Jimmy Bowen – Page 2 – Country Universe

Every #1 Country Single of the Nineties: Garth Brooks, “Not Counting You”

June 7, 2021 Kevin John Coyne 7

The biggest country star in history kicks off the decade that he will own, with a self-written hit.

Album Review: Reba McEntire, Rumor Has It: 30th Anniversary Edition

September 22, 2020 Kevin John Coyne 5

It’s difficult to overstate how significant Rumor Has It was for Reba McEntire’s career.

100 Greatest Women, #4: Reba McEntire

October 2, 2018 Kevin John Coyne 13

Reba McEntire has enjoyed the longest run as a hitmaker of any female artist in country music history.

100 Greatest Women, #12: Patty Loveless

September 15, 2018 Kevin John Coyne 5

The last of the great mountain singers, Patty Loveless fused country, rock, and bluegrass into her own unique sound.

100 Greatest Women, #81: Nanci Griffith

April 17, 2018 Kevin John Coyne 2

Nanci Griffith led a mini folk revival in the 1980s before settling in as a trailblazer for Americana Music.

Crystal Gayle Starter Kit

February 26, 2010 Kevin John Coyne 24

Producing primarily pop-flavored country music has rarely been a ticket to immortality for even the biggest artists, particularly the female ones. Imports like Shania Twain and Olivia Newton-John are labeled impostors. Faith Hill’s canny song sense is overlooked while hubby Tim McGraw’s is widely praised. Brilliant Dolly Parton records like “Here You Come Again” and “9 to 5” are cited as being beneath her greatness, rather than prime examples of it. Only Patsy Cline has been given a free pass, and who wouldn’t want to claim those pipes?