Country Mike Blog

Favorite new country

Mike Sudhalter  |  August 1, 2007

It's always exciting to listen to new country artists and discover what's out there. Some will have big careers and others will be one-hit wonders. But it's fun to listen to all of it, and then remember those times years later.

I just listened to "Say Yes" by Dusty Drake, and I think that's actually a better wedding song than Heartland's "I Loved Her First". I don't understand why it wasn't bigger.

Then, you have to look at Lee Brice, and I'm not sure when his debut album will come out. He's in the mold of new artists like Trent Tomlinson and Eric Church. Artists with a country/rock sound that sing with a traditional flair.

Brice played college football for the Clemson Tigers, one of the premier collegiate football teams in the nation. If he tours with Trace Adkins, he'll have bragging rights. Ol' Trace played for also-ran Louisiana Tech.

I think Luke Bryan will take country music by storm when his debut album is released on Aug. 14. "I'll Stay Me" is a great song about staying true to yourself.

From commenting about new artists to a question about a country legend. Does anyone know what the C. stands for in Jimmy C. Newman. If you do e-mail me