I am a big 90’s Country girl- after all, it’s what I grew up on. My small town of Henderson, TN only had one radio station, and it was Country (107.7!), so it was basically all I listened to for a while growing up. Both Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood were radio staples, and I absolutely loved them. So, naturally, I was excited to hear that a tribute album to The Judds would be coming out this Fall. One of the re-imagined songs was just released, and it’s Wynonna and Trisha on one of my favorite Judds songs, “Cry Myself to Sleep”.
Yep, exactly what I had expected it to be.
Two incredible voices on a classic… you can’t go wrong with those two!
“A Tribute to The Judds” will feature more collabs with everyone from Carly Pearce to Reba to Jelly Roll to Cody Johnson.
The inaugural “People’s Choice Country” awards was this past Thursday night on NBC, and Kelsea Ballerini (who I love!) performed her song “Mountain With a View” live, and did a fantastic job. So much so, that some people thought she was lip-synching.
Ok, she sounded good. Reallly good. I can see why people think she was faking it. But if you listen closely, especially at the end, you can hear that she’s live and not pre-recorded. And Kelsea has since addressed the issue, saying that if she was lip-synching, it would have sounded way better. Also, she said that one of the cameras was off, and that happens often during live shows, espeically if it’s a show’s first time happening, like the People’s Choice Country Awards.
Seriously, I don’t know how she could have sounded better. She has really come into her own these past couple of years as an artist, and I really can’t wait to see where she goes.
Haters Gonna hate. That’s all.
Also, she looks incredible. I always feel like if Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift had a baby, it would be Kelsea.
Yesterday, Thomas Rhett released his Greatest Hits Collection “20 Number Ones”, and there was bonus song on there that’s been getting some attention. Thomas teamed up with Morgan Wallen for a song called “Mamaw’s House”, and anyone who grew up in the Country like I did can definitely releate to this one!
This song reminds me so much of my Mother-in-Law, who, of course, goes by Mamaw, and this song is 100% her. The song was co-written by Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Matt Dragstream and Chase McGill. As I mentioned, it’s included on Thomas’s “20 Number Ones” collection, out now.
Also, I just want to say how happy I am for Thomas Rhett and for all of his success. He’s a great guy, as is his entire family. I remember over a decade ago being at Country Stampede in Manhattan, KS and Thomas was one of the Thursday night openers, and I was backstage talking to his Grandad, who was crazy excited that Thomas was going to perform at a big Country festival like Stampede. He literally came up to me and was like, “You gotta watch my Grandson! I’m so proud of him!” I think this was in 2012…
Well, those Thursday night opening act days are far over for Thomas, as he’s now a headliner! Oh, and he now has his own Greatest Hits Collection. NBD.
Thomas Rhett’s ’20 Number Ones’; Photo Courtesy of The Valory Music Co.
Miranda Lambert just released the live version of her song “Carousel” from her “Palomino” album, and it just reminded me once again why Miranda Lambert is one of the BEST.
The live version is from her performance at the ACM Awards from earlier this year.
I get chills every time I hear this song.
I remember seeing this live, and thinking that Miranda just gets better and better. Very few artists can sound perfect on the live stage, but she nails it every time.
I really hope this hits radio hard. It’s one of her best!
And if you haven’t checked out her latest album “Palomino”, you are missing out.
It’s glorious.
I can’t wait to see (and hear!) what the future holds for this Country treasure.
I was saying last week that there’s been an influx of Classic Rock in Country Music lately, and Chris Young’s latest song is more proof to that statement.
The song is called “Young Love and Saturday Night”, and it heavily samples the guitar riff from David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel”:
Again, I don’t hate it. It’s catchy as hell, and the riff makes the song.
And a Chevrolet that doesn’t run, well, a truer lyric has never been written.
Also, Chris Young lost 60 lbs, and looks awesome! I’ve always liked him because looks-wise he reminds me of my husband.
I heard that this collab was coming, and I was waiting…
I’m a HUGE 90’s Country girl, and have loved Shenandoah since I had first heard them in the early 90’s. And of course, I love Luke Combs (who doesn’t???). So, when I heard that the two artists were teaming up to remake Shenandoah’s classic “Two Dozen Roses”, I was ALL for it.
Here it is:
I mean, there’s no way that could have gone wrong.
I love that they kept the original sound, and just added Luke Comb’s fantastic vocals.
Jelly Roll is collabing with everyone and their Grandma these days.
