Country Universe

Discussion: Favorite Singles of 2008

December 14, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 34

This week, the Country Universe staff will be revealing its Top 40 Singles of 2008. Country music has always been a singles format, a trend still prevalent today, as evidenced by the widespread popularity of

Charlie Louvin, Sings Murder Ballads and Disaster Songs

December 14, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 6

Charlie Louvin Sings Murder Ballads and Disaster Songs This has been quite the year for the historically themed country album. Two of the year’s best releases have come from veteran singers exploring their roots, with

Discussion: When Bad Things Happen to Good Songs

December 13, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 28

Every once in a while, bad things happen to good songs. Exhibit A: Taylor Swift, “I’m Sorry”, at the Grammy Nominations Special: httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBWwb-9vB6M What is your most painful example of When Bad Things Happen to

Various Artists, Ultimate Grammy Collection: Classic Country and Contemporary Country

December 13, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 1

Various Artists Ultimate Grammy Collection: Classic Country Contemporary Country Earlier this year, the Grammys celebrated their fiftieth anniversary with a series of compilations focusing on winners in different fields. Two of the best entries in

Discussion: Recommend a Track

December 12, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 16

I used to think that Dolly Parton’s early country tragedy songs were over the top. Then I heard some of Porter Wagoner’s, and realized that she’d actually toned down some of his excesses. Nothing is

Concert Review: Hayes Carll @ Belcourt Theatre, Nashville, TN

December 11, 2008 Guest Contributor 5

Hayes Carll Belcourt Theatre/Nashville, TN December 10, 2008 With his rich baritone, Hayes Carll is perfectly suited to deliver the barroom and bedroom tales of a troubadour who’s a hard-luck, heartbroken case. But to balance

Discussion: Billboard’s 2008 Year-End Charts

December 11, 2008 Guest Contributor 32

Earlier this week, Billboard announced the year-end charts in all musical genres. Billboard’s chart year runs from the first week of December (2007) to the last week of November (2008), and the country albums list

Rolling Stone Recognizes Country Music Prominently Among Best of 2008

December 11, 2008 Dan Milliken 19

Just kidding! No, as many a frustrated country fan would expect, the famed music magazine’s Best of 2008 lists adhere to same unspoken code that seems to have been in effect there for the past

Discussion: My Kind of Country

December 10, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 12

I’m really excited to announce that regular commenters J.R. Journey, Rainbow and Chris D. have launched their own blog: My Kind of Country. All three writers have been invaluable in their contributions on the comment

Hayes Carll, Trouble in Mind

December 10, 2008 Guest Contributor 6

Hayes Carll Trouble in Mind The first couplet of Hayes Carll’s Trouble in Mind is a fitting introduction to a common man’s intellectual. On the arresting “Drunken Poet’s Dream,” he croons, “I’ve got a woman,