Countdown Part XII: Songs 366-375

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!

Thanks for reading!
-Arthur Born

Facebook.com/borncountryblog
Twitter: @BORNCountryBlog
E-Mail: BORNCountryblog@gmail.com

Countdown Part IX: Songs #396-415

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.

Garth Brooks - What She's Doing Now (Live)

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!

-Arthur Born
Facebook.com/borncountryblog
Twitter: @BornCountryBlog
E-Mail: borncountryblog@gmail.com

Countdown Part VIII: Songs #416-435 - HUGE 20 Song Edition!

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.



418. Tracy Lawrence - Lessons Learned
Album: Lessons Learned
Year: 1999

"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!

Thanks for reading!
-Arthur


Facebook: BORNCountryBlog
Twitter: @BORNCountryBlog
E-Mail: borncountryblog@gmail.com

Countdown Part VI: Songs #446-455

Happy Easter to all of my readers out there!!! After 2 big meals, a load of candy and 1 nap, I am ready to get this entry of our countdown rolling right along! What did everyone think of last weeks songs? We are starting to get a little deeper into the more popular stuff the further we go along!

Before the first song on this weekend's list, I want to let everyone know that I intend to host a running comment/chat on our Facebook page during the Academy of Country Music Awards show coming up on the 19th of April! I'm hoping that everyone will join in and open up our FB comments to a wider range of readers! Let us know what you think about the blog, the Facebook page, our songs of the day, and country music in general! We love hearing from everyone here at BORN Country!

Links to our Facebook page, Twitter and email with be posted below. Don't be afraid to use them!

BORN Country's 505 Favorite Country Singles Of The 90's!

455. Sammy Kershaw - Don't Go Near The Water
Album: Don't Go Near The Water
Year: 1992

I have to admit, that as I grew up on country music of the 90's there are a handful of artists that didn't really "catch" me at the time. I knew a couple Sammy Kershaw songs, but there is a large portion of his back catalog that I hadn't really known all of that well until recently. THIS however, is not one of those songs that passed me by!



454. Wynonna - Tell Me Why
Album: Tell Me Why
Year: 1993

Wynonna is easily one of the most iconic women in country music, whether it be in duet form with Naomi or on here own throughout the 90's. How many other artists can go by their first name only and still be known to all in country music, other than Reba? None that I can think of! Wynonna took "Why Not Me" to #3 on the Hot Country Songs Chart.



453. Brooks & Dunn - How Long Gone
Album: If You See Her
Year: 1998

So, I don't believe I even have to ask, but who is excited for the Brooks & Dunn reunion at the ACM Awards show on April 19th?! I was lucky enough to see their last Cleveland area performance after rushing through a college final a few years back. Whatever grade I ended up with, was worth speeding through in order to make sure that I made it to the last show before they would disband. Now, it's only a matter of time before they tour again, but just incase, I wouldn't dare miss the performance in a few weeks! Don't forget to follow our Facebook page for the live comment/chat feed during the show!



452. George Strait - We Really Shouldn't Be Doing This
Album: One Step At A Time
Year: 1998

Unlike Brooks & Dunn above, I never had the chance to see "King George" live before he took to retirement from touring this past year. I waited out his tour schedule thinking he couldn't possibly pass up the Cleveland area, but the show was never added and I was too late to grab tickets to anything else. Fingers crossed that one day he decides that the cowboy has one more last rodeo in him!



451. Keith Urban - It's A Love Thing
Album: Keith Urban
Year: 1999

Keith Urban on a 90's list?!!! That's right! Keith barely sneaks into eligibility for our list, releasing his first U.S. single in the summer of 1999. Urban would certainly move on to much better material, including his current single with Eric Church "Raise Em Up" that's climbing the charts, but this catchy single will forever be a one of his most memorable.



