From longtime reader Six String Richie.
What are your favorite pre-fame releases? You can pick singles and/or albums. Whatever works for you.
Here’s my Top Five:
- Patty Loveless, “I Did”
- Shania Twain, “Dance With the One That Brought You”
- Kenny Chesney, “Whatever it Takes”
- Carlene Carter, “Never Together but Close Sometimes”
- Martina McBride, “Cheap Whiskey”
1. Restless – Crystal Gayle
2. I’m About To Come Alive – David Nail
3. Tumbleweed – Sylvia
4. Right Or Wrong (album) – Rosanne Cash
5. Always The Love Songs – Eli Young Band
1. Mary Chapin Carpenter, “How Do”
2. Eric Church, “Two Pink Lines”
3. Miranda Lambert, “Greyhound Bound For Nowhere”
4. Sara Evans, “Three Chords and the Truth”
5. Nickel Creek, “Reasons Why”
1. “We Rode In Trucks”: Luke Bryan (as has been mentioned, his first album was surprisingly solid)
2. “Ol’ Red”: Blake Shelton
3. “Pontiac”: Little Big Town
4. “Ruby’s Two Sad Daughters”: Pat Green
5. “Hello Goodbye”: Tyler Farr
1. Crazy: Willie Nelson (Was Willie considered a star by 1961 when Patsy Cline recorded the song?)
2. Austin: Blake Shelton
3. Dance With The One Who Brought You: Shania Twain
4. Steel Rails: Alison Krauss
5. Unwound: George Strait (Though you could probably argue that Strait, ala Garth Brooks, was a huge success right out of the gate)
1. A Modern Day Prodigal Son -Brantley Gilbert
2. “Raymond” -Brett Eldredge
3. Sinners Like Me -Eric Church
4. Level -Eli Young Band
5. “She Ain’t Right” -Lee Brice
I feel honored to be mentioned in one of your posts! I have read this blog almost daily since about 2008. The first review I remember was “How ‘Bout You Don’t” by The Lost Trailers, oddly enough. I’ve been commenting for about 2 years now, I think.
1. “From Where I’m Sitting”- Gary Allan (single)
2.”From Hell To Paradise”- The Mavericks (album)
3. “Children”- The Mavericks (singles)
4. “A Real Good Way To Wind Up Lonesome”- James House (single)
5. “Bring Up The Sun”- Sundy Best (album)
Sundy Best could become famous if they sign a major record deal. They are one of my current favorites. I love “Distance,” “Painted Blue,” “So Sorry Girl,” “I Wanna Go Home” and “Mountain Parkway” by them. Check them out!
This one was took some thought.
1. On This Train – Zac Brown Band (from their 2005 album Home Grown. I keep hoping they will re-record it for one of their new albums. Maybe eventually they will).
2. Just Some Love – Keith Urban and the Ranch
3. Drinkin’ Me Lonely – Chris Young
4. We Rode In Trucks – Luke Bryan
5. Could It Be – Charlie Worsham (I may be cheating a little here. Hopefully he breaks out with his next album).
Six String Richie,
Right there with you on Sundy Best. I feel like they need to decide whether they’re bros (“NOYA”, “Swarpin'”) or insightful singer-songwriters (“Painted Blue”, “Lily”), but they certainly have some darn good stuff and could definitely score a hit on the charts if given the chance. My personal favorite is “Mean Old Woman”.
“A Real Good Way To Wind Up Lonesome”- James House
Whoa, thought I was the only one who remembered that guy. I also liked “Hard Times For an Honest Man.”
My favorite pre-fame release? Tim McGraw’s eponymous debut album. The whole thing.
My five:
1. BIRDS–Linda Ronstadt (from her 1972 self-titled album)
2. LONG BLACK LIMOUSINE–Glen Campbell (he did this in 1962)
3. LOVE ME DO–The Beatles (UK #17 hit in 1962; US #1 in 1964)
4. RHYMES AND REASONS–John Denver (1969)
5. PICKIN’ UP THE PIECES–Poco (also 1969)
Amen on steel rails by AK