On September 26, 2016, the award-winning a capella group Pentatonix dropped what would be one of their greatest hits: a performance of the 1973 classic country hit “Jolene” with Dolly Parton herself. The collaboration, presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, earned both artists a Grammy Gold for Best Country Duo/Group Performance – the eighth … Read more
The country music band Diamond Rio is renowned for exceptional vocal performances and timeless classics. They’re a gem in the genre, one of the few self-contained bands who play and sing every note on their songs in every album. Their tireless commitment to their craft translated into success – charting singles including 7 number ones … Read more
Film and TV actor Stan Jones’ 1948 song “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky,” which he wrote himself, became a crossover hit after Vaughn Monroe recorded it a year after. Its newfound popularity encouraged singers from various backgrounds to make their own cover of the song. One that stood out and became a Western music standard … Read more
The Carter Family is a pioneer in American music history, creating its roots by collecting and adapting gospel tracks, old-time ballads, and sentimental songs. One of the Carter Family’s biggest contributions was their reworked version of “Can the Circle Be Unbroken.” The song, which was released in 1935, gained widespread appeal, becoming the biggest seller … Read more
Country artist Alan Jackson is widely known for his reputation as a country traditionalist. While everyone else’s music was influenced by pop and rock, Alan Jackson’s songs remained true to country. Part of that commitment was recording albums of gospel songs. In his 2005 Precious Memories album, Alan Jackson released his version of the popular … Read more
The legendary country singer Johnny Cash and his wife, June Carter Cash, joined the long list of artists who covered the classic country ballad “Help Me Make It Through The Night.” Just like anyone would expect, they nailed the song easily. Kris Kristofferson wrote and composed the song for his 1970 self-titled album, with Fred … Read more
The country music artist Waylon Jennings had a reputation for his gritty baritone that embodied the outlaw side of the genre. But more than his rich voice and his unmistakable twang, what really hooked listeners was his soulful delivery. And one of the Waylon Jennings’s songs that exuded that was “We Had It All” from … Read more
American country music artist Merle Haggard collaborated with actor Clint Eastwood in 1980 for a duet titled “Bar Room Buddies.” The song was written by Milton Brown, Cliff Crofford, Steve Dorff, and Snuff Garrett. It was released as the soundtrack for one of the first Clint Eastwood movies he directed, “Bronco Billy.” Meaning Behind The … Read more
After breaking off with the rest of the “Beatles” back in 1971, John Lennon continued his music career and was successful on his own. He produced several albums (some more controversial than others, such as “Double Fantasy,” which was still arguably iconic) and songs. One, in particular, stood out among the rest: “Imagine.” Using his … Read more
In 2017, Little Big Town, a musical group consisting of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook, released “When Someone Stops Loving You” as the third single of their eighth studio album, The Breaker. The song was written by Lori McKenna, Chase McGill, and Hillary Lindsey and produced by Jay Joyce. While “When … Read more
Country music fans consider “I Do (Cherish You)” singer Mark Wills to be one of the underrated singers of the genre. Mark Wills’ songs (and him as well) deserve to get so much more attention and recognition. So, here’s a quick list of some not-so-known facts about him that would hopefully pull you into him. … Read more
The country music band Diamond Rio has been around since 1989, and they’ve undeniably built an impressive music career; here’s a quick fire of facts about them: They have been named Vocal Group of the Year six times, with 14 Grammy nominations and one Grammy award for their album The Reason. They have sold over … Read more
In 1948, Eddy Arnold, an American country singer, recorded another chart-topping hit titled “Bouquet of Roses,” which reached no. 1 on the “US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)” and no. 13 on the “US Billboard Hot 100.” Born in 1918 and labeled “the Nashville sound innovator,” the well-known artist developed a passion for guitars and violin at … Read more
While still keeping the song’s rustic vibe, Danielle Bradbery also gave her own touch to Kacey Musgraves’ classic song “Slow Burn.” Danielle Bradbery was first known after she won season 4 of the hit singing competition show “The Voice” in 2013. She subsequently focused on her music for the next few years, creating amazing albums … Read more
Emmylou Harris, a well-known character in contemporary music, released a new masterpiece titled “Nobody” as part of her album “Hard Bargain” in 2011. Emmylou Harris is widely regarded as the driving force behind the country rock genre. However, it appears that the country singer has acquired an interest in folk music, which has led to the creation … Read more
