Harlan Howard – Page 2 – Country Universe

Classic Country Singles: Reba McEntire, “Somebody Should Leave”

March 4, 2021 Ben Foster 6

The beginning of a storied chapter both in McEntire’s career and in country music history.

Classic Country Singles: The Judds, “Why Not Me”

May 31, 2020 Zackary Kephart 4

A single that truly reflected the Judds.

A Trisha Yearwood Retrospective, Part Two: 1993-1994

March 17, 2020 Kevin John Coyne 5

The two years covered by this entry featured some stopgap singles, a Christmas set, and a third album anchored by a poignantly beautiful classic.

100 Greatest Women, #7: Patsy Cline

September 24, 2018 Kevin John Coyne 5

Patsy Cline was one of the few women who transcended her country singer status and become a pop culture icon.

100 Greatest Women, #50: Sara Evans

July 10, 2018 Kevin John Coyne 8

A pure country singer with a sweet tooth for pop hooks.

100 Greatest Women, #76: Paulette Carlson (Highway 101)

May 1, 2018 Kevin John Coyne 5

Few vocalists better illustrate the transition from the new traditionalist revival of the mid-eighties to the country boom in the early nineties than Paulette Carlson.

100 Greatest Women, #82: Melba Montgomery

April 11, 2018 Kevin John Coyne 1

A traditionalist for the ages, Melba Montgomery’s career as a singer and songwriter spans several decades.

A Country Music Conversation, Day 9: “Hurt” to “I Fall to Pieces”

December 4, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 5

Day 9 features tracks from Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Linda Ronstadt, and Patsy Cline.

The Best Singles of 1993, Part One: #40-#31

July 25, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 2

How strong a year for country music was 1993? Well, if our Best Albums list revealed how many great artists were overlooked, our Best Singles list reveals why there is so little room at the

Single Review: Joe Nichols, “Yeah”

January 22, 2014 Kevin John Coyne 6

Harlan Howard, when asked once about his Judds classic, that “Why Not Me” was a weak title, so he had to repeat it over and over again to make it work.