Your empathy for those that are survivors once again shows you are a good person. A topic that can't be be addressed enough. Thanks to Big and Rich for that. I think it speaks more to sexual assault but it fits for domestic violence as well. Both assaults that leave emotional/psychological scars that sometimes can be even more traumatic then the physical ones. To anyone who can relate to this, please know it's never your fault. You are worthy of healing and to be loved.

What some people go through in their lives is unbearable. Years ago people didn't talk about their private lives. I'm glad we have advanced through song that others know they're not alone. Such a emotional song. God bless Big and Rich for putting out this song. Thanks Craig for playing this song. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

I am a survivor. I still have moments. I still have nightmares from my multiple experiences. This song is very powerful. I have never heard this song before, and I am a fan of Big & Rich. Even though I cried the whole way through thank you so very much for sharing. 😢😭

Two of Big & Rich's songs that make me tear up every time I hear them are "8th of November" and "Live This Life." They are very talented song writers.

Because there are monsters in our world.. that walks step in step with everyone else..🙏🏼❤️

This was an amazing song of awareness and caring that they put out for Big Kenny's sister. John Riches voice is just country silk. When these guys decide to buckle down and do a serious ballad it's outstanding. Love it.

This song is a pure anthem for those of us who have survived..God put a wonderful Man in my life who has spent 38yrs showing me how wonderful and healing love truly is. We’ve raised 3 daughters with that same love! I lost him to (cancer) and I’m lost without him but his enormous beautiful love lives on inside of 4 women now❤❤❤❤

When I was living with the ‘man’ (& I use that term very loosely) who was to become a monster and what was the most horrific time in my life this song would of bought me great comfort but back then DV was a taboo topic. Certainly not like that now thank goodness. I applaud Big and Rich for recording such a beautiful song with a powerful message. It’s been on my play list for a few years now ❤️

You are right it is one of the most powerful songs ever done. It was healing for me. That we are not alone is still comforting to me. 🌎✌️

I want to thank you so much for reacting to this song. This song has gotten me through many rough nights. I’m a sexual assault survivor and for so long that light was lost. I felt helpless and grieved my innocence. It’s taken years of counseling, growth and finding self love to get where I am today. The journey to healing is still going and I think will always be a part of me, but I know my worth and how far I’ve come. I define myself. 💞

PTL We serve an awesome loving God 🙏 I'm so proud of her brother for writing this song for her,I guarantee that helped her to be strong enough to get through that knowing she's not alone,she was covered in holy water,not just by God but by her family and friends ❤️, Thank You for your reaction and for playing the song as well, God Bless You and your family hope ya'll have a Blessed evening 🙏

Not all of us come out of it well, but some of us just survive it and go on.

I grew up in a violent home. Saw my mother nearly beat to death. The scars run deep, but there is also a strength that overpowers those scars. Sometimes you just have to get out of your head, bcuz the flash backs can take you there. I had to give it to God. The burden was to heavy to carry. 🙌💗

There is a lot of depth in country. That is why I love it

I survived a few years of DV at the hand of my first spouse. The bruises and broken bones healed years ago. What doesn't heal so quickly is the psychological, emotional and sexual abuse. Made to feel like I wasn't enough and never would or could be for anyone else either. Then when we do finally pull ourselves out enough to function, we or maybe I should say I because probably not everyone feels this way; I know that no matter how much I would like to be happy with someone, I can't let anyone else in like that again. Doing that gives someone the power to destroy you. I can't do that again. I do want to thank you Craig. The empathy, grace and respect for those who have been there is the mark of a good man. Thank you. As long as there are men willing to stand up and handle subject matter like this the way that you did as well as Big and Rich and other artists and individuals who are willing to take a stand on matters such as these. I know it touches and gives a voice to people who feel or have felt voiceless.

Big & Rich are one of my top faves. No matter how many times I listen to this song it still grabs me.

The 8th of November is a good one

Please react to their song 8th of November(the video with the introduction by Kris Kirstofferson), another hard hitting story that should always be remembered. Then to go the complete opposite of the spectrum, their song Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy.

Country Music has always told stories, often about real life. I believe that is why so many love it. When you have been wounded beond ever getting over it it's nice to hear a song like this and realize we are not alone.

It's full of hope for many of us. 💞

I agree - powerful song, beautiful harmonies. It twists and pinches your heart.

They dedicated this to both of their sisters who had suffered domestic abuse. Big Kenny & John Rich are some talented guys. I love how you really feel these songs & these stories. Country music talks about real life, for real people. Another song in this vein is Martina McBride's 'Independence Day'.

