Friday, August 31st, 2007
I’m just in an unshakably good mood lately! Gotta go run some errands, but I’ll be doing a lot of posting this weekend.
For now, enjoy the best country guest appearance in the history of The Simpsons – Johnny Cash, helping Homer find his soul mate. And a hearty congrats to Brady Vercher of The 9513, who is marrying his soul mate this weekend!
Category Site News, Video of the Day
Tags: Johnny Cash
Friday, August 31st, 2007
Yes, we’ve heard it all before. There’s no getting around that. But if you’re going to judge a song not so much on what it is about, but how it is about it, it’s hard not to find this record endearing. Personally, I’m a sucker for anything that throws in a few Celtic touches. To his credit, Church gives an understated performance, which makes the record that much more endearing.
FYI, you can get the whole album for $6.99 if you just follow the link to buy the song. I liked this enough to take the plunge and get the whole thing. New artists making good music? What a novel concept.
Grade: A-
Listen: Sinners Like Me
Buy: Sinners Like Me
Category Single Reviews
Tags: Eric Church
Thursday, August 30th, 2007
Entertainer
Who’s In: George Strait
Who’s Out: Brooks & Dunn
George Strait replaced Brooks & Dunn instead of Carrie Underwood, which was my prediction. This indicates a strong amount of support for the Hall of Famer. Urban’s hanging in there too, and given his other noms, his low profile earlier this year didn’t harm him.
Male Vocalist
Who’s In: Josh Turner
Who’s Out: Alan Jackson
I went 5 for 5 in this race, with Turner earning his first nomination. Can the traditionalist bloc carry him to a win?
Female Vocalist
Who’s In: Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire
Who’s Out: Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Gretchen Wilson
It was painful watching Evans stand there as the first name read for this category began with K. I expected Lambert, but I’m surprised by McEntire. I thought the impact of her new hit single came too late to push her into the race. Then again, I’m seeing a strong showing from MCA on this ballot. They must be happy over there.
Vocal Duo
Who’s In: Sugarland
Who’s Out: Van Zant
Very predictable. Sugarland becoming a duo had to end in one act’s elimination, and Van Zant was the least successful of last year’s five nominees.
Vocal Group
Who’s In: Dixie Chicks, Emerson Drive
Who’s Out: Lonestar, Sugarland
Well, I’ll be damned!
Horizon Award
Album
The big shock: an album nomination for Dierks Bentley. It’s a fantastic record, but didn’t set the charts on fire like his previous album did. I had predicted Tim McGraw would get a nomination, but he failed to get a nomination for a studio album for the first time in more than a decade.
Single
Song
Musical Event
Music Video
Musician
Category CMA Awards, News
Tags: Alison Krauss, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift
Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
Earlier today, I had the opportunity to talk with award-winning singer-songwriter Suzy Bogguss, who has a new album being released on September 4. Sweet Danger is a jazz-flavored project that showcases her trademark vocals in a brand new setting. As with my earlier interview with Pam Tillis, what starts off as a formal interview becomes more of a conversation about her music, in addition to some fantastic anecdotes along the way about everything from working with Chet Atkins to a special favor done by Kathy Mattea on her behalf…on the South Lawn of the White House!
Look for a review of Sweet Danger as the release date nears. You can stream the entire album at her website now.
A Conversation with Suzy Bogguss
I thought it was cool that the name of the album was Sweet Danger, because the music is very sweet and laid-back, but you go into some dangerous emotional territory on a few of the songs.
That’s exactly what I was hoping people would read into it. That’s great!
Let’s start off with the first single, “In Heaven,” which was written by your husband, Doug Crider. It was inspired by some friends of yours?
My best friend and her husband. It’s a long and hard story, but my friend had cancer and fought it for fifteen years. Her husband was really great through the whole process, absolutely amazing. They had a child in the middle of it and everything. When my friend, who was my roommate in college, passed away, Doug and I were talking about how we were really hoping some good things would happen for our friend, Gary. He had just been a champion through all of it, and he deserved some happiness in life. So that song came out Doug. He said he just sat down and it fell out. It was one of those inspired moments from something personal that happened.
Your performance of it is beautiful. A lot of the female singers today go for the power notes, and you have that clear quality to your voice which can convey the emotion without having to oversing.
You know, it wasn’t always that way. There was a point where I felt like I really was trying to compete with that just because that’s what was going on on the radio, and it really is not my gift. [Laughs] Some of the gals really have the gift of just being able to belt, and it’s not what I was given. I was given more of a clear voice. I’d be in live concerts and my voice would break, and I’d think, “Maybe I need to be concentrating on melodies that are more adapted to my voice.” In writing a lot of the songs, of course, you have a lot of control that way.
One thing that may surprise a lot of people is that you are a distinguished songwriter. The top song you have on iTunes is “Hey Cinderella,” which you wrote.
