Let me just start off this post like this: Mickey Guyton is fantastic. I've been listening to this 4 song E.P. on repeat for the last week since it's release, and each track is really great. I can't put my finger on it, but Mickey definitely reminds me of another performer, perhaps a bit of Lee Ann Womack? I'm not sure, but something is there!
"Better Than You Left Me," is definitely the strongest track on this E.P., but its very close. Any of these songs could find success on mainstream country radio. "Somebody Else Will" touches a bit on the "pop" end of the country fence, but that doesn't detract from it's quality one bit.
I had already been very excited to see Mickey open for Brad Paisley in a few weeks, but after getting ahold of her new material, the show can't come soon enough! While I don't think more music should be rushed, but anything else that we can get from Guyton will certainly be added to my music collection.
If you have heard "Better Than You Left Me", yet still haven't pulled this trigger on this E.P., DO IT NOW. If there has been any better time to support the most talented women in country music, and Mickey is in that party, the time is now.
(Author's note: I am not a professional music critic. I have no prior training in any sort of music theory, nor do I possess musical talents of my own. I do however, know what I like, when I hear it. While these are my opinions only, I would love to have your feedback. Enjoy!)
It's a rainy day here in Ohio, and boy do the crops need it! Today is also Sunday, which means ints time for another entry in our 90's country music countdown! I know that last week I said that we would be likely moving to our new DOT COM site before this week's blog came to be, however, we have recently been in contact with a professional web designer who is going to help make our website far better than I could do myself. We will be meeting in mid-June, so hopefully our official home will follow shortly after! BORN Country's 505 Favorite Country Singles of the 90's! 350. Lee Roy Parnell - Tender Moment
Album: Love Without Mercy
Year: 1993
Country/blues guitar master, Lee Roy Parnell, released 4 singles to country radio without touching down in the Top 40 chart. Parnell's album "Love Without Mercy" brought much more luck to the table. Three of the 4 singles, including "Tender Moment," reached the Top 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
349. Diamond Rio - Night Is Fallin' On My Heart
Album: Love A Little Stronger
Year: 1994
Diamond Rio's "Love A Little Stronger" is another album I remember buying through the BMG music service in the mid-ninties. "Night" is hands down one of the easiest Diamond Rio songs to sing-a-long to. The group recently released a live CD/DVD set, but haven't put out new material since 2009. Let's keep our fingers crossed that there is a new project in the works!
The first radio single from Garth's 1997 album, "Sevens", was written by long time friend of Brooks, Steve Wariner, who has also been featured in our countdown.
347. BlackHawk - Like There Ain't No Yesterday
Album: Strong Enough
Year: 1995
I've always considered BlackHawk to have one of the most distinguishable sounds in country music. Back in high school, there is no doubt that BlackHawk's "Greatest Hits" CD was one of the most played discs in my ol' 1992 Ford Explorer. I am absolutely thrilled that I will be seeing these guys perform for the second time, this summer. They sound exactly the same live, as they do on disc!
346. Lee Ann Womack - I'll Think Of A Reason Later
Album: Some Things I Know
Year: 1998
Making her debut on our 90's countdown, Lee Ann Womack! I'll say it right now, the fact that Womack has not blown up again on country music after the release of her latest album, "The Way I'm Livin'", is an absolute CRIME. If you haven't heard it, BUY it now. Womack is probably best known for her 2000 hit "I Hope You Dance", but she has so much more to offer, and her strongest material came AFTER her "Greatest Hits" album!
345. Dwight Yoakam - I Ain't That Lonely Yet
Album: This Time
Year: 1993
That thing I said about BlackHawk having an easily distinguishable sound? Enter Dwight Yoakam. No one in the past 25 years, sounded like Dwight in the mainstream. "Lonely" is about that place in which one has to convince themselves that while heartbroken, going BACK to the one who caused the pain in the first case, won't solve your problem. Dwight reached #2 on the Hot Country Songs chart, in 1993.
344. Rhett Akins - That Ain't My Truck
Album: A Thousand Memories
Year: 1995
What a solid country song. Despite only hitting the Top 10 twice, throughout the 90's, Thomas Rhett's daddy charted eleven singles on the Hot Country Songs chart. I think it pretty wild, the difference between Akins Sr.'s country music and his son's. I've been a fan of the majority of Jr.'s work so far (with the exception of his current single, "Crash And Burn"), but its almost like two different worlds!
343. Vince Gill - What The Cowgirls Do
Album: When Love Finds You
Year: 1994
We haven't heard from Vince Gill for awhile on our list! While mostly known for slower songs of heartbreak, the occasional Vince Gill, honky tonk rock song would sneak through the cracks on country radio. This song, along with the video, is just plain fun. Gill too "Cowgirls" to #2 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
342. Dolly Parton - Romeo (Feat. Billy Ray Cyrus, Tanya Tucker, Pam Tillis, Kathy Mattea & Mary Chapin Carpenter
Album: Slow Dancing With The Moon
Year: 1993
This may be the best worst song on our countdown, so prepare yourself. Throughout 1992, Billy Ray and Achy Breaky Heart were the hottest things going in country music. While Dolly is one of country music's all-time greats, "Romeo" makes our list almost purely due to it's ability to crack me up every time I hear Cyrus join in with "Wontcha beeeee my Juliet?!" Tears, I tell ya.
341. Neal McCoy - For A Change
Album: You Gotta Love That
Year: 1994
Man, Neal McCoy is hands down one of my all-time favorite artists. Every single radio hit was fantastic, his live show is full of energy and he was a blast to meet in person. "Change" is from the album that I had him sign for me back in February. He was surprised to see someone carrying around a CD from 1995, and referred to it as "Old shit". Ha! If you get a chance, do yourself a favor and see Neal in concert. You will not be let down! "For A Change" hit #3 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.
We are getting closer and closer to our midway point on the countdown! Have there been any artists that you expected to see, but haven't been represented yet? There are still so many more songs to come! Share with us your thoughts, memories or anything else that 90's country music brings to mind! We love feedback!
Don't forget to visit us on Facebook! Make sure you "Like" and share our page with friends!
What a week!!! For those of you who read last week's blog, you may recall that our Facebook page was just under 800 "likes" and that I would post an extended countdown blog once we passed that milestone. Well, in just one week, we have grown from around 740 page "likes" to an incredible 1,351!!! I don't know where everyone came from, but we are so glad to have you along with us!
With the new computer in operation over here in the BORN Country office, we are hoping to start showcasing some album reviews as often as possible, starting this week if all goes as planned! While we are on the subject, let's take a look at the new releases that are coming this Tuesday (5/26) in country music:
- Country music legend John Anderson is releasing his first collection of new songs in 9 years this week! "Goldmine", I think will be a must here album. I am very excited for this one. Anderson performed with Keith Urban a few weeks back as part of the ACM Superstar Duets TV special and it was fantastic!
- Opening act for Brad Paisley's "Crushin' It: World Tour" this summer, Mickey Guyton releases a digital EP on Tuesday. If you are a radio listener, you have probably heard her current single "Better Than You Left Me" getting some airplay. This gal has some real talent and I look forward not only to these tracks, but seeing her live performance come July!
