Kick Back and Let Go with Rodney Atkins

Rodney Atkins is channeling his inner Kenny Chesney on this one.

Give Just Wanna Rock and Roll a listen and get lost in the music with Rodney Atkins.

Just Wanna Rock and Roll – Rodney Atkins

Now here is something different from Rodney Atkins. I did not see this one coming. It’s completely different from anything he’s released to radio in the past, but I like it.

Just Wanna Rock and Roll is about getting lost in the music for a time. Life can get crazy and as Rodney sings in the song “effed up”. Life certainly gets that way and we all need to escape a little sometimes. It’s not about doing anything too crazy. Rodney is just singing about going to a rock and roll show or something similar to let loose a little and have some fun.

It seems like everybody is busy these days. There is always something on the schedule to take up our days. We have no time to let go of reality and just take a breath and be alive for a few seconds. That’s what this single is about.

And speaking of reality, doesn’t this song remind you of a Kenny Chesney song? I’m not talking about any song in particular, but it feels like Kenny could sing this track and I mean that in a complimentary way for Rodney. This is a different tune for him and he pulls it off well.

I’m thinking that Just Wanna Rock and Roll will be a big hit this summer. The melody is catchy. I’m singing along with the chorus right now.

Rodney has been up and down with his career over the last few years. He went on that incredible run of four straight number one singles about five years ago. Now he’s been a little more hit or miss, but he sure hit with this one.

Let’s keep it going, Rodney. Great track right here.

Chart Estimate: #10

CML Points: 80/100

Rascal Flatts is Still Releasing Great Music

Rascal Flatts is ready for their next single.

These guys never slow down when it comes to releasing great music. They slow things down again for this one and I’m sure the fans are going to love it. There is still nothing like Rascal Flatts on country radio. Check out Come Wake Me Up…

Come Wake Me Up – Rascal Flatts

It’s always kind of hard to tell the real reason someone is gone in a song. Come Wake Me Up is about a guy that can’t lose the memory of someone he has lost. She might have left him. I think that’s probably the case. She’s gone and moved along and he can’t let her go. But sometimes these songs throw me for a loop and they’re about death or a similar kind of loss in life.

The real meaning of the song, though, is loss and that feeling is conveyed well by Gary with his vocals and the other guys in the background with their assistance on vocals and instruments.

Rascal Flatts has always had their own sound. They are not shy about being a little pop. They mix the two worlds of music together so well and there is no reason to expect them to change now. I’ve been a fan since their first album came out over a decade ago. It’s not hard to believe that they’re still at the top of the country world all these years later. They make great music with great melodies. People always respond to great melodies.

I can see Come Wake Me Up becoming another top three singles for Rascal Flatts. That’s not much of a prediction since these guys have been some of the most consistent hit makers of the past decade.

It’s a good song. You feel the loss and if you’re going through something similar you can easily get lost in the lyrics and the melody.

What do you think?

Is this one going to be a hit?

Chart Estimate: #3

CML Points: 84/100

Where is Gary Allan?

It’s been just a couple years since Gary Allan had new music on radio.

A couple years isn’t really that long. Gary has gone a few years in between albums in the past, but this has been the first time in his career that he missed a year without a new single out at radio.

In the music world it can be tricky to miss a year from the singles charts. For the fans it can seem like an eternity. But Gary has certainly earned the right over his 15+ year career to take his time coming back and I’m sure he’ll come back stronger than ever.

The last year and a half or so have been anything but quiet for the husky-voiced country singer. His label released a collection of his hits. That album has been out since this spring. Hits albums don’t sell as well as they once did, but they’re still something the labels like to release because they have good long-term value on the shelves.

Gary Allan in 2012

This summer Gary has been hitting the road on his headlining Throwdown Tour. As you would expect the reviews have been positive. Gary has a bunch of great artists out on the road with him and he’s treating fans just about every night to his collection of hits, which at this point is extensive.

And for the impatient fans, like me, there is word of new music on the horizon.

From Gary Allan New Album to Preview on Country Throwdown Tour:

“I’ve recorded about a fourth of my new album, so we’re in the middle of working on it now and I go in and track it at the end of this month with Jay Joyce — that’ll be something new,” Gary told The Boot Monday (Feb. 27) at a press event at his posh Nashville clothing store, The Label.

