March 2015 – Page 3 – Country Universe

Single Review: Frankie Ballard, “Young & Crazy”

March 8, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 3

“Young & Crazy” Frankie Ballard Written by Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley, and Shane McAnally “Young & Crazy” is like a used car that’s been refurbished by a crack team of mechanics. From a distance, it

Single Review: RaeLynn, “For a Boy”

March 8, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 15

“For a Boy” RaeLynn Written by RaeLynn and Laura Veltz More childlike than childish, there’s a sweetness to RaeLynn that reminds me of a young Taylor Swift. The talent is there but the life experience

Single Review: Lee Ann Womack, “Send it On Down”

March 6, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 5

“Send It On Down” Lee Ann Womack Written by Chris Knight and David Leone The centerpiece of the excellent The Way I’m Livin’, Lee Ann Womack’s “Send It On Down” is an understated but brilliantly

Single Review: Drake White, “It Feels Good”

March 6, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 13

“It Feels Good” Drake White Written by: Derek George, Philip Pence, and Drake White Its content— what with its talk of layin’ by a riverbank, dippin’ toes in the water, and picking up a carton

Single Review: Billy Currington, “Don’t It”

March 5, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 5

“Don’t It” Billy Currington Written by Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley, and Jaren Johnston We’ve reached a point where Billy Currington can release a “Hey girl, let’s get down tonight” anthem and sound like an elder

Single Review: Eli Young Band, “Turn it On”

March 5, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 10

“Turn it On” Eli Young Band Written by Rodney Clawson, Matt Dragstrem, Mike Eli, and James Young “Turn it On” is the title track from Eli Young Band’s upcoming EP. It has a lot of

Single Review: Maddie & Tae, “Fly”

March 4, 2015 Ben Foster 16

Maddie & Tae “Fly” Written by Taylor Dye, Maddie Marlow and Aaron Scherz Maddie & Tae made a big, bold, attention grabbing statement with their breakthrough hit “Girl in a Country Song”, which rocked and

Single Review: Eric Church, “Like a Wrecking Ball”

March 4, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 7

“Like a Wrecking Ball” Eric Church Written by Casey Beathard and Eric Church This is a bold single choice. “Like a Wrecking Ball” sounds like nothing on the radio today. Irregular rhythms, a vocal sung

Single Review: Keith Urban with Eric Church, “Raise ‘Em Up”

March 4, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 7

“Raise ‘Em Up” Keith Urban with Eric Church Written by Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston and Jeffrey Steele A collaboration between Keith Urban and Eric Church was bound to have personality and charm, but what the

Album Review: Kimmie Rhodes, Cowgirl Boudoir

March 3, 2015 Jonathan Keefe 1

Kimmie Rhodes Cowgirl Boudoir Though she’s recorded steadily since the late 80s, Texas singer-songwriter Kimmie Rhodes hasn’t enjoyed either the commercial or critical cachet of many of the other alt-country and Americana acts. Both Wynonna