Taste of Country Staff
[
ToC Encore: Trace Adkins’ Rehab Trip Spotlights Country Music’s Drinking Problem
Earlier this week, Trace Adkins announced a second stint in an alcohol rehabilitation facility. He fell off the wagon during a cruise he was set to headline. It was his first taste of alcohol in over a decade -- since his last stay in rehab in 2002. While the singer seems to be taking full ownership of what happened on that boat, the incident shines a light on something not talked about very often.
[
Scotty McCreery Aims for Ninth Straight ToC Top 10 Video Countdown Number 1
Fans of Gary Allan's and Ronnie Dunn's new videos will need to double down to top Scotty McCreery's 'See You Tonight.' The singer and former 'American Idol' winner topped 'It Ain' the Whiskey' by five percentage points for an eighth straight win. This week he'll aim for No. 9.
[
Rascal Flatts, ‘Rewind’ [Listen]
There’s a timeless quality to Rascal Flatts’ love songs, like their latest ‘Rewind.’ It’s a song that could appear on any of the group’s eight previous studio albums. Gary, Jay and Joe Don have a signature sound, and they’ve remained loyal to it for almost 15 years.
[
Eric Church, ‘Give Me Back My Hometown’ [Listen]
Eric Church’s new song ‘Give Me Back My Hometown’ seems to fill in the answer to a question proposed last month through a short series of cryptic videos. The first video promised: “One will rise , one will fall," and then another indicated the first wasn't meant as an attack on Taylor Swift. It's not clear why footage of Swift was used at all, although this new song does explore themes the 24-year-old is famous for singing about.
[
ToC Encore: Favorite Interviews of 2013
There's an art to giving a great interview, and not every country star has mastered it. In fact, most fall somewhere between guarded and nervous when they pick up the phone or agree to talk about their lives and music face-to-face. That holds a singer back, but it's an obstacle that can be overcome, as Brantley Gilbert has proven.
[
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, ‘The Call’ [Listen]
The live version of 'The Call' from Garth Brooks' 'Live at the Wynn' performance is his first single since 2008. It's a duet with his wife Trisha Yearwood, but their happy marriage doesn't stand in the way of a heartbreaking performance.
[
New Brantley Gilbert, Luke Bryan Videos to Challenge for Top Spot on ToC’s Top 10 Countdown
Scotty McCreery holds the top spot on the ToC Top 10 Video Countdown once again, but two new challengers are sure to give him a battle. 'Bottoms Up,' the just-released video from Brantley Gilbert, and Luke Bryan's 'Drink a Beer' are two videos added to the poll this week. They join over two dozen other hot videos chasing just 10 spots.
[
Brantley Gilbert, ‘Bottoms Up’ [Listen]
Country bad boy Brantley Gilbert finds that sweet spot between rowdy and romantic with his new single 'Bottoms Up,' the first from his upcoming sophomore album for Valory Music Co. Mid-tempo or 'rock-lite' is how one could describe this track, but the word "chill" best illustrates the mood the Georgian was going for.
[
Chris Young, ‘Who I Am With You’ [Listen]
Chris Young's second single from the 'A.M.' album is similar to 'Aw Naw' in that it takes something he's done well across his first three studio albums and turns up the volume. 'Who I Am With You' is a big, soaring love ballad. It's a stark contrast to more intimate lovers from previous records.
[
Kellie Pickler, ‘(Everybody’s Waitin’ for) The Man With the Bag’ [Listen]
Kellie Pickler's 'Santa Baby' is one of the best country Christmas songs of all time, and she tries that style once again in '(Everybody's Waitin' for) The Man With the Bag,' her latest holiday recording. The versatile singer seems as comfortable weaving around her jazzy horn ensemble as she does the mandolins and acoustics that make up her best country cuts.
[
Kira Isabella, ‘A Country Boy for Christmas’ [Listen]
Country newcomer Kira Isabella has released a playful new Christmas love song in advance of her American debut single. 'A Country Boy for Christmas' finds the 20-year-old Canadian asking Santa to bring her the perfect man on Dec. 25, and she gets specific.
[
2014 Grammy Awards Nominees Announced
The 2014 Grammy nominees were announced Friday night (Dec. 6) during a concert broadcast live out of Los Angeles.