Country Universe

Review: The Raconteurs featuring Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe, “Old Enough”

December 6, 2008 Dan Milliken 16

Country crossovers have been getting a really bad rep recently. The tension is nothing new, of course – only the late John Denver could claim to have his name set aflame on a CMA telecast

Discussion: An Elvis Kind of Christmas

December 6, 2008 Guest Contributor 6

Through the wonders of digital technology, duets with the deceased are not only possible, but convincing collaborations can be constructed from the transcendent art they’ve left behind. To honor Elvis Presley, a new collection of

Discussion: Recommend a Track

December 5, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 12

Tonight’s Recommend a Track, “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?”, has been recorded three times by its songwriter Dolly Parton. First, as a solo tune, it was the B-side to the 1982 version of “I

Shelby Lynne, Just a Little Lovin’

December 5, 2008 Guest Contributor 5

Shelby Lynne Just a Little Lovin’ Dusty Springfield portrayed sexual longing and soulful intensity in a thrilling manner. Her nakedly honest songs seemed to be a survival mechanism. If she couldn’t speak her candid truths,

Discussion: Grammy Double Whammy

December 4, 2008 Guest Contributor 48

The Grammy nominations last night ignited a large number of responses, so tonight, we are opening up the floor for even more discussion. During CMA time, the mood was negative. However, last night’s events, for

Review: Dean Brody, “Brothers”

December 4, 2008 Leeann Ward 6

I tend to consistently viscerally cringe at songs that are written with the intention of pulling on its listeners’ heartstrings. I think it’s a dirty trick to which I’m usually immune. However, there are always

Allison Moorer, Mockingbird

December 4, 2008 Guest Contributor 6

Allison Moorer Mockingbird Allison Moorer’s latest album is an exercise in splendid restraint. Excepting the title track, a Moorer original, Mockingbird is a collection of songs written and performed by the women who serve as her musical idols. Moorer shows an overt dedication to

2009 Grammy Nominees

December 3, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 76

This year’s Grammy nominees are about as good as it gets. Multiple nominations for Alison Krauss (5), George Strait (4), Trisha Yearwood (3), Jamey Johnson, (3), Sugarland (2.5), Patty Loveless (2), Lady Antebellum (2), James

George Strait, Troubadour

December 3, 2008 Guest Contributor 9

George Strait Troubadour A paragon of consistency, George Strait debuted in 1981, just as the Urban Cowboy fad was fading. But Strait, a true-to-life Texas buckaroo, is no fad, and judging by his newest album, Troubadour, he’s surely not fading. Strait

Six Pack: Dolly Parton, Songwriter

December 2, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

With more than a hundred chart hits to her name, including 25 #1 singles and 57 top tens, Dolly Parton is the most successful singles artist in country music history. But even before she was