450. Clay Walker - Watch This
Album: Rumor Has It
Year: 1997

Clay Walker's 14th single is one song that I remember truly thinking I was able to sing well while driving around in my 1992 Ford Explorer when I was 16. Walker's "Greatest Hits" album was one of the staple CDs in my vehicle from the day I started driving (Legally, ha!). To this day, every song on the "Hits" release is forever ingrained on my memory. Clay is a prime example of an artist who deserves far more recognition than he has ever received.



449. Deana Carter - How Do I Get There
Album: Did I Shave My Legs For This?
Year: 1997

Did you know Deana Carter was discovered by Willie Nelson in 1994? How cool is that?! "How Do I Get There" was Carter's 3rd and final #1 single in her career (so far. Fingers crossed!) Deana later scored CMA and Grammy nominations as a song writer when country mega star Kenny Chesney covered her song "You & Tequila" as a duet with Grace Potter.



448. Alan Jackson - Who's Cheatin' Who
Album: Everything I Love
Year: 1997

Alan Jackson truly loves the history of country music. By no means is this a definite fact, but when it comes to covering classic country songs, Jackson has to have done in most in any recent generation. Not only does he keep said classics alive, his versions get released to radio! Often! "Cheatin'" was originally recorded and released in 1980 by Charly McClain. While not quite taking it to #1 on the country charts as McCalin did, Alan hit the #2 spot in 1997.



447. Lonestar - Everything's Changed
Album: Crazy Nights
Year: 1998

This was the final single released by Lonestar before then bass guitar player, John Rich, was fired from the band, leading to his partnership with Big Kenny in Big & Rich. The version I am most familiar with was released on the album "Lonely Grill" as a piano/acoustic recording, but this is the version that was released to radio and climbed to #2 on the Hot Country Songs chart.



446. Billy Ray Cyrus - In The Heart Of A Woman
Album: It Won't Be The Last
Year: 1993

Another strong hit from Billy Ray, "Heart" was the first single from his second album. I had never seen the video to this track before I started tonight's blog, and I've gotta say, this may be the most majestic display of possibly the most famous mullet of all time. Amy also pointed out to me, that this may also be the only rare appearance of a pair of British Knights in a country music video. I've been a big fan of Cyrus since his first release and this song has stuck with me strongly for the last 22 years. Good stuff!




There we have it! Another week of 90's classics in the books! I hope you've enjoyed all, or at least most of the songs as much as I have so far. Below I will include a link to our playlist on Spotify so you can take the countdown with you, on-the-go!

Don't forget to check us out on Twitter, PLEASE "Like" us on Facebook in order to keep up to date with BORN Country on a daily basis and we will look forward to everyone joining in on the ACM chat this coming April 19th! Thanks for reading!

-Arthur Born
Facebook.com/BORNCountryBlog
Twitter: @BORNCountryBlog
Spotify: BORN Country on Spotify

Countdown Part IV: Songs 466-475

It's been a big week here at BORN Country! Last Sunday, 3/15, I started the official Facebook page for the blog and in that one week, we have already reached nearly 200 "Likes"! Make sure you check it out, like the page and share it with your friends and family!

If we reach 300 "likes" by next Sunday, I'll post TWO weeks worth of the 90's countdown in one go! 

BORN Country on Facebook!

Now, here comes this week's portion of the countdown!

BORN Country's Top 505 Country Singles Of the 1990's!!!

475. Tracy Lawrence - If The Good Die Young

Album: Alibis

Year: 1994

Lawrence landed his fourth #1 hit in a row from the album "Alibis" with this single in 1994. Previously, from the album, "Can't Break It To My Heart", "Alibis", and "My Second Home" all preceded. These are just 4 of the 8 #1 singles Lawrence would release throughout the 90's!

474. Tracy Byrd - Holdin' Heaven
Album: Tracy Byrd
Year: 1993

Lawrence wasn't the only "Tracy" making a big splash in country music during the 90's! Tracy Byrd took his third single straight to the #1 spot on the Country Billboard chart in 1993. While "Heaven" was his only stop at the tippy top during the 90's, he released MANY memorable songs and came incredible close a handful of times. Byrd has now stepped away from the music scene for the past few years to spend time with his family.



