Scotty McCreery shares a warm holiday hug with many of the most well-known Christmas classics on his new 'Christmas With Scotty McCreery' album. From top to bottom, this is a consistent project that takes few chances, but offers 11 pleasant recordings to easily slip into one's yearly holiday playlist.
Fans will learn more about Brantley Gilbert in a song than during any radio or newspaper interview. The singer pours the emotions of what (and who) he left behind to chase country music dreams into his new single 'More Than Miles,' available only on the deluxe edition of his 'Halfway to Heaven' album.
What's remarkable about Hunter Hayes's three singles -- including his newest, 'Somebody's Heartbreak' -- is the consistency. There is nothing amateur about this country newcomer. All three fly flat along a bar raised high above the reach of many Nashville singers, both young and old.
Vulnerability is not Montgomery Gentry's specialty. Country music's toughest duo aim to be the good guy in 'I'll Keep the Kids,' but in the context of their personal lives, the divorce ballad tastes like sour grapes.
Former Smokin' Armadillos singer Rick Russell and guitarist Josh Graham have remained close enough to cut new music as Lucky Ned Pepper, a duo named after the villain in 'True Grit.' Their first single, 'I Remember the Music,' is catchy and polished, but likely not the breakthrough song they're hoping for.
From the very first notes of Craig Morgan's new single 'More Trucks Than Cars,' you'll know you're in for a no tricks, no twists country song from the man who's made a living painting a scenic picture of rural America. The song is as genuine as any Morgan has released. It's only muted by his own strong catalog of (other) farm boy hits.
With a peppy acoustic guitar and the squeal of steel, 'You're All That Matters to Me' by Miss Willie Brown begins with so much promise. Even through the first verse of the song -- which is approaching the Top 40 on country charts -- one hopes this duo has found the formula for success that evaded similar all-female duos like Bomshel and the JaneDear Girls.
Blake Shelton sets a high bar for 2012 holiday albums with 'Cheers, It's Christmas,' his new collection of originals and classics. The singer with the sharpest tongue in Nashville doesn't seem like a natural fit to reminisce of yuletide fun, but he's supported by a strong stable of backup singers and collaborative partners on this offering.
There are few joys in country music quite like listening to Dwight Yoakam sing. The legend's voice is strong enough to build a town around, yet he shows vulnerability in the smallest -- but most important -- ways. It's the little upticks at the end of his phrases, or the uncomfortable grit in dire ballads that invite fans to happily drown in his sorrow. '3 Pears' is an album long overdue. Yoakam proves that he would really have to try to make a bad album.
Easton Corbin visited the Taste of Country Nights radio studio recently to talk about his new album 'All Over the Road,' his hit song 'Lovin' You Is Fun' and his least favorite house chore. OK, the Florida-born singer wasn't planning on talking about his domestic duties, but one never knows what to expect when they agree to play "60 Seconds With..."
Call it hokey if you want, but try not to smile while listening to Josh Turner's new song 'Find Me a Baby.' The second single from 'Punching Bag' is more fun than anything of his since 'Why Don't We Just Dance' from 2009. Turner exemplifies everything one hopes marriage will be.
