Kevin John Coyne

2016 CMA Awards: Staff Picks & Predictions

November 1, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 11

Here are our staff picks and predictions for the 50th Annual CMA Awards, which will be handed out on Wednesday, November 2.

Single Review: LeAnn Rimes, “How to Kiss a Boy”

October 28, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 6

This song is absolutely gorgeous, and so is LeAnn Rimes’ tender and vulnerable reading of it.

Single Review: Little Big Town, “Better Man”

October 27, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 14

A painfully honest exploration of the feelings created by a necessary breakup, “Better Man” is one of the best – and most original – singles of the year.

Single Review: Tucker Beathard, “Momma and Jesus”

October 21, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 8

I’m beginning to suspect that enjoyment of contemporary country music requires a complete lack of familiarity with what came before it.

Single Review: Kelsea Ballerini, “Yeah Boy”

October 20, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 8

Nah, girl.

Single Review: Old Dominion, “Song for Another Time”

October 19, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 7

This is a song about too many songs.

Single Review: Brandy Clark, “Love Can Go to Hell”

October 18, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 6

Country radio could cure most of its ails through two simple steps: adding more songs written by Brandy Clark into heavy rotation, and adding Brandy Clark herself into heavy rotation.

Single Review: Blake Shelton, “A Guy With a Girl”

October 17, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 2

To his credit, you can always count on Blake Shelton to make competent music that is professionally done.

Single Review: Garth Brooks, “Baby, Let’s Lay Down and Dance”

October 14, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 4

There’s a joy to this record that is directly connected to a warm feeling of rediscovery.

Single Review: Brad Paisley, “Today”

October 13, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 4

For me, Brad Paisley has always come off more as a studious observer of country music than a truly great artist within it.