Country Universe

EW Blogger Goes to a Rascal Flatts Concert…

March 12, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 3

…and rips the boys a new Ring of Kerry. I don’t get the opportunity to write reviews of bad concerts because I only go see artists that I already like. But if I did, I

George Strait, “Wrapped”

March 12, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 13

George Strait, “Wrapped” I’ve been underwhelmed by the singles from Strait’s It Just Comes Natural set so far, but there’s no quicker way to get back on my good side than covering Bruce Robison.

Review: Jamie O’Neal, “God Don’t Make Mistakes”

March 12, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 12

Jamie O’Neal, “God Don’t Make Mistakes” The song is decent enough. Nothing spectacular, especially when compared to Loretta Lynn’s “God Makes No Mistakes”, which was a far more interesting song. My real issue with this

Brad Paisley, “Ticks”

March 9, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 62

Brad Paisley, “Ticks” Okay, good points first. He’s sounding more fully involved than usual, suggesting he’s finally maturing as a singer. He’s always sounded strangely detached to me on record, but he gets a few

Review: Terri Clark, “Dirty Girl”

March 7, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 10

Terri Clark, “Dirty Girl” Gotta say, as soon as I heard the opening guitar, I knew it was a Terri Clark record. There aren’t that many artists I can say that about. That said, I

Review: Trent Tomlinson, “Just Might Have Her Radio On”

March 7, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 6

Trent Tomlinson, “Just Might Have Her Radio On” The opening fiddle grabbed my attention immediately, and I was hooked all the way through. The conceit isn’t new – the last Sugarland album had a similar

Rock Hall Names “Definitive 200” Albums

March 6, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 8

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has named what they consider the Definitive 200 albums of the rock era. The list is topped by Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, which was the first

Eight Strait Nods Among 2007 ACM Nominees

March 5, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 11

George Strait is a Hall of Fame member who certainly hasn’t been put out to pasture. He dominates the 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music nominations list, which were announced today. Other artists garnering multiple

CMT Music Awards Nominees Announced

March 1, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 1

Okay, pretending to care, pretending to care, pretending to care… …and here it goes. The final nominees for the 2007 CMT Music Awards have been revealed. As the picture indicates, Sugarland did the honors. The

Review: Sunny Sweeney, “If I Could”

March 1, 2007 Kevin John Coyne 6

Sunny Sweeney, “If I Could” I don’t know who she is, but I want the whole album. I haven’t heard anything quite like this before, traditional country thrown in a blender with Alvin & The