This week I'm taking you back twenty years to look at the top five Country Songs from the week of January 19, 1991. Then of course, I will compare and contrast that chart with today's current Country top-five. Let's get things started with this week.
The chart hasn't changed much as Tim McGraw remains at #1 for the third consecutive week with his hit, "Felt Good On My Lips". My opinion hasn't changed on this song. I still think it's too pop-sounding, but then again, that's "today's country". So basically, the song still sucks. Jason Aldean dropped out of the top-five after peaking last week in the #2 slot. Carrie moves up one spot to #2, while Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban both move up one spot. This left the #5 spot open for Chris Young who appears with his song "Voices". I really like Chris Young, and last week I discovered a video on YouTube of a performance by Chris from 2003, when he was only 17 years old. That is the featured video (below) for this week.
The top five from 1991 features four legendary acts and one from a legendary family. When you have Garth, Alabama, George and Reba in the top five, you know it's a great week in Country Music. There's not a lot that I can say about this week from twenty years ago. Two of the songs are all-time classics, while two others are simply fantastic. Number 5 is pretty good as well. As much as I like Kenny, Carrie and Chris this week. Their songs on this countdown can't hold a candle to any of the top-5 from 1991. And I have to imagine that even they would freely admit the same thing. It is just an example of how far Country Music has fallen. But at least we have them recording music today, or we'd be in a world of hurt.
Week Of January 22, 2011
#1 "Felt Good On My Lips" - Tim McGraw
#2 "Mama's Song" - Carrie Underwood
#3 "Somewhere With You" - Kenny Chesney
#4 "Put You In A Song" - Keith Urban
#5 "Voices" - Chris Young
Here is a 17-year old Chris Young from 2003
Week Of January 19, 1991
#1 "Unanswered Prayers" - Garth Brooks
#2 "Forever's As Far As I'll Go" - Alabama
#3 "I've Come To Expect It From You" - George Strait
#4 "Rumor Has It" - Reba McEntire
#5 "Come On Back" - Carlene Carter
This Reba song comes from my favorite Country album of all time
Be sure to read my next blog entry. "Front Porch Favorites".
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Country Radio Review: 102.5 KNIX - Phoenix, Arizona
When I decided to resume my three year boycott of San Francisco's faux Country Music station, "The Wolf", I decided to look elsewhere for a radio station that I could enjoy. Once I looked away from my actual radio and focused on my computer or smartphone, I was reunited with one of my all-time favorite stations. This search took me back to Phoenix, Arizona. Home of KNIX at 102.5 on the FM dial.
I have lived in Phoenix at three different times in my adult life. Twice in the 1990's and then again from 2002 to '04. Each time I was able to enjoy my favorite Country Music from several different stations. KNIX is the oldest Country station in that market. It is also ranked #6 among all radio stations in metro Phoenix. The station has enjoyed higher ratings in the past, but increased competition within the Country radio format, the growth of other stations, and of course the changes in Country Music itself have all contributed to the slight fall. All this being said, KNIX is still a Country station, through thick and thin.
The on-air personalities at KNIX are a welcome breath of fresh air after listening to the juvenile stylings of the dj's at The Wolf. From their morning show with Ben and Matt throughout the entire day, KNIX's programming features great personalities that love country music. And the music? Real, pure, true COUNTRY MUSIC. Sure, they play plenty of the pop-ish "faux Country" songs that I have grown to hate, listening to "The Wolf". The difference here is that it's not forced, and the same songs are not played every hour. KNIX has a huge library of music and they play songs that go back some thirty years, all throughout the day. The Wolf plays a few classic songs during the 5am hour only.
The last time I was in Phoenix, KNIX was known as the "10 In A Row" station. Today the motto is "Your 20 In A Row Station". It's nice to hear such long sets of Country Music. New for 2011, the station is playing three straight hours of commercial free Country Music starting at 10:30am (9:30 Pacific Time). Another thing the station is doing (at press time) is giving away $1,000 every hour as part of a nationwide telephone contest with Clear Channel Communications.
So here's the deal. If you are not fortunate enough to live in the Phoenix area with a radio, there are a couple ways you can enjoy KNIX, anytime. On your computer you can listen to the station live via streaming audio at their website, http://www.knixcountry.com/main.html And if you have a smartphone, you can enjoy the station via the iheartradio application. This will give you the chance to listen to the station at home, work or anywhere you like.
