The 5 Worst Songs of 2014

     2014 was seriously one of the best in recent memory for country music.  But, no year is truly perfect.  Bro-country may be finally on the demise, but there were a few floaters this past year that we couldn't quite get to go down.  These stinkers represent the embarrassing side of mainstream country.  Hopefully, as country continues to improve, this list will be less significant, but this year it still contains a lot of big songs. Cover your ears, kids, here are the 5 Worst Songs of the Year.

The 10 Best Albums of 2014

     Writing a great song is no minor feat.  It takes skill, determination, and talent to write a country song that moves people.  It is an even greater feat to write an entire album worth of great songs.  That's what these 10 artists did.  These 10 albums represent the best of country music in 2014.  From throwback records to "metamodern sounds", all facets of country music are covered here. Keep It Country Kids proudly presents the 10 Best Albums of 2014.

The 10 Best Songs of 2014

     2014 saw a noted increase of quality from the country music mainstream.  Country music is nothing without great songs; songs that touch our hearts, make us laugh and cry, make us feel something.  It is very refreshing to be able to turn on country radio and actually hear some decent, heartfelt music.  We still have a long way to go, but baby steps are important.  These 10 songs come from mainstream country, independent artists, bluegrass artists, and everything in between.  Here are the 10 Best Songs of 2014.

Shooter Jennings "Nashville From Afar" Single Review

     “Shooter Jennings isn’t a fan of the Nashville system” would be a strong contender for most obvious headline of the year. Shooter has made no secret of his disdain for the mainstream country scene that his legendary father once called home. He’s recorded anti-establishment songs like “Solid Country Gold “and “Outlaw You” , and has been a constant reminder of the crooked and devious ways of the suits in Music City. Shooter is at it again with his new single “Nashville From Afar”. I’m sure the song won’t get much attention outside of the underground world; this is a song the rest of country music needs to hear. Shooter tells it like it is and makes a strong case against the powers that be.

Eric Church "Talladega" Single Review

     Eric Church’s latest album, The Outsiders, took a lot of sonic risks. The album is a trip through country, rock, and metal that leaves more questions than it answers at times. Some of the risks paid off into fantastic songs, some of it sounds like a mess. One song that he did not take any risks on was “Talladega”. This song is not anything outlandish or different, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a great song. Sometimes, less is more.

Eric Paslay "She Don't Love You" Single Review

     2014 has been a nice turnaround for traditional country music, with mainstream artists singing songs of more substance, lesser known acts like Sturgill Simpson and Brandy Clark getting recognition, and legends like Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash releasing great new music. One of the mainstream guys who has been getting some buzz is Eric Paslay. He co-wrote “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and had a number one single with the forgettable “Friday Night”. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Eric Paslay has released one of the best songs on the radio with “She Don’t Love You”.

The Band Perry "Gentle On My Mind" Single Review

     I’m not sure if this is a popular opinion among the independent and traditional country world, but I am a fan of The Band Perry. Sure, the big hair and over the top performances on award shows in the past comes across as gimmicky and flashy, but they consistently put out some darn good songs. “Better Dig Two” has a cool, dark vibe, “If I Die Young” is a modern classic, “You Lie” and “Postcard From Paris” are great radio singles, and “Don’t Let Me Be lonely” is a fantastically written song, even if it is closer to pop than country. In today’s mainstream country wasteland, they are an actual bright spot. Their new single is a cover of “Gentle On My Mind” by Glen Campbell, and it is one of the best songs on the radio today.

Jason Aldean "Burnin' It Down" Single Review

      I haven’t really torched a song in a while. Lately, a lot of the radio singles have shown some improvement. Luke Bryan and Florida-Georgia Line put out some decent songs. Even the dorkiest goober in country music, Cole Swindell, has a decent new single. But, this song just rubs me the wrong way. Of all the “bro” country singers, Jason Aldean has bothered me the least. At least when he rapped in a country song, it was a little more daring and bold, not fomulamatic and cliché like it is now. And in between his run of the mill party ditties, he has recorded some decent songs like “Fly Over States”, “The Truth”, and “Night Train”. That being said, Jason has really set me a blaze with “Burnin’ It Down”. This song is a pathetic, mind-numbing cry for attention, and needs to be erased from my memory as soon as possible.