Seriously, though, I’m not mad at it.
His latest collab is with Country singer Dustin Lynch, on a song called “Chevrolet”. It’s basically Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away”, but with a truck.
Catchy, and definitely something I can hear on Country Radio as a single. Bascially, easy tailgate listening. That should be a Country sub-genre in itself, right?
To be fair, though, I prefer Fords to Chevys, unless it’s a Corvette. But to each their own.
Dustin Lynch’s new album “Killed The Cowboy” comes out September 29th.
The Brothers Osbourne just released their self-titled fourth studio album, and on it, a collab with Miranda Lambert (who I love!) is on it.
It’s a song they co-wrote called “We Ain’t Good at Breaking Up”, and of course, it’s a jam.
I love the sound and groove of the song, and adding Miranda into anything is an instant win.
We’re just getting started on a big Fall season for Country music, so basically, start saving your money!
Here’s a list of all the new Country albums out today:
• “Bigger Houses“, Dan + Shay. This is their fifth album. Their “Heartbreak on the Map” tour kicks off in February, with Ben Rector and Hailey Whitters.
I’ve enjoyed Maren Morris’s music since the first time I heard “My Church”. My husband and I were driving from Tennessee to Kansas in 2015 I believe… and we heard “My Church” for the first time and we both were like, “YESSS!” I knew it would be a hit, and I was excited for the fresh voice and sound in Country Music. Maren would then embark on a solid Country career, and crossover with some Pop hits as well with “The Middle” and “The Bones”.
However, once 2020 and the Pandemic hit, Maren’s political differences with the majority of Country artists and fans started creating a bit of a riff.
Now, I am all for inclusion, and for different points of view. I think perhaps Maren might have come on a little too strong with her opinions for a more conservative fan base. I follow her on socials, and dammmnnn, she can really attack other artists and viewpoints that differ from her own. I know that’s her style, but it definitely didn’t help her career in Country Music. I’m not saying that she’s wrong, buttttt… there were probably kinder ways to handle things. (Dolly Parton always comes to mind when I think of someone who handles situations gracefully)
That being said, Maren does stay true to herself and her beliefs, and I do respect that.
I also respect her as an artist and a songwriter, and she is truly talented. I’ve seen her and her husband Ryan Hurd live before, and they are both incredible.
Maren has been working on a new album, and she released a two song EP this morning called “The Bridge” , and I’m thinking this may be her goodbye to the genre. Here’s what she posted on instagram: “As I’ve been working on my record non-stop this year, I realized these two songs deserved a moment of their own – a story in their own right, written a day apart from each other – a tender duo and bridge to my next album. I welcome, celebrate and grieve the changes that have happened these last few years and these two songs say it better than I ever could in a caption or interview….hope you enjoy these. ‘Wherever I’m going, I hope I’m not the only one.‘”
Take a listen:
“Get the Hell Outta Here”:
“The Tree”:
Listening to the songs, I’m thinking she’s making a not-so-subtle announcement.
Both songs, however, are vocally and lyrically on-point, and could also be relateable to anyone in tough situation- be it romantic, professional, or just a friendship that has run its course.
Well done, Maren.
Also, I’m happy to not only hear more of her original sound with these songs, but also her original look. She went a little hard on the injections, fillers, and extensions for a while. She’s so naturally pretty, and I’m happy to see she’s embracing that again as well.
And whatever path she takes, I wish her all the best. If she’s truly unhappy and uncomfortable in the Country genre, then she is right to move on. I know that with her talent, she’ll do well wherever she goes.
What do you think of Maren’s new songs? Do you think it’s a farewell to Country Music? Or at least Nashville?
Lainey Wilson is pretty much OWNING Country Music these days, and it’s extremely well-deserved. She’s amazing on and off the stage, and has been putting out some solid songs that have taken over Country Radio, as well as making her mark on “Yellowstone” and showing off her personality (and other assets) on social media.
She also just recieved the most CMA Award nominations of any artist this week, including the coveted “Entertainer of the Year” Award category.
That being said, she just released a live version of her song “Smell Like Smoke” off of her latest album “Bell Bottom Country” and I’m reallllly hoping it’s her next radio single.
To me, a mark of a great artist is how good they sound live. Lainey kills it on the stage, as well as the studio.
I seriously can’t wait to see how far she will go. She has the makings of being one of the greats!
Catch her with HARDY on “The Mockingbird and the Crow” Tour this Fall:
Audio, Video
