2008 – Page 21 – Country Universe

Darius Rucker, “It Won’t Be Like This For Long”

October 16, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 6

Darius Rucker has an everyman’s voice that is tailor made for singalong choruses, which is one of the reasons those early Hootie singles were so infectious. It’s also one of the reasons his transition to

Discussion: Quantity or Quality?

October 15, 2008 Guest Contributor 31

Country Universe has featured two country acts in the past couple of days who have taken vastly different approaches to their careers – Kenny Chesney and the Dixie Chicks. Kenny Chesney, it can be argued,

Kenny Chesney, Lucky Old Sun

October 15, 2008 Guest Contributor 10

Kenny Chesney Lucky Old Sun With Lucky Old Sun, Chesney returns with his 13th studio album just 13 months after the release of his platinum album, Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates. As the reigning entertainer of the

Classic CMA Awards Moments, #20: Johnny Cash Comes Around (1969-2003)

October 15, 2008 Guest Contributor 0

#20: Johnny Cash Comes Around 1969-2003 The incomparable career of Johnny Cash includes flashes of genius at the CMA awards. Cash’s legacy features nine CMA awards, but most of his victories were part of two spectacular

Discussion: Record Label Politics

October 14, 2008 Guest Contributor 0

An article published by CMT, People and a number of news sources this afternoon: Tim McGraw Apologizes to Fans for Label’s Decision To Release Greatest Hits 3 NASHVILLE – (October 14, 2008)- Curb Records released

Classic CMA Awards Moments, #21: Dixie Chicks, Sinnin’ and Winnin’ (2000)

October 14, 2008 Guest Contributor 13

#21: Dixie Chicks Sinnin’ and Winnin’ 2000 In 2000, the Dixie Chicks demonstrated their artistic integrity and their clear stranglehold on country music, buoyed by musical know-how and lyrical honesty and eloquence. Their near-sweep remains

ASCAP Awards Announced in Nashville

October 14, 2008 Guest Contributor 0

Last night at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Dave Berg was named Songwriter of the Year and Alan Jackson took Songwriter-Artist of the Year at the 46th annual ASCAP Country Awards. Jackson earned a songwriter prize from

“Before the Next Teardrop Falls,” Freddy Fender

October 14, 2008 Guest Contributor 4

Before the Next Teardrop Falls Freddy Fender 1974 Written by Vivian Keith and Ben Peters “Before the Next Teardrop Falls,” written by Vivian Keith and Ben Peters, is a timeless classic about the complications of

Discussion: Great YouTube Finds

October 13, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 26

Sometimes you can find a real gem just by doing a little digging on YouTube. Here’s a clip I found from the mid-nineties: Even when Pam Tillis was at the height of her career, she

A Conversation with Little Big Town

October 13, 2008 Guest Contributor 8

This spring, Little Big Town made the leap from independent label Equity Music Group to continue their careers at one of Nashville’s remaining majors, Capitol Records. As the first order of business, Capitol is re-releasing