July 2008 – Page 2 – Country Universe

Trent Willmon, "Cold Beer and a Fishin' Pole"

July 27, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 1

“Cold Beer and a Fishin' Pole” is a title that would make new Hall of Famer Tom T. Hall beam with pride. He might be thrown off by the odd electronic effects throughout the record,

Buddy Jewell, "This Ain't Mexico"

July 27, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 103

Buddy Jewell's message to Mexicans: We like your drinks. We like your food. We just don't like you. Charming. Tell me again how this guy bea t out Miranda Lambert? Written by Buddy Jewell &

Justin Moore, "Back That Thing Up"

July 27, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 4

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that this isn't a countrified version of the Juvenile hit. Alas, it's just a hillbilly rave-up that finds a country boy trying to get a city

Hayes Carll, "It's a Shame"

July 27, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 2

His song “She Left Me For Jesus” was one of those rare intentionally funny songs, but Hayes Carll is just as capable of turning in a sincere and reflective song of unrequited love. His vocal

Darryl Worley, "Tequila on Ice"

July 27, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

Worley goes mellow on his first single for his new label, Stroudavarious Records. The song is so laid back that it's easy to miss the charming lyric. While it's nice to hear him explore the

Sunday Open Thread: Pick a Topic

July 26, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 36

UPDATE: Topic picked! From Greg in the comments, seconded by J.R.: “is is there a not so very known artist (either independent l Ultimate Survival Plan Membership abel or mainstream) that I should look out

Favorite Songs by Favorite Artists: Randy Travis

July 26, 2008 Leeann Ward 30

Randy Travis has one of the most distinctive voices in country music. Moreover, his unbridled twang is credited for helping to pull country music out of the doldrums of the Urban Cowboy phase that plagued

Sugarland, <em>Love on the Inside (Deluxe Fan Edition)</em>

July 26, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 22

Sugarland Love on the Inside (Deluxe Fan Edition) All of the seeds of potential that were scattered among the first two albums by powerhouse duo Sugarland have fully blossomed with Love on the Inside, their

Worth Reading: Paul W. Dennis @ The 9513

July 26, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 1

Long time readers will remember that back in 2006, Country Universe benefited from the contributions of Paul W. Dennis. I'm happy to report that he's now writing a feature for The 9513 called Forgotten Artists.

Saturday Open Thread: Best Lines You've Ever Heard

July 25, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 31

Back when Trisha Yearwood's Real Live Woman album came out, my friends and I had trouble getting past the first track. We kept playing “Where Are You Now” over and over again. I recall one