CountryChart #1 for Country Music Charts

  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...

While change isn't always good, it is for Mark McKinney. That's because his new album "World In Between" is a passionate, powerhouse project that moves the Texas country music genre forward with thought provoking lyrics and refreshing musicality that more tightly infuses Red Dirt with the best elements of rock. The long-awaited new album from McKinney is a striking departure from the Texas country artist's previous four, full-length albums such as Middle America (which we loved - click here to read our review from 2009 ). And the album, which was produced by the artist and his brother Eric McKinney at Austin's Wonderland Studios, is not to be missed. It is probably no coincidence that the cover art for World In Between literally shows three sides of Mark McKinney (see photo below). This is a fitting image for an album which obviously took significant time to conceive and produce as it was the artist's first full album since 2013's Standing My G...

Josh Grider must have a big set of kahunas . Yes, you read the above sentence correctly - because it takes some boldness from the nether regions for a country music artist - or any music artist, really - to title a new album " Brokedown ." To some lazy music reviewers, a title like  " Brokedown " is a gift from above that would allow them to simply banter on about how 'broken down' the album actually is. However, Josh Grider, a country boy who hails from Las Cruces, New Mexico, doesn't allow for any of that. He has created a tight Album-EP hybrid with six songs and a bonus cut that will knock any lazy, 'broken down' music critic right into top gear. The album begins with the quietly intense " Only Life I've Ever Known (Suburban Song) ." Grider oozes sincerity as he grapples with a man coming to terms with the cards life has dealt. The lyrics provide vivid imagery of a man with a not-so-easy life trying to make a living f...

Singer-songwriters like Houston-native Darrell Goldman face long odds and daunting obstacles - especially when crafting and perfecting a body of songs that make up a debut album. However, Darrell Goldman manages to pull it all together with just the right elements on his first project " The Bed I've Made ." And this album is a cozy cup of country goodness that would make anyone yearn for an extra hour in their day to spend with this winning album. The music begins with the superbly-performed "Hold On My Heart," which offers heartfelt lyrics and a confident, laid-back style that works. The next track "In This Together" is a refreshingly folksy cut that is aided by thought-provoking lyrics. The constant refrain "we're in this together" is sung with a warmth that is rare among country music performers. Darrell Goldman's debut album is titled "The Bed I've Made" "Lookin' For Love" is a classic countr...

Stoney LaRue Stoney LaRue's "Velvet" takes command of the Official Texas Country Chart Top 40 for the second week as The Turnpike Troubadours rise dramatically to take the Number Two spot on the Texas music and Red Dirt chart with "Long Hot Summer Days." Josh Abbott featuring Pat Green on "My Texas" came in at Number 3, and Kevin Fowler didn't disappoint at Number 4 with "Hell Yeah I Like Beer." Cody Canada and The Departed rounded out the Top 5 with "Ballad Of Rosalie."  The Turnpike Troubadours "Another Like You" from Hayes Carll rose 14 places to Number 6, but Deryl Dodd fell 5 places to #7 with "Baby Where's My Bottle." Adam Hood's "Flame And Gasoline" jumped to Number 8 (from previous position of #32), and Reckless Kelly fell 5 places to number 9 with "Good Luck & True Love." The Number 10 place on the Official Texas Country Chart Top 40 went to Brandon Jenkins...

Texas Country Music's first ever fan-voted "Texas Country Chart" Top 40 Songs was published today with Red Dirt star Stoney LaRue's hit "Velvet" and Deryl Dodd's "Baby Where's My Bottle taking the first and second spots respectively. The fan voters found some country love for Eli Young Band's mega-hit "Crazy Girl" at #3 and Reckless Kelly's "Good Luck And True Love" at #4. Rounding out the Top 5 is "Ballad Of Rosalie" from Cody Canada & The Departed. Placing in the sixth postion of the September 13, 2011 chart was Max Stalling's "6 x 9 Speakers (Revisited)."  Next, "Hell Yeah, I Like Beer" from the rockin' Kevin Fowler and Casey Donahew Band's "Breaks My Heart" dropped in at #7 and 8 respectively while "The River Song" from Mark McKinney arrived at #9 "Too Big To Fail" from Brandon Jenkins is the #10 song.

