With the number of new country music artists popping out each year, only a few can stand out and make it to the top. Red Shahan, for instance, is among the 1% who will take over the industry soon, so to know more about him, here are some facts you should note. Red Shahan Is … Read more
In 2015, country singer Dwight Yoakam released his hit song “Second Hand Heart” as part of his album of the same title. A few weeks after its release, “Second Hand Heart” immediately climbed up the charts. This was apparent, considering Yoakam is one of the rising country artists of the 21st century. Throughout his career, … Read more
Forget the autotune for a second and think about that razing twang of a steel guitar underneath a starlit sky. That’s the magic of old country songs – the kind Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline poured their hearts into. Certainly, the pop anthems have a place, too, but these classics offer something different: a connection … Read more
With a reputation as one of country music’s most diverse artists, Conway Twitty wasn’t afraid to take on any style – including sensual ones. One particular track in that category that really stuck with fans was “I’d Love to Lay You Down.” Meaning Behind the Song Conway Twitty kicked off the ‘80s with a Johnny … Read more
In February 1957, the freshly signed Decca artist Bobby Helms took over the country genre with his chart-topping debut single “Fraulein.” The track, which was written by Lawton Williams, dominated for four weeks and went on to stay for the full 52-week stretch, which was one whole year. Thus, it is the sixth-longest song to … Read more
Loving again after your heart has been shattered into pieces is not easy, and Kenny Rogers and Anne Murray understood that. In fact, they sang a song about it titled “If I Ever Fall in Love Again.” Written by Steve Dordd and Gloria Sklerov, this country-pop duet was released by both Rogers and Murray in … Read more
We all have moments where we let ourselves dive into the world of our imagination, and the country song “All I Have To Do Is Dream” by The Everly Brothers is the perfect song for those who love walking into dreamland. Written by Boudleaux Bryant, a member of the husband-and-wife songwriting duo Felice and Boudleaux … Read more
Country and gospel often go together, with lyrics that often touch the soul or just want to rekindle that spark inside of us. A perfect example of these songs is “Let Me Live in the Light of His Love,” written by Ben Peters and originally recorded by American country music artist Charley Pride. Charley Pride … Read more
In 2020, the rising country pop star Andrea Vasquez released a relatable song titled “Runnin’ Wild” that everyone could jam to! As part of her Love Don’t Live Here – EP, “Runnin’ Wild” captured listeners’ attention, causing Vasquez to receive the fame she deserves. RELATED: 30 Country Breakup Songs to Soothe Your Soul Aside from … Read more
Termed as the “Springsteen of Country,” Bobby Bare released a melodic country song titled “Daddy What If” as part of his 1973 album, “Lullabys, Legends, and Lies.” Due to its relatively mellow tune, listening to every note feels so relaxing. Paired with Bare’s firm yet soft voice, “Daddy What If” instantly becomes a top hit … Read more
In 1949, the father of Bluegrass music, Bill Monroe, released his solo version of the 1930s gospel hit song “The Old Cross Road.” The song was initially released in 1937 by the Monroe Brothers. But after their disbandment in 1938, Bill Monroe continued his legacy of making good old country bluegrass music. Because of its … Read more
Written by Margaret Archer and Chet Atkins, the song was part of Stevens’ album Crakin’ Up! Throughout his career, Ray Stevens has made a name for himself as the Comedy King of Music City, so most of his works have a touch of comical tune and meaning. Some of his parody hits are “Gitarzan” and … Read more
In 2018, the American YouTube sensation Claire Crosby and her dad, Dave Crosby, released their cover of the hit Bebe Rexha country song “Meant to Be.” The original version of the song was released in 2017 by Bebe Rexha, featuring Florida Georgia Line, as part of Rexha’s third album, “All Your Fault.” Due to its … Read more
Noah Kahan holds the leading position of the top Americana/Folk Albums for February 2024. When Kahan released Stick Season on October 14, 2022 – which features collaborations with Hozier and Kacey Musgraves, among others – it swiftly resonated with fans that it ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums as well as Billboard’s Top … Read more
Country Queen Reba McEntire had everyone crying in just three minutes and fourteen seconds with the fourth and final single, “The Greatest Man I Never Knew,” off her 1992 album For My Broken Heart. It was a realization of all the missed opportunities and unspoken words and a reminder to take a step back and … Read more
Country singer Tracy Byrd is one of the few who made it into the country music scene off their debut album – particularly two songs. First was his third single, “Holdin’ Heaven,” also one of his career’s biggest songs, which made him a household name, and second was his remake of Johnny Paycheck’s hit “Someone … Read more