Garth Brooks "Man Against Machine" Album Review

     Well, it finally happened.  Garth Brooks released his big comeback album.  Many, myself included, predicted a massive changing of the guard in country music, with a return to past glory.  Those big plans never really came to fruition  Garth's debut single was underwhelming and hasn't performed well on radio.  Then came the Toby Keith circa 1999 album cover and the doubts began to rise.  What was once the most anticipated album of the last 5 years turned into a barrel of worries of misdirection.  All of that doesn't matter now.  Man Against Machine is here,  So, what do we make of this album?

Little Big Town "Pain Killer" Album Review

      Wow, where do I begin?  Little Big Town has been one of my favorite mainstream bands for quite a while.  Some of their songs like "Shut Up Train", "Sober", "Little White Church", and "Your Side of The Bed" are some of the best radio singles in recent memory.  When their last album, Tornado, dropped, I was nervous going in.  The lead single, "Pontoon", was one of the dumbest, most annoying songs I've ever heard.  The album ended up being fantastic.  This time around, they have an even more annoying lead single, "Day Drinking".  I decided to be excited for this one, as the last one was just fine despite the slow start.  I was wrong.  Pain Killer isn't the worst album I've heard, but it is a significant drop from a band that previously was fantastic.

Angaleena Presley "American Middle Class" Album Review

     When Miranda Lambert announced she was going to start a band, I had no idea what kind of fury she was releasing on country music. First, The Pistol Annies’ albums have been full of great songs. Then, Ashley Monroe drops a fantastic solo record. Angaleena Presley wrote “Fastest Girl In Town”. Now, Angaleena is all on her own, and it might be the best Pistol Annies member album yet. American Middle Class is solid songwriting through and through, and sounds timeless from cover to cover. Angaleena Presley has officially arrived.

The 48th Annual CMA Awards: Who SHOULD Win and Who WILL Win

     This Wednesday, November 5th, the 48th annual CMA Awards will take place. The Country Music Association is widely recognized as the biggest honor among country music awards. While many debate the merit of the awarding process, few will deny that a CMA Award is one of the crowning achievements of a country music career. This year’s show will be once again hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, and will once again be broadcast on ABC. There are many performances scheduled, including some head-scratching pop guests, Ariana Grande and Megan Trainor. For the third straight year, Keep It Country Kids has your complete nominees and predictions guide. Keep It Country Kids proudly presents: The 48th Annual CMA Awards: Who SHOULD Win and Who WILL Win.

Lee Ann Womack "The Way I'm Livin'" Album Review

     It's been awhile since we have heard the unequaled Lee Ann Womack grace the radio dial.  After a long hiatus, she has finally given us some new material, and it was well worth the wait.  Lee Ann Womack is an artist who has stood by her guns and kept her music traditionally grounded, yet commercially viable.  The Way I'm Livin' continues that trend.  It's not only on of Lee Ann Womack's best albums, its one of the best albums of an already stellar 2014.

Haters, Evolution, and Chinese Food

This is what Hank thinks of your silly arguments

      With the latest albums by Jason Aldean, Chase Rice, and Florida-Georgia Line drawing heavy amounts of criticism despite topping the charts, the bro-country supporters have been out in full blast, defending their music ad nauseam. They make claims of “evolution” and “if you don’t like it, don’t listen to it” and of course, the “country music doesn’t have to just be about lost dogs, lost wives, and broken-down trucks” argument. If you dare to share your opinion on the music, you get called a bully, an old man, or “close-minded”. There are so many accusations and proclamations with absolutely no truth and value in them that it can be very frustrating to even talk to these people. So, I’ve decided to deconstruct all of the tired, old arguments that the bro-country defenders drag in one all-encompassing post: Haters, Evolution, and Chinese Food.