So that’s exciting news. It sounds like Gary is busy on the road and busy in the studio gearing up for a new release later this year. I’m sure we can expect the first single to be released sometime in the late summer to early time. The album will likely follow with a November release, which is when many of the major albums of the year are released (to take advantage of the holiday selling time).

From everything I can gather it seems like Gary is still with his longtime label MCA Nashville. Theirs has been a productive partnership over the last decade or so. I was curious to see if Gary was still working with the label. I know it was a couple years ago when he had a few words to say about the recording industry.

But it seems like everything is alright. Gary is out on the road making money and he’s working on getting new music out to the fans. He’s due for a big hit and I’m sure he’s coming out with something special later this year.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been five years since Watching Airplanes reached the #2 spot on the charts. I’m sure Gary still has a few top hits left in him. He loves being out on the road and playing music. I’ll have to head out and see him live this summer if I get the chance.

Will you be catching a Gary Allan show this summer?

John Rich (left) in Lonestar

Imagine being 21 years old and signing your first record deal.

You’re part of one of the most exciting country bands in years. Your first two records are certified gold each featuring hit singles including a couple you had co-written.

All this success comes early in life and then you find yourself out on your own as the band continues to go on without you having their biggest success after you leave.

This is what happened to John Rich.

The Lonestar Days

It’s still amazing to most people to learn that John Rich, one half of the duo Big & Rich, was the bassist and occasional lead vocalist for the band Lonestar.

I was listening to the first two albums from Lonestar today and I had to write a full prospective on John Rich’s time with the band. It is just so interesting to me to see how John Rich was able to find the biggest successes early on in life. I mean, Lonestar was a big band in the mid ’90s. They had yet to reach their full potential, but they were a big band. They were selling tons of records and having hit after hit.

John Rich was very much a part of the early success. The band reached the top ten with their very first single in late 1995. They followed the success with more hits the following year and in 1997 their sophomore album was released and that featured more hits.

In just a few short years the band had gone from unknown to one of the biggest acts in country music. Most of the lead vocals were done by Richie McDonald, the singer most well known with the band.

But there was a song, Heartbroke Every Day, that reached the top 20 on the charts in 1996. This track featured the young John Rich on lead vocals. John had a few turns as the lead vocalist in the band, but only this single was released. The rest were album cuts.

The band was on a roll and in 1998 John Rich was relieved of his duties of bassist in the band. I’m not sure of the exact circumstances, but success can do some crazy things to people. I’m sure they each had their own ideas and things just didn’t work out for all parties.

John Rich went out on his own. He was a kid in his mid 20s and looking to find success on his own.

The remaining four members of the band, however, released Lonely Grill in 1999 and that summer they become something really special in the music world. The song Amazed became one of the biggest hits of all time in country history. It crossed over and even went number one on the pop charts.

The band continued rolling into the next decade. I remember seeing them live around this time and people went crazy when the band came on stage. They were the biggest of the big. This was pre-Rascal Flatts and post-Alabama. There was no bigger band in the country world than Lonestar. They were selling millions of records and having the biggest hits.

And it was all happening without John Rich.

Now, don’t feel too bad for John Rich. He went on to have one of the most successful runs in music history. He wrote a ton of hits for other artists in the 2000s and of course was one half of Big & Rich. The duo is still one of the top touring acts out there right now.

But it had to be crazy. Rich was part of this huge band in the mid ’90s. Then things didn’t work out. He left and they went on to become this huge crossover success.

Still, I look back and listen to the early stuff the band released and it’s my favorite of anything they every put out. There was real talent in that group and when John Rich was part of it they made some great country music.

Heartbroke Every Day is a great country song. Come Cryin’ To Me is still a radio hit today and it’s been 15 years since it was on the charts. These are songs that are killer. They were pure ’90s country and I love it.

John Rich was a big part of that success. It should be recognized that he was able to accomplish some great things at a very young age during his time with Lonestar. He doesn’t talk about it much today because he has much more to discuss, but the time John Rich spent with Lonestar was great for country music. The band produced hits and it was a great time for a band to turn out the hits when country was looking for a new band to take over the role Alabama had occupied for more than a decade.