Country singer Tracy Byrd never intended to become a singer. That’s one of the many facts people knew about him. He never joined a band or choir in his entire stay in the Texas public school system, and he chose to study Business when he got into university — but one moment changed the trajectory … Read more
In September 1993, a burgeoning country artist from MCA, Tracy Byrd, broke through the genre with his third single off his self-titled debut album, “Holdin’ Heaven.” And it was quite an entrance, too, interrupting Garth Brooks’ reign on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for a week. Tracy Byrd didn’t intend to be a country … Read more
Before “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” by Taylor Swift, there was Don McLean’s “American Pie,” which ran for eight minutes and 42 seconds. McLean held the record for being the longest song to reach number one for almost 50 years until Swift dethroned him in 2021. The folk-rock anthem, written by McLean himself and … Read more
In 1986, American country pop singer Michael Johnson released another timeless hit, “Give Me Wings,” as part of his album, Wings. Right after it was released, “Give Me Wings” immediately climbed up the charts, landing at no. 1 on the “US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)” and no. 3 on the “Canadian RPM Country Tracks.” The … Read more
Willie Nelson’s Bluegrass reigns the number one spot of the Top Bluegrass Albums for January 2024 – where Nelson proves he is, without a doubt, the most prolific musical artist in American music history. In this phenomenal album, Nelson carefully selected from his extensive collection handpicked a team of talented musicians and recruited his longtime … Read more
The final track of Taylor Swift’s sixth studio album Reputation, “New Year’s Day,” was starkly different from the rest. Unlike the synth-heavy electronic production concept of the whole album, this was a stripped-down piano ballad with raw piano riffs and occasional guitar and synth notes. But it was a fitting ending to the high-octane melodrama … Read more
Irish pop group Westlife takes on one of Garth Brooks’ number-one hits, “The Dance,” off his 1990 self-titled debut album. And this track, back-to-back with “Friends in Low Places,” gave him a leg up and earned him phenomenal success. And to some fans, this track wasn’t just a chart-topper but also the country singer’s signature … Read more
As they say, there’s always a great story behind an enthralling love song like “Whenever You Come Around” by Vince Gill from his 1994 album When Love Finds You. He co-wrote the track with Pete Wasner, which Tony Brown produced under MCA. According to the credits, Trisha Yearwood also lent her voice for backing vocals. … Read more
“A masterpiece” – that was what fans called “September When It Comes,” Rosanne Cash’s final duet with her father, Johnny Cash. It was one of those few songs that completely stopped people in their tracks the moment they first listened to it. Rosanne Cash said in her interview with the American Songwriter that she had … Read more
The Oak Ridge Boys have delivered dynamic energy and distinctive sound in their songs for five decades. Despite navigating shifts in genres – from gospel to country and even venturing into pop they’ve consistently released songs that, as Duane Allen described, have “lasting value and are uplifting.” So, here are ten must-listen songs from this … Read more
Paige, Aimee, Ethan, and Daisy of Anderson Family Bluegrass astonished everyone in the little community of Grass Valley, California, when they sang “Get Down On Your Knees and Pray,” a classic by the legendary country singer Bill Monroe. Released in 1951, “Get Down On Your Knees and Pray” is composed and sung by Bill Monroe, … Read more
In 1974, Grammy-winning country singer Donna Fargo grabbed everyone’s heart again when she released the gospel song “You Can’t Be a Beacon (If Your Light Don’t Shine).” The song debuted at number one on several musical charts, including “US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)” and “Canadian RPM Country Tracks,” as part of her album “Miss Donna Fargo,” … Read more
Noah Kahan overtakes Zach Bryan on the top Americana/Folk Albums for January 2024 with his breakthrough album Stick Season. It’s amazing how the indie-folk artist was able to build a connection between the listeners and his experiences growing up in a small town in Vermont through the album’s fourteen remarkable tracks that also express Kahan’s … Read more
Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves’ aching, simmering ballad, “I Remember Everything,” has once again sat atop the top 40 country songs for January 2024. Truly, Bryan’s signature painstakingly simple yet poetic lyricism blended well with Musgraves’ unique approach to country music. Well, just like our top song, several standout collaborations are on the list! There’s … Read more