Florida-Georgia Line "Anything Goes" Album Review

      Florida-Georgia Line teased us with some semblance of decency with their summer hit “Dirt”. The song was sincere, well written, and even had a steel-guitar buried in there. Many hoped that the subsequent album would be at least better balanced between the hick-hop/pop/rock drivel and some actual country songs. We didn’t expect them to become real artists overnight, but we expected a gradual maturation. We were wrong. Anything Goes is a total joke, not just by country music standards (duh) but by Florida-Georgia Line’s “standards” as well.

Carrie Underwood "Something In The Water" Single Review

      Carrie Underwood has been up and down the last few years, making some of the most substantial music on the radio, while also leaning her sound more and more towards a pop sound. All in all, it’s hard to say much bad about Carrie. Yeah, she isn’t exactly traditional country, but she never claims to be, and she does write and perform songs with a lot of integrity and heart. Of course, she also has one of the best pure singing voices in country music history. So, with the announcement of her first Greatest Hits album, she has released her latest singe “Something In The Water”. The song is a perfect example of Carrie’s fantastic voice, and one of her better singles in an already impressive resume.

Will Hoge "Middle Of America" Single Review

     Will Hoge had been teetering on the edge of mainstream relevancy for years before having a big radio smash when the Eli Young Band recorded his song "Even If It Breaks Your Heart".  Then, Will's own voice was heard as the spokesperson for Chevrolet with their ad campaign that featured his song "Strong".  Will was already a know commodity in the independent/underground world, but now the rest of the world was hearing him for the first time.  Will Hoge has a chance to grow his name even more with his fantastic new single "Middle of America", that many will relate to and enjoy.

Big & Rich "Gravity" Album Review

     Big & Rich are two of the hardest to pin down guys in country music. Many critics of the current country landscape point to their songs like “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy), “Comin’ To Your City”, and “Rollin’ (The Ballad of Big & Rich)” and cast blame on them for the myriad of country-rap and bro-country. But, under the surface is something much more. Sure, they have a ton of silly, obnoxious songs, but they do it in jest. They also have written some of the best country songs in the modern era, even though many were not radio hits. “When The Devil Gets The Best Of Me”, “Holy Water”, “Cheat On You”, and “8th of November” are as good as it gets in modern country. With their latest album, Gravity, Big & Rich do what they do best: keep everybody guessing. In a word of objectification of women and party songs, Big & Rich released an album full of sentimental love songs. It certainly stands out among its peers, and it definitely makes a statement.

Blake Shelton "Bringing Back The Sunshine" Album Review

     Blake Shelton had big promises with his new album Bringing Back The Sunshine.  Blake enticed his fans detractors with hints and tidbits about an album that would be a return to a country sound, with more heartfelt lyrics and more traditional arrangements.  Blake has been deeply entrenched in the bro-country vs. traditional country battleground, as he not only released the awful "Boys 'Round Here", he also made comments that referred traditional country fans as "old farts" and "jackasses".  He also has had countless public feuds on Twitter with anyone who dared to question his musical decisions.  All of that had but Blake on a lot of people's you-know-what list.  One solid album of real country would completely change that negative backlash.  Bringing Back The Sunshine doesn't fulfill all the hype that Blake let on, but that doesn't mean this is a bad album.

Tim McGraw "Sundown Heaven Town" Album Review

      Tim McGraw has always been a mystery to me.  almost every year, he will release on of my favorite singles of the year, and he always has one I despise as well.  Perhaps he is good at being well-balanced and playing both sides of the fence.  Perhaps he is inconsistent.  Perhaps he simply follows the trends and doesn't have any real backbone to his sound.  In short, the answer is yes.  So, Sundown Heaven Town is pretty much what you'd expect:  some great country songs, some mediocre filler, and some total head-scratchers.  But, in Tim's defense, this album leans way more toward the great side.  For a guy who seemed to be heading towards a serious midlife crisis, Tim McGraw released a pretty solid album.