- Rissi Palmer made her own bit of history back in 2008, when she became the first African-American to chart a country music single since 1987. This week, Rissi is back with a digital EP titled "The Back Porch Sessions."
Moving on to our countdown list for the week, let me say here, that the "BIG ANNOUNCEMENT" has yet to be revealed! Keep on reading!
BORN Country's 505 Favorite Country Singles Of The 90's!!!
365. Bryan White - So Much For Pretending
Album: Between Now And Forever
Year: 1996
I'm sure I posed this question along with the last Bryan White song on our countdown, but again, how is this guy not still charting huge country hits?! Well, besides the fact that he isn't singing about beer, or tailgating, or partying, I mean? Don't get me wrong, I'm by no means completely against songs of that nature, but here we have a strong single about a guy falling in love with a gal who doesn't even know he exists. Who can't relate to that? Isn't that what country music is all about? Real life!
364. George Strait - Round About Way
Album: Carrying Your Love With Me
Year: 1996
When I began this countdown project, I had every intention of making it at most, a 200 song list. As I got to picking songs, I realized that with George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Garth all included, I'd almost have half of the list already covered! As I stated at the beginning of this blog series, until we hit the last 50 songs or so, nothing is really in a particular order. If I'm not careful, we may have a whole week dedicated to "King George" himself!
363. Dixie Chicks - You Were Mine
Album: Wide Open Spaces
Year: 1998
While country radio and many fans in the U.S. have yet had enough time pass to forgive the Dixie Chicks, no list of the best 90's country songs would be complete without recognizing the incredible talent that this trio brought to the genre. "You Were Mine" is incredibly important in the history of the "Chicks" as it was the first song recorded with Natalie Maines in the lead vocals department and lead to her becoming a permanent part of the band. "You Were Mine" reached #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart and #34 on Billboard's Hot 100.
362. Trace Adkins - (This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing
Album: Dreamin' Out Loud
Year: 1997
Now considered a country music mega star, we've got a little shocking trivia here for you: "No Thinkin' Thing" was the first #1 hit for Trace Adkins. Amazingly, he did not see the top of the charts again until "Ladies Love Country Boys" came around in 2006!
361. Alan Jackson - Tonight I Climbed The Wall
Album: A Lot About Livin' (And A Liittle 'bout Love)
Year: 1993
Part of me is fighting against the thought of having this song so high on the list. "A Lot About Livin'" was one of the first country CDs that I ever purchased, (after listening to mom's cassette tape on repeat forever, of course), and although I didn't really understand what it was about, I really liked singing along with this one. Kind of weird, for a kid, no?
360. David Lee Murphy - The Road You Leave Behind
Album: Gettin' Out The Good Stuff
Year: 1996
David Lee Murphy recently announced that his next album, coming sometime in 2015 (hopefully!) will be co-produced by long time pal, Kenny Chesney. Chesney will appear on at least one track and I'm crossing my fingers that we might see Murphy joining in on a tour next summer after the album is out... Now that would be awesome! "The Road" peaked at #5 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
359. Tracy Byrd - Big Love
Album: Big Love
Year: 1996
The last time that we featured a Tracy Byrd song in our countdown, I believe I had read that he had completely removed himself from the music industry and hadn't even a Facebook/Twitter account. Turns out that he is indeed still playing small shows around Texas. I sure hope he plans on getting out a little further when he is ready! (Incase you happen to see this, we need you in Ohio, Tracy!) "Big Love" was originally recorded by Chris LeDoux, before Byrd took the song to #3.
Along with "In Pieces" Garth's first compilation, titled "The Hits", was my introduction to Brooks. I recall loving the booklet that had little notes about each song in the collection. Garth explained that he had received the album with this Billy Joel song included after he joined a record club (Just like me!) and neglected to send in the "decline" form for the CD of the month. (Also just like me, ask my mom...She loved it.) Garth asked for Joel's permission to record the song and like that, another #1 was born!
357. David Ball - When The Thought Of You Catches Up With Me
Album: Thinkin' Problem
Year: 1994
I hope this comes off as a compliment and not all all as a negative, but I believe David Ball to be a perfect example of a country artist with so much talent and desire to make real country music, that they just cannot fit in the world of country radio. Ball's first single, "Thinkin' Problem" was a huge radio hit, followed by "Thought", that peaked at #7. After that, the radio love was mostly gone. David released an incredible album in the early 2000's titled "Amigo" that included a minor radio success, but otherwise, mainstream success just wasn't there. Ball continues to successfully tour the country and I hope to get a chance to see him play soon!
356. Mindy McCready - Guys Do It All The Time
Album: Ten Thousand Angels
Year: 1996
It's the classic country theme in which a female singer turns the "typical guy" stereotypes around, in order to allow the men see how annoying they can be. Its been around forever, with many different voices. This may sound like a complaint, but heck, this song is catchy! McCready took "Guys" to #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
355. George Strait - Easy Come, Easy Go
Album: Easy Come, Easy Go
Year: 1993
What did I tell ya? We can't even get through this edition of the countdown list without at least two George Strait hits! I'm sure there will be no complaints from you guys, though! This classic country hit easily took the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart. Man, what a performance in the video below!
354. Collin Raye - Little Red Rodeo
Album: The Best Of Collin Raye: Direct Hits
Year: 1997
A lot of the 90's blur together for me, as far as what came out when, but this song just feels like it was from the earlier half of the decade to me. "Rodeo" was co-written by fellow country artist, Phil Vassar. I've thought this to be a strong entry in Raye's long run of radio hits, but there are still many songs of his to celebrate in our countdown, that I figure we should spread out the love! Huge shout out to Collin, who happens to be following along on our Facebook page! (Not to brag, or anything, ha!)
353. Chris LeDoux - This Cowboy's Hat
Album: Western Underground
Year: 1991
We all know that the legendary Chris LeDoux never had a ton of radio support. Heck, only three of his radio singles cracked the Top 50, and this isn't even one of those. However, "This Cowboy's Hat" is such a strong song about standing up for what you believe in and being true to yourself. I hope those of you readers who are not familiar with LeDoux's music give this one a chance. It certainly deserved more credit than it received!
352. Brooks & Dunn - My Next Broken Heart
Album: Brand New Man
Year: 1991
The second single and also second in a string of four #1 hits from their debut album, "Broken Heart" is a perfect example of PRIME Brooks & Dunn country music. The idea that one is readily looking into starting a new relationship despite knowing it will not last is probably something a lot of people can relate with... although B&D make it sound a lot more fun than it usually turns out to be in real life!
351. Sammy Kershaw - Queen Of My Double Wide Trailer
Album: Haunted Heart
Year: 1993
Complete honesty, this Sammy Kershaw single wasn't even on the radio when I made the first draft of this list. I happened upon in while streaming other songs I had chose to feature and it was part of the shuffle. I haven't been able to stop listening to it since! "Queen" is just goofy enough to be an absolute blast while still keeping a great country vibe. Even the video is a good time!
Can you believe we only have another 350 songs to go in our countdown?! While I did note that these songs aren't really in any particular order, I did in fact put them in "levels." As we get closer to the end of the list, we will continue to see bigger and bigger songs. I hope everyone enjoyed this week's entry! Stay tuned for the above mentioned album reviews that we hope to start bringing you this week!
