Upon reflection you're 100% correct. You're right, there are some awesome folk traditions to be found in US rural areas. The only rural culture I was exposed to was hunting and fishing, which I enjoy greatly, but it's not exactly art or music. I think the problem may lie with my relatives. After thinking about it, my mom did tell me stories about how her grandparents and great aunts and uncles would get together and play the fiddle and sing.

That said, you have to admit, the art/music/gatherings in the country are much less frequent and much less varied than in a big city.