473. Garth Brooks - One Night A Day
Album: In Pieces
Year: 1994

Garth steps away from his typical honky-tonk stylings for this jazzy song of lost love. The change in sound understandably leaves "One Night A Day" on the lesser known side of the Garth Hits catalog. If nothing else, Garth can claim one of the very few, and perhaps only saxophone solo in popular country music.



472. Toby Keith - Upstairs, Downtown
Album: Boomtown
Year: 1994

Personally, I feel that Toby's 1994 is somewhat relatable, as I, like the character in the song one day decided to leave the country area in which I grew up to experience the big city. Now, I didn't have as hard of a time as the gal in this song, but its certainly tough being away from the support of family and friends as you've been used to all of your life, in a place you don't know. Glad to have made the decision to come back to where I belong!... Twice! Ha!



471. Shania Twain - (If You're Not In It For Love) I'm Outta Here!
Album: The Woman In Me
Year: 1995

In 1995, Shania Twain popped up on the country music scene and TOOK OVER. If Garth is the king of 90's country music, Shania has to be the queen. This was her second of seven #1's on the Billboard Country charts (U.S.) during the 90's. Twain would explode and become an international country/pop crossover mega star, worldwide by end of the decade.



470. Clay Walker - Where Do I Fit In The Picture
Album: Clay Walker
Year: 1994

Making his debut on the list, Clay Walker is one of the handful of artists still getting an occasional spin at radio, today. Previously the B-side to Walker's first single, "Picture" was his third song released to radio. The song peaked at #11, but Clay would have plenty more hits to come!



469. David Lee Murphy - Every Time I Get Around You
Album: Getting' Out The Good Stuff
Year: 1996

"Every Time" reached #2 on the charts, yet could still never touch the monster success of his first single. We'll get to that one much later down the road. Murphy has turned his focus to song writing more that recording since the early 2000's. He has found much success, having songs recorded by Jason Aldean, Jake Owen, Thompson Square and fellow 90's star, Kenny Chesney.



468. Alan Jackson - Little Bitty 
Album: Everything I Love
Year: 1996

Country Music Hall of Famer, Tom T. Hall wrote and recorded "Little Bitty" in 1996. Alan Jackson covered the track in the same year and took it to #1 on the Hot Country chart. While I love Jackson's take on the track, it's certainly worth your time to track down Hall's recording!



467. Ty Herndon - It Must Be Love
Album: Big Hopes
Year: 1998

Herndon's third and final #1 hit spent 26 weeks on the charts, including a peak of 38 on Billboard's overall Top 40 chart.



466. Tanya Tucker - It Won't Be Me
Album: Tennessee Woman
Year: 1990

On the heels of announcing that she has new music on the way, comes Tanya Tucker's first appearance on BORN Country's list! Tucker was one of the very few female country stars that carried the "Outlaw" image as Willie, Waylon and others did in the 70's. Tanya's long career has earned her 10 #1 singles on the U.S. charts since the early 70's. I can't wait to see what she comes up with in the near future!




Forty songs down!!! I will be knocking off a huge bucket list concert this week as Amy and I are seeing Clint Black this Thursday night! I will definitely be sharing photos and thoughts on the show later in the week, so stay tuned for that!

As always, please comment below or on the new BORN Country Facebook page! Don't forget to share, like, repost, reblog, Tweet, etc. with all of your friends, family and fellow country fans! As I stated before, if we hit 300 "likes" on Facebook by this time next week, I'll post up a huge 20 song entry to the 505 Favorite Singles of the 90's list!!!

Thanks for reading!
Arthur Born

Twitter: @BORNCountryBlog
Facebook: facebook.com/BORNCountryBlog
Instagram: @arthur214