Easy On The Ears

I admit that I have a soft spot for country pop. A few years back, I discovered Zac Brown Band, and it was love at first listen.

When I saw they had a new single out, I had to grab it right away.

I'm not disappointed either.

I think Zac Brown mix country and folk so well. They are like a cross between James Taylor and Jimmy Buffett. They can do slow and serious as well as fun.

Homegrown, is more on the fun side. It is one of those songs that I want to burn to a cd so I can play it really loud while I'm driving.

Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

Is It Country?

This little cutie is all over country radio with his single Somebody's Heartbreak.

The song is really fun, catchy and well, it is good. But how does it pass for country?

It is kind of like Taylor Swift?

There's no country left to that girl anymore. (If there ever was).

Now I'm not knocking his music, because the song is good. It is what pop music should be like for the most part, a little bit of cheesy fun, that anyone can listen too.

But country?

There's not one bit of country sound to the song. And if you listen to clips from his album, you'll see, not much country there?

So why is he an up and coming Country singer?

I don't know.

Maybe because country music needs a few tweenybopper cuties?

Whatever, at least his music is worth listening to.

Musical Mondays: Ashton Sheperd - Where Country Grows

Ashton Sheperd's latest offering Where Country Grows is a "real" country album. Country has been flooded with more pop sounding music lately and Ms. Sheperd doesn't really play that way.

Her songs have that ole "My dog died, my car broke down, and my guy is cheatin' on me." She also sings it with a twang.

The lead single is "Look It Up" a cover, originally done by Jasmine Rae.  Ashton gives some hell to a cheater. The follow up single is the title track. It's a bit slower, but it is a true country anthem, that is great for blasting on sunny days.

Where Country Grows is infused with some humor too. "More Cows Then People," is one of those songs. It has a great fiddle and an infectious melody. How can lyrics like

"Ain't no noise, no red lights

Ain't no buildings messin' up my moonlight
Ain't no doubt, why I live out where there's more cows than people"

not bring a smile to your face?

The token sappy ballad is "I'm Just A Woman." It isn't the best ballad, and it is a trifle depressing, but it does show that Ashton can sing a sad sad song with the best of them. It also makes listeners glad for songs like "Beer On A Boat," which leave you smiling.

Ashton's music is all about fun. This album is 10 songs of good country. It is definitely worth a listen or two.

Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy Part 2

The more I listen to country music, the more I've determined that I'd like to save a few horses! Have I mentioned that I think that the song I'm referencing is pretty vile?

Never mind that...if I were going to ride a cowboy or two...here are a few more hotties from the country music charts....sadly a lot of them are married.

Sadly, Tim McGraw is taken by Faith Hill. Damn and blast, but that doesn't stop a girl from looking and drooling a little bit right?

He also stars in the movie Country Strong. I've heard he was actually pretty good in it, playing along side, Gwenthe Paltrow.

I'm not sure why people think she deserves a recording contract, her voice is only passably good.

~sigh~

Such is the way of things in the music business these days.

Next up is Billy Currington.

I pretty much think that this picture speaks for itself. Not that it really has to say much.

I mean really?

Who needs words when you can look at that?

~ pardon me while I wipe the drool off my monitor!

Oo La La!

I'm not sure I can go on....

I mean...

Whoa!

OK, now that I've regained my composure, or something close to it.

Sadly Joe Nichols has his clothes on in this picture.

If only tequila made HIS clothes fall off.

So once again, I have to say, like it or not, country music has some pretty damn good looking artists.

Now if you don't mind, I'm going to go drool a bit at this hunks, and maybe even hunt down some pictures of some other country music hotties for the next installment of

Save a Horse, Ride A Cowboy!

Enjoy the eye candy!

This Song Gets To Me Every Time

I've been listening to more than enough country music lately. I don't know what it is, but there are so many songs that make me cry.

Craig Morgan's This Ain't Nothin' is one of those songs



If the song doesn't get you, the video will. And if it doesn't, I truly believe you have no heart at all.

Now pass me some tissues

A Different Twist On Country Music

Most people in their 40s on up will tell you that country music just isn't the same anymore. For some of us that's great. I know I've given more country music a try in the last few years than I would have before. Country music has a more Top 40 following than ever before, and that's really thanks to artists like Faith Hill and Martina McBride and more recently Taylor Swift.

Well allow country music to step a little further into the pop arena with The Band Perry. They certainly aren't your typical looking country band. Their first single Hip To My Heart has a folk pop rock sound. It more like pop music with  touch of country. It has a very catchy chorus that begs for you to sing along.

Oh and have I mentioned these kids and they are kids..as well as brothers and sisters...don't even look all that country.

Check out the video for "Hip To My Heart"



But if you prefer a more country sound their latest single is "If I Die Young"



These guys really have talent. Here's hoping they'll be around for awhile.