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  Wade Bowen, one of Texas Country music's darlings, is back with a new single, "Car Ride Home."  The song is an introspective ballad that discusses the thoughts that run through the mind of a weary traveler driving home at night. Bowen croons about the things he's done right and wrong, the places he belongs in, and the people he's lost along the way. An introspective country ballad Bowen's voice is distinctively Texan, with a deep Waco drawl that lends an air of authenticity to "Car Ride Home." Though he's known for high-energy, upbeat songs, Bowen delivers a standout performance in this slow, melodic ballad. His voice sounds weary and emotive, bringing the emotions conveyed in the lyrics to the surface. The first verse of "Car Ride Home" sets the scene for the rest of the song. Bowen sings about stopping at a gas station to buy a single cigarette and some Gatorade. He's hungover from the night before but sings along with a Springs...

It seems almost fitting that the rising country star responsible for co-writing Tim McGraw's monster radio hit "Truck Yeah" would have his first country chart Number One with the infectious " Buy Me A Boat ." Trucks and boats just naturally go together. First, Chris Janson's cool, laid-back country vibe allows the song to have a comfortable groove that immediately puts the listener at ease. This is no easy feat, and Janson has obviously put in thousands of performance hours to achieve this. Likewise, Chris Janson has a natural charisma that oozes authenticity. The theme of the song is textbook country: 'I ain't rich but I damn sure want to be," sings Janson at the start of the track. Next, he begins to wish for a rich uncle and name drops billionaire Warren Buffett (who has country bona fides himself as one of the owners of Dairy Queen). Then, he says that people call him "redneck," "white trash" and "blue co...

Christen Lee Sawyer is a 20-year-old woman on a mission: She wants to become a country star. And Christen Lee Sawyer's new single, "Crazy," shows that she is well on her way. Christen, who writes many of her own songs and hails from Sugar Land, Texas, is a sophomore at Texas A&M majoring in economics. But her true passion is music. This passion took her to Nashville to record a 3-song EP titled "The Sampler" that includes the single she wrote titled "Crazy." Christen Lee Sawyer said her major musical influences are Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Eli Young Band, Martina McBride, Dolly Parton and Faith Hill. Like her taste in music, Sawyer's style blends today's country with a little Texas country that makes her unique for new, country female artists. In her single "Crazy," Sawyer sings with a relaxed country tone combined with a little Miranda Lambert attitude. It's a good combination. And with the right songs and ca...

There's only one way to describe Whiskey Myers - a cool , red dirt band. And their latest single "Lonely East Texas Nights" dutifully showcases these rising stars from East Texas in a track that is probably autobiographical. As a song, "Lonely East Texas Nights" is perfectly suited for country radio. The vibe is relaxed and the music is a nice mix of country and southern rock. Whiskey Myers style is a hybrid that mixes a little Allman Brothers and Led Zeppelin with some Randy Rogers Band and early Pat Green. It's a combination that works. The boys started the group by writing songs in a rent house in small Elkhart, Texas, but they eventually became a mainstay in the Tyler, Texas area and built up a rabid fan base. The group's modest beginnings have helped craft music that has rich layers of personal experiences which are expressed in the heartfelt vocals and piercing lyrics. The single "Lonely East Texas Nights" is taken from Whiskey Myer...

The boys in the Charlie Shafter Band don't take themselves too seriously. But when it comes to their music, these guys are awful hard workers. All the proof you need is in their album "17 th And Chicago" and their new single "Not My Girl" which mixes Texas country with a little Goo Goo Dolls/ Lifehouse style. This combination is infectious - in a good way. "Not My Girl" is a contemporary country song that fits well on radio and showcases the band's laid back style. The music is upbeat and the lyrics are reflective without trying to be too deep. In short, it's a perfect, catchy country radio tune. Since Charlie Shafter and drummer Joel Dreistadt hail from Illinois, the band doesn't classify itself as Texas country. The Charlie Shafter Band's music crosses genres and can be appreciated by fans of both Bob Dylan and Ricky Skaggs . Indeed, the first single "Big City Baby" has a great Marc Cohn -goes-country vibe that ma...

