Almost Goodbye (Mark Chesnutt):  This is one of my all-time fave songs ever!  It’s very haunting, too.  Mark is one of the most respected men in country music; unfortunately, his voice (pure/no frills) and personality (humble/reserved) were overshadowed by Garth Brooks, who was one of the many young artists coming up in the early ’90s  (a “golden age” for country).  They both recorded Friends in Low Places, though Mark’s version is regretful, not a party anthem like Garth’s. 

Angel in Disguise (Earl Thomas Conley): This Ohio native/prolific songwriter (often deemed “the thinking man’s country singer”) went almost unnoticed as a singer after some success (mid ’70s and ’80s).  I discovered his voice and deeply personal/analytical songs last year while browsing iTunes.  Nobody else has his sound! 

Holding Her and Loving You (Earl Thomas Conley):

I’ll Think of Something (Mark Chesnutt): This is a great song, not just for the lyrics, but also in that it shows his range (voice/emotion). Mark grew up in a musical family, like Randy Travis (the Traywicks), but w/o the drama, drugs, etc.   He’s an old-school gentleman rooted in his hometown of Beaumont, TX. 

Paint Me A Birmingham (Tracy Lawrence):  I grew up with his very unique sound.  Though the Tennessee native had his success (10 albums,  17 #1 songs), Tracy (like Mark) was coming up in the same time as Garth, who had far superior marketing on his side.  This is the real deal in country music- no frills needed!

This is my fave song by Tracy; it’s also a big crowd-pleaser (as he says in interview- filmed in Tucson, no less). 

Texas Tornado (Tracy Lawrence): This song shows his range well.  There is something in his voice that is simply captivating! 

Too Cold At Home (Mark Chesnutt): This is his first #1 song. 

Check out the vid below for a mini-concert, with short interviews woven in! 

Mark & Tracy LIVE:  I just discovered this vid today- YAY!

By My Side (Lorrie Morgan/Jon Randall): A song (by the former marrieds) about not being afraid of love/commitment; the lyrics are true-to-life!  I just heard it a few days ago.

Never Loved Before (Alan Jackson/Martina McBride): A fun (I love your quirky sneaky sense of humor), fast-paced, and touching song by two country superstars.  

Roll on Mississippi (Neal McCoy/Trace Adkins): A beautiful homage to the state- and childhood memories!  This song is on the album Pride: A Tribute to Charley Pride (recorded by Neal). 

That’s How You Know When You’re In Love (Lari White, featuring Hal Ketchum): Two of country’s most respected/independent singer-songwriters are here.  Lari, who also acts, is one of my all-time fave ladies of country! 

Helping Me Get Over You (Travis Tritt/Lari White): These two opposite personalities create a powerful song of rebound and regret.  I esp. love these lyrics: Getting past the love we lost/That’s a lonely bridge to cross; There’s no forever in his eyes/It’s not the love that we once knew.  

Whiskey Lullaby (Jon Randall/Jessi Alexander): The singer also wrote this song (made famous my Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss).  Here Jon performs the original version with his wife, also a country singer. 

Don’t Close Your Eyes (Jon Randall/Jessi Alexander): This is the poignant song made famous by Keith Whitley, a singer (and Lorrie’s first husband) who bridged the pop and country divide in the ’80s.    

A Bad Goodbye (Clint Black/Wynonna Judd): You can’t go wrong w/ Wynonna.

Another Try (Josh Turner/Trisha Yearwood): Not really a duet, but Trisha’s voice in prominent in back. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngHkbz8wTuk

Forever and Ever, Amen (reboot of Randy Travis’ hit song w/ Josh Turner): Travis is Turner’s main musical influence.  This is from the CMT series Cross Country.

Golden Ring:

Original version (George Jones/Tammy Wynette): The “first couple of Country music” (and former marrieds) sing on a TV show. 

Newer version (Lorrie Morgan/Josh Turner): 

If You See Him, If You See Her (Reba McEntire/Brooks & Dunn):  Ronnie Dunn is one of my most fave male voices!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5nvaOD_Lr4

I Told You So (reboot of another of Travis’ hit songs w/ Carrie Underwood): An old fave gets better.

Medocino County Line (Willie Nelson/Lee Ann Womack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgFGMkNgZ3w

Still Holding On (Clint Black/Martina McBride): This is the definition of a power ballad. 

Stuck on You (Lionel Ritchie/Darius Rucker): I just heard this song a few days ago!  This is on album of duets made by Ritchie recently.

The Heart Won’t Lie (Vince Gill/Reba McEntire): The official vid even tells a story- couple who can’t be together b/c of status (he as her drill sergeant and she as a recruit, then eventually an officer who outranks him). 

Reba and Vince (both from Oklahoma) are long-time pals/collaborators who have great chemistry whenever they’re together.   I love everything about this song! 

What If I Said (Anita Cochran/Steve Wariner): He’s from Noblesville, Indiana (small town close to where my mom & lil bro lived for many years). 

Walkaway Joe (Trisha Yearwood/Don Henley):  The official music vid for this song was Matthew McConaughey’s first acting job!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCdCuduv0H0