Country Universe

Keith Urban, “Everybody”

August 24, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 11

It goes without saying that Keith Urban is a distinguished vocalist, even though he tends to get a lot more attention for his master guitar work. It’s his vocal talent that powers this inspirational ballad.

Halfway to Hazard, Halfway to Hazard

August 24, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 2

Halfway to Hazard Halfway to Hazard Shrieking diva syndrome. It’s an affliction that has corrupted many a talented female vocalist. They mistake screaming for singing, intensity for interpretation. They errantly believe that the louder

CMA Forecast: Entertainer of the Year

August 23, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 46

In the final edition of CMA Forecast, I’m taking a look at the Entertainer of the Year category. Will this be the year that some new faces are in the running for the first

Kenny Chesney, “Don’t Blink”

August 23, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 15

“A hundred years goes faster than you think. Don’t blink.” This is the sage advice given by a man on the television screen, being interviewed on his 102nd birthday. He’s asked to reveal the secret

Steve Holy, "Men Buy the Drinks (Girls Call the Shots)"

August 23, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 1

Starting a song about the battle of the sexes with Adam, Eve and the apple is so horribly contrived that this song almost lost me from the opening verse. But Holy’s energy, coupled with the

Say What? – Garth Brooks

August 23, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 4

Garth Brooks spinning his decision to not release his music digitally: “For people who have all the records, to have them come get this compilation of 33 songs and then 33 videos and know that

Say What? – Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts

August 20, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 11

Rascal Flatts’ lead singer, on not winning Album of the Year for Me and My Gang: “We deserved it last year. To sell more than anybody, I think that qualifies for album of the year.”

Rodney Carrington, King of the Mountains

August 17, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 3

Rodney Carrington King of the Mountains They always say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” That may be true for the literary world, but as comedy albums go, you can take one look at

Kellie Pickler, “Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind”

August 16, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 12

You know what? I enjoyed listening to this a lot. I smiled, I laughed a few times. It reminded me of Pickler when she was at her most endearing on Idol. Her personality shines through

Andy Griggs, “What If It’s Me”

August 16, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 0

The song is solid, as his material often is. He sings it with conviction, nuance and enough shades of emotion to convey the conflict in the lyric. The anemic production comes close to derailing an