This is another great song big n rich 8th of november

You should check out the video and song Take a Drunk Girl Homeby Chris Janson

Thank you for taking us all on the beautiful journey of yours into this wonderful world of music you are experiencing. Love how you just feel all this emotion for every song you hear...it's very special!❤

The Top Ten favorites songs from Big & Rich ( if I have to only pick ten songs from them) 1. Save A Horse( Ride A Cowboy) 2. Love Train 3. Live This Life 4. Saved 5 . Coming To Your Town 6. That's Why I Pray 7. Fake ID 8. The Eight Of November 9. California 10. Congratulations Your A Rock Star .

Thanks so much for your reaction. I'm surprised I don't see more people react to this song because it is such a powerful message. At least for me it reaches right to my gut and twists it up and makes me want to cry.

Just came across your channel and I really enjoy seeing another man who is not afraid to show some emotion, I'm subbing to support you and your channel...cheers mate from Arkansas across the pond...

Beautiful song thankyou.

Thank you for this reaction and for your honesty, 30yrs have passed and I still have moments that I don't feel like a strong survivor, but thankfully those moments are not often. Songs like this one really do help.

They put into words what I couldn't. I am a rape survivor and DV survivor but hadn't heard this song. The tears don't stop falling at the end of it. I've given up hope that I'll find someone who understands because my family doesn't. Thanks for doing this reaction..I hope it helps someone.

I think you had the same first reaction that about 90% of us did. Love it bro nothing wrong with shedding a tear from time to time when listening to music like this....let's you know you are human

Big props to his sister for coming forward WITH them , to share her story so that it may help others heal .... Love their music 💖

I was 5 when it happened to me and 6 when this song came out. I remember hearing it for the first time while in the shower. Without knowing… I knew I related to this song and I cried so hard. To this day I still love this song so much

This hits home. I am a sexual assault survivor and the emotional scars will never heal. It has been several years but still feels like yesterday I can only take it one day at a time. Thank you for your empathy it means so much. God Bless you

A Beautiful Song

Always loved the song and back story

This song says the things that those of us who survived rape cannot.

I'm a survivor and I swore it would never control how I lived my life.

This is such a beautiful and healing song that gives hope. ❤

Hope this song helps heal. Their song 8th of November I think helps heal some veterans also. County music covers subjects like no others like you said. Blessings to you and the survivors, those who are making it through as well as those are having a more difficult time

My favorite of theirs but won't go into details...they are a social commentary of the times. I so very much enjoy their fun loving side also....they make me smile even when I don't want to!♥️

God gave me a gift when I was little i started singing at age 2 I started playing music by ear at age 5 at age 11 i wrote my first song at age 12 I wrote my first poem and at age 13 I wrote my first book

Great reaction. You are so right about country music. There is always a message be it in an emotional song or even an upbeat song. Your insights are spot on

Thank you for your reation not for the song itself but more for the reaction of the meaning. Any positive vibe, 1 person that really care about the subject but most for that person who cares say what you feels with all your viewers. That means more I then you will ever know.

Love this song. Beautiful tribute. Their voices and harmonies are perfection on this song. Another favorite for the great harmonies "Big & Rich - California" by Big & Rich.

Powerful song

It is amazing that you have not had any experience like this. Thank you for bringing awareness 🙏 ❤️ 💙 💕

I was kidnapped,raped and left for dead by two US Marines.40 yrs yrs later I still haven’t got justice. I’m 61 now and still have PTSD. I survived but I’ve NEVER been the same.

Echoing another comment, Take a Drunk Girl Home by Chris Janson. Here’s a link to the backstory for Drunk Girl : kzfaq.info/get/bejne/grmDmNJkqN2oips.html Again, this is why country music is so unique and special, it comes from real life and from the heart. ♥️ Beautifully written and performed!!

Music is Medicine! The song does help feel like you're not alone!!

Try Garth Brooks song And the Thunder Rolls with his video.

Man, John Rich has a gorgeous voice.

love your facial expressions as it adds up what the song is about. good on ya for helping spread awareness.

This is one of my favorate songs

Tears.

Thank you for reacting to this song. Their two part harmonies throughout the entire song give me chills and does help to heal. PLEASE REACT TO BIG AND RICH "BIG TIME" ITS A LIGHTER SONG WITH THOSE HARMONIES INTACT.

That's why you should do...Brad Paisley...This is Country Music!! It makes this song and other's similar more powerful and I believe, more hope!! Our whole childhood & the rest of our lives very lonely if it doesn't unite the one's like us & helps us not feel so alone!! 😔

That is how I feel right now. I was raped, survived an abusive marriage and lost a son to suicide. I have trouble getting out of bed or doing anything. I have tried medication and counseling and nothing works. I need to be surrounded by holy water.

Big and Rich, have several songs that just slam your emotions, with musical poetry, another one I think is amazing is "8th of November" check it out.

