Country Universe

Worth Reading: “Perfect Sound For A Little Longer: In Defence Of The CD”

May 4, 2019 Kevin John Coyne 4

A strange thing has been going on in my musical world. As I’ve become far less interested in contemporary country music, I’ve been going back and discovering vintage artists of other genres that for whatever

An Olivia Newton-John Retrospective, Part Thirteen: 2010-2019

April 25, 2019 Kevin John Coyne 6

After a remarkably prolific start to the new century, this past decade has been slower on the new music front for Olivia Newton-John.

Album Review: Reba McEntire, Stronger Than the Truth

April 18, 2019 Kevin John Coyne 5

Reba McEntire returns to her traditional country roots, and the result is one of the strongest albums of her illustrious career.

In Memoriam: Earl Thomas Conley (1941-2019)

April 11, 2019 Kevin John Coyne 2

Earl Thomas Conley, an eighties country music hitmaker who enjoyed 18 #1 hits, has passed away.

2019 ACM Awards: Complete List of Winners

April 8, 2019 Kevin John Coyne 0

Dan + Shay, Kacey Musgraves, Thomas Rhett, and Keith Urban were among the big winners this year.

2019 ACM Awards: Predictions & Personal Picks

April 6, 2019 Kevin John Coyne 7

As per Country Universe tradition, here are our predictions and personal picks for the 2019 ACM Awards.

Album Review: George Strait, Honky Tonk Time Machine

March 31, 2019 Kevin John Coyne 2

George Strait’s 30th studio album is appropriately titled.

Single Review: Reba McEntire, “Freedom”

March 26, 2019 Kevin John Coyne 3

The least satisfying track so far from Reba’s new album is, predictably, the one being sent to radio.

Single Review: Tim McGraw, “Thought About You”

March 25, 2019 Kevin John Coyne 5

Tim McGraw has a lot of thoughts to share, but are any of them worth listening to?

Hall Worthy: The Modern Era (2019 Edition)

March 24, 2019 Kevin John Coyne 5

Not much movement on our Modern Era list, as only one new entry join a ballot dominated up top by New Traditionalists overdue for induction.