Country Universe

Review: Dean Brody, “Brothers”

December 4, 2008 Leeann Ward 6

I tend to consistently viscerally cringe at songs that are written with the intention of pulling on its listeners’ heartstrings. I think it’s a dirty trick to which I’m usually immune. However, there are always

Allison Moorer, Mockingbird

December 4, 2008 Guest Contributor 6

Allison Moorer Mockingbird Allison Moorer’s latest album is an exercise in splendid restraint. Excepting the title track, a Moorer original, Mockingbird is a collection of songs written and performed by the women who serve as her musical idols. Moorer shows an overt dedication to

2009 Grammy Nominees

December 3, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 76

This year’s Grammy nominees are about as good as it gets. Multiple nominations for Alison Krauss (5), George Strait (4), Trisha Yearwood (3), Jamey Johnson, (3), Sugarland (2.5), Patty Loveless (2), Lady Antebellum (2), James

George Strait, Troubadour

December 3, 2008 Guest Contributor 9

George Strait Troubadour A paragon of consistency, George Strait debuted in 1981, just as the Urban Cowboy fad was fading. But Strait, a true-to-life Texas buckaroo, is no fad, and judging by his newest album, Troubadour, he’s surely not fading. Strait

Six Pack: Dolly Parton, Songwriter

December 2, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

With more than a hundred chart hits to her name, including 25 #1 singles and 57 top tens, Dolly Parton is the most successful singles artist in country music history. But even before she was

Discussion: Favorite Cowboy Songs

December 2, 2008 Guest Contributor 9

A long time ago, in a land far, far away, country music was called “country and western” music. The singing cowboy has been one of the central figures in the rich tapestry of the genre.

Rebecca Lynn Howard, No Rules

December 2, 2008 Guest Contributor 13

Rebecca Lynn Howard No Rules Patty Loveless has proclaimed her as a thrilling voice in modern-day country. Trisha Yearwood covered two of her gorgeously sad ballads on 2001’s Inside Out. And yet, Rebecca Lynn Howard

Discussion: Back to the Roots

December 1, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 14

Dolly Parton’s award mantle was greatly expanded when she started recording roots albums in the late nineties and through much of this decade, including three Grammys since the release of The Grass is Blue. Reconnecting

Dolly Parton, Backwoods Barbie

December 1, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 4

Dolly Parton Backwoods Barbie Parton’s return to mainstream country wasn’t as long a wait as press materials suggested. While she has championed this as her first regular country album in seventeen years, nearly all of

The Steeldrivers, The Steeldrivers

December 1, 2008 Guest Contributor 3

The SteelDrivers The SteelDrivers With their eponymous debut, The Steeldrivers have delivered a stirring symphony of haunting rhythms and clever stories that are classified as bluegrass. But the five-piece band, a collection of veteran musicians based