People who don't know county music make fun of it, saying it's all about losing the truck, wife,dog getting shot ect.& you get it all back by playing the song backwards. When you take the time to listen to the words or sometimes it's better to see a video with it cause it gives you a visual of what the artist is trying to convey you see it's so much more. I see rappers, heavy metal guy's ect. react &they are always surprised. You got it from the start.The songs are also versatile to help,heal,laugh,ect in many different situations. It can mean different things to many.

This song came out at the perfect time for me. I remember playing it over and over. It got me through the dark days and nights after I was assaulted. It spoke so eloquently the words of my heart. The song literally gave me the hope that I needed to not take the permanent way to escape the pain that I felt. Years later, it still brings me to tears. I'm mentally in a better place now, but what I experienced still haunts me.

In addition to a few other Big and Rich songs mentioned in other comments, if you like reacting to this kind of powerful, deep song, check out Big and Rich’s buddy Cowboy Troy doing “If you don’t want to love me”. A little bit different subject, but still has a very important message, and it’s preformed very well!

Love your insight into the songs and videos. You listen to the meaning behind the words, express them, then everyone can understand the meaning. Thanks also to Big and Rich tackling this song. I'd still love to see your reaction to Travis Tritt's trilogy. Keep up with your reaction, they're Great!!! 👍

Written for Big Kenny's sister who was a victim of domestic violence

Beautiful song.

Given the personal connection for Kenny and John, how either of these men can sing this as beautifully as they do is amazing. My assault was 40 years ago and this brings me to tears every time, tears of healing and triumph. Strength is relative though. YOU show YOUR strength by not trying to say that you could ever completely understand the repercussions of an assault, while acknowledging that there ARE hidden repercussions and trauma to learn to live with. That means more than you know.

Just an FYI Big and Rich found Gretchen Wilson and helped her with her career

I saw them live in Arkansas and they are awesome

This is a great one.

Country music isn’t all bars & honkey tonks - there is also lots of pain & sadness felt!

Big and Rich are a new artist for me, and I need to thank them and YOU Craig, for using your platform to spread those words of hope, encouragement and the message to all that there is hope. For the survivors that have shared their stories briefly in this reaction thread, Thank you! You are stronger than you know and I wish you continued success to get through each day. Take in that deep breath, slowly exhale and walk with your head held high. For those that might be in this situation, know that there are people that can help, you just need to reach out. Not trying to imply that it is easy, especially if you are scared or just feel alone, but I hope that this songs message helps you see the light at the end of that dark tunnel all the while keeping hope and love in your heart to do what you need to for your mental and physical well being. ❤

Country Music is the only forum that really gets to the truth about things that are trying to be hidden from view...they are very blunt and forceful about what is wrong with society as far as just brushing off the bad things out there...instead of trying to hide the bad stuff they bring it to light which is a very good thing to do...it gives people strength to go on...I for one know this stuff they are singing about and how people instead of confronting this stuff hide in the shadows and hope that someday it will be forgotten and hidden and the ridicule of people falsely accused of being complicit in this kind of behavior are really just trying to not be shamed by the fact that they were too afraid to be exposed for being a fool to just be the victim of this stuff because the were too afraid of the powerful people doing this stuff to tell the truth about what was happening or that it would ruin their lives to tell the truth and just try to accept the fact that they were just an accepted pawn in the seduction of a person that was trapped in a situation and were too afraid to stand up. I was basically attacked by a man who was the owner of the company I worked for and felt that I put MYSELF in the position for things to happen...Nothing really ever happened sexually because I would not let it but the enuendos where there and while I tried to stay away from them...it still ruined my life...I was attacked by my boss of 4 years in our office after hours and while I fought him off and nothing ever happend sexually..I told his wife and was not heard...I was eventually fired and it took me three years to find another job in our town . I went to one interview where the man interviewing me said that he knew I was excellent in my job performance could just not hire me after the review he had received from the man I worked for before...I had to take a 5 year job off of my resume to get hired anywere...basically I was blacklisted everywhere I went because of my former bosses position in the city I worked in. He basically dragged me to the ground in our office while I was screaming "what is wrong with you" and this is really sad because the four years I worked for him before that he was kinda like an older brother to me and I respected him....I think he was just messed up or something because of his diabetis and a low or high sugar count but he ruined my life because of something he did...I told his wife and she did not believe me...she also blacklisted me .... this was not the first time this had happened to me but it was the worst...you cannot defend what happens when you put yourself into these situations...I was young and dumb....it cost me alot...but when you trust someone for so long..you just never expect this stuff to happen...he was rich and important in our city..I was just young and trusting of everyone...it ruined my life.

Thank you

🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤

Please, as a courtesy of someone who has gone through this, do Brad Paisley...This is Country Music....It's not sad!! I pertains to what you said about Country Music!! Music is Medicine!!! You know I've said it before, Craig, You're my favorite channel!! That's why on most of your videos, you'll see several comments from me!! I listen to all of them over & over!! I wish you had time to do more, but definitely understand why you can't!! Peace be with you and your family my friend!!