,,,Oh, that big announcement? That's right! Recently, some moves have been made to bring our blog to its own "Dot Com" site! We are hoping to launch the new website by next weekend's countdown blog! We hope that this move will allow us to bring you more updates in a clearer fashion. Blogger has been a good home to start us out, but we need to make more room in order to grow!
Make sure you are following us on Facebook and Twitter in order to help us help you continue to find our blogs, reviews and other features that we hope to bring to our readers soon! Thanks again for reading and please, continue to share on Facebook, Tweet us, Instagram us, whatever it is that you do!
We're back with another 10 songs in our 505 favorite country singles of the 90's countdown! You may have noticed the slower posts on Facebook and of course the lack of mid-week blogs over the last few weeks. We were struggling with the current laptop and it was an absolute chore to do anything, for the most part. However, I have great news! The BORN Country computer has been replaced and we are back on track! Hopefully, this will lead to a lot more blog postings outside of the countdown, more pictures, videos, ect.!
Also, with the new computer, comes another project that is in the works, but I can't quite share that one yet! Stay tuned!
Before we dive into the countdown, there are three new releases coming on Tuesday:
- Jon Pardi is releasing a collection of B-Sides that he recorded between 2011 and 2014 which could be very interesting. His full length album is pretty strong, so I'm very curious to hear this stuff!
- Kelsea Ballerini's "The First Time" is coming Tuesday as well. The first single was a bit "poppy" for my taste, but I'm curious to hear what the rest of the album brings. I have a feeling that there could be some great gems hidden on the album tracks.
- Logan Mize is releasing an EP of new music this week, titled "Pawn Shop Guitar". I really dig Logan's current single, though it's only received a little airtime so far. Give "Can't Get Away From A Good Time" a spin and let us know what you think!
Ok, on to the good stuff!
BORN Country's 505 Favorite Country Singles of the 90's!!! 375. Tim McGraw - My Best Friend
Album: A Place In The Sun
Year: 1999
We are starting this week's list off with a country superstar! McGraw's album, "A Place In The Sun" is a strong contender, along with "Not A Moment Too Soon", as the best album in his career. Songs like "My Best Friend" wrapped up his first run of singles before releasing the first "Greatest Hits" collection by Tim. "Friend" went to the top of the Hot Country Chart.
374. LeAnn Rimes - One Way Ticket (Because I Can)
Album: Blue
Year: 1996
"Ticket" lead Rimes to becoming the fourth teenage artist in country music history to reach #1 on the Hot Country Charts. Despite being her most successful single in the country music genre, this is NOT the first song to come to mind when I hear LeAnn's name. We'll get to that one much later on!
373. Kevin Sharp - If You Love Somebody
Album: Measure Of A Man
Year: 1997
Kevin Sharp's third single from his debut album peaked at #4 on the Hot Country Chart in 1997. This would be Sharp's final song to reach the Top 10. This would be followed by 3 more radio singles released to radio in the 90's, but none of which would pass #43 on the charts. Sharp would then lend more of his time to charities and public speaking, although still recording music until his passing.
372. Lonestar - Runnin' Away With My Heart
Album: Lonestar
Year: 1996
Lonestar's lead vocalist, Richie Mcdonald not only charted many songs, including 8 #1 songs, with the band, but he has also had some success outside of the group. In 1997, McDonald was a guest vocalist on fellow 90's country star Mind McCready's #18 hit, "Maybe He'll Notice Her Now."
371. Clay Walker - You're Beginning To Get To Me
Album: 1998
Year: Greatest Hits
One of my biggest gripes in not just country music, but the music industry in general , is when a "Greatest Hits" packaged is released and there are no new songs included. Yes, I understand that the idea is to pull all of the biggest songs by one artist together in one album, but if I already own all of the previous records, give me some incentive! Perfect example: Clay Walker included two previously unreleased songs as radio singles from his first hits collection. These aren't throw away songs either!
370. George Strait - I Know She Still Loves Me
Album: Strait Out Of The Box
Year: 1995
This was by no means planned, but speaking of new songs being included in "hits" collections, this George single was unavailable until his four disc "Strait Out Of The Box" CD set was released in 1995. "King George" took this "I Know She Still Loves Me" to #5 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
369. Ty Herndon - I Want My Goodbye Back
Album: What Mattered Most
Year: 1995
Throughout the 90's Ty Herndon charted seven singles in the Top 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart. With songs like "Goodbye Back" and "Steam," it's a wonder to me how he wasn't able to stay in the spotlight at least through the early-mid 2000's. Herndon's last album up to this point, "Lies I Told Myself" was released in 2013.
368. Sawyer Brown - The Walk
Album: Buick
Year: 1991
For Mother's Day last week, a last minute "Songs About Mama" playlist was posted on the BORN Country Facebook page & Spotify. In June, and with a bit more warning, "Songs About Dad" will have a little more work put into it. This Sawyer Brown #2 hit, will absolutely be featured in said list. Have other suggestions? Let us know!
367. Little Texas - First Time For Everything
Album: First Time For Everything
Year: 1992
The Little Texas guys have a huge and truly dedicated fan base! A few weeks prior, Little Texas performed a few songs (including this one) in a live streaming concert in order to promote their latest album. During the set, there was a chat window to leave comments/ ask the guys questions, and it seemed that nearly EVERYONE in the chat knew each other! I think it's very cool that a fan base could become almost like a family and stay in touch with others through an online community reaching all around the country!
366. Marty Stuart & Travis Tritt - Honk Tonkin's What I Do Best
Album: Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best
Year: 1996
What a perfect duo these two guys make! The third hit duet between Tritt and Stuart throughout the 90's, "Honky Tonkin" is certainly the most upbeat. What I love most about this song, is that Tritt and Stuart are obviously genuine friends and had a blast making it, opposed to duets that sometimes seem to be forced by the record labels. To see these guys perform live together would be an absolute dream!
There we have it! Another 10 songs down! We are only 46 "Likes" away from 800 on Facebook! Once we hit that milestone, I will be posting another extended countdown blog, as promised, so don't forget to share our page with your friends!
Keep your eyes pealed for more blogs coming throughout the week! Is there anything else you, as readers, would like to see on our page/blog? We are very open to suggestions and hope to hear from you!
Welcome to the eleventh entry in our countdown! It's "Mother's Day", so I intend to get right to the point in order to celebrate! As always, a few things to touch on first!
- A step has been taken to help broaden the BORN Country audience, and once a new computer is obtained to do so, you'll start seeing big and excited updates for the blog! Stay tuned!
- Over the past week, we have passed up the 700 "Like" milestone on Facebook! Continue to pass word onto your friends and help us hit that 800 mark! At that time, we will have another extended countdown blog for all of our readers!
- Next weekend, BORN Country will be attending an acoustic charity concert featuring Kip Moore. Hopefully, we'll be able to get a chance to meet with him. If so, keep your eyes peeled for pictures and updates!
BORN Country's 505 Favorite Country Singles of the 90's!!!