Pat Green's vocals soar with the new single "Let Me." Green offers up a stellar performance and upbeat delivery that makes this track one of the most memorable and well-produced songs on country radio in the last few months. Although the romantic lyrics of "Let Me" are more suited for an average Kenny Chesney country fan rather than Pat Green's original Texas music audience, this song is a winner that can be appreciated by both groups of fans. His romantic lyrics include: "Let me be the one who sets your feet up on a road where you've never been, oh and baby then, you can let me take these arms and wrap you up inside a night that will never end." Like Jack Ingram, Pat Green has found a second life in mainstream country music, and this single could certainly catapult him to even further success. While "Let Me" will certainly appeal to women, Pat Green has created a country love song with enough of an edge that men will enjoy it t...

Red Dirt fans have an extra reason to celebrate with the single release of Mark McKinney's Texas Music anthem " Stompin ' Ground." This track just hit the Top 5 and is from Mark McKinney's widely acclaimed debut album "Get It On." McKinney had already charted an impressive 3 singles on the Texas Music Chart. And, now, he's taking a victory lap with his fourth hit, which is a rowdy, meat and potatoes country masterpiece. As usual with Mark McKinney, " Stompin ' Ground" is a well-written song with a memorable hook. But this track is special. The lyrics and hard-driving beat take the listener back in time and allow us to relive the best moments of our past. He sings: "This is where I discovered love...where I was young and crazy. This is where I became a man. I faced those demons and I took my stand...This is where it all went down. This is my old stompin g ground." The single is authentic and wears well with repeated liste...

Rich O'Toole had four hit singles with his debut album "Seventeen," and Texas country music fans were thrilled to accept O'Toole's new album "In A Minute Or 2" and its uptempo title track that has a killer hook and great lyrics. In the single "In A Minute Or 2," Rich O'Toole offers up another memorable hit record and promises "In a minute or two, I'll come back for you." which will certainly thrill his large and growing fan base. Rich O'Toole wrote "In A Minute Or 2" right after "Seventeen" was released, and O'Toole says he had a hard time waiting to release the song. O'Toole said his music is a bout "surviving the real world." Certainly, this hit record proves that this twentysomething artist is definitely a survivor, and the single seems to reflect his own real life and loves. O'Toole grew up in Houston and turned to music after a baseball career was sidelined by inju...

Tyler Farr is back with a new single "Suffer In Peace," which is the title track to his new album (April 28) of the same name. The single is a major surprise - with thought provoking lyrics that immediately grab you and a winning chorus you just can't forget. "Suffer In Peace" is not your average country song - it is a textured goodbye letter from a person in deep pain. To help fans really understand and appreciate the new single, Tyler Farr even made the unusual move of releasing two new videos for "Suffer In Peace" (one live from Nashville). Plus, he is offering his fans the single free right now (plus two additional songs) when they preorder the new album for $7.99 on iTunes or Amazon. First of all, let's get something straight: There is some suffering involved with listening to the single "Suffer In Peace" - actually, just enough to help you truly feel the lyrics. From the first syllable uttered in the song, you immediately ...

The talented Blake Shelton, otherwise known as Mr. Miranda Lambert, has released the debut single from his seventh studio album (excluding EP and Christmas albums). And, yes, our friend Blake Shelton has hit another grand slam with "Sure Be Cool If You Did," which is about as close as you can get to a sure thing for a Country Chart Number One. Blake Shelton has a golden touch on country radio, and the song "Sure Be Cool If You Did" was cowritten by The Voice Season 2 alumni Nicolle Galyon. She also wrote two songs for new country artist and American Idol alum Lauren Alaina as well as the well-received cut "Boyfriend" from fellow Voice alum Raelynn. Galyon's other collaborators on "Sure Be Cool If You Did" are Jimmy Robbins and Chris Tompkins. The new single has a fresh country vibe that fully showcases Shelton's confident vocal performance, and this is one country pop ballad that might find mainstream radio acceptance following th...

