January 2008 – Country Universe

My Country Music History

January 30, 2008 Leeann Ward 15

A big Country Universe welcome to Leeann, a familiar face from the comments who will now be contributing for the site. As she’s already demonstrated through her contributions in the comments, she’s well-versed on country

Carrie Underwood’s Charming New Video

January 28, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 21

I caught the new Carrie Underwood video last night for the first time, following a link at CMT. I couldn’t shake the smile off of my face while watching it. She shows so much personality

Miranda Lambert tops Nashville Scene Critics Poll

January 27, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 11

Once again, it’s ladies first in the world of country music critics. The highly praised Crazy Ex-Girlfriend tops the eighth annual Nashville Scene Critics Poll for Best Country Album of 2007, with Miranda Lambert outpacing

Jewel, “Stronger Woman”

January 25, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 19

Love it. Intelligent, sincere and just plain well-written. I don’t know that Jewel is going to find that country music is any friendlier to smart women than the pop scene that she left behind, but

Dierks Bentley, “Trying to Stop Your Leaving”

January 25, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 17

I’m a sucker for a train song that uses steel guitar to make that lonesome whistle sound. So before Bentley’s vocals even kicked in, I was hooked. I love the rise and fall in intensity,

Taylor Swift, “Picture to Burn”

January 25, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 20

I think this is going to be a crystallizing record for Taylor Swift. It’s been selling briskly as a download long before it was ever released as a single, and it speaks more directly to

Cascada Covers Rascal Flatts

January 21, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 26

After they desecrated “Revolution”, Rascal Flatts doesn’t have the right to complain about people covering their songs, though I imagine this quickly rising pop hit will not go over well with their die-hard fans: There

Trace Adkins, “You’re Gonna Miss This”

January 21, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 26

I suppose that the heart is properly placed here, with the older generation warning a young woman to appreciate each stage of her life as she’s experiencing it, rather than pining for what’s still to

Randy Owen, “Braid My Hair”

January 21, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 21

I wasn’t aware that Randy Owen was planning on doing any solo recordings, especially since Alabama is still putting out new studio albums. That band’s long-standing association with St. Jude’s Children Hospital makes the subject

Phil Stacey, “If You Didn’t Love Me”

January 21, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 30

Even as an American Idol junkie, I found the sixth season completely underwhelming. Phil Stacey making it as far as he did was more of a reflection of the field’s weakness than anything distinctive or