Country Universe

Keith Urban, “Kiss a Girl”

March 12, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 19

Keith Urban has grown tremendously as a singer over the past decade. On “Kiss a Girl”, he milks his vocal talent for all that it’s worth. The emotion in his voice is so palpable that

Randy Travis and Carrie Underwood head to American Idol

March 12, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 35

Next Tuesday will be “Grand Ole Opry” week on American Idol, and they’re bringing out the big guns. The guest mentor will be country music legend Randy Travis, who will also perform on the show.

Fifteen, There’s Still Time For You.

March 11, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 14

Deep thoughts from the dentist’s chair tonight… Given that my dentist likes to keep the acoustic station on, I get a chance to hear a bit of reflective music during my visits. Sometimes there’s even

Caitlin & Will, “Address in the Stars”

March 11, 2009 Leeann Ward 27

It was initially reported that Caitlin & Will, the victors of CMT’s Can You Duet show, were going to release “Even Now” from their yet to be released debut album. However, “Address in the Stars”

John Rich, “Shuttin’ Detroit Down”

March 11, 2009 Guest Contributor 20

As one half of Big & Rich, John Rich has certainly demonstrated that he knows how to throw a big, ostentatious party. However, in “Shuttin’ Detroit Down,” Rich’s recent solo release, the Nashville Star judge

Aaron Tippin, In Overdrive

March 10, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 12

Aaron Tippin In Overdrive Amongst the glut of faux traditionalists that populated the country airwaves during the nineties, there was one voice that cut right through the clutter, such was its raw verve and unabashed

Pop Goes the Country, Part I

March 9, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 68

What follows is a guest piece from Country Universe reader VP exploring the latest wave of country artists who have crossed over to the pop charts. Part II, written by me, will follow later in

Requiem for the Compact Disc

March 9, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 30

Chet Flippo comes not to praise the compact disc, but to bury it and dance upon its grave: Well, it is time to write an obituary for the compact disc. It’s trying to hang on,

The Illumination of Film

March 8, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 15

I discovered most of my favorite country artists through music videos. Throughout the nineties, CMT played videos around the clock, giving equal weight to mainstream, veteran and Americana artists. Music videos feel like a quietly

A Conversation with Kathy Mattea

March 7, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 10

Kathy Mattea has long been a favorite for both the writers and readers of Country Universe. Earlier today, we had a chance to speak with Mattea about her current album, Coal, and covered many other