Country Universe

Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Comal County Blue

September 13, 2008 Guest Contributor 14

Jason Boland & The Stragglers Comal County Blue Jason Boland and the Stragglers are unaware of it, but we’ve spent a lot of quality car time together over the years. We’ve sung some amazing duets,

Discussion: Country Music Mix

September 12, 2008 Leeann Ward 28

Okay, Folks, I’ve got quite a challenge for you this time! Do you remember the days between cassette tapes and Ipods? They were the days when we had to make mix CDs for our cars

A Conversation with Patty Loveless

September 12, 2008 Guest Contributor 34

After a three year absence from the country music scene, a revived Patty Loveless has arrived with a brand new album featuring her versions of country classics called Sleepless Nights. An appropriate title, considering Loveless

CMA Nominations-Missing Persons Report

September 11, 2008 Guest Contributor 29

With great perception, the Country Music Association made a fair number of strong choices for the 42nd annual awards on November 12. But what award show would be complete without complaints about who was, and

Julianne Hough, “My Hallelujah Song”

September 11, 2008 Guest Contributor 8

Julianne Hough danced her way into the Top 20 with her first single, “That Song in My Head,” and she returns to action with the follow-up, “My Hallelujah Song.” It’s another in long line of

Dallas Frazier

September 11, 2008 Guest Contributor 9

Dallas Frazier, born in 1939, in Spiro, Oklahoma, is one of the defining songwriters of his or any other generation, penning classic songs that remain popular with core country music artists to this day. His

Review: Sara Evans, “Low”

September 10, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 27

The few opening seconds sound like another pop-country throwaway. Then, a wonderful surprise: acoustic instruments! Banjo-picking, bluegrass style! Evans has a classic country voice that she rarely puts to use singing classic country, so it’s

Review: Dierks Bentley, “Feel That Fire”

September 10, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 11

Check it out: an uptempo song by Dierks Bentley that isn’t about being on the road! “Feel That Fire” has a cool rhythm, and the hook has an extra punch, thanks to the gravel in

Brad Paisley featuring Keith Urban, “Start a Band”

September 10, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 54

Brad Paisley may be in Keith Urban’s league as a guitarist, but having them trade off verses in a song just rams home the fact that Urban is leagues beyond Paisley as a vocalist. It’s

Discussion: CMA Awards (Think Positive Thoughts!)

September 10, 2008 Guest Contributor 0

Yes, the CMA Awards are a source of great criticism, from the artists, industry professionals, and especially the fans. We will save that conversation for now. Examining the list this morning, I had more than