2009 – Page 37 – Country Universe

Sugarland, “It Happens”

February 13, 2009 Guest Contributor 17

Jennifer Nettles sums up the latest Sugarland single better than I ever could. “Ain’t no rhyme or reason, no complicated meaning. Ain’t no need to over-think it,” she says, echoing my impression of “It Happens,”

Favorite Songs by Favorite Artists: Linda Ronstadt

February 13, 2009 Guest Contributor 33

The following is a guest contribution from Country Universe reader Erik North. Sometimes you first find out about your favorite artists not necessarily from your peers but, strangely enough, from either your parents or your

Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift among Music’s Biggest Moneymakers

February 12, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 10

Only three country acts are among the past year’s top moneymakers in music: If anyone had any doubt that touring is where the money is in the music business, a quick look at the top

ACM Album of the Year Criteria Amended

February 12, 2009 Guest Contributor 9

A Peter Cooper article in today’s edition of the Tennessean: The album of the year nominees are … as yet unannounced. That’s because the Academy re-thought its prerequisite that album contenders sell at least 300,000

Collin Raye, “Mid-Life Chrysler”

February 12, 2009 Guest Contributor 4

With his new single, “Mid-Life Chrysler,” Collin Raye claims marriage and a motor vehicle as the ideal tonic for a middle-aged man. Raye’s new album, Never Going Back, is due in late spring, and its first track

Kenny Chesney’s Denials Lead to Discomfort

February 11, 2009 Leeann Ward 42

In the upcoming March issue of Playboy Magazine, Kenny Chesney forcefully denies old rumors that he’s gay. He, however, forgoes tact and tries to assure us that he’s straight by proving that he’s a womanizer

The 44th Annual ACM Awards Reaction, Part Two (Fail Blog)

February 11, 2009 Guest Contributor 10

In honor of FAIL Blog (the perfect workday distraction), here’s my take on the Academy of Country Music Awards nominations. Opinions expressed belong solely to the author, and do not represent the views of other contributors

The 44th Annual ACM Awards Reaction, Part One

February 11, 2009 Guest Contributor 6

The Academy of Country Music revealed its nominees for the 44th annual awards show slated for Sunday, April 5. Album of the Year nominations will be announced in March, likely to coincide with the presentation of the

44th Annual ACM Awards Nominations Announcement

February 11, 2009 Guest Contributor 18

The Academy of Country Music announced nominees for their 44th annual awards ceremony this morning at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, Leann Rimes and Jessica Simpson were on hand to present

Lambert, Cash Prep New Releases

February 10, 2009 Guest Contributor 4

Two of country music’s most critically-acclaimed artists are scheduled to release new discs later this year. While the gold-certified Crazy-Ex Girlfriend continues a formidable chart run, Miranda Lambert is finishing her third album in Nashville, tentatively set for