385. Alan Jackson - Song For The Life
Album: Who I Am
Year: 1995
While many others, such as John Denver, Jerry Jeff Walker and Kathy Mattea have recorded Rodney Crowell's "Song For The Life" only Alan Jackson released the song to radio as a single. In 1995, it became a Top 10 hit, peaking at #6.
384. The Judds - Love Can Build A Bridge
Album: Love Can Build A Bridge
Year: 1990
Mother and daughter duo, The Judds, comprised of Naomi and Wynonna, released what was to be their final studio album together in 1990. Due to illness, Naomi Judd had announced her retirement in the belief that she only had 3 years to live. The Judds performed their "farewell" concert live on Pay-Per-View and it became the highest grossing cable televised music event of ever, at the time.
383. Aaron Tippin - You've Got To Stand For Something
Album: You've Got To Stand For Something
Year: 1990
"Stand For Something" was Aaron Tippin's debut radio single. This song lead to Bob Hope inviting Tippin on his U.S.O. tour, in which the country star to this day, continues to entertain the U.S. Troops. On top of that, Aaron may have the best mustache in country music.
382. Mary Chapin Carpenter - Passionate Kisses
Album: Come On, Come On
Year: 1993
The second cover in this week's countdown, Mary Chapin Carpenter released this song, which was written by Lucinda Williams, in 1993. Not only did Carpenter take "Kisses" to #4 on the Hot Country Chart, but also landed at #57 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, covering all genres.
381. Shania Twain - Honey, I'm Home
Album: Come On Over
Year: 1998
Shania's final #1 single on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Chart, came in 1998. Twain would go on to chart numerous singles on the country chart after "Honey", but would soon take a hiatus from the music industry. The "Rock This Country Tour" launches in June, being her first in 11 years, which will serve as her "Farewell" to her fans.
380. Billy Dean - Only Here For A Little While
Album: Young Man
Year: 1990
Another debut song on this week's countdown list, Billy Dean took his first single to #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Chart. We had the chance to see Billy perform earlier this year, and he sounded great! Although brief, we got to meet Billy and he came off as a pretty good guy!
379. The Mavericks - Here Comes The Rain
Album: Music For All Occasions
Year: 1995
So I continuously write about how Ronnie Dunn has the best voice in country music. That being the case, the lead vocalist of The Mavericks, Raul Malo is right up there with him. While only reaching #22 on the Hot Country Chart here in the U.S., "Here Comes The Rain" earned The Mavericks a Grammy award for "Best Performance by a Group or Duo". The Mavericks just recently released a new studio album titled "Mono". Do not miss out on this one!
378. Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood - In Another's Eyes
Album: Sevens (Brooks) / Songbook: A Collection Of Hits (Yearwood)
Year: 1997
What a fantastic duet! Garth and Trisha took their first song together to #2 on the Hot Country Billboard chart. While the couple have released other songs together since, this is easily the best. I have yet to see either perform live, but I have to imagine that this is a staple in their live show.
377. Rick Trevino - Learning As You Go
Album: Learning As You Go
Year: 1996
Trevino was the first mainstream country artist to release a single to radio in both English and Spanish. He had a few successful Top 10 hits before releasing "Learning As You Go" which peaked at #6. He would reach his first and #1 single very shortly after, but we'll get to that one and more, later!
376. Tracy Lawrence - As Any Fool Can See
Album: I See It Now
Year: 1994
Man, did this guy load up country radio with hits in the 90's or what? As entertaining Lawrence is on the radio, he made a string of music videos in which he would magically "leap" from the setting of each video to the next. From the pirate ship in tis video, he "leaps" into the video for one of songs you'll see near the very top of this countdown!
That wraps it up for this week's edition of the countdown! Don't forget to check out the Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and share with your friends! We are nearing 800 likes on FB! We'll have another extended countdown blog at that milestone! Have a great Mother's Day to all you moms out there!
Welcome to the 10th edition of our countdown blog! This week's entry includes a few fresh faces to the list, along with some tried and true. I can't believe we are already so far into the list! The last few weeks have been flying by! Don't worry, though, we still have a LOT of 90's country favorites to cover in the months to come!
A few notes before we get into the countdown:
- Last week, I mentioned that I am working on a blog cover stats over the first 100 songs on the list. It's still coming, but proving to be a little more challenging than I expected! Hopefully within this week it will be posted!
- New Music Tuesday: Jason Micahel Carroll, Shelby Lynne, and Chris Stapleton all have new music coming out this Tuesday. I have had the Stapleton vinyl preordered for weeks, and hope to get ahold of Shelby and Jason's music throughout the week. What are you planning on picking up?
- The BORN Country Facebook page is still booming! We are closing in on 800 "likes" and will hopefully hit that goal this weekend. As always, we appreciate your sharing of our page with your family, friends and anyone else that would love the music we are showcasing here in the blog! When we reach the 900 "like" level on Facebook, I will post another extended countdown blog with more music! Thanks again!
BORN Country's 505 Favorite Country Singles Of The 90's!!!
395. Steve Wariner - Burnin' The Roadhouse Down
Album: Burnin' The Roadhouse Down
Year: 1998
Despite being in the country music industry since the 70's "Roadhouse" is the first song that I REALLY remember hearing by Steve Wariner. In doing research for this week's blog, I couldn't believe to find that he had released 46 singles PRIOR to this one! Holy cow! While I like to believe my country music knowledge runs pretty deep (At least from the 90's and on) I definitely have some more digging to do on Steve Wariner! Heck, he even recorded the theme song for "Who's The Boss?" for seasons running between 1986 and 1990! Who knew?! ...Oh yeah, Garth Brooks is on the track too.
394. Faith Hill - Piece Of My Heart
Album: Take Me As I Am
Year: 1994
Fitting that this song lands on this week's portion of our countdown, as just this past Thursday, Faith shared on Facebook, that it had been 21 years since this song hit #1 on the Hot Country Chart. Some of you will of course also recognize this song as recorded by Big Brother & The Holding Company back in the late 60's.
393. Clint Black - Wherever You Go
Album: One Emotion
Year: 1995
Clint Black continued his rise to the top of the country music world with this 1995 hit. "Wherever You Go" reached #3 on the Hot Country chart. Black had 3 more singles to come from his album "One Emotion" which would be followed up by his first greatest hits compilation.
392. Brad Paisley - Who Needs Pictures
Album: Who Needs Pictures
Year: 1999
This is where it all started! Brad Paisley released his debut single in February of 1999. While "Pictures" would peak at #12, the follow-up single, "He Didn't Have To Be" would be Brad's first of many #1 singles to come!
391. Travis Tritt - Anymore
Album: It's All About To Change
Year: 1991
The video for this Travis Tritt single was the first in the "Mac Singleton" trilogy. "Tell Me I Was Dreaming" which was featured earlier in the list was part 2, followed by "If I Lost You" in 1998. CMT ranked this video #64 in their list of 100 Greatest Videos of All-Time in 2004.
390. Brooks & Dunn - That Ain't No Way To Go
Album: Hard Workin' Man
Year: 1994
I absolutely love the first 3 B&D albums. I recall ordering all three of them through the BMG music club. "That Ain't No Way To Go" was the final of five singles from the 2nd album. This song marked Brooks & Dunn's sixth #1 hit.