The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 10: 10-1

     We've already covered 90 of the best songs in country music history.  Now, we finally have gotten to the top ten.  These ten songs, in my opinion, are the ten songs that shaped, progressed, or defined the genre in one way or another.  Hopefully, you will hear a new song for the first time through this and learn a little something about country music history.  Thank you everyone who has taken this journey with me.  This series has been the most difficult and the most rewarding thing I've ever created for this site.  Now, without further ado, Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 10: 10-1.

Blake Shelton Needs To Grow Up

     When I was just a young child, my mother gave me advice about bullies. She told me to ignore them, and they would leave me alone. As a child, I thought that was the dumbest thing I’d ever heard. As an adult I've realized that, like usual, mama was right. Apparently Blake Shelton never listened to this age old piece of advice. I’m not the biggest Blake Shelton fan, but I've gone out of my way to defend him on this site a few times. I thought the “old farts and jackasses” comment was incredibly dumb, but the reactions were overly harsh. I gave “Neon Light” a solid review. But, as Blake’s fame rises, his intellect seems to shrink. I can’t believe I’m saying these words, but Blake needs to be more like Luke Bryan. Shut up, make your music, and do your thing. By constantly defending himself and egging on the naysayers, Blake Shelton is causing drama and unrest where it is unnecessary, and hurting other people in the process. It is time for Blake Shelton to grow up.

Tyler Farr "A Guy Walks Into A Bar" Single Review

     Tyler Farr has been chugging along, putting out a few singles to radio and getting his name out there. While I initially liked “Redneck Crazy”, the more I heard it, the more I realized the underlying creepiness of the song. His next single “Whiskey In My Water” was just cliché and bland to me, so Tyler Farr really didn’t have my interest. This new single has my spidey sense tingling, however. It’s a clever play off of an old joke, and it’s perfect for country radio. “A Guy Walks Into A Bar” is another big step in the right direction for mainstream country music.

Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill "Meanwhile Back At Mama's" Single Review

     Tim McGraw has got to be the most up and down country performer of all time. Half the time he is putting out terrible songs like “Truck Yeah” and “Lookin’ For That Girl” and making you cringe, and the other half he puts out “Better Than I Used To Be” and “Live Like You Were Dying” to prove he can still knock one out of the park. “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s” has him back on the positive side of the tracks, as this is one of the strongest songs of the year.

Brad Paisley "Moonshine In The Trunk" Album Review

     Brad Paisley has been a little bit of a mystery this past year.  Wheelhouse was a strong album in my opinion, but the sales and hit singles just weren't there.  Brad has been extremely successful throughout his career, and has always managed to keep his music traditional and commercial.  With lower sales, one had to wonder whether Moonshine In The Trunk would be a sell-out to pander to the lowest common denominator, or if Brad would hold his ground and either rise again or crash and burn on his own terms.  I'm happy to say that Brad stood his ground.  Moonshine In The Trunk is another solid Brad Paisley album and a fun ride from start to finish.

Eric Church "Cold One" Single Review

     Eric Church has had quite the eventful 2014. From releasing a polarizing new album, to firing up a headlining tour, to cranking out radio singles, Eric has been all over the news. While The Outsiders had a lot of missteps and self-indulgent songs that didn't quite click, it also had some gems. “Cold One” is one of the highlights. It’s the perfect blend of summer fun and crafty songwriting that makes “Cold One” an obvious choice to be a big single.

The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 9: 20-11

     The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time continues with Part 9: 20-11. As we push ahead toward the greatest song of all time, we get to experience some of the best that country music has to offer. I hope as you make this journey, you see one of your favorite songs, rehear an old classic you may have forgotten about, and, most importantly, you learn some of the greatest songs for the first time. Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 9: 20-11.