Who would have imagined that more than fifty years after its release, Jerry Ott, often referred to as the “Glory Road Traveler,” would have the best cover of country music icon Walter Brennan’s iconic song “Old Rivers”? Curious? If you want to know the difference between Jerry Ott’s version and Walter Brennan’s original take on … Read more
John Berry has always performed wonderful love songs, but “There Could Never Be Another Love” might be his most heartfelt one. The song is one of 10 tracks on his 2016 album “What I Love The Most,” his first release after three years of hiatus. Meaning Behind The Song The singer’s album “What I Love … Read more
Everyone would agree that losing someone dear is never easy, and The Chicks’ “Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)” is one song that represents this heartbreaking feeling. Human as we are, we want to find ways to express our emotions. As a result, this song was used on different occasions and received different interpretations. Meaning Behind The Song … Read more
If you are looking for a song that will make you realize the true meaning of understanding one another and spreading peace and unity with everyone, Vince Gill’s “Let There Be Peace on Earth” is perfect for you. The International Children’s Choir of the Granger Dance Academy in Long Beach, California, was the first group … Read more
Tennessee Ernie Ford might not be the original singer of “In the Garden,” but his version was the most renowned. Written by a Pharmacist, C. Austin Miles, in 1913, the song talks about faith and beliefs in the Almighty God. C. Austin Miles revealed that the inspiration for writing the song came to him while … Read more
While Johnny Horton’s “Johnny Reb” was a certified hit, it was also laced with countless controversies when it was first released to the public. But it overcame the challenges and made a statement. Generally regarded as one of the most popular Johnny Horton songs in the United States, this hymn represented Southern pride and tradition. … Read more
The song “Lovesick Blues” by Hank Williams was considered the one that cemented his name as one of the best country singers of all time. But before the song’s success, Hank needed to fight to release this gem. Meaning Behind The Song The song’s roots came from the vaudeville pianist Cliff Friend, who took his … Read more
For Christians, the book that guides them to a healthy spiritual life is the Bible. Mac Wiseman’s version of “I’m Using My Bible For A Roadmap” awakens the sleeping soul with his amazing voice and particular take on the song. Just as with Mac Wiseman’s songs, “Did She Mention My Name” and “The Wild Side … Read more
Don’t we all want to feel loved? The type of love that makes us feel giddy, up and about, giving us those butterflies in our stomachs would definitely make us melt. But with Dierks Bentley’s “Say You Do,” it is a different kind of love that we somehow felt at one point in time. Written … Read more
Did you know that “Sin Wagon” by The Chicks conveys a powerful message about a woman’s role in society? It’s a song that many have loved for its catchy tune, but the message of its lyrics also stands out. The song’s message is so significant that it has become a symbol of female empowerment. It … Read more
Country singer Mark Wills has a string of impressive songs under his belt. Though he is still actively doing music and touring around, his name hasn’t quite reached the fame or sales of his contemporaries. More often than not, he’s viewed as underrated in the genre. However, what he lacked in popularity, he made up … Read more
In November 1994, Alan Jackson released his third single, “Gone Country,” off his fourth studio album, Who I Am. The song was well-received, just like the first two, “Summertime Blues” and “Livin’ on Love,” earning the top position on the Hot Country Songs chart for a week. It also nabbed a runner-up position on the … Read more
With a trademark for her emotional depth in singing, Bobbie Gentry’s signature style hardly strays away from the melody of “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.” Despite not being her own original, her rendition stood amongst the rest and was arguably one of the best Bobbie Gentry tracks in her 1969 album, Touch ‘Em with … Read more
On July 30, 2019, Billy Ray Cyrus performed Lil Nas X’s viral-track-turned-chart-topping-hit “Old Town Road” with Mason Ramsey on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Yes, that kid who went viral in 2018 after yodeling to Hank Williams’ “Lovesick Blues” at a Walmart. Their performance came in just after the controversial track (because, as … Read more
Dubbed as Country Music’s First Black Superstar, Charley Pride was also popularly known as the master of heartbroken ballads. “Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger” and “Just You and Me” are prime examples. However, he did have room for sweet songs in his discography, including “Someone Loves You Honey.” The track was written by the … Read more