Very few artist's have the stamina and simple country charm of Texas country star and Carthage, Texas native Brandon Rhyder. Now, fans have a special 4-disc "Live At Billy Bob's Texas" set (2 CDs & 2 DVDs) that sizzles with excitement and smolders with Red Dirt intensity. The 24 songs on the 2 CDs clock in at a beefy time of almost two hours. The festivities begin with the terrific "You Burn Me" which is followed by "It's What I Do" which slowly builds to a rousing crescendo. It also must be noted that Brandon Rhyder's true country talent is startling as he belts out song after song with solid vocal performances. Indeed, Rhyder has the kind of pure country voice that could draw in outsiders to the Texas country fold. That's no easy feat. Brandon Rhyder wanted to give his fans everything he could on this 4-disc set, and he even includes eight never-recorded songs, which is almost unheard of on a live album. The current single ...

With top-notch production and just the right amount of Red Dirt swagger, Kyle Park bursts back onto the country music scene following a hit album and two successful EPs - including one that landed him in the top 5 of iTunes country chart. That's no easy feat for most artists, but it's just another day at the studio for Kyle Park, who is daring country music fans to "Make Or Break Me" in his new album of the same name. With 15 songs that clock in at just under an hour, the album begins with the title track "Make Or Break Me," which deserves to be another #1 country chart single for Kyle Park. The radio-ready song finds Park's strong country voice in great form, and the musicianship of the instrumentalists assembled for the album is first class, including well known names in country music, such as Texas legend Lloyd Maines and Park's manager John Michael Whitby on piano. The song "Make Or Break Me" is an upbeat love song that offers inspiring...

On the TV show "Seinfeld," George Costanza mentions his desire to "drape" himself in velvet if it ever becomes socially acceptable. Well, George's mother can safely get out the cutting shears because Stoney LaRue has created a musical masterpiece with "Velvet" that will make you want to wrap a bolt of velvet around you and never let go. It's been six, long years since Stoney LaRue offered up his last studio album, but the famed Red Dirt star has been a road warrior with more than 250 dates a year after his successful "Live At Billy Bob's Texas" album helped him forge a road-worthy band. Now, after three years of hard work, the new album "Velvet" begins with "Dresses." No, Stoney LaRue hasn't gone soft or started a garment-making sweat shop. "Dresses is an atmospheric, Texas country cut that includes elements of folk and Americana. The bluesy "Wiregrass" showcases LaRue's stellar voc...

Changing musical directions can sometimes lead to a burst of creative energy. This holds true for Rodney Parker & 50 Peso Reward in their new album - the stripped down "Live In The Living Room." Parker's fame comes largely from his stellar reputation in Texas country/Red Dirt music, but this acoustic set proves that the band could draw just as many fans from Americana and roots music. Creating an atmospheric live album that does justice to a songwriter's music and a band's long hours of practice is no easy feat, but Rodney Parker makes it look easy on the first cut "Firelight." Likewise, the easy-going "Highway Blues" is perfectly performed. So fire up the subwoofer, close your eyes and pretend that you're in the living room with Parker, 50 Peso Reward and about two dozen friends in Corinth, Texas where the album was recorded. The project really comes into its own with the track "Guitars," which slowly builds to a memora...

The sixth album is the charm for the hardworking Micky And The Motorcars who don't disappoint with the eleven new cuts on the beer and whiskey-drinking celebration titled "Raise My Glass," which takes listeners on a rollicking Texas nightlife adventure that might leave you still feeling the fun in the morning. The album begins with the title track "Raise My Glass," which is a classic Red Dirt cut that fires on all cylinders. However, the next song is somewhat of a surprise. "A Thousand Tears" starts off with a new sound for Micky & The Motorcars and slowly builds to a rousing crescendo. The album's first single "Any Longer Any More" has a soaring melody and offers a tight vocal performance. It is followed by the album's biggest surprise - the tender love song "How Far I'll Go." The intense vocals and superb instrumentation allow the listener to clearly consider the thought provoking lyrics. "Far From Yo...

The album "Freedom Wine" from Midnight River Choir impressed just about everyone who heard it, and now the fun-lovin' country boys are back with "Welcome To Delirium," which is just about as enjoyable as a 12:00 am river rafting trip - and, by the way, exactly where the group formed. If Gavin DeGraw and Sunny Sweeney had a love child, he might sing a song like the first track "Mile Marker," which is breezy, radio-ready song that is extraordinarily memorable. However, the band's Red Dirt vibe is resurrected with the terrific "Arms Of A Stranger," that once again showcases the band's superb vocal harmony. However, it is the quiet love song "Run Away From Me" that is the album's biggest surprise, and the tender, restrained vocals are pitch perfect. The Midnight River Choir manages to impress once again with the next cut, the bluesy rock "Take You With Me," which showcases the band's terrific instrumentat...

