January 2009 – Page 3 – Country Universe

Review: Rascal Flatts, “Here Comes Goodbye”

January 24, 2009 Guest Contributor 14

Rascal Flatts begins the new year with another overwrought, regret-filled ballad that sounds like a Casey Kasem countdown dedication, a wimpy attempt at meaningfulness that will tug at the hearts of young women well into

Say What? – Michelle Branch

January 24, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 5

Michelle Branch on her upcoming album, from last week’s issue of Billboard: It’s more singer/songwriter than, I would say, country, but I think the term ‘country’ is all relative now. There’s really no room for

Discussion: Stepping Out…To The Cinema

January 23, 2009 Guest Contributor 13

This week, given the wide variety of views and superb taste of our readership – and yesterday’s Oscar nominations – I thought it would be fun to step away from country music for a minute

Review: Zac Brown Band, “Whatever It Is”

January 23, 2009 Dan Milliken 16

Figures. Just as I was thinking I might forgive Zac Brown Band for making my least favorite track on The Foundation their first single, they go and release what might be my second-least favorite as

Discussion: Are Country Stars Born or Made?

January 22, 2009 Guest Contributor 16

In a 1996 issue of Tennis Magazine, one of the publication’s chief editors wrote an article titled, “Are Champions Born or Made?.” He separates tennis stars from past and present eras in terms of their

Delurking Day

January 21, 2009 Leeann Ward 26

I’ve randomly read on various blogs (not having to do with country music) that it’s National Delurking Month. While I’m uncertain that such a thing is anything official, I thought this would be a cool

Review: Cherryholmes, “This Is My Son”

January 19, 2009 Dan Milliken 8

On the surface, family bluegrass act Cherryholmes’ new single might seem to paint by a lot of standard Nashville numbers, but don’t let the use of over-exploited motifs (God, soldiers, solders’ families) distract you from

Grammy Flashback: Best Male Country Vocal Performance

January 19, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 10

Updated for 2009 While the Grammys have honored country music from the very first ceremony in 1959, they did not begin honoring by gender until 1965, when the country categories were expanded along with the

Patty Loveless, Only What I Feel

January 18, 2009 Guest Contributor 1

Just months after career-threatening throat surgery, Patty Loveless returned to the studio with husband-producer, Emory Gordy, Jr., to record her debut for Epic Records. Only What I Feel juggles commercial demands with her own artistic desires

Grammy Flashback: Best Country Album

January 17, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 23

A look back at the previous winners and nominees of the Best Country Album Grammy, updated to include the 2009 contenders. The Grammys have been doing better in the country categories since they reintroduced the