Blake Shelton "Neon Light" Single Review

     Blake Shelton is back on the radio waves with the lead single to his upcoming album Bringing Back The Sunshine titled "Neon Light".  Blake has never been one to be subtle, as he notedly called fans of traditional country "old farts and jackasses" a few years back.  In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Blake claimed that "Neon Light" mixed some elements of other musical genres' influences, but the heart and soul of it was still country.  I rolled my eyes at that comment.  Then I listened to the song and I'll be darned, he wasn't kidding.  "Neon Light" isn't traditional country, but it isn't a bad effort in the shoddy mess that is mainstream country radio.

Jake Owen "What We Ain't Got" Single Review

     Lost in the shuffle of the dance beats and screaming guitars of today's country music is the simplicity that made country music what it is.  Some of the best songs in history are understated, sparse, and honest.  No frills, no artsy metaphors, no grandiose production.  Just an artist with something to say, straightforward and to the heart.  "I Walk The Line", "Crazy", and "Stay" are just a few in the long line of great songs that are simple and heartfelt.  "What We Ain't Got" by Jake Owen is the latest, but it faces the toughest challenge.  This song comes in an era where loud and proud is the name of the game, and sad and simple just doesn't sell.  Jake Owen has guts to get this song out there, but I think he will be rewarded with a lot of hardware at the CMA and ACM awards.  "What We Ain't Got" is country music at it's very best.

Sunny Sweeney "Provoked" Album Review

 

     Country music is meant to come from the heart, full of passion and heartache that bring a tear to your eye or a smile to your face.  While fun and silly songs have their place, country music is adult music full of adult themes.  While it isn't required, it always helps if you live out the stories in these songs.  Sunny Sweeney's life has been a country song.  After going through a divorce and being dropped from her major label, Sunny Sweeney fought back the old fashioned way: with a pen and a guitar.  The result is a incredibly personal album with love, regret, heartache, and some smiles.  Provoked is easily among the strongest releases of the year and adds to Sunny's impressive resume.

Jon Pardi "Write You A Song" Album Review

     As I mentioned in my "What I Can't Put Down" Single Review, I hadn't really payed much attention to Jon Pardi.  I didn't dislike him, but when his album Write You A Song came out in January, I didn't check it out.  That was a big mistake on my part.  After hearing his cool single "What I Can't Put Down", I got a copy of it, and I am very impressed.   Jon Pardi is bringing some of the traditional country elements back to mainstream world, and his first album is a fantastic debut.

The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 8: 30-21

      The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time continues with Part 8: 30-21. As we push ahead toward the greatest song of all time, we get to experience some of the best that country music has to offer. I hope as you make this journey, you see one of your favorite songs, rehear an old classic you may have forgotten about, and, most importantly, you learn some of the greatest songs for the first time. Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 8: 30-21.

Maddie & Tae "Girl In A Country Song" Single Review

      New country duo Maddie & Tae have made a big splash with their debut single "Girl In A Country Song".  The girls have made a bold statement, echoing the complaints of many country fans by calling out the sexist, immature nature of many of the male singers who take part in the cultural phenomenon that is "bro-country".  So, this means its time to rally behind these girls and let them lead the charge to fight the trash that comes out of Nashville, right?  Not so fast.  I like the sentiment of this song, but I'm not sure their motives are totally in line with their message.

Garth Brooks is Back! Now What?

     On September 4, 2014, Garth Brooks will play the first date of his highly anticipated comeback tour in Chicago, Illinois.  Garth Brooks stepped away from the music industry a number of years ago, and, apart from a few flare-ups here and there, he has kept to his word of staying off the radar until his daughter graduated high school.  Garth has been playing it smart: first with a series of shows in Las Vegas that culminated in a live national television event to get his name back in the headlines.  He then released Blame It All On My Roots, a box set of albums that focused on all of Garth's musical influences, and also featured his greatest hits and a concert DVD of his Wynn Las Vegas production.  Yes, Garth is coming back full swing, but what can we expect from the former leading male in country music?  The country music world has changed so much in the years since Garth left that its hard to believe this is the same genre he once reigned over.  But, I have faith that Garth will not only keep his music grounded, he will right some wrongs with traditional fans and bring some real country music back to the spotlight.