KNIX has been on the scene for over 40 years. Most of that time has been as a Country Music station. The station was purchased by Country legend Buck Owens in 1968, and changed to the Country format shortly after. For several decades, the station's logo was a red, white and blue guitar, depicting the guitar that Buck Owens was famous for playing throughout his career. The guitar logo is no longer used, perhaps because Owens sold the stations to Clear Channel in the late 1990's.
KNIX has been widely recognized as one of the best Country Music stations in the United States. The station and it's on-air staff have received numerous awards from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music and other industry organizations since 1988. Thankfully, in an age where corporate interests force the constant changing of radio formats around the country, Clear Channel has kept KNIX a true Country Music station. It is my hope that the company will one day bring the KNIX format to the San Francisco market to bring REAL Country Music back to this area and force The Wolf to say goodbye to its ever-shrinking audience.
So if you want your Country Music without all of the gimmicks, hip-hop bumpers, and uninteresting, unappealing dj's who don't know about or care about Country Music, look no further than KNIX in Phoenix. Thanks to the internet and iheartradio, KNIX is once again my favorite radio station. I hope you will soon discover this station and enjoy it as much as I do.
Today's current KNIX logo
Original "Guitar Logo" for KNIX and it's former AM counterpart.
Now & Then: January 15, 2011 and 1996
Last week's "Now & Then" featured a comparison to the same week from 1995. This week we take a look at the current top 5 Country Music singles, and compare them to the top-5 from fifteen years ago, 1996. While Tim is at #1 for the second week in a row with his sell-out pop-sounding "Felt Good On My Lips", it interesting to see that his wife, Faith Hill had the #1 Country song in 1996, with "It Matters To Me". Oh how the mighty have fallen. Faith's song (in my humble opinion) is by far, the best song she has ever recorded. It reminds me so much of Tammy Wynette, it's a bit scary.
Songs 1 through 4 this week are unchanged from a week ago, and include Jason Aldean's "My Kinda Party", which I must admit is starting to grow on me. Adean is a decent singer. His songs can be a bit on the rowdy side, and that's ok if it's believable and his songs seem to be that way. I often complain about the pop-sounding Country songs that are out there today. Where I fully believe that Tim McGraw sold his soul to stay relevant, I can't say the same about Carrie Underwood or Kenny Chesney. Carrie is in a class all by herself. She could have easily have gone the pop route after winning "American Idol" a few years back, but chose to stick with country and we all have benefited from that. Sure she is guilty of a few cheesy songs like "Last Name" and "Undo It", but the seem to work.
Kenny Chesney has a style all his own that also works for me, and even though "Somewhere With You" tends to remind me of an 80's rock song, it seems to still have a level of sophistication that McGraw's lame lines like "Oh-Oh-Oh-I wanna go crazy" sorely lack. Of course I haven't reached the deepest lows of this week's countdown. That would be Keith Urban. Sorry folks. I can't stand this guy. Sure he's a good guitar player, and I think he would be great in somebody's band, but on his own, I just hear a whiny boy singing. And it makes me change the radio station every time he comes on.
Now getting back to 1996. Tim McGraw is also on that countdown (just like in last week's "Now & Then, which featured 1995). His song "Can't Be Really Gone" is one of his more appropriate "Country" songs, unlike this week's #1 song. Brian White had a promising career until it all fell apart, and we really don't know why that happened. I honestly don't remember Jeff Carson. And then there's Shania. She could be blamed for turning Country Music into "pop". But I don't blame here at all. It's kind of like the Kenny Chesney thing. Some people can pull it off, other can't, and more should never try.
This week's video comparison allows you to take a look at today's pop-country vs. a country cross-over song from 1996. See if you can tell the difference in the music.
Here are the top five Country songs from both eras.