389. Michael Peterson - By The Book
Album: Michael Peterson
Year: 1998
Michael Peterson released 5 Country Top 40 singles from his debut album. With the amount of new artists coming into the exploding country genre in the late 90's, I'd say that's pretty impressive! While "By The Book" only peaked at #19 on the Hot Country chart, it feels to me like it was played quite a bit during it's radio run. Peterson's radio play tenure was unfortunately quite short, however, he found success in writing for other artists and still performs military benefits today.
388. Daryle Sinlgetary - I Let Her Lie
Album: Daryle Singletary
Year: 1995
Here's another fresh face to our countdown! Daryle Singletary has one of the strongest voices in country music. His first album hit the shelves in 1995 and produced 4 singles, including his highest charting song, "I Let Her Lie" at #2. Singletary was able to climb the charts with a single from his second album, but afterwards found little mainstream success. Daryle continues to produce some fantastic country music, including a duet with a personal favorite of mine, Ashton Shepherd (Buy her music, now!) In fact, Singletary has an album releasing this June, titled "There's Still A Little Country Left." Perhaps a little knock on today's mainstream country? Can't wait to hear it!
387. Diamond Rio - It's All In Your Head
Album: IV
Year: 1996
I had no idea what was going on in this song when I was little. In fact, I suppose it's still up in the air! However, I also remember thinking that the chorus was a blast to sing-a-long to! "We never walked on the moon, and Elvis ain't dead. You ain't going' crazy, it's all in your head." Fantastic! Not only does the music video feature Martin Sheen as the shouting priest, but also a young Melissa McBride, who most of you will know as "Carol" from AMC's "The Walking Dead".
386. Joe Diffie - Bigger Than The Beatles
Album: Life's So Funny
Year: 1995
Easily one of the goofiest singles in Joe Diffie's career, "Beatles" was his final #1 single on the Hot Country chart. I thought for sure that Diffie would get another single charting after Jason Aldean's "1994" hit radio a few years back. I've seen Joe perform acoustic shows twice in the last few years and he still sounds great live. I have plans to finally see hi perform with a full band backing him late this summer. Fingers crossed!
We are 120 songs into the countdown now! Like I stated above, I can't believe how fast this seems to be moving along! Thanks again for reading, and keep an eye out for the special blog I am working on focusing on the stats of the first 100 songs from our list. I think it'll be a pretty fun read!
As always, we appreciate your reading, and hope you will continue to join us on this musical journey down memory lane! Follow along, comment and share with friends!
Well, you've done it again! We have far surpassed the the goal of reaching 500 "likes" on our Facebook page by today! The count is currently sitting at 552 as I type this blog. Pretty incredible! Keep reading, liking and sharing with friends! Believe it or not, I have actually been contacted by some of the artists highlighted in the countdown! I'm hoping that once the blog gets a large enough audience, we can start setting up some interviews!
- While writing this weekend's countdown blog, I am also working on a special entry to be posted within the week. I'll be putting together a set of statistics based on the first 100 songs on the list, such as artist with the most songs, most popular albums and years of release, etc., so stay tuned for that! I think it should be a pretty fun read!
- We have another big 20 song list, as promised, this week, so lets get right into it! I hope to start getting some more feedback, whether here or on the Facebook page, regarding the countdown. There is more than 500 of you out there reading, so let us know what you think! Thanks!
BORN Country's 505 Favorite Country Singles Of The 90's!!! 415. Brooks & Dunn - I Am That Man
Album: Borderline
Year: 1996
The second single from B&D's fourth album was co-written by Terry McBride or McBride & The Ride. I recall finding myself so clever to be replacing "That man" with "Batman" back in '96 when the song was released to radio... Still do. Ha! "That Man" reached #2 on the Hot Country charts.
414. Clay Walker - This Woman And This Man
Album: If I Could Make A Living
Year: 1995
Clay Walker was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1996 and has been strong supporter in raising awareness ever since. He runs his own non-profit organization as well. Beforehand, "This Woman" was his 5th #1 career single in 1995.
413. Dixie Chicks - Tonight The Heartache's On Me
Album: Wide Open Spaces
Year: 1999
The final single from their debut album (but not final single of the 90's!) came in the spring of 1999. The song peaked at #6, breaking the 4 song #1 streak. It wouldn't be too long until the Chicks would be back on top, though.
412. Suzy Boggus - Just Like The Weather
Album: Something Up My Sleeve
Year: 1993
"Weather" was one of the most successful singles in the ongoing career of Suzy Bogguss. While never reaching #1, Suzy continues to release solid country/Americana music, latest being her album of Merle Haggard penned songs, titled "Lucky" which was partially funded on Kickstarter.
411. Junior Brown - Highway Patrol
Album: Guit With It
Year: 1993
While never finding solid commercial success, Junior Brown has been working in music since 1960's. Although "Highway Patrol" is Brown's 2nd highest charting single at #75, he does carry one pretty significant distinction: How many other artists are able to make the claim that they invented their lead instrument?! Not many, as far as I can find! In 1985, Junior Brown built the "guit-steel", a combination of electric guitar and slide guitar, as featured in the video below. Enjoy!
410. BlackHawk - There You Have It
Album: The Sky's The Limit
Year: 1998
Man, do I love these guys. 10 songs of 14 released in the 90's will be be featured on this list, which I imagine goes to show how much I enjoy their music. I finally had the chance to see them perform last summer and they just happen to be playing the same festival again this year! Yes!!!
409. Garth Brooks - What She's Doing Now
Album: Ropin' The Wind
Year: 1991
Written by Brooks, this song was previously recorded by country music legend, Crystal Gale as "What He's Doing Now" in 1990. Come time for Garth's third album, he decided to record the song for "Ropin' The Wind". In true early Garth fashion, "What She's Doing Now" easily hit the #1 spot on the country music charts.
408. Jo Dee Messina - I'm Alright
Album: I'm Alright
Year: 1998
Debuting in the back half of the 90's, Messina put in a pretty strong showing with three #1's and two #2's among other charting singles within a 5 year period. "I'm Alright" was the second in her string of three consecutive #1 charting songs. The song would later be recorded by it's writer, Phil Vassar, for his greatest hits album.
407. Kenny Chesney - All I Need To Know
Album; All I Need To Know
Year: 1995
Who would've guessed that Chesney would be one of the few "rookies" of the 90's to go on to be one of the biggest mega stars in the history of country music? Not this guy! Then again, I was in 5th grade at the time... Kenny's second major label single peaked at #8.
406. George Strait - Lead On
Album: Lead On
Year: 1995
How fitting that the one-hundredth song on the countdown list belong to the "King" of country music, George Strait? "Lead On" charted at #7 on the Billboard Hot Country chart in 1995. This would be the final single from the album of the same name.
405. Toby Keith - We Were In Love
Album: Dream Walkin'
Year: 1997
The first single from Toby's fourth album proved to be another success. Every single up to this point, excluding "Big Ol' Truck" had hit the Top 10, and this song was no different, peaking at #2.
