Jo Dee Messina

Sunday Selections: March 20, 2016

March 20, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 3

There are precious few artists more capable of bringing real depth to a straightforward pop song than Trisha Yearwood. Her performances of songs by the likes of Jewel and Jason Mraz as part of The

Daily Top Five: Cover Songs You Like Better Than the Original

June 25, 2015 Ben Foster 23

Some cover songs pale in comparison to previous incarnations. Other attempts may come across as competent but disposable. But every now and then, a cover song comes along that just might rival or even replace

Say What? – Keith Hill

May 28, 2015 Kevin John Coyne 54

UPDATE: Check out the impeccably researched work of Deb B, also known as Windmills, over at MJ’s Big Blog: Country Radio & The Anti-Female Female Myth: A Data-Based Look ORIGINAL POST: Via Terri Clark’s Twitter,

Single Review: Trisha Yearwood, “Prize Fighter” (with Kelly Clarkson)

October 12, 2014 Kevin John Coyne 21

“Prize Fighter” (with Kelly Clarkson) Trisha Yearwood Written by Jessi Alexander, Sarah Buxton, and Ross Copperman Yes, it’s been more than seven years since Trisha Yearwood has released a proper single. Yes, it was worth

Song Talk: Driving Away

July 24, 2014 Ben Foster 32

There are a lot of great country songs chronicling the breakup of a relationship, but it’s the female characters who have often shown a particular propensity for leaving their lovers by car. Sometimes she changes her mind

Single Review: Jake Owen, "Anywhere with You"

January 25, 2013 Ben Foster 14

If a song has nothing to say beyond what’s said in its title phrase, what’s the point of writing the song in the first place?

Single Review: Sara Evans, “Anywhere”

March 31, 2012 Ben Foster 7

Nothing like a good country music driving song, right? I could make a whole road trip playlist full of them. Ostensibly, Sara Evans upcoming single “Anywhere” is seeking a spot on my road trip playlist. It’s a bit off-putting, unfortunately, that the lyric plays more like a watered-down knockoff of Jo Dee Messina’s “Heads Carolina, Tails California.”

At the very least, the single earns points for a committed vocal performance on Evans’ part, as well as a cool banjo-rocker of a production, which could have made for a pleasant little slice of pop-country. But the song structure is totally not there.