No News – Lonestar

It's Time to Get Back on Radio for Joe Nichols

It’s time for another Joe Nichols singles.

Since getting caught up in a label merger Joe has been in career limbo. He’s had a few hits the last few years. It’s one of country’s most consistent hitmakers over the last decade. It’s just unfortunate he hasn’t been able to really have the consistency of the bigger stars. He’ll have a huge hit every couple years and then fall back for a bit.

It’s time for another release from Joe’s last record. I’m not sure if Show Dog will do it, but this is the track I would choose.

The More I Look – Joe Nichols

The More I Look (Album Version)

The More I Look isn’t a serious song. This one is not meant to be thought about too much. It’s the kind of song you just kick back and enjoy. The melody is great. The hooks are there for singing along. It’s a great country song that simple and fun.

The song is about a guy that’s just heading to the bar. He’s not looking for anything crazy to happen. He’s single. Maybe he’s been out of a relationship for a while. He’s not looking for anything to really happen, but then he notices a girl that captures his attention. Things go crazy in his head. He can’t help but feel a little in love when he sees how good she looks.

If you’re a guy and even if you’re a girl you’ve probably felt this way about someone. You head to the tavern to hang out with some friends. Then you notice that person that just captures all your attention. You can’t look anywhere else. You can’t pay attention to what’s going on. You’re totally wrapped up in them.

This is a good song. It’s something that could bring Joe Nichols back into the top five on the charts.

I’m rooting for Joe to come back with another hit record.

What do you think?

Chart Estimate: #5

CML Points: 82/100

Dierks Bentley, coming off the success of “Home”, debuts at #24 this week with his new song ”5-1-5-0″. A song detailing how a girl is making him go crazy.

As always, the CML Chart combines radioplay, album sales, along with popularity (video countdowns, frequency in the news, etc.) and internet downloads.

Check out this week’s CML chart…

Country Music Life Chart – May 13th, 2012

25. Why Ya Wanna – Jana Kramer

24. 5-1-5-0 – Dierks Bentley

23. Postcard From Paris – The Band Perry

22. This Ole Boy – Craig Morgan

21. Time Is Love – Josh Turner

20. Wanted – Hunter Hayes

19. I Don’t Want This Night To End – Luke Bryan

18. Got My Country On – Chris Cagle

17. Kissed You (Good Night) – Gloriana

16. Drink On It – Blake Shelton

15. Beers Ago – Toby Keith

14. You Don’t Know Her Like I do – Brantley Gilbert

13. A Woman Like You – Lee Brice

12. Even If It Breaks Your Heart – Eli Young Band

11. No Hurry – Zac Brown Band

10. Better Than I Used To Be – Tim McGraw

9. Feel Like A Rock Star – Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw

8. Dancin’ Away With My Heart – Lady Antebellum

7. Banjo – Rascal Flatts

6. Drunk On You – Luke Bryan

5. Something ‘Bout A Truck – Kip Moore

4. Springsteen – Eric Church

3. Good Girl – Carrie Underwood

2. Fly Over States – Jason Aldean

1. Over You – Miranda Lambert

Country Needs Another Hank Jr

The other day I was watching old video clips of Hank Williams Jr. on YouTube.

It’s something I probably don’t full understand, but I’m not sure if there will ever be another true outlaw in country music ever again. I don’t think we’ll ever have another Hank Williams Jr. in country music again. It just seems like record labels are too afraid to bring in a wild man (or woman) that is ready to go crazy and just let it all go when they’re recording and performing.

From my observations of these old videos, Hank Williams Jr. was one of the true independent artists. He was a little crazy. He liked to drink and have a good time. I have a feeling he still does today. He spoke his mind. He was incredibly smart even when he put on the country redneck hat for the fans. He was able to do his own thing when all the experts in the industry were trying to tell him that he couldn’t be himself.

Hank Jr. ruled the 1980s in country music. Rockin’ Randall tore up the stages. He wasn’t the best singer. He was a hell of a guitar player. He had little nuances like hanging his guitar strap on his right shoulder only. No one else did this. It was different. Hank was different.