404. Lila McCann - With You
Album: Something In The Air
Year: 1999
While we continue to see artists such as Toby, Kenny, and Shania who would emerge in the 90's and grow into country mega stars, there unfortunately isn't always room for everyone. Lila McCann found herself coming into success with a few singles throughout the late 90's only to be dropped from multiple labels, unable to find a steady home in the music business. Lila has since began a photography business and lives in Nashville with her husband and children.
403. Tim McGraw - For A Little While
Album: Everywhere
Year: 1998
We haven't heard from Tim McGraw on the list in awhile! Don't worry, there is plenty more to come! "For A Little While" was co-written by Phil Vassar, which was recorded his greatest hits album in 2006. Tim McGraw took the single to #2 on the Hot Country Billboard charts.
402. Kevin Sharp - She's Sure Taking It Well
Album: Measure Of A Man
Year: 1997
"She's Sure Taking It Well" was the follow-up single to Sharp's huge hit "Nobody Knows". He would hit the Top 10 one more time with his third single, but found little success, chart-wise, afterwards. Kevin would go on to write a book and tour as a motivational speaker, through his battle with cancer.
401. Terri Clark - Poor, Poor Pitiful Me
Album: Just The Same
Year: 1996
Before doing a little research on this song, i had no idea that it had been covered by so many different artists! Written and originally recorded by Warren Zevon, the song also became a hit for Linda Ronstandt in the late 1970's. "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" would go on to be recorded by 10+ artists after Terri Clark. Clark's versions would peak at #5 on Billboard's Hot Country Chart in the U.S., but went to the top at #1 in Clark's home country of Canada.
400. Collin Raye - I Can Still Feel You
Album: The Walls Came Down
Year: 1998
"I Can Still Feel You" would be Collin Raye's fourth and final #1 hit single, spreading between 1992 and 1998. Collin is still recording on a regular basis, releasing an album in 2014 and also a Glen Campbell tribute album in 2013.
399. Alan Jackson - Love's Got A Hold On You
Album: Don't Rock The Jukebox
Year: 1992
What would one of my weekly countdown blogs be without an appearance by Alan Jackson?! The final single from Jackson's album, "Don't Rock The Jukebox", would climb to #1 on the Hot Country Chart.
398. Wade Hayes - Don't Stop
Album: Old Enough To Know Better
Year: 1995
The third single released to radio by 1994 newcomer Wade Hayes, was one of four that hit the Top 10 from his debut album. Wade Hayes would also be nominated for CMA's Top Male Vocalist of the year. Hayes just recently released a new album, "Go Live Your Life" this past February.
397. Trace Adkins - I Left Something Turned On At Home
Album: Dreamin' Out Loud
Year: 1997
Another artist making his debut on our countdown, Trace Adkins released his debut album in 1996 and wrapped up with his fourth and final single in 1997. While living in Los Angeles briefly, I worked on a film that Trace had a small role in. I knew the guy was tall, but seeing him up close and in person, holy cow!
396. Sawyer Brown - Six Days On The Day
Album: Six Days On The Road
Year: 1997
My first ever live concert experience, was in 1995, at the Lorain County Fair. I had absolutely no interest in going, as my friends were all running around on the midway, playing games, riding rides, etc. Not me. I was being dragged to the grandstand to see some GUY named Sawyer Brown for some boring concert with my parents. Turns out, I was dead wrong, on multiple levels. I (secretly) had an amazing time! To this day, I absolutely love Sawyer Brown's music, and continuously hope to see them on the radar for a local live show!
We are now 110 songs into the 505 song list!!! Next week, we will go back to the 10 song format, and hopefully it will be as star packed as this week's entry! I can't believe we are already 1/5 of the way through the countdown! I hope you enjoy the songs this week, and don't forget to check out our Spotify playlist to listen to these songs on the go!
As always, don't forget to share our blog and Facebook page with your friends! As the blog grows, hopefully we will be able to provide more and more content! Thanks again!
With so many televised award shows these days, it's hard to tell which (if any) really matter. Tonight, the Academy of Country Music celebrates its 50th anniversary of their award presentation show. Personally, I enjoy watching these shows on TV because we get to see the artists a bit outside of their music. While the winners typically all give the same speech and thank the same people, once in awhile you'll witness a special moment, unexpectedly. On the other hand, we are treated to some special performances that can also steal the show. While Garth, Alan and George are all set to perform this evening, I'm willing to bet that the majority are more so excited about the reunion of Brooks & Dunn! I know I am!
During the ACM Award show this evening, the BORN Country Facebook page with be hosting a live comment/chat thread throughout the run of the show. We very much would like to see all of our readers joining in and sharing your thoughts with us! Love a performance? Disagree with a winning artist? Let's talk about it!!!
I thought it would be a fun starting point if I were to share my thoughts on not only who I think will win, but also who I think SHOULD win. In a lot of cases, I think we can all agree, these are two very differing things, ha! Of course, these are just one person's opinions. Tell me why you agree or disagree tonight during the show!
I almost feel as if none of these groups really had a spectacular past year. Sure, each one had their hits, but do they all deserve to be nominated for an award? I'm not so sure. The Band Perry put out a killer cover of the Glen Campbell classic, "Gentle On My Mind". Zac Brown Band released an EP produced by Dave Grohl and just recently hit the country AND rock charts with singles from their upcoming album (4/28/15). Little Big Town put the unnecessarily "controversial" song "Girl Crush" to radio, which was banned by radio stations all over the country due to listeners not understanding the song. Being that the ACM involves fan voting in the decision of its winners, LBT may have an upper hand after the strong support they received after the radio backlash.
Who Should Win: Zac Brown Band
Who Will Win: Little Big Town
Look at the nominees here. As far as radio play and fan support, there is no question that FGL is taking home this trophy. I would love to see some kind of freak voting and see anyone else win, but until Brooks & Dunn reunite outside of tonight's broadcast, no one stands a chance. Hopefully, some of the duos, Maddie & Tae in particular, have a strong 2015-16 year and take over.
Who Should Win: Maddie & Tae
Who Will Win: Florida Georgia Line
I am constantly baffled every year by this category. Rhett and Swindle have both been putting huge hits to country radio for at least 2+ years. At least Sam Hunt is "new" despite the fact that he doesn't actually make country music. If I had to pick one to win, I suppose I'd choose Thomas Rhett to take home the trophy. The new single is NOT winning me over though. I would LOVE to see next years nominees look like this: Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, Whitey Morgan. A guy can dream, right?
Who Should Win: (I'm going rogue here -Sturgill Simpson)
Who Will Win: Thomas Rhett
Man. The Glen Campbell video is a heartbreaker. If the ACM's are awarded solely on fan votes, I'm afraid this one doesn't stand a chance. This is usually Brad Paisley's specialty. I would have assumed "River Bank" would've been all over the one. I have a blast watching the "Drunk On A Plane" video each time, but I think Kenny Chesney might have the edge here with "American Kids".
Who Should Win: "American Kids"
Who Will Win: "American Kids"
People ask me every year, what the difference is between "Single/Record" of the year vs "Song" of the year. The easiest way to explain it is this: "Single" is awarded to the artist and record label, while "Song" is awarded to the song-writer. With that being said...
