RCA has a talent with Chris Young. He's as country as country comes - think the same vein as George Jones, Randy Travis, and Josh Turner. His latest, "Voices," will hopefully put some much needed fuel in his career's tank.

Ok, so you know what you do something you know you're not supposed to, you always here mom's voice in the back of your head? Yeah, that's mom, and dad, and grandma and grandpa. There you have it - that's Young's new song.

Dad tells his son that quitting the team means throwing away your life, Grandma gives you advice on your marriage. As Young says, of course we try to ignore them, but alas, our consciences always let our parentals in.

I think this one will connect with audiences simply on its down-to-earth-everyday message. And, you can't beat his honky-tonk chaps and the music, well, again, you don't get to hear something this country that often. I predict a good hit for Mr. Young.

GRADE: B+
HIT or MISS: Hit, and hopefully enough to give more singles the light of day.

You know, for a country summer, there's nothing like a rocker. And that's what Brooks & Dunn offers for their new single. I have no doubt that this tune will be jamming in several pickups over the summer of love, 2008.

But I have to tell you - I'm not a big fan of "Put A Girl In It." And I have to say it's particularly because of the message. I'm not a feminist at all, but I just feel this song is degrading to the female fan. I mean tell me what you think of this lyric: " If you're ridin in your truck/Put a girl in it/If you're gonna have a party/Put a girl in it." I just don't get it.

This song is also, again, 98% Ronnie and 2% Kix. So, once again, we are Some Brooks but Mostly Dunn. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I thought this was a duo..

I know this jammer won't be jamming in my truck or on my iPod any time soon. It's a big miss for Brooks & Dunn in my books. And a shame too - after all the singles from Hillbilly Deluxe, I was really excited about Cowboy Town. Instead, we got cheesy, non-creative fluff.

GRADE: D
HIT or MISS: Big miss. What happened to Brooks & Dunn's jazz?

The new single from Lonestar is special in at least one way - the group debuts their new lead singer to country radio. With the addition of Cody Collins, the band has adopted the new slogan, "the future is now." In fact, the new album will be called The Future. Well, Cody sure brings the youth feel and look to a band that's been around for over a decade.

Well, I have to say that "Let Me Love You" doesn't showcase a new sound for radio, though it may be something fresh for Lonestar fans. Gone, it seems, are the days of "Mr. Mom" and "Class Reunion." This song also isn't "mushy lovey" like the songs that former lead Richie McDonald belted. In fact, I don't think this song would have clicked with McDonald at all.

And that's a good thing. I was getting tired of the same-ole, same-ole from Lonestar. This song is fresh. It has a good sound and, while nothing revolutionary, sounds good on radio. The lyrics themselves are, again, nothing special, but I think young lovers can connect to them, a key to a hit record. I do think, though, that this song is too much Cody and not enough Lonestar. I'll let that slide this time.

I have to give praise to Cody Collins, as well. He sounds fantastic on this track. For me, I hear a mix of Gary LeVox (Rascal Flatts) and Chris Young. A little bit country, a little bit rock-and-roll. Lonestar did well in choosing Mr. Collins to head the band.

While it isn't blazing up the charts, this could be the song that will put Lonestar back on track to be a top group in country music.

GRADE: A-
HIT or MISS: A good choice to showcase a new you

Let's get on the same page here. Jo Dee has to have a hit with her new single, "I'm Done," if she hopes to get her album on the shelves of record stores. That's just how it works.

Ok, now on to the single. Well, make no mistake - this is Jo Dee music. And she sounds great. However, I just don't think this is the single that will launch this album. Perhaps I'm wrong - girls are said to love this. And why not? Most women have had an ex hook up with a girl that's, well, loud about the fact that she's with your man. But let's not kid ourselves here. If Jo Dee really wanted to, you know she'd kick that girl's ass. And I think that's for the betterment of the song. Sometimes, though, the song is just fluff ("you and me we had a good thing") but at times is catchy, like in the chorus. The music does its part in keeping your attention, and again, Jo Dee's voice is unlike any others. You won't be asking "who is this?"

I just haven't been able to get into this like "My Give A Damn's Busted." But, being a huge Jo Dee fan, I hope this one can get her career back on the tracks. Hopefully Jo Dee won't end her career on such an ominous tune.

GRADE: B+
HIT or MISS: Somewhere in between..

Labels: Jo Dee Messina, Single

George Strait - Troubadour
Released: April 01, 2008
Produced by: Tony Brown & George Strait
Label: MCA Nashville
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If you record the best record of you're career, one could say there's something in the water. Right? Well then, why not just return to the place where the water is fine? That's exactly what the King of Country, Hall of Famer George Strait and his long-time producer Tony Brown did. For his 37th, yes, 37th album, Strait and Brown headed to the Florida Key's and Jimmy Buffet's studio to record what will easily be his next platinum record.

