+Maps/climate48shadeA.png&ehk=dq7tR7pcT+qCPqOaF3HToYxIqLMgr/dHl033HQ0G/tY=&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0
For anyone that thinks we are more culturally midwestern than southern, I'd love to hear what midwestern things Kentucky brags about. I can name a lot of "southern" things or things associated with being southern that Kentucky is proud of.
Ive said to folks outside Ky for a long time. Its one of the most regionally diverse states anywhere. Bluegrass Horse Country, Appalachian Mountains, Metro Areas (greater Cincy and Louisville), Western Ky Flatlands, and Southern Ky.It truly is a mix of all. Louisville and Covington are definitely midwestern feeling. Lexington has a bit of it all being in the middle of the state. Eastern and western ky are their own animals too. But I suppose every state has its own micro cultures
I love that Ky offers a great mix of culture, climate and geography. It's a blend of southern and Midwestern depending on where you are. Geography ranges from the plains of western Ky, knobs in Central/Northern Ky, to the gorges and Mountains of eastern Ky. The climate is a great blend of all 4 seasons.-Kentucky has the good aspects of the south and the Midwest. It's damn near a perfect blend. Both regions are nice.
^never got the obsession with being "southern"...it's weird.
Source of pride.-Kentucky has the good aspects of the south and the Midwest. It's damn near a perfect blend. Both regions are nice.
^never got the obsession with being "southern"...it's weird.
Good point, Kentucky Fried Chicken isn't called Midwestern Fried Chicken it's Southern Fried Chicken.For anyone that thinks we are more culturally midwestern than southern, I'd love to hear what midwestern things Kentucky brags about. I can name a lot of "southern" things or things associated with being southern that Kentucky is proud of.
Where I live in south central Kentucky it might as well be middle Tennessee.Just from personal experience there is a noticeable difference in winters just between Lexington and Middle Tennessee. Also, I think my mind thinks of it as more midwest climate because the number of sunny days is pretty low so more gray/overcast. It's like 50/50 days with and without sun.