I think Florida Georgia Line surprised everyone here. "Dirt" is an incredible song! I had high expectations for the new album when it was released thinking that perhaps they had matured a little bit. No dice. "Drunk On A Plane" is very funny, and even more so along with the music video. "American Kids" saw Kenny Chesney move further away from the "island country" he has been making for years in a refreshing surprise. Lee Brice made a wedding song. I think Miranda takes the cake here with "Automatic" and deservingly so.
Who Should Win: Miranda Lambert - Automatic
Who Will Win: Miranda Lambert - Automatic
This is a tough one for me. I enjoy all of the artists, and the songs in this category. Typically, that wouldn't matter, due to this award going to the songwriter, but 4 of the 6 nominees actually wrote their own! Eric and Dierks long deserving of an award, but I don' think this is the one for either. I would love to see Kacey take home a trophy, but with Miranda likely taking the "Single" trophy, this one won't be far out of her reach as well. Best case scenario for country music as a whole, in my opinion, would be Chris Stapleton being award this category for "Drink A Beer". Guys like Stapleton need to start being recognized more in order to even out the current product before it falls even deeper into the "Bro-Country" phase it is in today.
Who Should Win: Chris Stapleton & Jim Beavers - Drink A Beer
Who Will Win: Miranda Lambert - Automatic
I don't undertand the title of this category. Isn't it just the "Duet of the Year"? When I hear event, I think of a big concert/festival or something of the like. Anyways, that's how I will treat this award. While it would be cool to see The Cadillac Three take this trophy along with their cast of friends in "The South", I absolutely LOVED "Meanwhile Back At Mama's". "Lonely Tonight" didn't do a whole lot for me, but I could also find joy in Ashley Monroe being awarded this evening.
Who Should Win: Tim McGraw & Faith Hill - "Meanwhile Back At Mama's"
Who Will Win: Florida Georgia Line & Luke Bryan - "This Is How We Roll"
Now THIS should be the category that Eric Church wins. I love every single track on "The Outsiders". Dirks Bentley's "Riser" is almost as equally strong. Considering more recent award shows, however, unless the "Church Choir" has put in their fair share of voting, This could easily go to Miranda. Where the heck is Brad Paisley's "Moonshine In The Trunk"?!
Who Should Win: Eric Church - The Outsiders
Who Will Win: Miranda Lambert - Platinum
Hell, Eric Church deserves this award as well. Aldean's last few singles have been very stale in my opinion. Luke has been doing the same thing for a few years now. He needs a new edge, I think. Despite putting out an awesome album within the past year, Brad seems to be in some kind of award slump. (Not necessarily a bad thing, apparently). The fan vote likely goes to Luke, though Blake does have more support from the audience of The Voice...
Who Should Win: Eric Church
Who Will Win: Blake Shelton
Not that she isn't a great artist, but what is Martina doing here? Did I miss a new album or radio song? Curious!!! I would be thrilled to see her win, but I just don't know what it would be for. This is hands down going to Miranda, but how refreshing would it be to see Kacey win this one? Or even more, Brandy Clark?!! I really hope country radio starts showing more love to a wider group of female artists. Without major competition, artists will start getting lazier. We don't want to see that from Miranda or Carrie!
Who Should Win: Kacey Musgraves
Who Will Win: Miranda Lambert
How many artists can be away for 10+ years and then return to selling out ARENAS for nights in a row, in every city they visit? I have yet to see Garth perform live, but I've seen enough footage of his concerts to know exactly why these shows are selling out. Yeah, Luke and Jason have been selling out huge shows for a few years, but they have artists like FGL and Miranda opening for them. Garth sells out shows because it's GARTH. Yeah, Trisha Yearwood plays a few songs in between, but lets not kid ourselves. Unfortunately, I have a pretty good idea how this one is going to go tonight.
Who Should Win: Garth Brooks
Who Will Win: Florida Georgia Line OR Luke Bryan
That wraps up my predictions for tonight's ACM Awards show! Let me know what you think here below, or join in on the group chat/comments tonight during the show, starting just before 8PM EST!!! Hope to hear from all of you!!!
Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying the blog. Let your friends know about us! Copy and paste the following link to your Facebook page and help us spread the word!
What a week!!! Since the publishing of last week's countdown blog, the BORN Country Facebook page has grown from 215 "likes" to 400+!!! Thanks to everyone who has shared the page and please do not be afraid to continue to do so!
- This weekend, (4/18/15 to be exact) was Record Store Day. Did anyone go out to support their local record shops? What did you find? I had a pretty successful hunt, myself! I will post pictures of my "treasures" on the Facebook page soon!
- This past Tuesday night, there was a a pretty good lineup on the Grand Ole Opry broadcast. If you haven't downloaded the Opry or WSM650 apps, you absolutely must. Listening to the Opry on Tuesday/Thursday/Friday nights is always a blast. You never know who will show up! This evening, I heard Ray Stevens perform live for the first time ever! His Greatest Hits CD was the first of 2 I owned (along with Garth Brooks - The Hits) when I received my first Stereo/CD player for Christmas 20 years ago!
- Also, this past Tuesday night, 90's country rock mega band, Little Texas streamed a live performance in which they previewed songs from their latest album and also included a few past hits. I would love to see this becoming a trend! The live video feed included a chat window allowing fans to converse during the show. Very cool!
- Sunday night is the live broadcast of the 50th annual ACM Award ceremony. I will be posting a smaller blog with my ACM winner predictions prior to the show. We will also be hosting a live "chat/commentary" on the BORN Country Facebook page throughout the entire show, so please join us! Tell your friends! The show starts at 8PM EST. Hope to see you there!
Now, as promised, since all of you helped the BORN Country page blow far beyond the 300 "Like" goal that I set last week, this week's countdown will include 20 huge country hits from the 90's! I had planned on setting the next goal at 500 "Likes" but we are already on the way! Heck, why not? If we reach 500 by next Sunday, I will do ANOTHER 20 song edition of the countdown!
BORN Country's 505 Favorite Country Singles Of The 90's!!! 435. Alan Jackson - Pop A Top
Album: Under The Influence
Year: 1999
A lot of songs make their way through country music history with a handful of different artists recording them. Alan Jackson may be the king of taking a classic country song, re-recording it, and turning into a smash hit radio single decades after it's original release. Country legend Jim Ed Brown released "Pop A Top" back in 1967, in which it became a #3 hit single on the Billboard country chart. Jackson's cover peaked at #6.
434. Doug Stone - Why Didn't I Think Of That
Album: From The Heart
Year: 1993
Though Stone would continue to reach the Top 10 afterwards, "Why" was his 3rd and final #1 single of the 90's. Doug's last album was released in 2008. He has not charted since the late 90's, but continues to release solid country music.
433. Little Texas - What Might Have Been
Album: Big Time
Year: 1993
One of the most successful songs released by Little Texas, "What Might Have Been" charted at #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Chart. The band recently re-recorded this, along with "God Bless Texas" for the release of their newest studio album, "Young For A Long Time".
