Kevin John Coyne

Daily Top Five: Carrie Underwood Singles and Tracks

August 21, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 23

I’ve been at this whole Country Universe thing for eleven years now, and one of the early highlights of my time doing this was the arrival of Carrie Underwood. She was so, so good on American Idol, but it didn’t quite prepare me for how much I would love hearing her do original material.

Daily Top Five: Kinda Hits

August 20, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 16

Seems as good a topic as any for the day of the week known as Throwback Thursday.

While listening to a Pam Tillis hits playlist, “It’s Lonely Out There” came up early, just after some of her biggest hits and before a few other big hits.

Daily Top Five: Autobiographical Songs

August 10, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 16

Jonathan posted an excellent review of “Dime Store Cowgirl” today, which is an autobiographical song by Kacey Musgraves. Today’s top five asks you to share your favorite autobiographical country songs, the ones where the artist/writer

Single Review: Jason Isbell, “24 Frames”

July 29, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 8

“24 Frames” Jason Isbell Written by Jason Isbell “You thought God was an architect. Now you know. He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow.” If that line isn’t enough to have you

Daily Top Five: Least Favorite Song from Your Favorite Albums

July 29, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 11

Because turnabout is always fair play! What is your least favorite song from each of your favorite albums? Here’s my list: Dixie Chicks, “Tortured, Tangled Hearts” (Home) Mary Chapin Carpenter, “Stones in the Road” (Stones

The Best Singles of 1993, Part Four: #10-#1

July 28, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 6

The list comes to a close with ten classic records from some of the era’s most commercially and critically successful stars. It’s easy to be cynical about country radio these days, but unlike most of

The Best Singles of 1993, Part Three: #20-#11

July 27, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 8

As we enter the top half of the list, signature hits by some of the era’s biggest stars rub elbows with a pair of breakthrough singles and an overlooked release by a future superstar. You’ll

The Best Singles of 1993, Part Two: #30-#21

July 26, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 4

Our Best Singles of 1993 list continues with a collection of #1 hits, breakthrough hits, and should’ve been hits. Kicking things off is the debut single from one of the decade’s most successful vocal groups.

The Best Singles of 1993, Part One: #40-#31

July 25, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 2

How strong a year for country music was 1993? Well, if our Best Albums list revealed how many great artists were overlooked, our Best Singles list reveals why there is so little room at the

Daily Top Five: Miranda Lambert

July 23, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 13

Later today, we will publish our latest edition of Favorite Songs by Favorite Artists. The newest entry in our long running series is written by Leeann Ward and will focus on Miranda Lambert. To whet