Having been abandoned by my father, molested by 2 family members, raped at 14 by my then "boyfriend" and his co-horts, physically, mentally and sexually abused by my first husband, I understand this song completely. It is only through the realization that I would no longer be their victim in my mind that I could start to heal. As long as I remained a victim, each one of these people were able to hurt me over and over again. I long ago decided to call myself a survivor and I gave it all to my God who gave me the peace I longed for. I have forgiven each of these people at the alter of my church and my life took a turn for the better many, many years ago.

Beautiful song. Great reaction. Another great song of theirs that is a great story about a real person is the "8th of November" I would love to see your reaction to that.

45 years ago i was raped i am not a victim i am no ones victim i am a survivor. My unborn baby girl was not able to be saved. I speak to women about my fight to go on with my life it is very hard some days though.. After all these years i still scrub myself until my skin is almost raw because the pstd is so bad. I can scrub and scrub and i still feel dirty. God bless anyone that has experienced this type of horror or physical or mental abuse the pain and shame never truly goes away.

Another great song to check out is Moments by Emerson Drive.

You should listen to "He Don't Love You Right" by Avi Kaplan. Brings me to tears every time.

I agree that country music addresses this issue and many others at a much great ratio than other genres but hard rock/metal does do it as well. When you get back to some hard rock reactions check out the band Three Days Grace and the song(with video) Never Too Late.

Back in the 80s I was living with my fiancee and lived with daily DV. On my 21st birthday, he assaulted me & the next day I left. That assault resulted in my beautiful daughter. It was my choice to have her and I have never regretted it. I spent years in therapy and I realized I am stronger than I thought I was. We all are.

I don’t know if country is the only genre that could do this. Disturbed’s Hold on to Memories is pretty powerful too. Love both songs and bands. Powerful music transcends no matter the genre.

I don't know if you have already heard and reacted to "Concrete Angel"? by Martina Mcbride. it's heart breaking. Martina is a truly gifted vocal artist. If you had let me know and where to find it. Thank you, take care ♥

I read a study a long time ago, that said 1 out of 5 kids you go to school with is being sexually abused by a family member!! So imagine how nany there are if you add the non-related abusers! Mine was family & many attempts by non-family! It's just sickening!! Another jaw clenther is they get less time than a thief! Most get probation! The one's caught & released have to register where they live etc...When we moved in our new place, my neighbor & I Googled the info in our neighborhood & there were 16 registered sex offenders within less than a four mile radius! Add the ones who haven't got caught yet!! Wrap your head around that!! 🤯🤮🔫🔫

I am a victim as well and the pain is always in my mind and heart but I am slowly learning to trust again and know that I have the will and desire to be more then a victim

If not for EVIL in this world, than these songs wouldn't exist! Powerful 😍

You should checkout The 8th of November by Big & Rich

Earth to aged by John Rich ( the video )

As you’ve learned, almost all country artists have a lighter side. Try “Save a Horse”. It’ll make you laugh.

My assault was by the one who professed to love me. I have ptsd, fear of heights, and can't tolerate being touched in any way. I recently found my way back to God and am working to excise the damage.

you should listen to donna taggart. jealous of the angels

Please listen to Hardy with Laniey Wilson called Wait in the truck the CMA's version

Can you react to Jimmy Wayne "Stay Gone"?

If Want a very powerful country Western song and you need to go old school. With REd Stole Vine Teddy bear

Some might hate me for this but I personally wouldn't call it surviving as much as existing. You exist with what happened. Something was taken you can never get back. Your free will. Maybe I am the weak one for feeling that way. Its a wonder I am not hateful. I've always thought there is a fine line between the two. Love and hate. I chose the path of Hate with love. If that makes sense. Idk. I would never do anything to hurt another living soul in anyway but especially the way I've been hurt. But I have anger. A need to fight against. But I'm also reasonable in knowing shitty things happen and the moment you start turning that anger to pitty for yourself is the moment you allowed that monster who started it and did that to you ,they win. So I won't forgive or forget and I'll continue being angry but in a constructive way. Make change.

No Sir, Having been “used” by my own father for his own nasty ways starting when I was 14-18 years old, more times than not, I feel beyond dirty. I know speaking of The Lord Jesus nowadays a lot of people do not believe in HIM, but HE patiently always reminds me that I am HIS and that HE does not want me to carry the shame, the dirty feeling. That shame of incest, that sin is my own father’s sinful choice. This I pray that those who are OR had been “used”, please give it all to Jesus, because HE already knows who IS AT FAULT, AND IT IS NOT YOU😊.

When the dirty, shameful memories hit me hard, fast, ONLY Jesus Christ reminds me that in HIS eyes, I am HIS AND that I AM CLEAN, WHOLE and held tightly in HIS ARMS.