Country Universe

Keith Anderson, “I Still Miss You”

January 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 18

I like the lyric. Like it quite a bit, actually. It doesn’t sound like a country record to me, though. I’m not a purist by any means, but I literally don’t hear anything that sounds

Clay Walker, “She Likes it in the Morning”

January 15, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 6

He’s simply a better singer now. Like “Fall” before it, the material isn’t significantly different than his string of hits in the nineties. He’s just singing it better. There’s a seasoning that comes only with

Big Machine Swiftboats Trisha Yearwood

January 12, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 13

I’m not pleased. Big Machine Records, home of new sensation Taylor Swift, has apparently decided to market Trisha Yearwood in a similar manner. That’s right, Trisha Yearwood. The most gifted vocalist of her generation has

Grammy Flashback: Best Female Country Vocal Performance

January 11, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 7

Updated for 2008 While the Grammys have honored country music from the very first ceremony in 1959, they did not begin honoring by gender until 1965, when the country categories were expanded along with the

Josh Turner, "Another Try"

January 6, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 14

Written by Jeremy Spillman & Chris Stapleton One of the most endearing elements of Josh Turner’s style is that he takes it slow. “Another Try” has a wonderful lyric, and Turner savors it, stretching out

Jack Ingram, “Maybe She’ll Get Lonely”

January 6, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 12

What can I say? Everything about this single is adequate. The song is good enough, the production gets the job done and it’s sung with some energy and conviction. It just doesn’t add up to

Carter's Chord, "Young Love"

January 6, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 4

“Young Love” Carter’s Chord Songwriters: Scooter Carusoe, Hillary Lindsey & Aimee Mayo Listen Accurately titled. This has been done a million times before, most effectively in recent years by Deana Carter (“Strawberry Wine”),

The Fifty Best Debut Singles of All-Time: Part 5

January 5, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 16

#10 Deana Carter, “Strawberry Wine” Debut: August 17, 1996/Peak: #1 Carter’s sandpaper voice was a perfect complement to the bittersweet nostalgia of this classic hit . The song made Carter an instant star,

The Fifty Best Debut Singles of All-Time: Part 4

January 4, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 3

The Fifty Best Debut Singles of All-Time Part 4: #20-#11 #20 Freddy Fender, “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” Debut: January 11, 1975/Peak: #1 Fender was poised to break through as a Latino rocker, until

Reminder: Vote for the 2008 Country Universe Readers Choice Awards

January 3, 2008 Kevin John Coyne 9

This year, Country Universe readers get to decide the best music of 2008. The winners of the first annual Country Universe awards will be determined by your ballots. All you need to do is copy