September 2008 – Country Universe

Discussion: Grammy Wish List

September 30, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 26

Today is the final day of eligibility for the Grammy awards. Albums and singles must have been released between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008 to be considered. Also, tracks from Vince Gill’s These

Review: Waylon Jennings & the .357’s, “Lonesome, On’ry and Mean”

September 30, 2008 Dan Milliken 11

Not gonna lie: “Lonesome, On’ry and Mean” has never been one of my favorite Waylon hits. Call me what you will, but I’ve always thought the flat production employed in that studio recording just doesn’t

Discussion: Favorite Driving Songs

September 29, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 40

I’m in an even more upbeat mood than usual today, having just purchased a new car for the first time. I was twenty when I bought my first used car down in Tennessee. I got

Kellie Pickler, Kellie Pickler

September 29, 2008 Guest Contributor 34

Kellie Pickler Kellie Pickler Kellie Pickler is at an important crossroads. On her self-titled second album, she attempts to build on what must be an unexpectedly successful stay in Nashville. As a finalist on American

Self-Indulgent Discussion: Second Edition

September 28, 2008 Dan Milliken 45

Back in early August, Kevin posed the following question to readers: What features would you like to see more of at Country Universe? Are there things we could be doing better? How can we make

Alan Jackson, Drive

September 28, 2008 Guest Contributor 5

Alan Jackson Drive 2002 With country music in a constant state of flux, Alan Jackson stands as the format’s standard bearer for no-frills, no-fuss country music, devoid of all the trappings of both dated production

Discussion: Ten Country Albums to Hear Before You Die

September 27, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 43

Every once in a while, I stumble upon a list that I instantly know should be adapted for country music. Earlier today, I followed a link to Ten Albums to Hear Before You Die. It’s

Mark Wills, “The Things We Forget”

September 27, 2008 Guest Contributor 6

Mark Wills’ album, Familiar Stranger, his first on the newly-formed Tenacity Records, is scheduled for release on October 28. His first single, “The Things We Forget,” finds him reminiscing about the rural life and its

Discussion: Recommend a Track

September 26, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 21

Gary Allan, “She’s So California”

September 26, 2008 Guest Contributor 8

One of the most criminally overlooked staples of country music in the last decade, Gary Allan continues the course of his album Living Hard with the release of its third single, “She’s So California.” No one