It’s been another good week for Florida Georgia Line as their mega-hit ‘Cruise’ (helped by the recent remix featuring Nelly), is at #1 on Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs for yet another week. However, ‘Get Your Shine On’, last week’s #1 on Country Airplay, has dropped to #4, following Darius Rucker’s ‘Wagon Wheel’ reaching the top. ‘Wagon Wheel’ is doing well across the charts, at #3 on both Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs. Also receiving a boost (possibly from turning 60), George Strait’s ‘Give It All We Got Tonight’ is up to #2 on Country Airplay,... Continue reading

Juliette is being blackmailed by Dante, who has their sex tape and wants $2 million for it. Juliette sends security to give it to him in exchange for the SD card, but Dante bails, and decides he wants $10 million instead. She knows he’ll never stop asking for more, and decides to get ahead of the game by recording an explanation video and appearing on The View to discuss it. Constantly being treated badly by her daughter, Jolene still wants to protect her, so she goes to her old drug dealer, gets some oxy and a gun, and goes back... Continue reading

‘Someone Somewhere Tonight’ is Kellie Pickler’s first single on Black River Entertainment, but it existed for some time before Kellie chose to record it. Previously performed by Kenny Rogers and Pam Tillis among others, to give Kellie the radio hit she so utterly needs and deserves they needed to update the song a bit musically. And that is exactly what they have tried to do. Unfortunately, in my opinion, it doesn’t work. The song begins with delicate mandolin and acoustic guitar, with electric guitar beginning to make its appearance, with the occasional strum to build atmosphere. That’s all fine and... Continue reading

When I first listened to ‘Golden’, Lady Antebellum’s new album from which ‘Goodbye Town’ is the second single, I was significantly underwhelmed. True, I prefer music with a bit more twang and grit than is typically expected of Lady Antebellum, but I had enjoyed ‘Downtown’ and was hoping for more sass from their fourth record. However, ‘Goodbye Town’ accurately reflects an album which has few stand-out tracks, this one in particular not being one of them. I was surprised that this was to be the single, therefore, and disappointed that they chose to release a bland, predictable soft rock ballad... Continue reading

Not a lot has changed at the top since last week, as Florida Georgia Line seem to have a pretty stable monopoly at #1 across Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay and Country Digital Songs, with their hit singles ‘Cruise’ (plus the remix featuring Nelly) and ‘Get Your Shine On’. They’re also occupying #5 on Hot Country Songs, #7 on Country Digital Songs and #6 on Top Country Albums, making them virtually impossible to avoid in country music these days. Also remaining static on the charts is Darius Rucker with ‘Wagon Wheel’, close behind at #2 on Hot Country Songs and... Continue reading

Juliette and Rayna are both nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at the CMA’s during this episode. For both it comes as a surprise; Juliette trying to pick up the pieces financially and emotionally after Dante’s betrayal and Rayna involved in post-coital bliss with Deacon. Juliette doesn’t want a scandal to get out about Dante’s fraud to further ruin her reputation so doesn’t involve the police, instead re-focusing herself on campaigning for the CMA award. As Marshall refuses to have the label back her more than Rayna (he wants equal backing), Juliette takes it on herself, planning every last... Continue reading

Let me get this straight: This is not a country song. I know these days classifying whether something is ‘country’ or not is subjective, but I’m laying down the authority on this one. I’ve never been a huge fan of Keith personally save a couple of songs, because I always found them too country pop in an overwhelmingly peppy way (and no, it’s not ‘country rock’ just because he has an electric guitar). However, when it came to listening to this song, and reading a fan’s comment, stating that this was ‘more country’, I pretty much lost faith in the... Continue reading

The video for ‘Blowin’ Smoke’, which is only Kacey’s second, is one that I was very much looking forward to. I hoped that Kacey would treat it with the same level of understated dry wit that she treats her music and this song in particular with, and luckily my wishes came true. The desaturation and vintage crackling film lines that we saw in the video for ‘Merry Go Round’ reappear here, flicking between color and black-and-white, with the characteristic clinks of glasses and plates that can be heard in the song elongated and emphasized. As the song tells a vivid... Continue reading