Florida-Georgia Line "Dirt" Single Review

     Florida-Georgia Line is back with the debut single from their yet-to-be-named upcoming album.  I don't need to rehash anything here, everyone who knows me or reads this site knows my feelings on Florida-Georgia Line.  No substance, overbearing, pop-rap wannabes, blah blah blah.  But, with "Dirt", we are seeing a whole new side of these guys.  I'm not declaring them the next George Strait or anything, but this is a gigantic, huge step in the right direction.  Sit down for second before you read this next line.  I like the new Florida-Georgia Line single.

The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 7: 40-31

     The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time continues with Part 7: 40-31.  As we push ahead toward the greatest song of all time, we get to experience some of the best that country music has to offer.  I hope as you make this journey, you see one of your favorite songs, rehear an old classic you may have forgotten about, and, most importantly, you learn some of the greatest songs for the first time.  Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 7: 40-31.

Old Crow Medicine Show "Remedy" Album Review

     Old Crow Medicine Show had quite a year in 2013.  They had a song they co-wrote hit number one on the country charts, embarked on a tour that saw them play shows across the United States and Europe, and became members of The Grand Ole Opry.  They are the epitome of the American Dream, going from literally playing for tips in front of the Opry to stars on the show.  And throughout that journey, they have stayed true to their style and sound, creating an iconic and memorable presentation that is inspiring and riveting.  Their latest output is titled Remedy, and as the title suggests, it is a perfect remedy for the often ailing world of country music.

Zac Brown Band "All Alright" Single Review

     Zac Brown and his boys are one of the brightest of stars in mainstream country music.  They frequently put out music that is very commercial, yet deeply rooted in soul and tradition.  They know how to write a song that pushes the genre forward while staying true to its roots.  All this from a band who considers themselves more of a southern rock band than an actual country band.  When the boys got together with rock & roll legend and Foo Fighters front-man Dave Grohl, the results were very intriguing.  One of the songs from the Dave Grohl produced EP is their current single, "All Alright".    It's another shining example of the artistic prowess that the Zac Brown Band exudes.

Jon Pardi "What I Can't Put Down" Single Review

     Jon Pardi is a singer-songwriter from California.  While he has released a few singles, nothing has really peaked my interest quite yet.  Nothing offended me, but I wasn't really paying attention.  That has all changed with his newest single, "What I Can't Put Down".   I find myself instantly drawn in when I hear this song on the radio, and for good reason.  It strikes a chord in country music that is vastly under-represented: fun, rocking songs that still sound country and aren't mind-numbing cliches.  "What I Can't Put Down" is interesting, clever, and even fun.  It can be done.  How about that?

The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 6: 50-41

     The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time continues with Part 6: 50-41.  As we push ahead toward the greatest song of all time, we get to experience some of the best that country music has to offer.  I hope as you make this journey, you see one of your favorite songs, rehear an old classic you may have forgotten about, and, most importantly, you learn some of the greatest songs for the first time.  Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 6: 50-41.

Jake London "Runaway Heart" Album Review

     Jake London's recent single "Somewhere Down The Road" is one of my favorite songs of the year.  Its blend of many different styles struck a chord with me and created the perfect genre-blending hit.  I claimed in my review that if the song was a preview of the full album, the album would be one of the best of the year.  Well, it was and Runaway Heart is a knockout from start to finish.

Willie Nelson "Band of Brothers" Album Review

     Sometimes, an entertainer grows bigger than a genre, bigger than a musical styling, and simply becomes a vital piece of American culture that is institutionalized into our hearts.  Willie Nelson is one of those entertainers.  Willie has been around for what seems like forever, writing hits for Patsy Cline, Faron Young, and Ray Price, changing country music history forever in the '70's with Waylon Jennings, and serving as an ambassador for traditional country music to a new generation over the last few decades.  Rather than rest on his historical laurels, Willie has been hitting the pen and paper, the studio, and the road.  The result is a new headlining tour and a new full length album full of new, original Willie Nelson songs that proves the man not only still has it, he is still light-years ahead of his contemporaries in the country music world.