Troubadour features some of the finest cuts Strait has ever put on record. The album starts with the title track, featuring fellow Hall of Famer Vince Gill on backups. Strait says the story in "Troubadour" fits [his] whole career from start to finish." While the song may not have a solid pitch, Gill and Strait sound great together. Sit back, because Strait couldn't have followed up his CMA Album of the Year winner It Just Comes Natural any better.

Let me predict that there will be four more smash singles from this album after "I Saw God Today" -"It Was Me," "House of Cash," "Make Her Fall In Love With Me Song," and "House With No Doors." For me, these are the strongest cuts on the album. "It Was Me" is a typical Strait cut we've all come to love, "Make Her Fall In Love With Me Song" is a honky-tonk smash that harkens back to Strait's early days (great for summer, too, with its fast tempo), and "House With No Doors" is the perfect midtempo ballad to release from the album, though I didn't quite get the lyrics.

Yes, I've forgotten one of the songs, but it deserves its own paragraph. "House of Cash" is the cut of the record. CMA Musical Event of the Year - I'm calling it! Man, do Strait and Patty Loveless sound spectacular together! I was surprised they cut an uptempo track, but boy, country doesn't get better. Loveless sounds great (man, is she missed!) and I'm really impressed by the Cash hooks.

There really isn't a raw cut on the record. "Brothers On A Highway" gets a big thumbs up from me (another classic Strait cut), "River of Love" really is a different sound for Strait, but he sounds great anyway, and the Dean Dillon collaboration "West Texas Town" is sure to have you two-steppin' you're way out of Wal-Mart. Right now, I'm not a big fan of "Give Me More Time," although it has a Mexican feel that reminds me of a favorite, "Seashores of Old Mexico."

I do have to give a rave review for the last track on the album - "If Heartaches Were Horses." I do admit, the song is probably a tad slow for today's radio, but I think this is one of, if not the, most solid ballads he has cut in the last few albums. Slow and mild, the song paints a wonderful picture that fits Strait's cowboy image to a T. Better left as an album cut, though, I'm afraid.

Just one suggestion for Strait - make the album longer. I felt like I had the album down in a half hour. But please - keep going heavy on the steel and loud with the fiddles. For today's country atmosphere, it really doesn't get any better. Strait, you sound great buddy. Keep it coming for years to come!

VERDICT: Must-have record of 2008!
GRADE: A-
I SUGGEST..: "Brothers on a Highway," "House of Cash (w. Patty Loveless)," "West Texas Town"

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Boy, when I heard that Heidi Newfield was leaving Trick Pony, I was actually excited for her. I think she is an underrated vocal in this town and was being held back by the lagging success of the group. So naturally, hearing that she had a new single, I was anxious to hear what direction her solo music would take.

After "Pour Me," "On A Mission," "It's A Heartache," I was expecting a wonderful vocal performance. And, with Trick Pony's rocking sound, I was also expecting a boot-kickin' romper. I got neither with Newfield's "Johnny and June."

The song is full of cliches ("There's something about a man in black") from the very beginning, including mentions of Jackson, Cadillacs, love on stage.. please. If the writers had meant to be clever, they come over more desperate and idiotic.

After the onslaught of songs that deal with artists ("Tim McGraw," "Johnny Cash"), I have to say that I was not all that apprehensive about the song title. Johnny and June, afterall, had some pretty kickin' music. But in my opinion, Newfield needed to come out swinging. For all those Trick Pony fans that are now left in the dust after Ira Dean announced he, too, was leaving, she had a great opporotunity to pick up a steady following. I doubt "Johnny and June" does that. Her vocal performance is dull at best with no real shining moments, and sadly, the music arrangement is just too predictable.

Shame, too, because Heidi Newfield really is, or was, one of the best. Maybe this is just single choice. Let's hope the next single from the former lead singer puts Newfield back in the driver seat.

OVERALL GRADE: D+

Who would have thought "American Idol"'s mink would be a hit maker on country radio? Not Simon Cowell. Kellie Pickler has two Top 20 singles under her belt now, but she has not made it to the coveted Top 10. She tries again with "Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind", a cute little ditty about the little things girls worry about. No need to quote the song, I'm sure most of you can imagine what guy's don't think about ("Red High Heels" for one). The song will be a country dance club hit, with a kickin' guitar riff and a up-tempo beat. The vocal take reminds me of something Lorrie Morgan or Deanna Carter would have recorded in the early 90s, not necessarily a bad thing. Kellie is the doll for young girls, and this song is for them.. cheers!

*** out of *****