Songs of Summer
Each summer has a handful of signature songs. Pink had one, in 2001, "Get The Party Started" and now, 15 years later, Country star Thomas Rhett’s "Vacation" keeps the party going with that same high energy, care free spirit. Rhett has been on one of the...
New Duet Recalls The Smooth Sound of Kenny & Dolly
Even though 1983’s Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton hit "Islands In The Stream” was about two people who found love, and Dierks Bentley’s newest, with rock star Elle King, “It's Different for Girls” describes the emotional contrasts in romance between the sexes, they are...
Hard Core, S**t Kickin’ Country Music
Full disclosure: hard-core county is my go to “comfort music,” it soothes me when I’m stuck in freeway traffic and it’s also good for road trips. We’re talking 70s: Willie & Waylon, Johnny Cash, Merle. And even earlier, late 60s—Ray Price, Webb Pierce. And The...
Dolly Parton: We Will Always Love You
Dolly Parton was born Jan. 19, 1946, less than three weeks into the Baby Boom. Now she’s 70, and doing what she’s always done: traveling the globe, entertaining and charming audiences each time she steps on stage. Today, May 6th, Dolly goes home to Pigeon Forge,...
Merle Haggard: RIP
"The Fightin' Side Of Me," "Workin' Man Blues," Today I Started Loving You Again," “Mama Tried:” More than just song titles, Merle Haggard lived the songs he sang. And he had lots and lots of songs! He wrote over 600, 40 of them went to #1, and he put out more than...
Americana Inspires Country Hits
Singer, songwriter (and surfer) Jake Owen has been on a roll with a succession of number one country hits starting with "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" five years ago and now his "American Country Love Song," released a few weeks ago, the second single from his album...
Country Song Conjures Up Past Summer Romances
Spring is here and summer is just around the corner, bringing with it the possibility of a “summer romance” or, in the case of this new song, the memory of a past summer romance—the one where the girl got away. I hear that song, the one we sang all summer long and...
A Feel-Good Country Song About Fun Love
Remember Dan Seals joyous 1986 Country romp “Bop?” “Head Over Boots” has the same effect, thanks to singer/songwriter Jon Pardi who charms us with lines like You're the rock in my roll And The way you sparkle like a diamond ring Maybe one day we can make it a...
Brandy Clark: Country Music with Attitude
Grammy nominee Brandy Clark has never been one to play it safe, rather, she prefers to push the envelope and stir things up in Nashville. As co-writer of Miranda Lambert’s smash hit "Mamas Broken Heart," Clark has paid her dues and continues to turn heads with...