On January 28, 1983, country music band Alabama released “Dixieland Delight” as the lead-off single from their album The Closer You Get…. It reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, making it one of the many successful songs by Alabama. “Dixieland Delight” became one of their signature tunes and remains popular among country … Read more
In 2018, American Christian singer Lauren Daigle released her breakout song “You Say” as part of her album Look Up Child. Upon its release, it immediately landed on the charts, peaking at no. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs Chart. “You Say” became such a radio hit … Read more
In 1990, country superstar Reba McEntire released her sixteenth studio album, “Rumor Has It.” The album immediately made it to the charts, landing at no. 4 on the “US Top Country Albums (Billboard). Aside from that, it also won the triple platinum award from RIAA for having a total of over 3 million album sales … Read more
In 1990, Grammy award-winning singer Bill Gaither released his breakout gospel hit “I Believe, Help Thou My Unbelief” as part of his album A Few Good Men. “I Believe, Help Thou My Unbelief” is among the best-written songs Gaither and his wife Gloria had ever released. It is a song that has touched many Christians’ … Read more
Many are surprised to learn that “There’ll Be Peace in The Valley for Me,” popularly known as “Peace in the Valley,” by Mahalia Jackson, is the original version of the hit gospel song. In fact, writer Thomas A. Dorsey wrote it especially for her in 1939. Most are familiar with Elvis Presley or Red Foley’s … Read more
In 2018, rising country music artist Scott Southworth released his breakout single “I Ain’t Leaving Town” featuring Bobby Marquez as part of his album, Hey Hillbilly Singer! With various modern musical genres popping out nowadays, song releases about loving country music are rare to come by. But, through new artists of the 21st century, the … Read more
In 1999, the southern gospel vocal group Gaither Vocal Band released their song “Let Freedom Ring.” Although the song didn’t land on any musical charts, it became an anthem in political rallies, religious gatherings, and even patriotic ceremonies. Captivated by the Grammy award-winning band’s voices, “Let Freedom Ring” immediately became one of Gaither Vocal Band’s … Read more
In 1989, American country singer Don Williams released his hit single “Old Coyote Town” as part of his album “Traces.” Co-written by Larry Boone together with Paul Nelson and Gene Nelson, the song also appeared on Boone’s 1988 album Swingin’ Doors, Sawdust Floors. Upon its release, “Old Coyote Town ” immediately climbed up the charts, … Read more
When Cole Swindell released the third single, “Flatliner,” off his 2017 gold-selling sophomore album You Should Be Here, which he co-wrote with Jaron Boyer and Matt Bronleewe, he was on a chart steak. That is, since 2013’s “Chillin’ It,” Cole Swindell’s radio singles topped either of the two leading country airplay charts. He already had … Read more
After Elvis Presley’s breakthrough hit cover of Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog” written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Leiber said in their 2009 book “Hound Dog: The Leiber and Stoller Autobiography” that music publisher Jean Aberbach wanted another Leiber-Stoller smash for the Kind of Rock & Roll. And so, they came up with an idea: … Read more
Country singer Travis Tritt poured his everything out in his 1995 hit song “Tell Me I Was Dreaming.” And let us warn you: It’s so heartbreaking, you’d literally feel your chest throbbing from the pain. This track, written by Tritt along with Bruce Ray Brown and produced by Gregg Brown, was the second of the … Read more
While Keith Whitley’s solo career only spanned five years, tragically cut short by his sudden death in 1989, his impact was undeniably immense. Even those who don’t really listen to country music may have come across at least one or two Keith Whitley songs just like his five number-one hits: “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” “When … Read more
Country music singer Randy Travis released his rendition of the 1868 hymn “In The Sweet By and By,” with lyrics by Sanford Fillmore Bennett and music by Joseph Philbrick Webster, in his 2003 album Worship & Faith. The song was previously covered by fellow country icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Loretta … Read more
No country music fan wouldn’t know about the iconic country music duos, most especially Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn. The two collaborated on 11 studio albums from 1971 to 1988, earning five chart-toppers off five different albums – including their fifth and final hit “Feelins” from their same-titled 1975 album. The song, which was written … Read more
“Blue Skies” was originally written by American award winner composer Irving Berlin as a last-minute addition to the musical Betsy in 1926, which became an instant hit. Several artists recorded and performed the song, but it was in 1946 that it became notable because it became the title for a Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire film. It … Read more
