Taste of Country Staff hasn't taken a day off since he/she was born in December 2010. Staff is an avid fan of country music and country music only although he/she has a soft spot for artists like Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson. Other interests include live music, cold beer, pizza at midnight and photos of country music babies.
Taste of Country Staff
ToC Encore: Who Is Eric Church?
On stage, Eric Church plays with fire -- literally. He shouts and cusses, and gestures to band mates to get them riled up. He'll pump a fist and point at the crowd like an angry football coach. The 'The Outsiders' singer forever seems one wrong word away from raging, and his fans love him for it. Off stage ... it's a different story.
Luke Bryan, ‘Roller Coaster’ [Listen]
Luke Bryan’s ‘Roller Coaster’ recalls similar ‘The One That Got Away’ type songs using imagery that’s become familiar to country music fans. This surf side story of love’s missed opportunity is warm ... and slightly heartbreaking.
Dan + Shay, ‘Show You Off’ [Listen]
If the guy in Dan + Shay’s ‘Show You Off’ and the girl in Lady Antebellum’s ‘Downtown’ met, you wouldn’t be able to peel them away from each other. The duo’s new single is all about struttin’ around with a hottie on your arm.
ToC Encore: The Year That Forever Changed Country Music
Country music's pop influences have never been as obvious as they are today. Top artists claim pop and rock bands as childhood favorites. Rock producers are shaping the format's top new albums. And the occasional guest appearance from a Music City outsider has become the rule, not the exception, on just about every country release.
Keith Urban, ‘Somewhere in My Car’ [Listen]
Keith Urban’s new single ‘Somewhere in My Car’ is an uptempo, guitar-driven breakup song that recalls some of his earlier hits. Sonically, the pop-friendly rocker is similar to ‘Days Go By’ and ‘Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me.’ Lyrically, it's closer to 'We Were Us.'
Chasin’ Crazy, ‘That’s How We Do Summertime’ [Listen]
Newcomers Chasin' Crazy have released a fun track in celebration of warm weather. It's aptly titled 'That's How We Do Summertime,' and it's a fun, laid back track that will have fans ready for bonfires at the beach and dancing at the local bar.
Miranda Lambert (Feat. Carrie Underwood), ‘Somethin’ Bad’ [Listen]
Miranda Lambert's new single, 'Somethin' Bad' is certainly one that leaves an impression. Enlisting the assistance of her fellow country superstar Carrie Underwood, Lambert goes full-tilt diva for a song that's just about as much fun as a song can be.
Sam Hunt, ‘Leave the Night On’ [Listen]
'Leave the Night On' -- Sam Hunt's first single on MCA Nashville -- brings a new sound to country radio.
Hunter Hayes, ‘Tattoo’ [Listen]
According to Hunter Hayes' new single, 'Tattoo,' the multi-talented country singer-songwriter might just be willing to get a little permanent ink -- if he meets the right girl of course! The new single, off of Hayes' 'Storyline' album is classic Hayes, returning to the reason fans love him so ardently - that boy can write a love song like nobody else.
Win a Trip to See Lucy Hale at the Grand Ole Opry Courtesy of FarmVille 2: Country Escape
Lucy Hale is excited to play the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on June 21, and she -- along with Zynga, the creators of FarmVille 2: Country Escape -- want you to be there. Enter here for your chance to win a trip for two to Nashville to see the 'You Sound Good to Me' singer perform live.
Cole Swindell Defends Danielle Bradbery After 2014 CMT Music Awards
Last week cameras caught Cole Swindell and Danielle Bradbery looking less than enthused by Luke Bryan's performance of 'Play It Again' at the CMT Music Awards. The 'Hope You Get Lonely Singer' says the two were caught in a situation Kacey Musgraves found herself in after the 2013 CMA Awards.
Album Spotlight: Miranda Lambert, ‘Platinum’
Miranda Lambert’s fifth studio album ‘Platinum’ presents a more emotionally centered 30-year-old. Few songs cut deep lyrically, but the singer hardly plays it safe.