Country Universe

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

Jeannie C. Riley, “Harper Valley P.T.A.”

September 10, 2008 Guest Contributor 5

Harper Valley P.T.A. Jeannie C. Riley 1968 Written by Tom T. Hall “Harper Valley P.T.A.” written by Tom T. Hall, is the ultimate in story songs. A career-changing hit single for Jeannie C. Riley in

2008 CMA Nominations

September 10, 2008 Dan Milliken 82

Entertainer Kenny Chesney Brad Paisley George Strait Sugarland Keith Urban Who’s In: Sugarland Who’s Out: Rascal Flatts Male Vocalist Kenny Chesney Alan Jackson Brad Paisley George Strait Keith Urban Who’s In: Alan Jackson Who’s Out:

Discussion: Video Ruined the Song

September 9, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

Music videos can be quite powerful. The very best intensify the song’s message or reveal new ways to interpret it. Then there are those videos that absolutely ruin the song. They’re so bad that you