Initially released by Kris Kristofferson in 1970, the piece “Help Me Make It Through The Night” is still famous today. The lyrics speak about a man’s longing for intimacy, making it controversial. Despite that, several artists, like Sammi Smith, Olivia-Newton John, Engelbert Humperdink, and Willie Nelson, still released their versions. Smith’s version bagged the Grammy … Read more
The Canadian pair Ian & Sylvia wrote the classic song “Four Strong Winds” in 1962. Aside from the fact that it was named one of the best tracks ever made, Ian revealed that it only took him 20 minutes to write the song. Meaning Behind the Song There are times in our lives when we … Read more
Country icon George Strait did not disappoint with his cover of “Are The Good Times Really Over.” He sang the classic Merle Haggard tune during his comeback performance in 2017 to pay tribute to the late country legend. “Are the Good Times Really Over”: A Tribute to Merle Haggard “Are the Good Times Really Over” … Read more
Country legends Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard collaborated for the sixth and final time (as Haggard would pass away ten months after the album’s release) with Django and Jimmie under Legacy Recordings. It was 14 tracks long with two features: Jamey Johnson for the first single, “It’s All Going to Pot,” and Bobby Bare for … Read more
Four years after country music artist Scotty McCreery won the title of American Idol Season 10 winner and launched his recording career, he stood on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. And he graced it with an unbelievably mesmerizing cover of Conway Twitty’s 1970 number-one hit song, “Hello Darlin’.” Staying True To His Country … Read more
Two of Country’s biggest names, George Strait and Alan Jackson, joined for a duet of Larry Cordle and Larry Shell’s “Murder on Music Row.” And it wasn’t just an immaculate collaboration and an iconic moment in country music history. The Iconic Performance “Murder on Music Row” was first recorded by the bluegrass group Larry Cordle … Read more
In an episode of CMT Cross Country back in 2006, Randy Travis and Josh Turner performed a string of hit songs from their discography together in front of a live audience. The performances included Turner’s “Your Man” and “Long Black Train,” Travis’ “Forever and Ever Amen” and, of course, “Three Wooden Crosses.” Josh Turner is, … Read more
“I Want Love” by Elton John, released in 2001, peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary charts upon release. Because of this, fans and famous artists worldwide would create and release their version and cover the song. Among those famous artists is Grammy award winner Chris Stapleton. Chris Stapleton I Want Love … Read more
“Goodbye Time” was included in the album Still in Your Dreams, released in 1988. The album features songs by Conway Twitty, such as “I Wish I Was Still in Your Dreams,” “If You Were Mine to Lose,” and “Saturday Night Special.” The song, written by Roger Murrah and James Dean Hicks, charted at the 7th … Read more
“House of Love” is a song by Amy Grant and Vince Gill, released in November 1994. The track reached the 5th spot on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and peaked at the 2nd spot on the Canada RPM Adult Contemporary chart. The duet was part of the album House of Love, with two versions … Read more
In October 2005, Randy Travis released Glory Train: Songs of Faith, Worship, and Praise of gospel cover songs, which included “Here I to Worship.” Other notable gospel songs of Randy Travis are “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “He Walked on Water,” and “Three Wooden Crosses.” Originally written by Tim Hughes, “Here I Am to Worship” is … Read more
Heartbreaks are never easy, and Vince Gill interprets the pain of letting go of someone in “Tryin’ to Get Over You.” The song perfectly resonates with the emotions of losing a loved one and trying to move on from the pain. Released in January 1994 as the fifth single from his album “I Still Believe … Read more
If you think loving someone is easy, Don Williams’s “That’s The Thing About Love” will tell you otherwise. Richard Leigh and Gary Nicholson wrote the song in March 1984, and it narrates the contradictions one feels while falling in love. The song ranked no. 1 on the country charts for 12 weeks, making it the … Read more
Songs have deeper meanings that all of us can relate to, or they’re simply narrated stories that need to be told. “Beat The Devil” by The Statler Brothers is an example of that. The Statler Brothers is an American country gospel band from Virginia. The group of four talented men, also called The Statlers, would … Read more
Country singer Porter Wagoner’s “The Carroll County Accident,” written by Bob Ferguson, earned the singer a string of achievements: a runner-up position on the Hot Country Singles chart, an entry in the Billboard Hot 100, and a CMA Song of the Year Award in 1969. And so, it wasn’t surprising that the track became one … Read more