Blake Shelton picks up where he left off last year and that’s at the top of the Country world. Not only did his stint on The Voice (NBC) lift him to a much higher profile, his latest offering “Sure Be Cool If You Did” (WB/WEA) is keeping his Country fans very satisfied. I really love the new Eric Church single and so do many of our music and program directors. His new “Like Jesus Does” (Capitol/EMI) keeps him well ahead of the pack and what an award winning season he is having. It’s always good to see the name Darius Rucker on the charts. It’s been years since he’s had a mainstream hit but Country radio loves him and they really love his “Wagon Wheel” (Capitol) song. Watch for some big weeks ahead at Country radio for this gem.

Miranda Lambert (we can call her Blake Shelton’s much better half) is keeping her New Year promises alive and well. “Mama’s Broken Heart” (RCA/RLG) is her latest and it’s getting major phones from coast to coast. The Florida Georgia Line is taking a stand and make no mistake about that my friends. “Get Your Shine On” (Republic) is the one that has many music critics
raving and for good reason. Easton Corbin has come to stay at the format and proves it in every way by the song “All Over The Road” (Universal/UMG). You will love this track every time you hear or play it and that’s a fact.

Jake Owen picks up where he left of in with a bright Country smash hit single. “Anywhere With You” (RCA Nashville) is the masterpiece that we are talking about. I also really love that new Rascal Flatts single. It’s called “Changed” (Big Machine/Universal) and it could be one of the best things they’ve done in a long time. Country recording artist Doug Newnum & SOS Renewal have a good thing going at radio. “Giving My Best” (Platinum Plus) is the one that has taken our panel by storm. You can count on some big weeks ahead on this one. It also helps that they have a nominated label in Platinum Plus.

Love And Theft have a good thing going and make no mistake about that my friends. Their latest single “Running Out Of Air” (RCA Nashville) is the talk of the panel and for very good reason. I’m also really loving the new Carrie Underwood track. American Idol’s Country sweetheart can do no wrong and she proves it once again with the song “Two Black Cadillacs” (Arista/RLG). NMA nominee Kelly Parkes is “on fire” at Country radio. Her latest hit “As Good As Me” (Ocala) makes her a good shot for this year’s award announcements coming very soon. Charlie Worsham is also in the news thanks to his new “Could It Be” single. Jana Kramer is also making big waves and that’s all thanks to the new single “Whiskey” (Elektra/WEA) that many of our programmers are loving. Jason Charles Miller has it going on with “The Way You Still Want Me” (Render) and you may want to give that a few spins. Toby Keith seems to be a favorite on everyone’s that and that should be no surprise to anybody. Still rocking strong he gets love and continued support for “Hope On the Rocks” (Show Dog/Universal). You can always count on the super star George
Strait for a solid song or two. Many are still strumming his “Give It All We Got” (MCA). And when you have a good thing going just keep doing it.

Jason Aldean most certainly is a must add to any Country list. Still picking up where we left him in 2012 you can add “The Only Way I Know” (Broken Bow) to his long list of hits. He’s been making the most of things these days and there have been many television appearances on his behalf including a shot in primetime on the big New Year’s Rockin’ Eve event. Lee Brice is also getting lots of attention at Country radio. You have to just love his song “I Drive Your Truck” (Curb). We’ll see how this one continues to work out but it’s already a standard go to record for most programmers. We are getting “set and ready” here at New Music Weekly for the annual CRS. It is our hope to interview and meet many of you at this grand event. Make sure you plan to run something in our special CRS Issue that is already in production now.