Hey guys, my chart roundup is back after a month out! I hope you missed me. Hot Country Songs remains oddly static at the top, with Florida Georgia Line continuing their successful run at #1 with ‘Cruise’, which also holds onto #1 on Country Digital Songs. What’s more, their most recent single ‘Get Your Shine On’, has the top spot on Country Airplay, #7 on Country Digital Songs and #5 on Hot Country Songs. Is there any chart this duo can’t dominate? Turns out that chart is Top Country Albums, as Kenny Chesney’s ‘Life On A Rock’ debuts at #1,... Continue reading

So, after 3 weeks of waiting, last week’s episode was worth it, wasn’t it? Here’s a recap: Juliette wants to go house hunting with Creepy Dante, because the owners are coming back to her current place. They go looking and find a house Juliette decides upon. Jolene continues to show up claiming that she saw Dante kissing another woman, but apparently he was just speaking to the woman handling the real estate. Juliette checks out her mother’s claims but still believes her boyfriend. When she finds drugs in Jolene’s bag she sends her back to rehab, but upon inspection realizes... Continue reading

Sara Mann is a woman of many musical influences. She has worked with Miley Cyrus and Pop/R&B American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee as a backing vocalist, yet her own music weaves folk, country, pop, jazz and blues among others in a complex tapestry of serene sounds. Her new record, 'Lullabies', is a perfect concept for the kind of music Sara creates; after losing a child to ARPKD (Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease), and being diagnosed at the time she was ready to give birth to twins, she decided she had to share her story, and raise awareness about kidney disease.... Continue reading

It’s been another 3 weeks without Nashville in our lives everyone. I am little less emotionally fulfilled for it, and I’m sure you are too. Luckily for us, it’s back tonight (tonight!!!) so to remind ourselves of what’s happened leading up to this point, let’s have a little recap, shall we? Lamar has had a heart attack, and is in hospital. Rayna decides to cancel her sold-out show in New York to go back to Nashville and be with her family. Lamar hates being vulnerable and refuses to accept that he needs to rest and let Tandy handle things. Watty... Continue reading

Little Big Town have had a moderately successful year (deliberate understatement). After the release of ‘Tornado’ the album last October, they’ve gone from strength to strength, selling more than ever before and picking up award after award. Nobody can deny it; right now, Little Big Town are hot stuff, and big money for that matter. There are multiple tracks on ‘Tornado’ worthy of being a single, including ‘Sober’, ‘Leavin’ In Your Eyes’, ‘Front Porch Thing’ and ‘Can’t Go Back’, which is why I was a little surprised when they chose ‘Your Side of The Bed’. Clearly they wanted to release... Continue reading

Daryl Wayne Dasher is undeniably a child of the old school. His music is certainly of the traditional country mindset, even down to the voice, with sounds strangely raw and grinding compared to the smooth edited vocals of modern country singers. Listening could take you back to a simpler, more authentic time in the history of country music, with Daryl’s glaringly honest emotion being conveyed in tracks such as ‘Soldier’ (admitting he’d rather the war was over so he could just go home). There are a multitude of musical influences on display too, from mainstream country of the 1960s and... Continue reading

They’re a band who bill themselves as something brand new and revolutionary and say they’re “on the verge of taking over the world”. Big claims, especially when they also call their music a melting pot of country, blues, soul, rock and hip hop, and that they sound like Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Lynyrd Skynryd, Eric Chuch and Brantley Gilbert. So just who are these guys, so sure of their place within the country rock canon? Meet Rob Blackledge (vocals & guitar) and Noll Billings (vocals) – they are the key and founding members of Blackjack Billy. From Madison, MS and... Continue reading

