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
Album Spotlight: Rascal Flatts, ‘Rewind’
The song 'Rewind' is a good measuring stick for Rascal Flatts' new album of the same name as it truly does -- as Jay DeMarcus said -- tie the old to the new. It's the mean of 13 songs that range from syrupy and organic to razor sharp and vengeful.
Win a Signed Copy of Rascal Flatts ‘Rewind’
Rascal Flatts have released their new studio album 'Rewind,' featuring the hit song 'Rewind' and 12 other tracks from some of the top country songwriters in Nashville. Win a copy, signed by Gary, Joe Don and Jay, by entering this ToC contest.
Lady Antebellum, ‘Bartender’ [Listen]
Lady Antebellum’s new song ‘Bartender’ brushes against themes found in the group's biggest hit to date, but sonically it’s quite a deviation from ‘Need You Now’ or anything they’ve recorded released to radio. Perhaps only ‘Downtown’ served up a more surprising sound from this trio.
Brantley Gilbert (Feat. Thomas Rhett, Justin Moore), ‘Small Town Throwdown’ [Listen]
It’s clear all three men singing on Brantley Gilbert’s new single ‘Small Town Throwdown’ know what they’re talking about. The ‘Bottoms Up’ singer tapped labelmates Thomas Rhett and Justin Moore for this country-rocker, the second from the ‘Just As I Am’ album.
Zac Brown Band, ‘All Alright’ [Listen]
Dave Grohl’s influence on the Zac Brown Band is obvious from the first blues-rock soaked pulls of electric guitar on ‘All Alright.’ It’s a new direction for the ZBB, a band whose musical journey looks more like a maze than a straight line.
Chris Young, Ronnie Dunn Battle for Top Spot on ToC Top 10 Video Countdown
It was one of the closest battles for the No. 1 video ever. Chris Young and Ronnie Dunn fans traded punches until the final moments of this week's Top 10 Video Countdown voting period. The winner won by less than one percentage point!
Album Spotlight: Leah Turner, ‘Leah Turner’ EP
Leah Turner has managed to reveal a new side of her personality with each of the first two singles on her debut EP. The other three also step out of line with what fans have already learned.
Kip Moore, ‘Dirt Road’ [Listen]
Kip Moore is right when he says his new single ‘Dirt Road’ will raise a few eyebrows, it may just take awhile. Lyrically the new song is country’s Mariana Trench hiding behind familiar references to beer, moonlight and backseat romance.
Hunter Hayes, ‘Storyline’ – Everything You Need to Know in 30 Seconds or Less
Hunter Hayes' second studio album hits stores on Tuesday (May 6), and if you're on the fence about picking it up because you're not sure what to expect from 'Storyline,' this is your 30-second solution. But listen closely, or you're going to miss a few important details.
ToC Encore: Country’s Top 5 ‘American Idol’ Singers
Scotty McCreery, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are three 'American Idol' winners who've gone country, but who's the all-time best?
Leah Turner, ‘Pull Me Back’ [Listen]
Lyrically, Leah Turner’s new single ‘Pull Me Back’ introduces fans to the singer’s more vulnerable side. Sonically the song is another high-octane anthem for women, just like ‘Take the Keys.’
Scotty McCreery Named Country’s Sexiest Male
The fans have spoken and Scotty McCreery is the hottest male in country music.