Ashley Gorley – Page 5 – Country Universe

Single Review: Luke Bryan, “Games”

March 12, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 5

“Games” Luke Bryan Written by Luke Bryan and Ashley Gorley Luke Bryan’s latest (and apparently final) Spring Break compilation is being promoted with the new single, “Games.” Thematically, it doesn’t connect much to the Spring

Single Review: Frankie Ballard, “Young & Crazy”

March 8, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 3

“Young & Crazy” Frankie Ballard Written by Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley, and Shane McAnally “Young & Crazy” is like a used car that’s been refurbished by a crack team of mechanics. From a distance, it

Single Review: Billy Currington, “Don’t It”

March 5, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 5

“Don’t It” Billy Currington Written by Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley, and Jaren Johnston We’ve reached a point where Billy Currington can release a “Hey girl, let’s get down tonight” anthem and sound like an elder

Single Review: Jason Aldean, “Just Gettin’ Started”

March 1, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 12

“Just Gettin’ Started” Jason Aldean Written by Rhett Akins, Chris DeStefano, and Ashley Gorley Competently performed. Creatively stagnant. Completely unnecessary. Grade: D

Single Review: Luke Bryan, “I See You”

February 24, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 5

“I See You” Luke Bryan Written by Luke Bryan, Ashley Gorley, and Luke Laird This is the sound of an artist that’s struggling against the confines of the niche he’s been assigned, but not being

Single Review: Luke Bryan, “Play it Again”

April 2, 2014 Kevin John Coyne 7

Trite an uninspired, “Play it Again” is a Luke Bryan record without any of the aw-shucks earnestness that can make even his mediocre songs somewhat enjoyable.

Single Review: Lucy Hale, “You Sound Good to Me”

January 29, 2014 Ben Foster 5

Pretty Little Liars actress turned country newcomer Lucy Hale cites Shania Twain and Martina McBride as major musical influences, and to a degree it’s perceptible on her debut single “You Sound Good to Me.” The track begins with a light, airy fiddle hook, and segues into an effervescent uptempo pop-country love song with an atypically sparse production arrangement by country radio standards (murky background vocals aside).

Single Review: Rascal Flatts, “Rewind”

January 22, 2014 Kevin John Coyne 5

Using the word rewind in 2014 is a bit dated and quaint, don’t you think?

Single Review: Darius Rucker, “Radio”

January 16, 2014 Ben Foster 15

Darius Rucker celebrates the radio with his current hit, simply titled “Radio.”

CMA Awards: Predictions and Personal Picks

November 8, 2009 Kevin John Coyne 83

The CMA Awards are upon us again, and I must say that this is the most underwhelming lineup I’ve ever seen, and I started watching the show back in 1991. We’ll be back to live blog the festivities on Wednesday night. In the meantime, enjoy our personal picks in each category, along with who we think will actually win.

Entertainer of the Year

Should Win:

Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley – Leeann, Tara
George Strait
Taylor Swift – Kevin, Dan
Keith Urban

Will Win:

Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley – Kevin, Leeann, Tara
George Strait
Taylor Swift – Dan
Keith Urban

Kevin: Much like the field finally cleared for him in the Male Vocalist race two years ago, I expect that this is Paisley’s year to win with his sixth nomination. I think Taylor Swift deserves to win, though. There’s no getting around the fact that she’s the biggest thing out there right now.

Leeann: I won’t be shocked (or really even disappointed) if Taylor Swift picks it up, but I really feel it’s finally Brad’s year.

Dan: Swift is the face of the genre right now, and she’s putting out better-written material than many of the veterans in this category. It looks like a race between her and Paisley, and I think she may actually get it.

Tara: It wouldn’t be inappropriate for Swift to take this award, and I would much (understatement) prefer her to win this over the vocalist award. But to me, Paisley is the all-around entertainer, and I think it’s his year to be recognized.