Being different scares people. You will run into people that simply dismiss you for being different. They don’t understand what you’re doing. There are also people that will tell you you’re crazy for being different because they have a vested interest in the status quo. This phenomenon happens in a variety of cases.

Hank scared people. He changed things. He found a huge audience of fans that took him to the biggest heights of the country world. He was a true original and a true country outlaw.

I’m not sure we’ll ever see one again.

Today’s country music is pretty basic. There are artists that do what they want, but for the most part the music is safe. And that’s understandable. It’s risky to try and change things when something is working so well. You can’t always try to change things and take the risk of bringing in some wildman outlaw that has the chance to succeed, but has an equal chance of destroying his life.

Today’s closest acts to outlaw status are probably Brantley Gilbert and Hank Williams III. They are unique. They are different. Brantley has found mainstream success. Hank III has found a niche for himself on the outskirts of various genres.

Gilbert has been able to bring new elements to country radio. He’s been one of the rare cases of someone that can truly bring a new sound, a sound that scares some people, to the mainstream radio audience. I’m happy to see him succeed. He’s about as close to an outlaw as we will see in the mainstream country world.

I’m not sure if it’s the labels or the radio folks or maybe even the fans. There just doesn’t seem to be a want for that outlaw, crazy, wildman in the country world right now.

But maybe that’s a sign that someone should take a chance on this generation’s Hank Williams Jr. Maybe there is a label out there willing to take the risk to bring an act that is dangerous, but passionate to the mainstream.

I would like to see someone that likes to drink. They live hard. They make mistakes and they sing about it. People connect to that stuff. In real life people get a little crazy. Even those that don’t like to read about and listen to people that do. It’s a little crazy, but I think there is room in country for someone that is wild.

We need an outlaw in country music. And we don’t just need someone on the edges. We need a mainstream country act that takes things to the extreme.

I’m not sure who it will be, but if the labels are out there looking for the next big thing.

Look for someone that’s wild and crazy.

We need an outlaw in mainstream country music.

A Critical Moment for Alan Jackson

It’s hard for me to say that this is a critical moment for Alan Jackson.

But the fact is that right now is a critical moment in his career. It’s hard to believe. More than twenty years after becoming one of the biggest country stars of all time, Alan is at a crossroads. He’s a couple years removed now from his amicable leave with his only record label, Arista Nashville. Alan is trying to get his second single on his own, So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore, up the charts.

So far things have been a bit stalled. With a new album finally set for release. This summer is shaping up to be one of the most important in the career of Alan Jackson.

Time to Succeed Once Again for Alan Jackson

When all is done with Alan Jackson’s career he will be remembered as one of the best ever. There is nothing left for Alan Jackson to prove in the grand scheme. He’s done is all. He’s been everywhere. He has more hits than just about any other country star in history. The man has nothing left to prove.

But that’s where I think I’m underestimating the drive inside this man.

The last two years have been interesting. Alan parted ways with the only label he’s known. He was out on his own for the first time in two decades. It was interesting at the time. The partnership had been one of the longest and most successful in country history. Alan was coming off one of his biggest albums of all time with Good Time, but the interesting release of Freight Train seemed to put the writing on the wall. The time for change had arrived.

Alan enjoyed a #1 hit with As She’s Walking Away with Zac Brown Band. Next, Alan released his first single as a man without a record label. The song Long Way to Go reached the top 25 on the charts. It was a modest hit. The song was catchy. Man country fans enjoyed it, but it seemed uninspired and just seemed to lack that passion Alan had brought to country for years.

This year’s follow up, So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore, caught me off guard. I love the song, but I can’t fight the feeling of disappointment. I’m of the opinion that Alan needs to get back to his roots. This same thing happened when he released Like Red On A Rose. He came back strong with Good Time, which was entirely written by AJ himself. He got back to his roots and won over the hearts and ears of country fans.

So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore is something different from Alan. It’s a good different, but it just doesn’t sound like the smash hit he needs right now. At this point in his career, Alan Jackson needs the kind of career-defining song that can take him to the next level of his career. He’s done this a few times. I would say the latest was when he released It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere. That song was huge and further established him as one of country’s greatest artists.

