“Red Ragtop” The debut single from McGraw’s excellent 2002 album Dancehall Doctors drew controversy for its references to premarital sex and abortion, and was even banned at some country radio stations. But the song is more than just a firebrand. Written by indie singer-songwriter Jason White, “Red Ragtop” beautifully chronicles the rise and fall [...]

“Country music is truly music for everyone,” said Tim McGraw, as he and his wife Faith Hill prepared to announce the Country Music Association’s 2009 “Entertainer of the Year” award. “And that’s never been more apparent than with the diversity of tonight’s nominees.” It was a line meant to acknowledge the presence of one nominee [...]

Buy this issue. When Zac Brown Band hit the country music jackpot back in 2008, it was thanks to “Chicken Fried,” a ubiquitous Southern anthem that closely followed Nashville’s formula for mainstream success. Chock full of references to cold beer, God and soldiers, the song perfectly fit country radio’s mold and launched the band into [...]

“This world is so loud. Everything’s coming at us all at once,” says Jack Ingram. “It’s nice to get in a room with people and go, ‘Let’s cut the bullshit. Let’s talk about music for a minute.’” At age 39, the Texas-born singer/songwriter—who recently wrapped up a solo, acoustic tour of listening rooms in support [...]

EASTON CORBIN Easton Corbin (MERCURY NASHVILLE) Rating: Easton Corbin has one of those rare, glorious voices that was made—just made—for singing country music. If only that voice had some better country music to sing. On his self-titled debut album, Corbin guides his warm, smooth-as-gravy-southern drawl over a series of innocuous neo-traditional country songs that gives [...]

GARY ALLAN Get Off On The Pain (MCA) Rating: As far as country radio is concerned, Gary Allan is a bit player. In the role of scruffy, tattooed bad-boy with a sensitive side, Allan has strung together a modicum of mainstream success by channeling his sexy growl into unobjectionable vignettes like “Tough Little Boys” and [...]

RECKLESS KELLY Somewhere in Time (YEP ROC) Rating: An album that has been in the pipeline for years, Somewhere in Time pays homage to the songs of Boise, Idaho, singer/songwriter Pinto Bennett (of The Famous Motel Cowboys). Bennett is something of a mysterious figure on the Americana circuit; part country storyteller and part modern cowboy [...]

LADY ANTEBELLUM Need You Now (CAPITOL NASHVILLE) Rating: After winning three CMA awards and selling over a million copies of its self-titled 2008 debut, Lady Antebellum returns with an uninspired sophomore effort that is a prime example of style over substance. One of country music’s most hyped new acts, the trio (comprising singers Hillary Scott, [...]

Joe Ely, Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore-known collectively as the Flatlanders-are three of Americana music’s most venerable elders, each an iconic singer/songwriter in his own right.

Built around a voice as raw and unpolished as the dusty New Mexico landscape where he was raised, Ryan Bingham’s sound is a grimy take on country rock, fueled by nicotine and a troubadour’s restlessness.

The Foundation melds capable takes on various staple country themes …

Randy Owen enlisted the services of Nashville’s hottest super producer John Rich, presumably in order to help the Hall of Fame vocalist update his sound…