Country Universe

A Collection of Merle Haggard Favorites

April 9, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 6

Merle Haggard passing away isn’t only a huge loss because of his legacy. It’s a huge loss because he was still a vital artist making new, good music that added to that legacy.

In Memoriam: Merle Haggard, 1937-2016

April 8, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 1

Merle Haggard died on Wednesday at age 79. Juli Thanki writes for The Tennessean: Over the length of his half-century career, Mr. Haggard recorded 38 No. 1 country singles and wrote some of the genre’s most

Single Review: Kenny Chesney, “Noise”

April 5, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 5

“We didn’t turn it on, but we can’t turn it off.”

Single Review: Blake Shelton, “Came Here to Forget”

April 4, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 2

This is the strongest song that Blake Shelton has recorded in a very long time. It’s incisively bitter, with a cold cynicism that drips with the unvarnished truth.

Single Review: Carrie Underwood, “Church Bells”

April 4, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 15

Miranda Lambert may have the reputation as the genre’s rebel girl, but I’d be a lot more nervous about crossing Carrie Underwood.

2016 ACM Awards: Winners List

April 3, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 6

Entertainer: Jason Aldean

Sunday Selections: April 3, 2016

April 3, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 3

Mr. Misunderstood has finally broken his silence.

2016 ACM Awards: Personal Picks & Predictions

April 3, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 17

Tonight’s ACM Awards will be hosted by Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan. Slated performances include a collaboration between Dolly Parton and Katy Perry, and Miranda Lambert joining up with Billy Gibbons and Keith Urban to cover the ZZ Top song, “Tush.”

Country music in 2016, y’all.

Sunday Selections: March 27, 2016

March 27, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 1

A slightly abbreviated post for this Easter holiday weekend builds even more hype for the upcoming Sturgill Simpson album.

Throwback Thursday: Pam Tillis, “Maybe it Was Memphis”

March 24, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 4

It’s impossible to overestimate the significance of “Maybe it Was Memphis” for Pam Tillis. The fourth single from her debut country album, Put Yourself in My Place, it pushed that album to gold status, becoming her signature song and launching her to stardom.