Five New Artists That Are Going to Save Country Music

You know this old world is full of singers but just a few are chosen to tear your heart out when they sing… Who's gonna fill their shoes?  Who's gonna stand that tall?  Who's gonna play the Opry and the Wabash Cannonball?  Who's gonna give their heart and soul to get to me and you?
                                                     -"Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" George Jones

Since I left everyone on a gloomy note after my last post, I thought it would be nice to share a little hope and optimism in this one :)

So even though I have made it abundantly clear that I'm not a fan this new country/rap/pop craze going around, there are some new artists on the horizon that give me hope for the future of country music (and consequently, help me get out of bed each morning).  I don't necessarily believe that every one of these artists is going to have monstrous success on the radio, but I love each and every one of them for the simple reason that they don't conform; none of their styles are similar and none of their lyrics are the same… and that's what makes them great.    
(These are in no particular order)

1. Brett Eldredge

Ahh Brett Eldredge… where to begin?  If you've been listening to the radio at all in the last couple of months, I'm sure you've heard his #1 song, "Don't Ya" coming though your speakers.  On every station.  Every hour. On the hour.  All day.  Yet, even though it seemed like all of the DJs in country radio were having a secret competition amongst themselves called "Who can make their audience tired of this song the fastest?",  it didn't work because every single time this song comes on, my heart leaps and I always wind up singing that one really intense "that smile has got me spinning around!" at the top of my lungs.

I didn't know what to expect from his debut album, "Bring You Back" because I thought he could be in danger of having a CD full of drinking songs without any substance but I couldn't have been more presently surprised!  Brett managed to release an extremely impressive CD that is contemporary, fun, heartfelt, and heart wrenching all at the same time.  "Bring You Back" encompasses a surprising array of human emotions and he even brings back the classic technique of storytelling that has always been a trademark of country music but that has been strangely absent from country radio these days (see "Raymond" and "Signs").

On top of great lyrics and powerful arrangements, I venture to say that Brett has one of the strongest and most unique voices in country music today.  This combination is unstoppable and if you listen to his album, I hope it is clear why he earned a spot on this list.

2. Charlie Worsham

Charlie Worsham (1) has a hilarious last name and (2) fearlessly entered the country music scene with a timeless sound that made me want to cry from happiness the first time I heard it.  I first heard the beautiful opening lyrics to his debut single, "Could It Be", on Sirius XM and immediately stopped what I was doing to pay closer attention.  At first I thought that my radio must have switched to a classic country station because the chorus of "Could It Be" reminded me so much of the beautiful harmonies of Alabama that I couldn't let myself believe that it was playing on a new country station.  But, alas, dreams do come true :)

His debut album, "Rubberband", was released in August and each song stays true to the sound introduced in "Could It Be".  He does not have an extraordinarily powerful voice, but the arrangement of his songs compliments his softer voice and give his songs an intimacy that may not be felt if they were sung by other artists.  Like Brett Eldredge, he also shows off his storytelling skills in songs like "How I Learned to Pray" and "Love Don't Die Easy".  His song "Tools of the Trade" also features Vince Gill and Marty Stuart, which is a pretty impressive duo to have for an artist's first album.

              
3. Kacey Musgraves

I've already dedicated a blog post to the unbelievable wonder that is Kacey Musgraves but she deserves to be mentioned again because she has already been credited by music critics much more prestigious than myself as someone with the power and talent to open the door for other young artists with a more traditional country sound.  If my last blog post didn't inspire you to listen to "Same Trailer, Different Park", I am now BEGGING you to do it!  Even the Country Music Association agrees that she is 2013's best new artist :)

My bro and I with Kacey

4. Ashley Monroe

I vividly remember the first time I listened to "Like A Rose" because it completely shocked me- in a great way.  At that point, all I knew about Ashley was that she was a Pistol Annie which, in my mind, meant that I should expect a CD full of songs about angry ex-girlfriends plotting the murders of their cheating exes.  What I found, however, was a very traditional sounding CD full of sweet, genuine, and honest songs. What I hear in these songs is a young woman who has had to go through life's races at an earlier age than most, yet has come out of those trials singing a song of hope and love.  One of my favorite songs on the album is called "Used" and I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone who cannot relate to these lyrics: "This fragile heart has been passed around/been ignored and been let down… but I can give like I couldn't give before/ in the end I can love a whole lot more/used".  With the state of country radio as it is, I can't promise that Ashley will get a lot of air time with these songs but if you are looking country music with more vulnerability and beauty than most, Ashley is your girl.

                            

5. Lee Brice

Lee Brice really is a gift to country music for two reasons: his songwriting and his unbelievably strong voice.  Along with Brett Eldredge, Lee has the unique ability to make his voice raspy, powerful, and heartbreaking when needed but then turn around and make his voice as sweet and gentle as an angel (cheesy but true) during his songs' most intimate moments.  Lee didn't write every single song on his sophomore album, "Hard 2 Love", but here is a brief list of songs he's co-written that show why his songwriting abilities should never be questioned:

1. More Than A Memory- Garth Brooks……………..

2. Crazy Girl- Eli Young Band..……………………...

3. Still- Tim McGraw…………………………………

4. Not Every Man Lives- Jason Aldean………………

5. Only God Could Love You More- Jerrod Neimann

It was really hard for me to decide which two songs to link here but I chose "That Way Again" because the story in this song grabbed me at the first line and did not release me until the end (why am I being so cheesy today?).  It shows the side of love that is often ignored in music- the struggle to stay with the one you love after the 'honeymoon' phase is over and the sacrifices each must make in order to have a successful marriage.  I chose "One More Day" because it reveals the unglamorous side of life on the road and reminds us of the cost these musicians and their families pay so that we are able to receive the beautiful gift of live music.   

