Country Universe

Eric Church, “His Kind of Money (My Kind of Love)”

March 27, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 24

Eric Church returns with the first single from his upcoming sophomore album, and it’s a classic country storyline. The poor boy competing with the rich boy for a woman’s affections. He doesn’t have

100 Greatest Women, #91: Roba Stanley

March 26, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 4

100 Greatest Women #91 Roba Stanley It’s a historical fact that is taken for granted. Women in country music were as limited in expressing their liberation in song as they were in real life. There’s

Discussion: Favorite Love Songs?

March 26, 2008 Leeann Ward 20

While country music is widely known for its drinkin’, Cheatin’ and religious songs, love songs have a highly prominent place in the genre as well. In fact, I argue that country music is the home

100 Greatest Women, #92: Gretchen Peters

March 25, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

100 Greatest Women #92 Gretchen Peters There was a brief period in the mid-nineties where it seemed like the women in country music had seized control over the genre, artistically and commercially. When women swept

100 Greatest Women, #93: Sweethearts of the Rodeo

March 24, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

100 Greatest Women #93 Sweethearts of the Rodeo When you name your duo after a seminal country-rock album, you’re making a big statement about both where you came from and where you’re planning to go

Kenny Chesney, "Better as a Memory"

March 24, 2008 Leeann Ward 14

Okay, we get it. Kenny Chesney is too conflicted and free spirited to settle down. Just in case we ever doubted his commitment to staying in the singles club, here’s one more song to convince

Discussion: Favorite Religious Songs

March 23, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 15

Happy Easter! During mass today, I thought about how much enjoyment I get out of spiritual songs. Most of my favorite religious songs are by country artists. More than any other artist, it’s Kathy Mattea

Favorite Songs By Favorite Artists: Garth Brooks

March 22, 2008 Leeann Ward 35

Garth Brooks lowest-selling studio album (Scarecrow at 5 million) is more albums than the most successful country music artist, with the exception of a few, can sell in today’s struggling CD market. Love him, hate

100 Greatest Women, #94: Martha Carson

March 22, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 2

100 Greatest Women #94 Martha Carson There’s been a lot of chatter in recent years about the rising frequency of spiritual songs in country music. Big hits like “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “When I

Discussion: Favorite Cover Songs?

March 21, 2008 Leeann Ward 39

After recently being both amused and impressed by Carrie Underwood’s performance of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child Of Mine”, I started to think of the place of cover songs in country music. There are many