Really? I did not realize that!
You wrote that with Matraca Berg, right?
And Gary Harrison, yes.
You recently did the “Wine, Women and Song” tour over in England with her and Gretchen Peters.
That was just incredible. We’re going to have to do some here in the States because we had such a great time. Those two have written so many beautiful songs, and it was an awesome thing to be backing their vocals. It was just the three of us with the three guitars, and it was magical. U.K. audiences, they know every little detail about you and your songs. It really is a very personal experience getting over there and doing that. Of course, all of us being friends for so many years, it was pretty neat.
Category Interviews
Tags: Suzy Bogguss
Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
The big guy returns with a solid single. He sounds great on the verses, and I love the way the chorus builds. I’m pretty sure I hear Trisha helping him get to those high notes. My only complaint is the heavy doses of that operatic thing he does when trying to sound dramatic. This is one of those Garth records that clearly demonstrates that Billy Joel is one of his biggest influences, precisely because he tries to emulate Joel when he’s being overly theatrical. It’s not on par with what made him a legend in his own time, but it’s good enough to justify his return to the hit parade.
Grade: B+
Listen: More Than a Memory
Category Single Reviews
Tags: Garth Brooks
Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
He’s much stronger when tackling upbeat material, and it’s hard not to find his enthusiasm on this song contagious, even if the lyrics themselves are as conventional as country music gets. It’ll sound good loud as you’re driving down a road in the summertime, which is probably what his label is betting on by sending this to radio. He’s not reinventing the wheel here, but it’s a solid performance nonetheless.
Grade: B
Listen: It’s Good to Be Us
Buy: It’s Good to Be Us
Category Single Reviews
Tags: Bucky Covington
Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
Ever wondered what Jennifer Nettles would sound like if she performed traditional country? Or Gretchen Wilson with more emotive, expressive vocals? Ladies and gentlemen, meet Ashton Shepherd. She’s got a cold beer in her left hand, and in her right, her wedding band. She’s sick of doing laundry and being ignored by her man, even when she’s looking sexy. And she’s smart enough to know that “I’m the only one that can set myself free.” I’m used to being disappointed by new female artists, but I’m going to get my hopes up anyway. This is just the kind of fresh blood country music needs.
Grade: A
Listen: Takin’ Off This Pain
Category Single Reviews
Tags: Ashton Shepherd
Saturday, August 25th, 2007
I’m feeling a little generous, my friends, and bankrolling a fun little contest here. Over the past few days, I’ve made predictions for eight categories in the upcoming CMA Awards. Do you think you can outguess Country Universe?
Here’s how the contest works. Post your predictions for all eight categories – five per category – in the comments section below. The final nominees will be announced on Thursday, August 30, so the deadline for posting your prediction is Wednesday, August 29, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. I’ll award one point for each correct nominee, for a total possible score of 40. The person with the highest score will win a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate via e-mail. In the event of a tie, the person with the earliest entry will win, so get cracking! Make sure to include a valid e-mail address when posting.
Here are the predictions of Country Universe. Click on the category title for analysis:
Category Contests, Site News
Tags: Kenny Chesney
Friday, August 24th, 2007
When they reunited for the Hell Freezes Over tour and record, they put out a few new songs, but none of them sounded like vintage Eagles. This single does. The harmonies, the country-flavored guitar work, and Don Henley singing like he never checked out of Hotel California.
Despite the classic trappings, the record sounds fully modern and contemporary. I’m not shocked that country radio has jumped on this. More than any of the rock crossovers come lately, the Eagles really do have a connection to this genre. With the Dixie Chicks and Little Big Town embracing the Eagles sound on their recent projects, it’s great to hear the inspirations themselves getting their groove back. Good stuff.
Grade: A-
Listen: How Long
Category Single Reviews
Tags: Eagles
Friday, August 24th, 2007
It goes without saying that Keith Urban is a distinguished vocalist, even though he tends to get a lot more attention for his master guitar work. It’s his vocal talent that powers this inspirational ballad. There’s a desperation and intensity to his performance that indicates he isn’t giving lip service to the idea that people struggle and feel helpless sometimes. He’s preaching a message of hope and support, but the waver in his voice reveals that a part of him is still feeling alone and afraid. Another great single from a deep and rewarding album.
Grade: A-
Listen: Everybody
Buy: Everybody
Category Single Reviews
Tags: Keith Urban
on Album Review: Kellie Pickler, 100 Proof
on Rodney Atkins, It’s America
on Rodney Atkins, It’s America
on Single Review: Eric Church, “Springsteen”
on Single Review: Lee Brice, “Woman Like You”
on Retro Single Review: Dolly Parton, “My Tennessee Mountain Home”
on Retro Single Review: Dolly Parton, “My Tennessee Mountain Home”
on Retro Single Review: Dolly Parton, “My Tennessee Mountain Home”