Kevin John Coyne

Album Review: Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard, Django and Jimmie

September 28, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 3

Django and Jimmie derives its title from the names of two of the biggest influences of Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard – Django Reinhardt and Jimmie Rodgers.

Single Review: Toby Keith, “Rum is the Reason”

September 24, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 4

I can’t figure out why Toby Keith can’t get any mileage off of the singles from his new album. It’s not even out yet, and this is the third release.

Single Review: George Strait, “Cold Beer Conversation”

September 24, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 1

After the comparatively euphoric “Let it Go,” George Strait’s new single captures the same “take it as it comes” attitude toward life, but this time with somber resignation as the dominant feeling.

Single Review: The Band Perry, “Live Forever”

August 27, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 16

The review contrasting “Live Forever” with “If I Die Young” writes itself. Vulnerable sincerity versus bombastic arrogance. Mortality versus immortality. Acoustic country versus amped up rock. By every measurable standard, “Live Forever” is the polar opposite of “If I Die Young.”

Single Review: Carrie Underwood, “Smoke Break”

August 21, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 24

“Smoke Break” is a remarkably good attempt at a working class anthem. It’s so stylistically different from the “rah rah, let’s party this weekend” approach that has made drinking synonymous with adolescent behavior in modern country music.

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.