                                  
                                  

Graduation and Goodbyes: "Those I've Loved" by Eric Church

While I was attending my school's graduation this past week it hit me: Next year that's going to be me.  I'm going to be the one walking across stage to receive my (somewhat) well-deserved diploma, the one crying unashamed as I say goodbye to my friends, and the leaving home to brave this world on my own.

After I realized this I almost ran home, hid under my covers, and cried thought about all of the people who have supported me through the years and made me the person I am today.  I remembered the song "Those I've Loved" by Eric Church and I suddenly wanted everyone I've ever known to listen to this song and know that I would not be who I am without them.  Heck, even the people I didn't really love, like the girls that were mean to me in middle school, helped to shape my life.  I guess it just goes to show you that everything truly does happen for a reason and God deliberately puts people in your life that will help you grow as an individual.

Maybe there are people in your life that you simply cannot stand or that annoy you to no end.  Today instead of cursing them under your breath or gossiping about them with friends, try thanking God for putting them in life (then ask him for patience when dealing with them). Because who knows? Maybe they'll help you become the person God wants you to be.  

Fiercer Than Miranda Lambert: "Stupid" by Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves is one of the best things to happen to country music in a while.  This is a bold statement, I know, but it's true.  What's great about Kacey is her incredible songwriting ability.  I am a sucker for singer/songwriters and  she truly has a rare talent.  If you've been keeping with the weekly drama unfolding on the show 'Nashville' you might remember a song that Juliette and Deacon "wrote" together called 'Undermine'.  This song was actually written by Kacey and you can see her performance of the song here if you'd like:

She also wrote Miranda Lambert's current hit "Mama's Broken Heart", a song full of angst that is well on its way to becoming a #1 song for Miranda.

  Knowing how good of a songwriter she is and loving her first single "Merry Go Round", I was really looking forward to her album.  But I was also a little nervous about it because of an incident that occurred only a few months earlier that changed me in a very deep and profound way...

There was an artist (whom shall remain nameless) not too long ago who released a song to country radio that I adored for the same reasons I love "Merry Go Round".  It was honest, personal, and most importantly, it had a very different feel from any other country song on the radio.  I was on fire for this artist. I sang his praises for months before his album was released, telling people grand stories about how he was going to change modern country as we know it and usher in a wave of new, unique artists with strong musical convictions (I tend to get carried away with things).  I was living in a beautiful fantasy world until.... this person's debut album was released. To say the least I was disappointed by it and the pedestal I had built for this person along with the imaginary world I had created came crashing down.

 I walked away from that album.... wiser.

I was determined not to make the same mistake with Kacey and tried not to let myself get too excited for her CD's release.  Fortunately, she came through for me :)  I adore her album and really respect the acoustic/folksy country feel she has, which shines through in adorable songs like "My House" and cheeky songs like "Step Off" and "Blowin' Smoke".  But if you're looking for something a bit edgier, you should listen to "Stupid".  It's prominent drum kick is contagious and the beat immediately pulls you into the song.  There's a dark tone to the song but it isn't your average my-boyfriend-was-a-jerk-and-now-I'm-going-to-disgrace-him-in-front-of-the-whole-world kind of song because Kacey's frustration is aimed both at a man and herself.  Much like in "Merry Go Round" Kacey uses repetition and simplicity extremely well in the catchphrase of the song, "Stupid love is stupid/Don't know why we always do it."  Notice the use of we not you.

Which brings up another reason to love Kacey.  Her songs are unashamedly honest.  She'll write about mistakes other people have made, but also about mistakes she's made.  I really hope after you listen to "Stupid" you listen to the rest of her CD because it is fantastic.  Dare I say, it's the best all around country album I've heard in a long time.  Wow, that was really bold too...

    

Reinforcing My Love For Country: "Annie, I Owe You A Dance" by Tim McGraw

This guy just keeps getting better.  Tim McGraw is having a major comeback and I LOVE IT.  His latest CD, Two Lanes of Freedom, is one of the best country albums I’ve heard in a while, but I’ll admit that I was apprehensive about it at first.  To be completely honest, I died a little bit inside when I heard “Truck Yeah” for the first time.  Now, it’s grown on me a bit since then, but my first listen was not pretty.  Snippets of some of Tim’s earlier and incredible songs (i.e. “The Cowboy In Me”, “Drugs or Jesus”, “I’ve Got Friends That Do”) kept playing over and over in my head as I heard "Truck Yeah" and a horrible feeling of dread came over me as I tried to accept that the old Tim we all know and love might forever be a thing of the past. 

Then he released “One of Those Nights” and an old forgotten feeling of hope started to creep up inside of me.  Yet, I still didn’t let myself believe that Tim’s new stuff could rival his past hits.  

But then something glorious happened.  

Tim released Two Lanes of Freedom and busted back into the New Country scene with vengeance.  I’m telling ya, this CD is rockin’.  Between the beautiful ballads, a collaboration with Taylor Swift AND Keith Urban, fantastic story telling, and just some fun, roll-down-your-windows-and-jam songs, Tim has totally stepped up his game.  And it’s awesome.    

 One of my favorite songs from this album is “Annie I Owe You A Dance”.  If I ever forget why I love country music, I’ll just listen to this song and be reminded of how unique and honest the genre is.  It starts off with just Tim and a piano, which is sort of rare for a country song and tells a really cute story that may not make you cry, but will probably garner some sort of sad smile by the time he says, “Annie, thanks for the dance”.  It’s definitely bitter sweet but in the best possible way.

 Thank you for this beautiful piece of art, Tim.