http://www.countrystandardtime.com/blog/CountryMike/ Comments on the country music scene by Mike Sudhalter Copyright 2013, Country Standard Time Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:19:15 GMT Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:19:15 GMT 120 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/blog/CountryMike/entry.asp?xid=955 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/blog/CountryMike/entry.asp?xid=955 Music, like so many other hobbies, gives you the opportunity to look at where you were in life at various moments. That's been true with my George Strait concert experiences, which have numbered eight across four states and ranged from age 17 to age 33. As many of you know, I caught the country music bug in 1996, during the spring of my sophomore year in high school. I was listening to the radio and country just seemed adventurous.... Country Music Blog Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:19:00 GMT http://www.countrystandardtime.com/blog/CountryMike/entry.asp?xid=952 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/blog/CountryMike/entry.asp?xid=952 Somewhere between Houston and the Gulf of Mexico, one of country music's most talented quartets played St. Joseph's, one of the oldest churches in Texas. It was built in 1859 and deconsecrated in the 1960's, so attendees were allowed to drink complementary beer and wine in the pews. The Trishas, however, created the real buzz with a selection of songs from their first two albums. They are like the Oak Ridge Boys, except young, female and attractive.... Country Music Blog Sun, 17 Mar 2013 05:37:00 GMT http://www.countrystandardtime.com/blog/CountryMike/entry.asp?xid=951 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/blog/CountryMike/entry.asp?xid=951 "All night, love all night, practices makes perfect, gonna get it right...gonna get it right, one night at a time." It's the lyrics of one of the dozens of hits songs by George Harvey Strait, but it's also indicative of how he built his career. Little by little. Lots of consistency.... Country Music Blog Fri, 15 Mar 2013 08:47:00 GMT http://www.countrystandardtime.com/blog/CountryMike/entry.asp?xid=950 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/blog/CountryMike/entry.asp?xid=950 Ashley Monroe is one of the best kept secrets in Nashville, and her sophomore album, "Like A Rose," came out last week. The title track talks about overcoming problems, and leaving North Dakota. When's the last time a country singer mentioned North Dakota in a tune? Her voice is inviting and reminiscent of a time gone by in country music.... Country Music Blog Sun, 10 Mar 2013 06:08:00 GMT http://www.countrystandardtime.com/blog/CountryMike/entry.asp?xid=943 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/blog/CountryMike/entry.asp?xid=943 Call it a 21st Century version of Dolly Parton's "Jolene," but it's very confident and a well-written song. Her cover of Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'" is very interesting as well. It's always interesting to see how contestants from music television shows will parlay that success into commercial success.... Country Music Blog Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:46:00 GMT