Scotty McCreery is known for his catchy feel-good love songs, and this song is certainly no exception. ‘See You Tonight’ is his first non-Holiday single since ‘Water Tower Town’ last year, and it’s been long overdue. The direction they appear to be going in with this is one that takes influence from Luke Bryan, and seeing as Scotty is still lacking a top 10 country hit under his belt, I can’t blame them for wanting to follow in the footsteps of the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year. ‘See You Tonight’ is more country pop than Scotty’s previous releases, but... Continue reading

Post-ACMs a number of artists have had a bit of a sales boost this week. Florida Georgia Line are back at #1 with ‘Cruise’ long after its peak as a single on Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs, after they performed it in Vegas last Sunday. Their latest single ‘Get Your Shine On’ drops down to #6 on Hot Country Songs, climbs to #8 on Country Airplay, but drops to #9 on Country Digital Songs, and their album ‘Here’s To The Good Times’ leaps three places to #3. Also enjoying some success after their appearance on the ACMs are... Continue reading

Deacon’s getting domestic, having spent a month in the pocket of his new girlfriend, and when it comes to leaving to go back on tour, he invites Stacey to come with (and brings Sue the dog! Aww). Things are really awkward between them and Rayna, and Stacey only finds out from other people that Deacon has romantic history with both the tour headliners, but Rayna gives Deacon her blessing as she begins to realise she must let him move on. With all this in mind Deacon decides that he might decide not to tour from now on, instead settling down... Continue reading

It’s been a great week for Darius Rucker, who has topped both the Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs charts with his hit ‘Wagon Wheel’. The recent release of an accompanying music video may well have aided this rise. Blake Shelton is also riding high, his new album ‘Based On A True Story’ coming in at #1. The lead single, ‘Sure Be Cool If You Did’ is at #2 on both Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs, but falls to #4 this week on Country Airplay. Lady Antebellum’s ‘Downtown’ remains near the top too, at #5 on Country... Continue reading

‘Blowin’ Smoke’ continues where ‘Merry Go Round’ left off, putting Kacey’s storytelling skills to the test and displaying her penchant for glaring honesty and creating real small-town characters. This track is from the point of view of diner waitresses, and the description is image-heavy and powerful, “we're all out here talkin' trash, makin' bets, lips wrapped round our cigarettes”. The lyrics are interesting, narrative-specific and insightful, “Brenda's tradin' smokes for cake, still hadn't lost that baby weight, and that baby's 'bout to graduate from college”, Kacey’s wry smile almost audible through her vocals. The single announcement comes as a surprise;... Continue reading

NOTE: This post is the opinion of a NashvilleGab writer and not necessarily the opinion of the owner. I respect my writers' opinions and their right to have them and hope that you all will too. In other words, please aim death threats at writer and not me. That is all. I expected to hate this song. I really did. All the opinions of my fellow critics of Blake’s recent musical offerings pointed to that exact conclusion, so I avoided it for a while. When I came to actually listening, however, I found myself – dare I say it –... Continue reading

It’s been a long time since I’ve written one of these, hasn’t it? Damn you Nashville and your long breaks. Deacon is struggling to look after his new dog that Juliette gifted him for his birthday. He takes it to the vet (who is new in town and hates country music) and ends up taking her back to his and sleeping with her. After a talk with Coleman, Deacon decides to start from the beginning, and asks the vet to go out with him on a proper date. Rayna is struggling to keep a hold on Maddie, who calls her... Continue reading

Thanks to Keepin’ It Country and the ACMs on Twitter for much of the information here! 40,000 tickets have already been sold this year for the country music extravaganza that is the ACM Awards, and it’s proved so successful that they are considering making it a week-long festival like CMA Fest after 2016. The show will be opened by Blake Shelton and the Pistol Annies performing Blake’s new single (which features the rowdy trio) ‘Boys Round Here’, along with Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and Sheryl Crow. Tim McGraw will perform with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban on his new single,... Continue reading