The 5 Worst Songs of 2012

Well, it's been all fun and sunshine here at Keep It Country Kids the past few posts.  Looking back at the best of 2012 has been fun and nostalgic.  Now, we must look at the bad.  Which artist are to blame for bringing us some of the worst garbage in 2012?  Take a look at the countdown...

The 5 Best Albums of 2012

     As we continue to look back at all that was 2012, we move on to the albums list.  Writing a great song is a great feat.  Writing a full album of great songs is a whole nother story.  A great album front to back is a rare accomplishment in country music today, but this year featured some great ones.  Who comes away with the Keep It Country Kids Album of the Year?

The 10 Best Songs of 2012

2012 has come and almost gone.  Now, it's time to look back on the best and worst of the year.  First, we will look at the 10 best songs, followed by the Top 5 albums and the Worst 5 songs of the year.  The songs chosen for this list were either tracks on albums released in 2012, or a single released in 2012.  Who walks away with the best song of the year????

Throwback Thursdays: "Stand By Your Man" -Tammy Wynette

The latest round of Throwback Thursdays features the Queen of country music, Tammy Wynette.  "Stand By Your Man" is hailed by many critics as one of the top 5 best country songs of all time, if not the best.  If you know anything about her rocky marriage to country star George Jones, I'm sure she has lived this song a million times over.  Tammy hits the big notes in this song with little effort, and few can match the vocal power she possessed. This is the very definition of the word classic.  Take it away, Tammy!

Throwback Thursdays: "He Stopped Loving Her Today" -George Jones

     Keep It Country Kids is proud to present our new feature, Throwback Thursdays.  Following along in the popularity of the Twitter theme, each Thursday there will be a classic country song featured on the site.  We kick it off with, in my opinion, the greatest country song of all time, "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones.  Enjoy!

Aaron Lewis "The Road" Album Review

     When I heard Aaron Lewis had a full blown country album in the works, I was not intrigued.  I wasn't a fan of his EP last year, and the lead single, "Endless Summer" was pretty bland in my opinion.  So, I went in to this album expecting nothing, and I am very pleasantly surprised to say that this album is pretty darn good.

     

Waylon Wednesday "Waymore's Blues"

Keep It Country Kids is proud to present Waylon Wednesdays!!!  Every Wednesday, we will feature a different video of the great Waylon Jennings.  For the first week, I have selected an acoustic performance of "Waymore's Blues".  I love watching the chemistry between Waylon and his wife Jessi Colter.  I hope you all enjoy this feature, and get to know and love some of ol' hoss' music!

Gary Allan "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)" Single Review

     Gary Allan recently released his new single "Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)" from his upcoming album, Set You Free, due in early 2013. Gary has been away from radio for awhile, but if this single is a preview of the album to come, he has some great things planned for us.

The Band Perry "Better Dig Two" Single Review

     The Band Perry has released their newest song to the radio and iTunes, titled "Better Dig Two".  This is the first single off of the Rick Rubin produced follow up album to their self titled debut, which should be released in early 2013.  So, did The Band Perry regress, or move forward with this new single?

Kenny Chesney "El Cerrito Place" Single Review

Kenny Chesney's latest single, "El Cerrito Place" is currently climbing the charts.  Some of you may recognize this song from the Charlie Robinson version of 2004.  I have always been a fan of the song since I heard Charlie perform it, but how does Kenny's stack up?

The 46th Annual CMA Awards: Who Will Win, and Who SHOULD Win

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will host the 46th Annual CMA awards on Thursday, November 1.  The CMAs are the cream of the crop in an overloaded country music award circle.  CMAs hold more weight than an ACM, and certainly hold more weight than the gimmicky ACAs and CMT awards.  Every year there are shocks and snubs, and I'm sure this year will be no different.  Without further ado, here is your official Keep It Country Kids CMA preview.

Jason Aldean "Night Train" Album Review

Jason Aldean's 5th studio album, Night Train, just dropped last week.  Jason has officially crossed the barrier from solid act to bonafide superstar.  The unveiling of a stadium tour that coincided with the album release proves this.  Few country acts can sell out big stadiums, but the powers that be have decided Jason Aldean is in that mold.  But how does Night Train stack up to his lofty expectations??

Dwight Yoakam "3 Pears" Album Review

     It's been around 7 years since we've heard from the king of Country Cool, Mr. Dwight Yoakam.  He tends to keep busy with his movie adventures, but we have been itching for new music from the living legend.  Blame The Vain, his last studio album, was a decent effort, but something was missing.  Whatever it was, he found it here.  3 Pears is a musical treat, and a solid album.

Welcome

My boot on the famed circle at the Grand Ole Opry

Howdy!  Welcome to my site, Keep It Country Kids.  This site is a tribute to my love of country music.  I will offer my opinions on singles, albums, tours, award shows, and other basic country music news.  I have a wide variety of tastes.  I am a traditionalist when it comes to country music.  I am most happy when listening to a mix of 40's-70's country, Jimmie Rodgers, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Kitty Wells, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Left Frizzell, Buck Owens, Conway Twitty, and of course, Waylon Jennings.  Country music is built on these men and women, and should continue along the paths they forged.  However, I also understand the changing culture of music and enjoy some of the new top 40 artist, who are wonderful in their own right.  I appreciate modern singers who take risks and push country forward, but respect the sound and the art form of traditional country.  Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Chris Young, Jamey Johnson, Zac Brown Band, and of course, Alan Jackson and George Strait are fine members of the country music world and keep the torch burning.  Underground and XXX artists are on my radar as well, people like J.B. Beverley, The Turnpike Troubadours, Blackberry Smoke, Hank III, and Shooter Jennings push country's boundaries to new and exciting places.  I think my unique stance of appreciating top 40 and traditional/underground offers a new perspective, not simply if its mainstream it sucks, or if it isn't on radio it sucks, but a open door to all country has to offer.  I hope you enjoy my insight into the country music world.  Keep it country, kids!!!!