432. Martina McBride - Life #9
Album: The Way That I Am
Year: 1994
Last week we saw McBride's first song on our countdown and here comes #2! According to the Wikipedia page, Martina is quoted in saying that she didn't feel like this was her kind of song, in reference to the attitude and and melody. #9 was her fifth overall single released to radio and it peaked at #6 in 1994. Not bad!
431. Vince Gill - Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away
Album: I Still Believe In You
Year: 1992
The video for Gill's 2nd #1 single of the 90's features a handful of country (and otherwise) music icons. Reba, "Little" Jimmy Dickens, Patty Loveless, Lee Roy Parnell, Carl Perkins, Pam Tillis, Leon Russell and more make appearances throughout!
430. Mindy McCready - A Girl's Gotta Do (What A Girl's Gotta Do)
Album: Ten Thousand Angels
Year: 1997
Mindy McCready had a strong entrance into the country music scene. Her first 4 singles performed strongly on the charts, including this single which peaked at #4. Mindy dealt with many personal demons following her country music success, including substance abuse, reality TV, a personal sex tape being released by Vivid Entertainment and more. Sadly, McCready took her own like at the age of 37 in 2013 .
429. Clint Black - The Shoes You're Wearin'
Album: Nothin' But The Taillights
Year: 1998
"Shoes" was the fourth and final single from Clint's "Nothin' But The Taillights" album in 1998. This song which followed the #1 charting title track, also went to the top of the charts. While very possibly Black's strongest album of the 90's, Clint was not done taking singles to the top of the country mountain for the decade just yet...
428. Tracy Byrd - Walkin' To Jerusalem
Album: Love Lessons
Year: 1995
In the mid-late 90's, I was constantly mixing up Tracy Byrd, Tracy Lawrence and Trace Adkins. All 3 were consistently cranking out huge hits. Today, they all sound so differently from each other, so I imagine it was just the names that had me all mixed up! This Tracy BYRD hit charted at #15.
427. John Michael Montgomery - If You've Got Love
Album: Kickin' It Up
Year: 1994
This isn't directly a memory I have of this particular song, but here's a little story. When "I Swear" by Montgomery was climbing the charts, it was huge among my 5th grade classmates. Well... the All-4-One version was huge anyways. I knew the JMM version, haha. Anyhow, I thought that I had brilliant plan in which I could obtain the entire "Kickin' It Up" album by requesting songs at radio and recording them to tape. However, I didn't understand the "radio single: concept, nor did I actually know any other song titles, so I called and asked WOBL 1320AM to play "Kickin' It Up" by JMM. To my surprise, they had never heard of it, because it wasn't sent to them for radio play. Spoiled my plans!
426. George Strait - I Just Want To Dance With You
Album: One Night At A Time
Year: 1998
Like Alan Jackson above, George Strait recorded this song, which was previously written and recorded by John Prine, and took it to #1. Prine released "Dance" on his 1986 album, "German Afternoons".
425. Garth Brooks - Somewhere Other Than The Night
Album: The Chase
Year: 1992
Well isn't this just a star studded list this week?! While "Somewhere" tends to be a lesser celebrated single from early in Garth's career, after 20 weeks on the charts, it became his 10th #1 single on the Billboard Hot Country chart in 1992.
*Unfortunately, as Garth does not allow his music videos to be uploaded on YouTune or likewise, I was unable to find a proper link for this song. My apologies!!!
424. Trisha Yearwood (Featuring Don Henley) - Walkaway Joe
Album: Hearts In Armor
Year: 1992
You know you've had a strong start in your country music career when Don Henley of The Eagles, Emmylou Harris and Raul Malo of the Mavericks want to help you out on your 2nd album! The video for Yearwood's #2 charting song stars a young Matthew McConaughey.
423. Clay Walker - Then What?
Album: Rumor Has It
Year: 1998
Well before Kenny Chesney when "Island Country", there was Clay Walker's "Then What?" This song is an absolute blast to sing along to. I remember receiving the "Rumor Has It" CD from BMG back in the late 90s and just constantly listening to this song. 7th grade me would be so confused by this song not being in the top 10 of this list, ha!
422. Alan Jackson - Gone Crazy
Album: High Mileage
Year: 1999
Well, this is a first so far on our countdown list! Two songs by the same artist on one list! Of course, it's only fitting that this goes to the always incredible, Alan Jackson. Near the time of this album and song release, Jackson had been split from his wife and then reconnected with her after a period of time. It's only fitting that he would write an incredible song about losing love as it was happening to him in real life. "Gone Crazy" peaked at #4 on the Hot Country chart.
421. Shania Twain (Featuring Bryan White) - From This Moment On
Album: Come On Over
Year: 1998
"From This Moment" was a high school dance staple during the early 2000's. I don't imagine that it still is, but I could be very wrong. Originally recorded by a solo Shania, it was decided that this would be best as a duet. Twain's first choice was Sir Elton John, but after being unable to obtain his services, 90's country star, Bryan White stepped up to the plate an nailed it! White is easily another artist that should be getting far more credit than he has, but we'll get to him later...
*The only official video for this song is for the Shania solo recording. Being that the duet is the version I chose for this list, I had to find a fan made video. This is the best I could do!
420. Toby Keith - Getcha Some
Album: Greatest Hits: Volume One
Year: 1998
Not one of Toby's most successfully charting songs, (well, in comparison to most Toby songs at least.) "Getcha Some" peaked at #18 as the lead single from his first Greatest Hits compilation.
419. Sammy Kershaw - Love Of My Life
Album: Labor Of Love
Year: 1997
The video for Sammy's country music hit picks off right where the video for his #5 charting single, "Meant To Be" left us off in 1996. "Love Of My Life" peaked two spots higher at #3 on the Hot Country chart.
"Lessons" was the final single released to country radio by Tracy Lawrence in the 90's. Ending the decade on a strong note, Lawrence took the song to #3 on the Hot Country chart. I've got high hopes to finally see Tracy Lawrence perform live this year! I'm looking at you, county fairs!
417. Bryan White - Look At Me Now
Album: Bryan White
Year: 1994
Not necessarily related to this song, but I have a very clear memory of one of my childhood neighbors being so excited that she was going to see Bryan White live! I had no clue who he was at the time, but she had a huge crush on him. I recall her being so thrilled afterwards, because she caught his towel that he threw out into the crowd when the show ended. I remember thinking it was weird that she wanted his sweat, ha! If she reads this, she'll know who she is!
416. Diamond Rio - Bubba Hyde
Album: Love A Little Stronger
Year: 1995
Being in 5th or 6th grade at the time of this Diamond Rio hit's release, I strangely made my the decision that "Bubba Hyde" and the upcoming Eddie Murphy remake of "The Nutty Professor" were somehow related. When the song was NOT included in the movie, I was absolutely dumbfounded by the obvious missed opportunity. What an imagination I had, ha!
Phew! And here we are after a huge 20 song update! We only have 10 songs left to go in the first 100 on the list! We are just flying right through, aren't we? Don't worry, there is so much great country music from the 90's to come! Hopefully, these songs have brought back a few memories, helped you rediscover an artist, or heck, brought something to your attention that is completely new to you!
Once again, don't forget to join us TONIGHT on our Facebook page for a live chat/comment session during the entire run of the ACM Award ceremony. We will be looking forward to everyone's input!