The Top 10: Johnny Cash

     Johnny Cash is more than a country music singer, he is an American legend.  Johnny was a master of bringing the everyday American's story to song form.  His discography is not just a playlist, but a national treasure.  In late March, an album Johnny recorded in the 1980's titled Out Among The Stars was released for the first time and hit number one on the country charts.  To celebrate, Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The Top 10: Johnny Cash.  Cutting down Johnny's massive song collection to 10 was near impossible, but I feel this is a great, but tiny, collection from The Man In Black.

The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 5: 60-51

     The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time continues with Part 5: 60-51.  As we push ahead toward the greatest song of all time, we get to experience some of the best that country music has to offer.  I hope as you make this journey, you see one of your favorite songs, rehear an old classic you may have forgotten about, and, most importantly, you learn some of the greatest songs for the first time.  Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 5: 60-51.

Miranda Lambert "Platinum" Album Review

     Miranda Lambert is back with the release of her fifth studio album, Platinum. Miranda has been one of the few bright spots in mainstream country over the years. Miranda has had the odds stacked against her in two different ways. As men dominate the charts with songs with all flash and no substance, Miranda is a female with deep, introspective songs and she still has success. Platinum is a big project, with 16 tracks to take in. It has its hit and miss moments, but overall Platinum is another great album from one of country’s most talented artists.

Brantley Gilbert "Just As I Am" Album Review

     Brantley Gilbert looks the part for the poster child of the bro-country movement.  His affliction shirt, earrings, tattoos, and gaudy jewelry reek of a guy pushing a hardcore image to unsuspecting fans.  While Brantley lives up his reputation in many of his songs, he has often showed a sensitive side that reveals some emotional songwriting.  If you bought Just As I Am looking for a hard-rocking jam-fest, you may be disappointed.  While this may not be the greatest album I've ever heard, or even among the best of a strong 2014 for album releases, Just As I Am is certainly surprising with it's honesty and emotion.

The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 4: 70-61

   

     The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time continues with Part 4: 70-61.  As we push ahead toward the greatest song of all time, we get to experience some of the best that country music has to offer.  I hope as you make this journey, you see one of your favorite songs, rehear an old classic you may have forgotten about, and, most importantly, you learn some of the greatest songs for the first time.  Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 4: 70-61.

Sunny Sweeney "Bad Girl Phase" Single Review

     Sunny Sweeney is back with her new single "Bad Girl Phase".  Sunny released one of the best mainstream albums in recent memory with her stellar Concrete.  The album produced the top 10 hit "From A Table Away" and had nothing but solid country gold from start to finish.  Sunny looked to be on the fast track to the top, but she since was cut from her label and faded off the public mind.  Thankfully, she is back and  with even more spunk than she ever showed before.

Sturgill Simpson "Metamodern Sounds in Country Music" Album Review

      Sturgill Simpson has gone from relative unknown to the hottest thing in underground country in just two short years.  The rise of Sturgill can be primarily attributed to two things: his flawless voice and stellar songwriting.  It's funny that in a world so obsessed with find the next big thing and the next hot sound, they forget that writing excellent songs and singing them really well is still the universal language that all music fans can understand.  That's what Sturgill does.  While his stellar debut High Top Mountain was a throwback to his musical upbringing, Metamodern Sounds In Country Music is all about the future.  With Sturgill Simpson at the mic, the future of country music is in good hands.

Remembering Keith Whitley

    25 years ago today, country music saw one of its brightest stars burn out far too early.  Keith Whitley was one of the finest singers to ever grace the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and the airwaves of country radio.  Keith was a champion of traditional country music and bluegrass.  He helped mix the sounds of yesterday with the current trends of the late 80's to create a sound that had across the board appeal.  Sadly, as often the case, Keith brought some of those sad old drinking songs to life one too many times.  Today, Keep It Country Kids remembers the great Keith Whitley.