Lady Antebellum "Compass" Single Review

     Lady Antebellum released their latest album, Golden, earlier in 2013.  The album has produced two well performing singles, neither of which I particularly loved or was offended by.  When I heard they were releasing a new song that wasn't included on the album, I figured they must have found a single they wanted to get out NOW before someone else did.  It turns out, "Compass" is what they found, and they were right to jump on it.  This is a pretty solid song.

The 47th Annual CMA Awards: Who WILL Win and Who SHOULD Win

      The 47th Annual CMA Awards will take place on Wednesday, November 6, 2014.  The CMAs are the highest honor in country music, winning places you along the likes of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, George Strait, and many other legends of country music. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host.  Brad and Carrie usually do a solid job of picking on artists through their entertaining monologues, and keeping up with fresh topics and touching on some country music history as well.  It is surprising that Brad is hosting despite not gaining a single nomination.  Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves lead the pack of  nominees.  There will always be shocks, surprises, and unforgettable moments.... Now, on to the predictions!

Kellie Pickler "Little Bit Gypsy" Single Review

     Kellie Pickler recently released her second single from her highly anticipated The Woman I Am album.  This album is the follow-up to her critically acclaimed, traditional leaning 100 Proof.  Kellie won the Keep It Country Kids Album of The Year for 2012 and wowed critics all over with her new sound and approach.  Kellie released "Someone Somewhere Tonight" as the lead single, fresh off her Dancing with The Stars win, and now she is back at it again with "Little Bit Gypsy".

Dierks Bentley "I Hold On" Single Review

      After the stellar "Bourbon in Kentucky" stalled on  country charts, Dierks Bentley has decided to release a second single off his upcoming album Riser.  "I Hold On" is the next song from an album that Dierks claims is emotional and meaningful to him.  The first single was a heck of a sad song, while this one has a much brighter message.  The results are similar, though.  Dierks knows how to blend country with heart and soul with the modern sounds of today to create some great, memorable tunes.

Eric Church "The Outsiders" Single Review

     Eric Church has been doing a good job of staying creative and fresh in a mind-numbingly unoriginal mainstream country format.  He has seamlessly blended hard rock and classic country to create a unique sound that was fully realized with his stellar album Chief.  Eric has taken some time off to try to follow up that great album, and "The Outsiders" is our first taste of the new material.

Kacey Musgraves "Same Trailer, Different Park" Album Review

     Kacey Musgraves set the mainstream country world on fire in early 2013.  In a landscape overrun with cliches and objectification, Kacey Musgraves has put storytelling and simple arrangements back into the radio forefront.  It isn't without it's missteps, but Same Trailer, Different Park is one of the best albums to hit mainstream this year.

Throwback Thursday: Remembering Johnny Cash

     10 years ago today, we lost Johnny Cash.  Johnny Cash was a pillar of not only country music, but American music.  His love for the storytelling and emotion of a song was surpassed only by his love for June, who also passed away 10 years ago this year.  Johnny Cash was arguably the greatest country singer of all time, and is listed as an influence on countless artists.  He could do it all.  He worked with everyone from Elvis Presley to Waylon Jennings to Rick Rubin to Bob Dylan.  He recorded songs penned by anyone from Shel Silverstein to Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.  He sang songs about murder and drugs followed by a gospel song.  He could tell a story and break your heart like no other.  Johnny Cash IS country music.  Keep It Country Kids thanks the Man in Black for being a giant of music, and a giant of a human being.  Thank you for keeping it country, Johnny.  We miss you and June every day, and your music still lives on.

      The best way to celebrate Johnny is through his music, so here are some of my favorites.

Keith Urban "Fuse" Album Review

     When Keith Urban joined the cast of American Idol, I was worried.  The Voice took Blake Shelton from a guy standing up for true country to a fame obsessed sell-out.  Keith already leaned towards the fringe of country, but he still appealed to me because of his amazing guitar skills and dedication to honoring country music history by reaching out to work with traditionalists outside of the mainstream and donating time and money to the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Keith has always walked the line of country, pop, and rock very closely, sometimes falling one way or the other.  Fuse is still on that line, but with maybe a few more steps away from country.

Gary Allan "It Ain't The Whiskey" Single Review

     Gary Allan has announced the third single from his latest album Set You Free will be "It Ain't The Whiskey".  Gary has been on a strong run of great radio singles lately, with "Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)" and "Pieces" being two of my favorites of the past year.  Gary has set a high bar for himself, but he manages to surpass the lofty expectations with possibly his best single to date.

Eli Young Band "Drunk Last Night" Single Review

     The Eli Young Band recently released their new single "Drunk Last Night" to country radio.  EYB really broke through with their last album Life At Best, spawning three hit singles, and the biggest song on the radio in 2012, "Even If It Breaks Your Heart".   They have some big expectations now.  After the level of success they have already had, now is the time to see if they will continue to be a major force, or if their star will flicker out.