Country Universe

Thursday: Recommend a Track

August 21, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 28

Last week’s Recommend a Track got this series off to a great start. In fact, some readers already flagged songs I was planning on featuring in future weeks: Sugarland, “Stand Back Up” (Lanibug); Tim

Wednesday Open Thread: First Country Album Purchase

August 20, 2008 Leeann Ward 29

In a previous Open Discussion thread, Kevin asked us to share our Country Convert song. On that thread, a comment by Jim Malec made me think of my very first album purchase. While my parents

Glen Campbell, Meet Glen Campbell

August 20, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 6

Glen Campbell Meet Glen Campbell It’s interesting how Glen Campbell covering contemporary rock songs also brings him back to his musical roots. When Johnny Cash took a similar route on his collaborations with Rick Rubin, it

Classic Country Singles: Rosanne Cash, “Seven Year Ache”

August 19, 2008 Guest Contributor 9

Seven Year Ache Rosanne Cash 1981 Written by Rosanne Cash In the 1980s, Rosanne Cash earned 11 #1 singles, more than any female artist other than Reba McEntire. The one that still resounds most is

Classic Country Singles: Johnny Paycheck, “Take This Job and Shove It”

August 19, 2008 Guest Contributor 5

Take This Job and Shove It Johnny Paycheck 1977 Written by David Allan Coe David Allan Coe’s “Take this Job and Shove It” owns a comical hook and, since its release in the 1970s, has

Crystal Shawanda, Dawn of a New Day

August 19, 2008 Guest Contributor 8

Crystal Shawanda Dawn of a New Day Crystal Shawanda, a 27-year-old singer-songwriter from Ontario, Canada has established herself as a promising new voice with her first album Dawn of a New Day, a step in

Tuesday Discussion: CMA New Artist, 2008

August 19, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 26

Where to begin with this category? The CMA has been working double-time to strip itself of all things distinctive. After moving the Musician award to pre-telecast and bumping the Hall of Fame inductions completely, they

George Jones, Burn Your Playhouse Down: The Unreleased Duets

August 19, 2008 Leeann Ward 6

George Jones Burn Your Playhouse Down: The Unreleased Duets As the title states, Burn Your Playhouse Down: The Unreleased Duets is a compilation of duets that have not been released until now. The tracks span

Sound Off: Alex Woodard featuring Sara Watkins, “Reno”

August 19, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 5

Today we’re featuring Alex Woodard, as this is the release date of his new album, Alex Woodard. The song for download, “Reno”, features Sara Watkins, who is most known for her work in Nickel Creek.

Monday Open Thread: Better Than the Original

August 18, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 58

At lunch today, a friend of mine mentioned that she doesn’t care for Fleetwood Mac, but loves the way the Dixie Chicks do “Landslide.” “Better than the original,” she said. To which I thought, “Yes!