Nashville!

By Matthew J Rogers
Succeeding as a mainstream country music duo has its obstacles. One might even say that it’s virtually impossible for an unsigned act nowadays to match the resounding success of the genre’s leading twosomes. Needless to say, there’s some stiff competition. Rancho Deluxe is somewhere in between what works and what doesn’t, and […]

By Matthew J. Rogers
When listening to Mark Chesnutt’s latest effort, Rollin’ With the Flow (2008), it’s difficult to predict exactly how the album will be received. It’s evident from the get-go that Chesnutt isn’t one for conformity, as he sticks closely to formulas that earned him considerable success in the early nineties. Yet, producer Jimmy […]

In his web site biography, Rich Flanders claims, “I’m not a cowboy, and I don’t own that big spread on the far side of the divide.” But after listening to Yondering: Songs of the American West, some might be convinced otherwise, as Flanders clearly has a deep, intimate relationship with the old west.

By Contributing Author Matthew J. Rogers
The strange thing about a “greatest hits” type of album is that it puts fans in the position of questioning whether or not it’s logical to purchase something that they more than likely already have. Of course fans want to support their favorite artists – but Chris LeDoux devotees have […]

By Featured Contributing Editor Mandy Phillips
Carrie Underwood’s sophomore album, Carnival Ride, is all over the map when it comes to success and failures. There are certainly some wonderful songs that showcase Underwood’s big voice and appeal, but there are just as many selections that seem to not be sure if they actually belong to […]