Week of January 15, 2011
#1 "Felt Good On My Lips" - Tim McGraw
Songs 1 through 4 this week are unchanged from a week ago, and include Jason Aldean's "My Kinda Party", which I must admit is starting to grow on me. Adean is a decent singer. His songs can be a bit on the rowdy side, and that's ok if it's believable and his songs seem to be that way. I often complain about the pop-sounding Country songs that are out there today. Where I fully believe that Tim McGraw sold his soul to stay relevant, I can't say the same about Carrie Underwood or Kenny Chesney. Carrie is in a class all by herself. She could have easily have gone the pop route after winning "American Idol" a few years back, but chose to stick with country and we all have benefited from that. Sure she is guilty of a few cheesy songs like "Last Name" and "Undo It", but the seem to work.
Kenny Chesney has a style all his own that also works for me, and even though "Somewhere With You" tends to remind me of an 80's rock song, it seems to still have a level of sophistication that McGraw's lame lines like "Oh-Oh-Oh-I wanna go crazy" sorely lack. Of course I haven't reached the deepest lows of this week's countdown. That would be Keith Urban. Sorry folks. I can't stand this guy. Sure he's a good guitar player, and I think he would be great in somebody's band, but on his own, I just hear a whiny boy singing. And it makes me change the radio station every time he comes on.
Now getting back to 1996. Tim McGraw is also on that countdown (just like in last week's "Now & Then, which featured 1995). His song "Can't Be Really Gone" is one of his more appropriate "Country" songs, unlike this week's #1 song. Brian White had a promising career until it all fell apart, and we really don't know why that happened. I honestly don't remember Jeff Carson. And then there's Shania. She could be blamed for turning Country Music into "pop". But I don't blame here at all. It's kind of like the Kenny Chesney thing. Some people can pull it off, other can't, and more should never try.
This week's video comparison allows you to take a look at today's pop-country vs. a country cross-over song from 1996. See if you can tell the difference in the music.
Here are the top five Country songs from both eras.
Week of January 15, 2011
#1 "Felt Good On My Lips" - Tim McGraw
#2 "My Kinda Party" - Jason Aldean
#3 "Mama's Song" - Carrie Underwood
#4 "Somewhere With You" - Kenny Chesney
#5 "Put You In A Song" - Keith Urban
Week of January 13, 1996
#1 "It Matters To Me" - Faith Hill
#2 "Rebecca Lynn" - Bryan White
#3 "Can't Be Really Gone" - Tim McGraw
#4 "(If You're Not In It For Love) I'm Out Of Here"
- Shania Twain
- Shania Twain
#5 "The Car" - Jeff Carson
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Top 10 REAL Country Songs from 2010
I started doing year-end Country Music countdowns back in 1980. Each time, I would produce a radio-style countdown program featuring my list of songs, along with many special surprises. Due to changes in country music over the last several years, I have temporarily stopped recording my shows. 2010 is the first time since 2005 that I have even bothered to put a list of songs together.
Finding ten songs from 2010 that I felt were worthy of being called "Real Country" was NOT an easy task. For the first twenty years that I did my countdown program, I would feature a top-thirty format. Forget about finding that many songs from last year. Somehow I managed to fill a list of ten songs that made an impact on Country Music AND that could be considered enduring. Can all of these songs be placed right up there with legendary recordings by Willie Nelson, The Judds, Reba McEntire, Merle Haggard, Alabama and others? Only time will tell. But as a life long fan and a thirty-plus year critic of Country Music, I think that these ten songs have the best chance of standing the test of time. Some of them may not have been the most popular of the year. Some of the acts may not go on to major stardom. But all of these songs were the best and most real of the Country songs I heard in 2010.
#10. "If I Die Young"
- The Band Perry
This is one of two debut songs by new acts on the countdown. I'm not sure how good or relevant this band is going to be. But the song and video are pretty good.
#9. "Anything Like Me
- Brad Paisley
The CMA's new "Entertainer of the Year" had several hits during the year. I almost picked "American Saturday Night" instead. But this song reminds me of Brad's big hit from a few years ago called "Letter To Me".
#8. "Temporary Home"
- Carrie Underwood
Carrie had three big songs in 2010. "Undo It" was a little too pop sounding. And "Mama's Song" came out too late for me to judge.
#7. "The Boys of Fall"
- Kenny Chesney
This is a great nostalgia song as only Kenny can do. And a perfect lead single from his new album, "Hemingway's Whiskey", which is one of Kenny's best albums to date.
