Country Universe

Review: Chuck Wicks, “Man of the House”

January 9, 2009 Dan Milliken 23

You could write one heck of a great song by exploring the complex perspective of a boy who feels obligated to fill the void left in his family by his father’s engagement away from home.

Review: Craig Morgan, “God Must Really Love Me”

January 8, 2009 Leeann Ward 7

In the past, one could credibly argue that while Craig Morgan’s music hasn’t been especially memorable or intriguing, his music had a sort of authentic charm that helped set him apart from some other mid-level

Review: Doug Stone, "Don't Tell Mama"

January 8, 2009 Dan Milliken 17

There are some singers you generally shou ldn’t touch if you don’t want to your rendition to be remembered for second-bestness. You shouldn’t touch Patsy, you shouldn’t touch Connie, you shouldn’t touch Merle, you shouldn’t

Discussion: Whistle While You Work

January 8, 2009 Guest Contributor 13

Tonight’s topic was last included at Country Universe on Labor Day Weekend, but, considering that much of our lives are spent chasing the almighty dollar, I figured it was one worth revisiting. Songs about the

You Like What!?

January 7, 2009 Leeann Ward 37

My English Lit professor brother-in-law’s music tastes are typically very refined. To give you an idea, while he appreciates country artists like Emmylou Harris and Kasey Chambers, folky singer/songwriters such as Ani DiFranco, Jazz musicians

Review: Trace Adkins, “Marry for Money”

January 7, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 16

What can you say about a mediocre novelty song? It’s not so bad that Adkins embarrasses himself like he did with “Swing”, but it lacks the self-deprecating charm of “I Got My Game On” and

Review: John Michael Montgomery, “Forever”

January 7, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 3

Hear It Again For the First Time

January 6, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 48

Yesterday while driving, “Maybe it Was Memphis” came on the radio. Pam Tillis gets decent rotation on XM, as do all of the nineties stars. It was that song that got me into country music

Single Review: Tim McGraw, “Nothin’ to Die For”

January 5, 2009 Guest Contributor 0

Country music history is littered with stormy relationships. Hank and Audrey. George and Tammy. Tim McGraw and Curb Records. With the seventh (!) single from his 2007 album, Let It Go, Curb is milking the

Single Review: Jimmy Wayne, “I Will”

January 5, 2009 Guest Contributor 16

Miley Cyrus’ boyfriend, Justin Gaston, survived two rounds of NBC’s Nashville Star this past summer; the L.A. underwear model failed to turn his golden-boy good looks into a John Rich recording session. If Gaston’s sniffing