Female country trio The McClymonts have gotten tons of press ink in the American country music press following the group's meteroric rise in popularity in their native Australia. "I Could Be A Cowboy" proves why these country girls have achieved superstardom Down Under and deserve to be big stars in the USA too.  "I Could Be A Cowboy" is an unlikely title for a winning country ballad, and The McClymonts probably needed to show the American market the group's softer side. Sam McClyomont said: "You can choose to be independent and strong but sometimes you just need love and to be in someone else's arms.” The piercing vocal performance combined with the terrific lyrics make "I Could Be A Cowboy" a must download for country music fans everywhere. At the same time, the track highlights the trio's tight harmonies and flawless production. The McClymonts released their album "Wrapped Up Good" last year in America, and the alb...

When Casey Donahew announced his band's new single, "Let's Not Say Goodbye Again," to a screaming crowd at the oldest live music venue in Arkansas, a hush went through the crowd as the mixture of hard working blue collar men and women stopped clicking bottles and partying with upper middle class University of Arkansas undergraduates long enough to give a good listen to the new track. The assembled concertgoers seemed to know the words to almost every other song, but not this one. However, it was clear that the crowd took to the song faster than catfish attacking fresh bait as the chorus of "Let's Not Say Goodbye Again" kicked into overdrive. Yep, they were hooked. The new single "Let's Not Say Goodbye Again" hit radio a few days later, and you can bet that hundreds of people who have caught the Casey Donahew Band's sold-out shows contacted their local radio stations to hear the new song.  The track begins with a Texas country vibe, ...

Fort Worth native and American Idol alum Casey James sizzles with sultry country vocals in his debut single "Let's Don't Call It A Night." The third-place finisher in Idol's ninth season begins the song complimenting his new lady friend's dress. He sings: "Love the way you look in that dress; You got me thinkin' thoughts in my head." James' vocals are pure and crisp. While the new country artist was not previously known as a country singer during his brief TV stint, his bluesy southern charm is a welcome addition to country music. Indeed, his Texas swagger and all-American good looks should also help jumpstart his country music career. The most surprising aspect of the song is not Casey James' stellar vocal performance, which TV viewers would have expected. However, James wrote both the words and music to the song, and the memorable melody is impressive in itself. "Let's Don't Call It A Night" has already hit t...

Country music veteran George Ducas is back with "Never Goes Away." Fans of live country music shows have long known that George Ducas is a superb, energetic live performer. However, "Never Goes Away" shows the tender side of the Texas City native with a memorable melody and a Red Dirt vibe. Ducas wrote the song with Texas music legend Randy Rogers and Jon Henderson. Country music fans often lament the popularity of pop country music in recent years. But "Never Goes Away" breaks this trend and is a "real" country song with terrific lyrics and a top-notch vocal performance. Radio program directors should put this song in heavy rotation, and country music fans should hit the redial button three or four times to repeatedly request "Never Goes Away." Indeed, George Ducas has also continued to prove that his talent "never goes away" either. CountryChart.com

A new Bruce Robison single always brings a smile to the face of radio program directors. The Bandera, Texas native has a reputation of solid country music standards. "Heartache To Houston" is no exception, and it's another winner for Bruce Robison. "Heartache To Houston" starts out as a quiet love song and slowly builds to a comfortable beat that is well suited to Robison's reassuring country voice. The track was written by Robison, Miles Zuniga, and Gary Massey. Zuniga also produced the cut. As always, the vocals are impeccable, and the instrumentation is top notch. At its root, the song is a beautiful goodbye message to the woman he loves, and the fine lyrics deserve special attention. However, Bruce Robison's vocal interpretation elevates the song to an even higher level. He is a storyteller, and we're his anxious students. But we already know that because of songs like "Travelin' Soldier." "Heartache To Houston" be...

