Country Universe

Heidi Newfield, <em>What Am I Waiting For</em>

August 11, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 8

Heidi Newfield What Am I Waiting For There isn't a lot of mainstream country music made these days that seems to speak for, and to, actual adults. Heidi Newfield's first solo album attempts to fill

Ashton Shepherd, Sounds So Good

August 11, 2008 Leeann Ward 8

Ashton Shepherd Sounds So Good Ashton Shepherd has entered the country music scene with a voice that holds nothing back. It’s loud and full while possessing an uninhibited twang that is fairly uncommon in today’s

Sunday Discussion: CMA Album, 2008

August 10, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 27

I'm sure the actual category will be some mishmash of major artist releases from the eligibility period. A little Carrie here, a little Chesney there, with a dose of Strait and Flatts for good measure.

Jamey Johnson, That Lonesome Song

August 10, 2008 Guest Contributor 8

Jamey Johnson That Lonesome Song That Lonesome Song is the disc that music industry executives will spin when they leave a day’s work of selling the music of the latest flash-in-the-pan. It is the record

Favorite Songs by Favorite Artists: Patty Loveless

August 10, 2008 Guest Contributor 37

Blake Boldt counts down his favorite songs by Patty Loveless.

Johnny Cash, “Sunday Morning Coming Down”

August 10, 2008 Guest Contributor 7

Sunday Morning Coming Down Johnny Cash 1970 Written by Kris Kristofferson On a 1971 episode of his television show Johnny Cash and Friends, the Man in Black defied the show’s executives by staying true to

Saturday Discussion: Most Recent Purchase

August 9, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 40

I don't spend much on music these days, but I try to catch good deals at used record stores and such. Last weekend, I picked up Dierks Bentley's Modern Day Drifter for $3.99. I'm diggin'

Introducing Blake: A New Name at Country Universe

August 9, 2008 Guest Contributor 0

I’m very excited to introduce Blake, a new writer for Country Universe. He shares our commitment to high-quality writing and informed commentary on country music, and we expect his contributions to be invaluable! – K.

Josh Turner, “Everything Is Fine”

August 9, 2008 Leeann Ward 2

Two of my favorite things about Josh Turner are aptly displayed in “Everything Is Fine.” One is that he utilizes his lower register to great effect. Furthermore, his fine vocals are supported by a decidedly

Friday Discussion: CMA Single, 2008

August 8, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 33

So what should this year's Single nominees be at the CMA awards? To be eligible, the song must have been released between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008. This category's a bit of a