Country Universe

Jack Ingram, This Is It

April 15, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 3

Jack Ingram This Is It Jack Ingram may seem like a new artist to country listeners, but he’s been releasing albums since 1995. In 2005, he attached two new studio tracks to a live album,

Review: Tracy Byrd, "Better Places Than This"

April 14, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 1

Tracy Byrd, “Better Places Than This” Byrd’s drinking funny-man songs have become his signature over the years, with his most popular songs these days being “Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo” and “Drinkin’ Bone.” His 2006

Jack Ingram, “Measure of a Man”

April 14, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 5

Jack Ingram, “Measure of a Man” A well-written story about a man who leaves home young because of a volatile relationship with his father, but reaches out to fix things with him when he becomes

Carrie Chasing the Century Record

April 12, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 7

Carrie Underwood sold nearly 54,000 copies of her late 2005 release Some Hearts this week, a remarkable sum for an album that’s hardly new. That sales total was good enough to land her at #18

Review: Chris Young, “You’re Gonna Love Me”

April 11, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 12

Chris Young, “You’re Gonna Love Me” What’s this? Could it really be? Is this…country music? From a new artist who isn’t a wanna-be southern rocker, or an aging pop star, or an American Idol castaway?

Review: The Wreckers, “Tennessee”

April 11, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 4

The Wreckers, “Tennessee” I view The Wreckers as an Adult Top 40 act that have slapped a few minimal country touches on the surface to score hits at a more lucrative radio format. That

Review: Van Zant, “That Scares Me”

April 11, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 13

Van Zant, “That Scares Me” A theme that’s been explored before. The protagonist compares how fearless he was in his youth, but that his children following that example terrifies him. It reminded me of the

Alison Krauss, A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection

April 10, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 7

Alison Krauss A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection In 1995, Alison Krauss had her mainstream breakthrough success with “When You Say Nothing At All”, which was her band’s contribution to a Keith Whitley tribute

Martina McBride, Waking Up Laughing

April 8, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 7

Martina McBride Waking Up Laughing As the genre’s leading female vocalist for the past few years, it’s hard not to have high expectations for a Martina McBride record. Her consistent success at radio and retail

Tim McGraw, Let It Go

April 7, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 12

Tim McGraw Let It Go Since he broke through in 1994 with the one-two punch of a novelty hit (“Indian Outlaw”) and a heart-wrenching ballad (“Don’t Take the Girl”), Tim McGraw has been refining that