I find them all hit-or-miss with their later stuff. I don’t care for schmaltzy “Yes Or No” Strait, but I like his more retro or western stuff.

I’ve been disappointed in a lof of Jackson’s later albums because his writing is often so play-it-safe as to be banal. All he remembers about 1976 are Rocky Movies and the “Six Million Dollar Man.”; his “Small Town Southern Man” has nothing to say about any of the social upheaval that the region underwent during his life. He portrays himself as having no worldly interests other than ’60s cars and boats and baloney sandwiches. I did not buy “Freight Train” because I didn’t care for whatever I heard off it. But I’ll probably buy this new CD because I’ve been favorably impressed by what I’ve heard so far. “Long Way” and “So You Don’t Have to…” are the best things I’ve heard from him in five years.

I admire Toby Keith a lot for forging his own personality and making himself into a superstar when his own bosses thought he was a third-tier talent (and told him he should try to be a low-rent Vince Gill!) I keep buying his CD’s because he writes his own stuff and takes chances. I liked “Wayman’s Song” from American Ride. I didn’t care much for the “Bullets In the Gun” album (and didn’t like how he ripped off Robert Earl Keen) but “Clancy’s Tavern” is a lot better.

By the way, how a song or album does on the charts has no effect on whether or not I like it.

I didn’t know you cared, Jon. I’m touched.

Or are you only interested in chart performance, and not music?

But if Jackson is counted out–at least for now–then who’s the most veteran country artist–(after George Strait)–who has topped the chart in the last year?

Seems to me it’s Toby Keith.
Nineteen or twenty years ago, would anyone have predicted that?!

Its nice to read about the anniversary of the E.T. Record Shop and that they do a land office business during Fan Fair! Now if they would just put all of their Bear Family CD’s on sale for $ 14.99…

I don’t think its very wise of John Mayer to admit in public that Taylor Swift humiliated him. That just empowers Taylor to seek even more lyrical revenge on all of her future ex-boyfriends! Oh wait, she was already doing that before John Mayer. Never mind…

The Pistol Annies looked and sounded great on that CMT Awards Show clip. A small bit sonic and visual redemption amidst a sea of musical mediocrity. I especially liked the Annie’s nickname tags on their mic stands. Now those would make a fun souvenir!