Reviews

During 'I Do Now,' a song from LeAnn Rimes' new 'Spitfire' album, the singer name-checks the Dixie Chicks. The track is a feel-good, take-my-life-back kinda song nestled between much more moody and emotional fare. The similarities between the two acts were never so apparent until she says it.

Just the other day I was complaining about not being able to get to the gym and not even knowing where to start with balancing my diet. The other night i couldn't sleep so I was looking through the "Popular App" section on my droid when I found "Lose It".

George Strait steps back in time for his newest release, 'Love Is Everything.' In the past, the singer always found a way to add a touch of contemporary to his traditional sound. There's nothing to separate this from albums he made throughout the '80s and '90s, but that's not necessarily a criticism.

The best moments on Lady Antebellum's fourth album 'Golden' find Charles Kelley or Hillary Scott singing solo, with minimal help from the other on harmonies. There is no shortage of songs that act as features for the two talented vocalists. The evolution of the trio finds them becoming a dual threat super power instead of a two-headed pop-rock-country group.

'It Goes Like This' is the safest of the three singles Thomas Rhett has released, but he sacrifices nothing in sharp songwriting in his effort to land a hit on country radio. The charismatic songwriter is a natural storyteller, and his lyrics bounce to life with each verse and chorus.

April 26, 2013 I had the honor of seeing the Alabama reunion concert in Wallingford, CT. with a bus load of 50 country music fans. It had been 10 years since we hosted a bus trip to see the Farewell tour in Hershey, PA., so we were all anxious to see if the band still sounded great.

Kenny Chesney's 'Life on a Rock' album is as revealing of a record as 'Be as You Are' -- more so in some ways. The songwriting isn't as sharp as the 2005 project (the most closely comparable to 'Life on a Rock' in style and substance), but the experiences are as mixed and honest.

Country legend Willie Nelson is approaching his 80th Birthday (April 30, 2013). It's no surprise he'll celebrate his big day rolling down the highway to the next show and enjoying the release of a new album Let's Face The Music And Dance.

The 10th Season winner of American Idol, Scotty McCreery, is busy balancing college and building a career in Country Music.

'Let's Face the Music and Dance' is a great place for a young country music fan to meet Willie Nelson. It won't be his most famous, and it won't create any hit singles. This wonderfully consistent effort proves what longtime fans of the legend already know: At 79 years old (80 on April 30), Nelson is still as important and skilled a vocalist as there is in country music.

Brad Paisley's 'Wheelhouse' delivers a familiar mix of humor, life lessons and scorching guitar solos, but it does it in a way different from any of the other eight albums the 'Beat This Summer' singer has released. He took his old formula, balled it up, lit it on fire and tossed the ashes in the garbage. The result is a meaty and ambitious project that doesn't always click, but clears new ground

Over the past few weeks, WGNA intern Stacy Jo has been reviewing NBC's 'The Voice.' The blind auditions are coming to an end, and it looks like she has a favorite on Blake Shelton's Team (aka 'Team Blake').