Country Universe

2008 ACM Nominations

March 4, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 33

Apparently, Entertainer of the Year will be fan-voted. Seriously. Analysis to come, but let me briefly say “Woo-hoo! Miranda Lambert!” ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR Kenny Chesney Brad Paisley Rascal Flatts George Strait Keith Urban TOP

Heidi Newfield, “Johnny And June”

March 2, 2008 Leeann Ward 35

Heidi Newfield, the former lead singer of Trick Pony, tries her hand at a solo career with a song that drops the names of one of country music’s most beloved couples, Johnny and June Cash. When

Toby Keith, “She’s a Hottie”

March 1, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

It’s interesting that Toby Keith and Shania Twain started out on the same cross-country bus tour together. Both of them have become superstars on the strength of their con How Do I Get My Ex

Billy Gilman, “When You Come Home”

March 1, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 6

This is a beautiful song, no doubt. Gilman’s got the vocal chops to make it work, as well. The only thing that keeps it from taking off completely is the anemic production. It sounds more

Tim McGraw, “Kristofferson”

March 1, 2008 Leeann Ward 26

By now, I should know better than to allow a title that name drops intrigue me, because much more often than not, the song simply leaves me disappointed and annoyed that the name was simply

Dolly Parton, “Jesus & Gravity”

February 23, 2008 Leeann Ward 15

Dolly Parton is a pro. Not only is her voice as strong as ever, at the age of 62, she can still expertly keep up with the modern sound of country music. While “Better Get

Favorite Songs By Favorite Artists: Alan Jackson

February 23, 2008 Leeann Ward 11

Leeann’s list of her favorite songs by Alan Jackson, first published back in 2008.

Reba McEntire & Kenny Chesney or Skip Ewing, “Every Other Weekend”

February 21, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 45

I guess MCA realizes this song is so good, they need to send it to radio, even if they don’t have the green light from BMG to push the Kenny Chesney duet that’s on the

Favorite Songs by Favorite Artists: Emmylou Harris

February 20, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 11

With her long overdue induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame finally coming to pass, it seems the perfect time to take a look at my favorite Emmylou Harris songs.I’ll admit, I wasn’t an

Rascal Flatts, “Every Day”

February 19, 2008 Leeann Ward 12

Rascal Flatts releases their fourth mid tempo song in a row, which would normally result in the death of a radio career. Not so for this seemingly unstoppable trio who gets country radio airplay, no