#6. "The Man I Want To Be"
- Chris Young
The only successful winner from the reality show "Nashville Star" had a decent hit with this great song. His voice is Classic Country all the way.
#5. "Keep On Loving You"
- Reba McEntire
This is Reba's first REAL Country song in several years. It's a far cry from songs like "Rumor Has It" and "Fancy", but a million times better than "Turn On The Radio".
#4. "She Won't Be Lonely Long"
- Clay Walker
Clay has struggled to gain respect from country radio for years. He's part of a forgotten generation of stars that includes Tracy's Lawrence and Byrd, Trisha Yearwood and others. This great song was a bit of a comeback for him in 2010, from a terrific album.
#3. "The House That Built Me"
- Miranda Lambert
I think some people consider Miranda to be a little bit "too country", and she very well may wind up in the next forgotten generation. But right now she is collecting awards for great songs like this one. And best of all, she's a REAL Country artist without a pop bone in her body.
#2. "As She's Walking Away"
- Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson
This is the song that made me like Zac Brown Band. Probably because of Alan Jackson being in it. This should go on to be a award winner for Vocal Event at the next CMA. Some will say it saved Alan's career. Those people are idiots. This song made Zac Brown Band relevant to those of us who appreciate REAL Country Music.
#1. "A Little More Country Than That"
- Easton Corbin
Easton Corbin entered Country Music at a time when we desperately needed a fresh, new, REAL Country Music voice. The fact that he reminds us of a young George Strait only makes him that much more appealing. And if he can last nearly as long as George, we will all be very fortunate and lucky. Easton Corbin could be the artist to save Country Music from itself, the same way George did back in the 80's. Judging by this awesome song (clearly the best of the year) and the amazing album it came from. There is hope for Country Music.
Please share your thoughts on my list by posting a comment to this blog entry.
Finding ten songs from 2010 that I felt were worthy of being called "Real Country" was NOT an easy task. For the first twenty years that I did my countdown program, I would feature a top-thirty format. Forget about finding that many songs from last year. Somehow I managed to fill a list of ten songs that made an impact on Country Music AND that could be considered enduring. Can all of these songs be placed right up there with legendary recordings by Willie Nelson, The Judds, Reba McEntire, Merle Haggard, Alabama and others? Only time will tell. But as a life long fan and a thirty-plus year critic of Country Music, I think that these ten songs have the best chance of standing the test of time. Some of them may not have been the most popular of the year. Some of the acts may not go on to major stardom. But all of these songs were the best and most real of the Country songs I heard in 2010.
#10. "If I Die Young"
- The Band Perry
This is one of two debut songs by new acts on the countdown. I'm not sure how good or relevant this band is going to be. But the song and video are pretty good.
#9. "Anything Like Me
- Brad Paisley
The CMA's new "Entertainer of the Year" had several hits during the year. I almost picked "American Saturday Night" instead. But this song reminds me of Brad's big hit from a few years ago called "Letter To Me".
#8. "Temporary Home"
- Carrie Underwood
Carrie had three big songs in 2010. "Undo It" was a little too pop sounding. And "Mama's Song" came out too late for me to judge.
#7. "The Boys of Fall"
- Kenny Chesney
This is a great nostalgia song as only Kenny can do. And a perfect lead single from his new album, "Hemingway's Whiskey", which is one of Kenny's best albums to date.
#6. "The Man I Want To Be"
- Chris Young
The only successful winner from the reality show "Nashville Star" had a decent hit with this great song. His voice is Classic Country all the way.
#5. "Keep On Loving You"
- Reba McEntire
This is Reba's first REAL Country song in several years. It's a far cry from songs like "Rumor Has It" and "Fancy", but a million times better than "Turn On The Radio".
#4. "She Won't Be Lonely Long"
- Clay Walker
Clay has struggled to gain respect from country radio for years. He's part of a forgotten generation of stars that includes Tracy's Lawrence and Byrd, Trisha Yearwood and others. This great song was a bit of a comeback for him in 2010, from a terrific album.
#3. "The House That Built Me"
- Miranda Lambert
I think some people consider Miranda to be a little bit "too country", and she very well may wind up in the next forgotten generation. But right now she is collecting awards for great songs like this one. And best of all, she's a REAL Country artist without a pop bone in her body.