Sulphur, Louisiana native Michael Sarver has a deep, rich country voice that will win him fans both in and out of country music. However, even a singer with vocal talent needs the perfect song, and "Ferris Wheel" is a winner. As a Top 10 contestant on the eighth season of Americana Idol, Michael Sarver has been exposed to millions of music fans. With "Ferris Wheel ," Sarver channels his inner Josh Gracin to create a memorable country song that radio stations will eat up like cotton candy at the county fair. The upbeat cover art showcases an artist who is comfortable in his own skin, and Sarver's new, contemporary look should help encourage younger country fans to jump on the Sarver bandwagon. Likewise, the silver cross around his neck shows Sarver is unafraid to hide his deep religious conviction. Michael Sarver's voice has only gotten stronger since his Idol days, and "Ferris Wheel" is the song that will successfully give Michael Sarver ...

As a Marine, Dave Roberts defended the USA, so "Fire Away" is an especially fitting title for one of Dallas/Fort Worth's most promising new Texas country vocalists. Radio program directors and DJs should take notice of this passionate and interesting new talent. "Fire Away" is a bold, Red Dirt anthem with a comfortable, laid-back vocal performance that belies Dave Roberts' newcomer status. His extensive musical education at the University Of North Texas is also on full display on "Fire Away." Indeed, this educated military man is a superb songwriter. Watch for the complete album review of Dave Roberts "Rule #1" coming soon in Country Chart magazine. Just back from Afghanistan where he entertained the troops and appeared on Armed Forces Radio, Dave Roberts is ready to conquer Texas and beyond with his new single "Fire Away." With a growing fan base and a rockin' new single, the world may soon watch the career of Dave Rob...

Jody Booth makes a bold and timely entry into the country music scene with his new single "Gold Digger," which has a winning, classic country sound and first class, traditional country lyrics. Radio stations should jump on the bandwagon and give this single an extra push as recent news reports regarding Tiger Woods provide particularly strong social relevance for "Gold Digger." Booth, a native of Livingston, Texas, has a strong, country voice that oozes southern charm, and the singer's laid-back style and memorable lyrics will win him fans from every genre of country music. Aficionados of country music from around the country are eagerly awaiting his gritty, upcoming 12-song country tour de force titled "Heaven And Hell." "Gold Digger" was written by Jody Booth, and the song seems to come from Booth's personal experience. "She's got a ten cent heart and a million dollar figure," Booth sings. "There ain't no do...

If "Black Velvet" singer Alannah Myles decided to record a Texas country album, she might sound a lot like newcomer Susan Hickman. That's a big compliment, and Hickman, who just released her blues-infused track "Whipping Post" to Texas country radio, is perfectly poised for a big country music career. Hickman's self-titled debut dropped in February to regional fans. The MP3 is now available nationwide, and the CD will be released to a national audience in the coming months. "Whipping Post" is a powerful, sexy track that builds to a rousing crescendo. Susan Hickman offers a winning cover of the classic Allman Brothers tune and shows raw emotion in an authentic vocal performance that boldly announces her entry to Texas country music. Red Dirt fans should get used to "Whipping Post," because Susan Hickman's sultry cover will likely be giving the beat down to its competition in its attempt to achieve country chart domination. Count...

Bruce Robison's new single "Born To Roll is a honky-tonk musical feast. Featuring Rodney Crowell and written by Lore Orion, "Born To Roll" is a rollickin' good time, and it showcases the good-natured charm and vocal talent of Robison and Crowell. "Born To Roll" is a toe-tapping masterpiece that will prove to be popular at Bruce Robison's concert appearances. Indeed, program managers of mainstream and Texas radio should immediately add "Born To Roll" to their playlists. The track is expertly produced by Crowell with superb instrumentation, memorable lyrics and a melodic, rockin' beat. With every album, Bruce Robison proves that he was born to make classic Texas country tracks. And by teaming up with Rodney Crowell, Bruce Robison should find himself rolling on up the country chart. CountryChart.com Find Bruce Robison CDs Download Bruce Robison Songs