Country Universe

Yesterday’s Songs: August 20, 1997

August 20, 2020 Zackary Kephart 5

We revive an old Country Universe favorite by looking at the top songs on this date in 1997.

Album Review Roundup: Arlo McKinley, Eric Paslay, and Gretchen Peters

August 20, 2020 Zackary Kephart 1

Arlo McKinley lives up to expectations, Eric Paslay suffers from a sophomore slump, and Gretchen Peters honors Mickey Newbury.

Album Review Roundup: Caylee Hammack, Orville Peck, and Mo Pitney

August 18, 2020 Zackary Kephart 6

Caylee Hammack releases a solid debut, Orville Peck inches closer to greatness and Mo Pitney suffers from a sophomore slump.

Single Review Roundup: Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker, and Clay Walker

August 16, 2020 Zackary Kephart 5

Miranda Lambert releases the followup to “Bluebird,” Darius Rucker offers escapism, and Clay Walker returns.

Album Review: The Chicks, Gaslighter

August 13, 2020 Kevin John Coyne 11

With Gaslighter, the Chicks take complete artistic control and fully reclaim their own narrative. In doing so, they produce their most essential album to date.

Country Music Hall of Fame Class of 2020: Hank Williams, Jr, Marty Stuart, and Dean Dillon

August 12, 2020 Kevin John Coyne 4

An excellent set of inductees this year.

Favorite Songs by Favorite Artists: Gary Allan

August 10, 2020 Zackary Kephart 10

They’re only the best Gary Allan songs I ever had.

Album Review: Luke Bryan, Born Here, Live Here, Die Here

August 10, 2020 Zackary Kephart 0

Luke Bryan’s latest is a small step in the right direction, though it could all be for naught.

Album Review: Daniel Donato, A Young Man’s Country

August 10, 2020 Zackary Kephart 1

is a solid first step in crafting Daniel Donato’s cosmic-country sound.

If We Ran the CMA Awards… (2020 Edition)

August 9, 2020 Jonathan Keefe 11

Five of the CU crew attempt to find the diamonds in a very rough second ballot of CMA nominees.