Discussion – Page 12 – Country Universe

Into the Circle: The Country Music Hall of Fame Changes Criteria

February 26, 2009 Guest Contributor 76

The Country Music Association, mere weeks after inducting its 2009 class, has announced a change in the Hall of Fame criteria. Per the CMA website: Three inductees will continue to be announced as new members

Say What?-Kristian Bush of Sugarland

February 26, 2009 Guest Contributor 28

Entertainment Weekly writer Whitney Pastorek shares exclusive new touring information about her favorite country act, Sugarland. Kristian Bush says about the tour, “You may see Jennifer Nettles play the piano or a bass guitar. I

Perfect Producer/Artist Pairs

February 25, 2009 Leeann Ward 17

Last week, I berated producers that I could count on to produce bland, generic albums that I inevitably would not enjoy. As promised, I’ll be more positive this week. As previously noted, producers play a

That’s on My iPod?!?

February 23, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 19

Maybe it’s just because I have so many songs on my iPod to begin with, but I’m often surprised when I put my iPod on shuffle. Songs pop up that I didn’t know I owned,

Shania Twain, “What a Way to Wanna Be!”

February 22, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 1

I was inspired to recommend Shania Twain’s “What a Way to Wanna Be!” after seeing this new Dove commercial: httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U The track comes from her excellent fourth album Up!, which was released in three different

Country Role Models

February 20, 2009 Guest Contributor 18

The most recent edition of Rolling Stone features precocious teenage country superstar Taylor Swift on its cover, and also contains a eight-page spread covering her “very pink, very perfect life.” As we have come to expect

Discussion: Greatest Country Songs

February 19, 2009 Guest Contributor 30

Boys like me and Nick Hornby love lists. (I mean, Nick Hornby and I. Whatever.) Hornby, the author of A Long Way Down, How to Be Good and, most famously, High Fidelity, is known for

Flavorless Producers

February 18, 2009 Leeann Ward 16

While on the surface, music revolves around artists and the songs they sing, it’s the music producers who are ultimately essential to the finished product that we all hear and critique. Most producers have a

Themed Albums

February 13, 2009 Guest Contributor 7

Kathy Mattea’s brilliant album released last year, Coal, reminded me of how much I love themed albums. There is something unique and special about an album that addresses a single topic from varied angles or

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