Showing posts with label sammy kershaw. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sammy kershaw. Show all posts

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Countdown Part XIII: Songs #351-365 (BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!)

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.



358. Garth Brooks - Shameless
Album: Ropin' The Wind
Year: 1991

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!

-Arthur Born
Facebook.com/BORNcountryblog
Twitter: @BORNcountryBlog
E-Mail: Borncountryblog@gmail.com

Sunday, April 5, 2015

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

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Countdown Part III: Songs 476-485

Another week has passed and we are back with another installment of BORN Country's Top 505 Country Singles of the 90's! While I stated at the beginning that these songs aren't exactly in an order from favorite to least favorite, there will definitely be more well known songs the further we get down to it. I have also decided that the last 50 spots WILL be reserved for my absolute favorites of the decade, so that will be exciting!... In about a year! haha.

Here we go! Another 10 from the list! As always, comment below, follow the blog, share it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other way that you can think of! Help get the word out to other readers! Enjoy!

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

485. Aaron Tippin - Working Man's PH.D
Album: Call Of The Wild
Year: 1993

During every one of his live shows (Non-acoustic), Tippin puts together a bicycle, piece by piece, on stage while performing this song in order to donate it to Toys For Tots. Although he has long lost count, his bike donation count is long past the 1,000 gift point. Very cool!



484. Lorrie Morgan - Watch Me
Album: Watch Me
Year: 1992

Lorrie Morgan had a steady run of hits throughout the 90's. Morgan was married to late country legend, Keith Whitley until his tragic passing. They're son, Jesse Keith Whitley is currently recording and attempting to break into the country music scene.

 

483. Doug Stone - Born In The Dark
Album: Faith In Me, Faith In You
Year: 1995

Shortly after Stone's #12 charting single, he suffered a nearly fatal heart attack in 1995, follow by a mild stroke in 1996. Despite few attempts since, battles with his personal life have kept him from much touring or recording since.



482. Sammy Kershaw - She Don't Know She's Beautiful
Album: Haunted Heart
Year: 1993

Despite hitting the Top 40 Country Billboard chart 23 times throughout the 90's, this is Kershaw's only #1 song in his career. However, this will NOT be the only time we see Sammy on this list!



481. Brooks & Dunn - A Man This Lonely
Album: Borderline
Year: 1996

I've stated elsewhere numerous times that Ronnie Dunn possesses the best voice in country music history. This song right here, is a prime example.



480. Pam Tillis - Shake The Sugar Tree
Album: Homeward Looking Angel
Year: 1992

Daughter of country legend Mel Tillis, Pam is another artist on this list with only one #1 single, despite having released a handful of successful singles. This song went to #3 though, being one of her most successful radio hits.



479. Dixie Chicks - I Can Love You Better
Album: Wide Open Spaces
Year: 1997

Dixie Chicks hit country radio strongly with their very first single in 1997. "Better" went to #7 on the Hot Country Billboard charts. The Chicks would go on to release 6 more singles in the 90's, which all would top their debut song.

 

478. Marty Stuart - Tempted
Album: Tempted
Year: 1992

Marty Stuart is a top contender on my "To see perform live" bucket list. Amy and I missed him by only one day during our trip to Nashville this past January, at the Opry. We plan on another trip down there soon, so we'll have to plan accordingly!



477. George Strait - So Much Like My Dad
Album: Holding My Own
Year: 1992

George Strait took the 2nd single from "Holding My Own" to #3 on the Billboard Hot Singles chart in 1992. Even when a song is this good, I suppose they can't ALL be #1's!



476. Chris LeDoux - Life Is A Highway
Album: One Road Man
Year: 1999

If you missed my post the other night, this past Monday was the 10 year mark since the sad passing of country and rodeo legend, Chris LeDoux. As the majority of his radio releases failed to reach even the top 40, this one was no different, topping out at #64. Despite chart performance, LeDoux's version of this Tom Cochrane hit is INFINITELY superior to the dreadful cover by Rascal Flatts in 2006.




There you have it! 30 songs into the list! I sure hope everyone is having as much fun reading about and revisiting the songs on this list as I am!

I have a pretty wild work schedule this week, so hopefully I will get to put in another mid week blog entry before the next edition of the countdown. Amy and I will be seeing another 90's country legend in concert NEXT week, so I can't wait to tell everyone about that one! HUGE bucket list concert!

As always, I thank you for reading and hope you will comment below and of course share the blog on all social media outlets! Help me get this blog out there, please! My Twitter and Instagram handles are below, so follow me there as well! Once again, thanks for reading and I hope to see you again next Sunday!!!

-Arthur Born
Twitter: @arthurborn
Instagram: @arthur214
#iwasBORNcountry