#2. "As She's Walking Away"
- Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson
This is the song that made me like Zac Brown Band. Probably because of Alan Jackson being in it. This should go on to be a award winner for Vocal Event at the next CMA. Some will say it saved Alan's career. Those people are idiots. This song made Zac Brown Band relevant to those of us who appreciate REAL Country Music.
#1. "A Little More Country Than That"
- Easton Corbin
Easton Corbin entered Country Music at a time when we desperately needed a fresh, new, REAL Country Music voice. The fact that he reminds us of a young George Strait only makes him that much more appealing. And if he can last nearly as long as George, we will all be very fortunate and lucky. Easton Corbin could be the artist to save Country Music from itself, the same way George did back in the 80's. Judging by this awesome song (clearly the best of the year) and the amazing album it came from. There is hope for Country Music.
Please share your thoughts on my list by posting a comment to this blog entry.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
My Resolution for 2011: SAVE COUNTRY MUSIC!
It's more than a New Years resolution. It's my goal. My mission! This year I intend to do everything within my power to save country music from itself. I will do this by sharing the best of the real country music that is out there. It IS out there. We just need to find it and bring it to the mainstream. Of course I will always honor Classic Country Music and continue to share it and push country radio to include it in their programming.
The other part of my job here is to call-out the Country Music establishment as they continue to work to destroy our music and try to turn in into the new pop. This includes being a vocal critic of country radio stations and organizations like the CMA and ACM when they turn their backs on real Country Music in favor of the over-hyped pop acts that have invaded the format and can be heard on any top-40 radio station.
So buckle-up and hold-on for a year of highs and lows, as I celebrate the good, bash the bad, and rip-apart the ugly that has become "Today's Fresh Country".
The other part of my job here is to call-out the Country Music establishment as they continue to work to destroy our music and try to turn in into the new pop. This includes being a vocal critic of country radio stations and organizations like the CMA and ACM when they turn their backs on real Country Music in favor of the over-hyped pop acts that have invaded the format and can be heard on any top-40 radio station.
So buckle-up and hold-on for a year of highs and lows, as I celebrate the good, bash the bad, and rip-apart the ugly that has become "Today's Fresh Country".
Monday, January 3, 2011
Now & Then: January 8, 2011 and 1995
On this edition of "Now & Then", I'm comparing this week's Top 5 Country Singles with the Top 5 from the same week in 1995. Two of this week's artists were also on the chart sixteen years ago. With the way the music industry has turned its back on the legends (or those who have been around since before 2000), it is surprising to see that Tim, Kenny and Reba are on the charts at all, let alone in this week's top five.
To show the difference between today's pop-country and the more believable country from 1995, one only need listen to how some artists have been forced to change their style in order to stay relevant. In this case, I would suggest that some artists have sold-out in order to stay on the charts, or (more importantly) to get radio airplay. My advice to Tim McGraw is look at what happened to your wife's career after she went pop. And to Reba I say, I know there's a country singer in there. Please un-re-invent yourself and go back to your roots.
What do you think" Pleas watch the now and then YouTube clips and judge for yourself.
To show the difference between today's pop-country and the more believable country from 1995, one only need listen to how some artists have been forced to change their style in order to stay relevant. In this case, I would suggest that some artists have sold-out in order to stay on the charts, or (more importantly) to get radio airplay. My advice to Tim McGraw is look at what happened to your wife's career after she went pop. And to Reba I say, I know there's a country singer in there. Please un-re-invent yourself and go back to your roots.
What do you think" Pleas watch the now and then YouTube clips and judge for yourself.
January 8, 2011
#1 "Felt Good On My Lips" - Tim McGraw
#2 "My Kinda Party" - Jason Aldean
#3 "Mama's Song" - Carrie Underwood
#4 "Somewhere With You" - Kenny Chesney
#5 "Turn On The Radio" - Reba McEntire
January 7, 1995
#1 "Pickup Man" - Joe Diffie
#2 "Not A Moment Too Soon" - Tim McGraw
#3 "Goin' Through The Big D" - Mark Chesnutt
#4 "Gone Country" - Alan Jackson
#5 "Till You Love Me" - Reba McEntire
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