Once again, these are the top country music albums of 2011 – from October 2010 through September 2011. Check them out and see if your favorites are here…

Top Country Albums of 2011 Part 3

We’re getting into the good stuff. Check out these next five top albums of the last year.

15. Here For A Good Time – George Strait

Here For A Good Time You can’t go wrong when George Strait releases a new album. The first single from the album is already in the top ten and seems to be on its way to the top spot. It’ll be George’s one billionth number one song on the country charts and I’m sure he’ll have many more. Once again, George teams up for songwriting duties with his son, Bubba, and fellow songwriter Dean Dillon. Together they seem to have found a spark in George. There was never a lot of songs that George wrote himself. In fact, you have to go way back to his early days to find a couple songs he had a hand in writing. Now, on the last couple records he seems to be rejuvenated by the partnership with his son. And the best part is they’re putting out some really great country songs. The title track is one of the best. It fits George perfectly as he gets up there in age, but still takes time to enjoy life and continue playing. The rest of the tracks are just as strong. It’s more of the same yet something new from the king.

14. Barefoot Blue Jean Night – Jake Owen

Jake Owen caught me off guard earlier this year with the release of his single Barefoot Blue Jean Night. The song was dynamite. It became his first #1 hit on the country charts. The song was the perfect summer song and the perfect song to match Jake’s personality. The interesting part about this record was Jake didn’t co-write many of the songs. He simply sought out the best songs and it resulted in a really strong album. The songs here are certainly the best of his career. I think Jake found direction on this record. He seems to have moved beyond the young, cocksure bachelor and into more of an adulthood. It’s a nice change and I think it serves Jake well. He comes off as charming and sincere in the words on this record. The songs see him enjoying life and enjoying love. It’s a great record. Great melodies and great stories.

13. Red River Blue – Blake Shelton

Red River Blue I’m thinking I might catch some flak for not including this album in the top ten. It’s just really hard to narrow these albums down and come up with the very best of 2011. Blake Shelton has become a superstar over the last year. He’s the Male Vocalist of the Year. He got married earlier in the spring. He’s been out headlining shows all summer. I actually had the chance to see him just as this album was being released earlier this summer. He was very excited about the release. The album debuted not only at #1 on the country charts, but at #1 on the overall Billboard 200. That’s a huge accomplishment for any artist in any genre. The first single, Honey Bee, quickly became another top hit for Blake. The song was the fastest rising single of his career up to this point. The second single, God Gave Me You, has been climbing just as fast and should soon be at #1 on the country singles chart. The rest of the album is full of more classic Blake Shelton. There are passionate love songs, funny songs, and some songs about pain. There are a few moments on this record that might catch you off guard. It’s a little more serious from the love standpoint than previous Blake Shelton albums, but this one is a winner. And it’s probably his best record to date. And that’s beating out some pretty darn good albums.

12. Charleston, SC 1966 – Darius Rucker

Charleston SC 1966 Darius Rucker’s second country album release came out last October. Since that time the album has been certified gold and two singles have gone #1 on the charts. The third single is in the process of climbing the charts and appears headed for the top five. Darius is really a cinderella story in country music. He comes from the roots-pop movement of the ’90s. He was in one of the most successful bands of the era. After some time away from the major spotlight Darius recorded a country album and has since become one of the biggest acts in country. Now on his second album it’s evident Darius knows how to make great country music. His songs continue to reach the top of the charts and there’s really two or three more songs on this album that could become singles. I think we might get one more album before Darius prepares another album release for next summer or perhaps in the fall of 2012. Until that time you can kick back, relax, and enjoy all the great songs on Charleston, SC 1966. It’s a laid back album with plenty of easy going songs. You’re sure to love it…if you don’t already have it in your car.

11. The Band Perry – The Band Perry

The Band Perry also released their album last October. It was the first album release for this new country sibling group. At the time, If I Die Young was still making its way up the chart. The band’s first single had peaked in the top 20 and had gotten the band some early attention. It was Die that really took the band to a whole new level. The third single, You Lie, was just as big and people really began taking notice as the year wore on. Now the band has their fourth single climbing the chart fast and it seems like The Band Perry is on their way to becoming a star country act. Anytime an album sees four hit singles it’s a testament to how strong the music is. This was truly one of the best albums of the last year. It’s never easy for a new act to come on the scene and make big waves. It’s hard to get noticed and it’s hard to figure out what people will like and what still sounds unique and different. The Band Perry was able to do that. They have a really interesting sound to their music and the leader singer, Kimberly has a one-of-a-kind voice. I love this band and love the album.