Alan’s new record, Thirty Miles West, is scheduled for release next month. The rest of the songs on the record are sure to be great. I’ll probably download the entire album (legal download for my phone and computer) the day it’s released. I love listening to country music in my truck and I can’t wait to give this record a few spins on the truck speakers.

This album is one of the biggest and most critical moments in Alan Jackson’s career. He certainly doesn’t have to prove anything at this point. He’s earned the right to make the kind of music he wants to make.

As a fan, though, I just want to see him succeed on the charts. And so far I haven’t heard that smash hit record that brings Alan back to the center of attention in country music. Maybe he’s not looking for that in this new stage in his career.

But I just have a feeling like he’s ready to show the country world once again that he’s the man.

I’m ready for the next single to be that song. It’s going to be big.

It’s going to be a good summer for Alan Jackson.

Time for a Follow Up Hit Single

This is a single I was anticipating this year.

Montgomery Gentry parted ways with their record label in 2010. That is a big deal. For most acts that is the end of a career. Not many artists, even the talented ones, can continue success after making a change like that. And Montgomery Gentry had even more going against them by joining an independent label (although not so small these days) when they teamed with Colt Ford’s Average Joe’s Entertainment.

The boys of MG found success, though, last year with their huge hit single Where I Come From. The song reached the top ten on the charts and has been one of the biggest hits of MG’s decade plus career.

Now it’s time for the important follow up single. It was important for the guys to continue with the hits to prove they weren’t just a one hit wonder on the new label. I think they are planning to release the perfect song.

So Called Life – Montgomery Gentry

Rebels On The Run was released just last year. The lead single has been huge. Montgomery Gentry teamed with producer Michael Knox to bring a little raw rock edge to their music. This has always been their style, but they seem to have been looking for something even edgier and I’d say they found it. You might recognize a similar sound from Jason Aldean’s last record because Michael Knox was also the producer on My Kinda Party.

So Called Life seems to be a good choice for the second single. In my opinion, the guys didn’t need to change anything about their sound. I think this song further establishes their new direction. They are in your face and ready to rock your face off when you’re listening to your country radio. So Called Life is a declaration of how these boys are living. There are a few cliches in the lyrics, but this song is more about the general message and the rocking edge.

The song is about accepting life for what it is. Things don’t always work out as we planned. We have good days and bad days, but the important thing is to just keep on moving and keep on enjoying the good moments. I think that’s a good perspective on life.

As for how this song will do on the radio? I’m thinking it’s easily another top ten hit for Montgomery Gentry. Their longtime fans will love it, but I also think the general country audience will love hearing this on the radio as well. It’s something we can all relate to and enjoy. It’s a great song.

What do you think?

Chart Estimate: #10

CML Points: 81/100

It's a Perfect Day for Lady Antebellum

I can hear the complaints already.

They’re Lady Antebellum. We know they have perfect lives. Why would I want to listen to them sing about having perfect days?

Well, I think there is a little too much complaining going on in the world. We need to focus on the fun things in life. If that means a great song about the perfect day then I’m all for it.

Perfect Day – Lady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum has been on a huge run the last four or five years. They came out of nowhere and became arguably the biggest act in country music. I’m not sure if there is an act that has sold more records or had more hits over the last couple years than these guys.

The hits have been plenty, but something Lady A has also added to the mix has been a few videos that weren’t official singles. The previous videos – think Stars Tonight - kind of showcase the roller coaster lives these three talented individuals have been leading since their rise to stardom.

The same approach was taken with Perfect Day. The footage is from the shows and just other behind the scenes moments captured as the band is out making history as one of the most successful acts in country music history.

The song is good. It’s probably not something that would do extremely well on radio, but it’s a good break from the rest of the country scene for three minutes. The song is entirely positive. I like that it’s about all the good things that can happen in life. If you let things get out of control in life you’ll find yourself in a cycle of depression and complaining. It’s not healthy to live that way.

That’s why I think it really works to listen to a song like Perfect Day.

Great job, Lady A.

CML Points: 82/100