Texas country aficionados rejoice, because the world's best Red Dirt band is bringing fans "Good Luck & True Love" with a new album. Reckless Kelly carefully planned every detail on the project, including one of the best CD packages of any country album this year. Great cover art is important, but it's the music that matters most to Reckless Kelly, and the album begins with the mid-tempo, Red Dirt anthem "Give It A Try." However, the cut "Save Me From Myself" really kickstarts the album, and the song with the melodic chorus is certain to be another #1 hit for Reckless Kelly. "Guarded Heart" is a classic country love song and features angst-ridden vocals and superb instrumentation. Indeed, it proves to be the perfect intro for the album's biggest surprise, the hard-rockin' "She Likes Money, He Likes Love," which will please concertgoers and radio program managers looking for an upbeat country hit. The traditi...

Home state hero Gary Nicholson has had a long and varied career that has taken him from deep in the heart of Texas all the way to Hollywood, where his work has been featured in movies as diverse as Crazy Heart and Major League . Now, Nicholson is paying tribute to his home state with "Texas Songbook," featuring Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel - along with many more Texan friends. The album begins with the recent inductee into the Texas Songwriters Hall Of Fame singing the track "Texas Weather." Nicholson's quietly confident vocal delivery never fails to impress, and "Texas Weather" has a memorable melody. The bluesy "Same Kind Of Crazy" showcases a more passionate side of Nicholson who is joined by Delbert McClinton on harmonica and Red Dirt vocalist Randy Rogers. The melodic "Fallin' & Flyin'" is just good old fashioned fun. Women occupy Gary Nicholson's mind on "Messin' With My Woman" and the...

The hit Texas country single "Pillow" is taken from T.J. Broscoff's new album "Ready To Fly" which chronicles the artist's new-found freedom from addictions. Read the full review in our sister magazine Texas Country Chart by clicking here or click the album cover below to read the full review. The 12-track album by T.J. Broscoff follows an early career in rock music. Read the complete review by clicking here or reading Texas Country Chart Magazine.

The Red Dirt artist Jeremy Steding continues his creative prowess with the Walt Wilkins-produced "I Keep On Livin,' But I Don't Learn" which has been reviewed in our sister magazine - Texas Country Chart. To read the full review, click here or the click the album cover below. "I'll Keep On Livin', But I Don't Learn" includes 11 songs, including the standout title track, the remarkable Americana cut "Arkansas Rain" and the tender "Brandi Sue." Read the full 500-word review by clicking here or visiting TexasCharts.com .

Zane Williams excavates his past in the terrific album "Ride With Me," which offers indelible melodies and satisfying lyrics. The album begins with the immensely hummable "'87 Chevy 4x4" and is followed by the equally pleasing title track "Ride With Me." The story in song "What You Do With What You Got" is a treat, but the album really comes into its own with the remarkably tender "Born Into Love." Zane Williams offers a Grammy-worthy performance on the heart-wrenching cut that hits every mark. The uptempo "Fall In Love Tonight" is also a musical delight, and Zane Williams proves his traditional country credentials with the retro "High Hopes And Low Expectations." The bluesy and confident "Livin' In The City" oozes the type of country charm made famous by John Anderson, and the album ends with the contemporary country track "The Long Way Around." Put simply, "Ride With Me...

Approaching the new album "True Love" by Rebecca Linda Smith is like stepping back in time to the days when the women of country music boldly and expressively mixed country and gospel to form a blessed union of musical bliss that is sorely lacking in most of the music of today. The album begins with the title track "True Love" which showcases Smith's hearty country vocals. The opening lyrics build to a rousing melodic and memorable chorus that fires on all cylinders. However, the album's best track by a mile is the masterpiece duet with country music star Marty Raybon titled "Not Knowing Anymore" which is reminiscent of power ballads from the worlds of country music (Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers) and contemporary Christian music (Sandi Patty/Larnelle Harris). The combined voices of Smith and Raybon are musical perfection. Smith, whose maiden name is Garcia, joined the military to become a linguist but eventually became a Heavy Vehicle Me...