Tim McGraw "Humble And Kind" Single Review

     Tim McGraw has taken an unlikely role as the go-to guy for real country on the radio. During the mid 2000’s, he was one of the ones to draw the ire of most traditional fans. When he released “Truck Yeah”, he was squarely in the crossfires. However, after a string of strong singles, Tim has been quite the torch bearer for music of substance. His latest single, “Humble And Kind”, is no different. Once again Tim has released a great single to radio and had it perform well.

Tim McGraw "Damn Country Music" Album Review

     In mainstream country music, few names hold as much clout as Tim McGraw. Tim has been a superstar since the mid 90’s, and while many of his fellow 90’s country acts are fading from the radio play and big tours, Tim’s star shines as bright as ever. I’ve made no secret in the past as to why this is. Tim McGraw is the best trend chaser in country music.  Tim has a song for the sound that is popular in the mainstream for each mini-era of his career. Line dancing? “Indian Outlaw”. Late 90’s slick, but traditional-leaning country? “Where The Green Grass Grows”. Over-produced 2000’s pop-country? “Live Like You Were Dying”. Bro-country? “Truck Yeah”. This push towards adult contemporary country? “Highway Don’t Care”. Tim is a master at keeping an ear to what’s popular and finding his own version of it to stay relevant. Whether that earns him your respect or disdain is your call. Now, with country at a crossroads, Tim has to make a stand. We are at a point where you either make your money standing your ground for traditional country or sell out 100% to make noise.  Not much in-between.  While Tim still tries to play both sides of the fence, I’m happy to say that Damn Country Music is much closer to the right side of things rather than the wrong.

Attention Real Country Music Fans: We Are Winning

      Anyone who knows anything about country music knows that there is a longstanding and intense war being waged for the soul of country music. Tradition and fortune are at odds seemingly every day now. Traditionalists are fighting to keep country music rooted in the history that made the genre great, while moving forward to new heights. Mainstream country wants to make as much money as possible, while turning country music into a rock/rap/pop hybrid, citing claims of “evolution” and “progress”. While the fight has looked bleak for the true fans like me, the tides have turned. Not only are we making headway, I would go as far to say that right now we are winning the fight for country music.

Tim McGraw with Catherine Dunn "Diamond Rings and Old Barstools" Single Review

     Tim McGraw ends up as the butt of my criticism many times. I have given Tim grief for always chasing trends and not being the most original artist. But credit is due where credit is due, and lately, Tim has been a part of the solution, not the problem. Lately, as country has taken a turn towards the traditional fare again, here is Tim with some traditional singles. I’m not complaining, but I stand by the fact that Tim is a follower, not a leader. The bottom line simply comes to the point that no matter what the reasoning, we are getting some good work from Tim McGraw. “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s” was a bright spot on the radio last year, and “Shotgun Rider” wasn’t bad either. But, Tim has now released the best song from his latest album, Sundown Heaven Town, to radio. “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools” is simply a great country song.

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.

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.

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.

The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 1: 100-91

     Keep It Country Kids is proud to announce we have hit 100 posts!  It's a big milestone for a small, independent blog of this nature, so to celebrate, we are taking on the largest undertaking on the site yet!  Beginning right here with post 100, we will countdown the 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time. There isn't a specific formula to the process, but it is a combination of personal taste, success of song, and historical impact on the genre.  There are songs from every decade, every style, and every era of country music.  Hopefully you will learn a little bit of country music history, hear some of your old favorites, and (most importantly) hear some of these classics for the first time.  Keep It Country Kids is proud to present The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 1: 100-91

Tim McGraw "Lookin' For That Girl" Single Review

     Tim McGraw continues his desperate search for relevancy with his latest single "Lookin' For That Girl". Tim was responsible for some of the biggest hits of the 90's and early 2000's, including classics like "Where The Green Grass Grows" and "Live Like You Were Dying". When you have the kind of career Tim has had, you have two options: Ride off gallantly into the sunset on top of your game and true to yourself, or tragically cling to the fame and success and sell your soul for one last shot to be cool. Tim has unfortunately been consistently choosing the latter.

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 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????