Some 35 years ago, John Denver opened Mountaineer Field with Country Roads. It remains one of the seminal moments in the history of the field, the program, the athletic department, the university and, heck, the state. Just a proper and memorable merger of state and sentiment at a place that’s oh so sentimental for so much of this state.

We’re going to insert an addendum into the history today. Brad Paisley, who hails from Glen Dale, will play Country Roads before kickoff against Maryland … and then hurry to a concert tonight in Bristow, Va.

I know this because I just watched him warm up on the 50-yard line.

It’s a nod to the past — note the marching band taking a knee in both photos — with a new finish for the present and the future. Let’s have some fun with the photo. How’s this? Better?

This is oddly divisive in some quarters. We know how West Virginians are. Change is not always easy or welcome, and people hold onto their traditions, their history, their heritage, their memories and the like. And reaching back into the Product’s era, it’s been commonplace to play the song after a victory. So some people feel uneasy about this, which led to a fun discussion on Twitter last night. Click it. Check the replies. Fiesty!

Everybody cool with Paisley doing Country Roads tomorrow? Get the feeling some may see it as sacrilege. Help if he plays a second song?

— Mike Casazza (@mikecasazza) September 26, 2015

Up to you, I guess. Makes no difference to me.

I’m off to the IMG pregame show. Catch me if you can.