Year: 2009

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Favorite Songwriter

April 3, 2009 Guest Contributor 19

don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but I happen to be a huge Steve Earle fan. I find the Virginia-born, Texas-inspired, former drug addict, political activist, actor/radio personality, singer-songwriter, and country-rock star simply irresistible. He is gifted with an instinctive ear for music (which he has generously passed on to his son, Justin Townes Earle), a curious mind, a keen awareness of the world and an empathetic heart.

Given these qualities, one of Earle’s most indelible contributions to country music will be as a songwriter. His empathy, awareness of the world around him and curiosity have allowed him to musically explore the human soul. He is uniquely unafraid to step out of himself and into another’s shoes, to feel another’s joy and pain and to tell his or her story. In many ways, Earle is “the seeker” he sings of in his song of the same title:

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Joe Nichols, “Believers”

April 3, 2009 Leeann Ward 3

Joe Nichols’ latest offering, “Believers”, makes a valiant effort to feel significant and inspirational. Within its verses, the song tells three stories of people who display faith in various ways: A hundred people demonstrating for

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Sweet Spot

April 2, 2009 Leeann Ward 19

In the comment section of my recent Brad Paisley review of “Then”, Country Universe’s Kevin Coyne revealed that the last verse of “Waitin’ on A Woman” hit his sweet spot. He said: “I fell for

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Keith Urban, Defying Gravity

March 31, 2009 Dan Milliken 12

Keith Urban Defying Gravity Personal hardship can be important source of inspiration for many artists. For Keith Urban, it’s been downright essential. Since his star-making Golden Road, the luster of Urban’s aesthetic package – talent,

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Billy Currington, “People Are Crazy”

March 29, 2009 Dan Milliken 6

In a just world, this throwaway co-write by the great Bobby Braddock (“He Stopped Loving Her Today”, “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”, “Time Marches On”) wouldn’t even have made it to the song-plugger. Instead, it’s the new single for

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Kenny Chesney, “Out Last Night”

March 29, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 16

Kenny Chesney previews his second hits collection with a morning after anthem that is refreshingly devoid of confusion or regret. They didn’t have too much or too little fun, just enough to justify the lost

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ACM Top New Artist Winners

March 29, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 13

The winners have been announced for three of the Top New Artist categories at this year’s ACM Awards: Top New Male Vocalist: Jake Owen Top New Female Vocalist: Julianne Hough Top New Vocal Duo or

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