Country Universe

DVD Reviews: Marty Robbins, Legendary Performances; Tammy Wynette, Legendary Performances

November 16, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 2

Marty Robbins Legendary Performances Tammy Wynette Legendary Performances In coordination with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Shout Factory! has begun a new series of country music DVDs that collect archived performances of

Matraca Berg

November 16, 2008 Guest Contributor 0

When women became the dominant creative force in country music during the mid-nineties, it wasn’t just on the strength of their vocal talents, but also because of their excellent choice of material. No single songwriter

Review: Lance Miller, “Bacon Frying”

November 16, 2008 Guest Contributor 7

Lance Miller, a Nashville Star contestant in 2004, has won the favor of traditional fans with his plain-spoken songs and rich, rugged voice. His new release, “Bacon Frying” is a down-home heartbreaker about a lover’s

Discussion: Country Music Pet Peeves

November 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 45

A less cheery discussion tonight, just because I read something that annoyed me. Here’s an article about songwriter Jeffrey Steele: NASHVILLE (Billboard) – One could forgive Jeffrey Steele if he had an inferiority complex. The

DVD Review: Alison Krauss, <em>A Hundred Miles or More: Live From the Tracking Room</em>

November 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 5

Single Review: Kenny Chesney with Mac McAnally, “Down the Road”

November 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

It stands to reason that a single that combines the talents of the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year and Musician of the Year would be entertaining to listen to and musically interesting. But country

Single Review: Kellie Pickler, “Best Days of Your Life”

November 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 10

Swedish pop duo Roxette used to throw out picks to the audience during their concerts. Upon the picks, these words were emblazoned: “Don’t Bore Us! Get to the Chorus!” I couldn’t help but think of

Ten Ways to Fix the CMA Awards

November 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 15

The CMA Awards should be the evening every year where country music is shown in the best possible light. However, it’s been many years now since the CMA fully took advantage of the opportunities that prime-time

Single Review: BlackHawk, “Love Like This”

November 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 1

For as long as it has been written, “Love Like This” has been a hit waiting to happen. It was composed by the same trio of writers behind “Safe in the Arms of Love”, and

Discussion: Recommend a Track

November 14, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 17

The title track from Iris Dement’s album The Way I Should promotes a philosophy that I can get behind. Responding to nameless critics, she justifies the choices she’s been making with clear-eyed confidence: A ghost