The 10 Best Albums of 2014

     Writing a great song is no minor feat.  It takes skill, determination, and talent to write a country song that moves people.  It is an even greater feat to write an entire album worth of great songs.  That's what these 10 artists did.  These 10 albums represent the best of country music in 2014.  From throwback records to "metamodern sounds", all facets of country music are covered here. Keep It Country Kids proudly presents the 10 Best Albums of 2014.

Haters, Evolution, and Chinese Food

This is what Hank thinks of your silly arguments

      With the latest albums by Jason Aldean, Chase Rice, and Florida-Georgia Line drawing heavy amounts of criticism despite topping the charts, the bro-country supporters have been out in full blast, defending their music ad nauseam. They make claims of “evolution” and “if you don’t like it, don’t listen to it” and of course, the “country music doesn’t have to just be about lost dogs, lost wives, and broken-down trucks” argument. If you dare to share your opinion on the music, you get called a bully, an old man, or “close-minded”. There are so many accusations and proclamations with absolutely no truth and value in them that it can be very frustrating to even talk to these people. So, I’ve decided to deconstruct all of the tired, old arguments that the bro-country defenders drag in one all-encompassing post: Haters, Evolution, and Chinese Food.

The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 10: 10-1

     We've already covered 90 of the best songs in country music history.  Now, we finally have gotten to the top ten.  These ten songs, in my opinion, are the ten songs that shaped, progressed, or defined the genre in one way or another.  Hopefully, you will hear a new song for the first time through this and learn a little something about country music history.  Thank you everyone who has taken this journey with me.  This series has been the most difficult and the most rewarding thing I've ever created for this site.  Now, without further ado, Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 10: 10-1.

The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 9: 20-11

     The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time continues with Part 9: 20-11. As we push ahead toward the greatest song of all time, we get to experience some of the best that country music has to offer. I hope as you make this journey, you see one of your favorite songs, rehear an old classic you may have forgotten about, and, most importantly, you learn some of the greatest songs for the first time. Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 9: 20-11.

The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 8: 30-21

      The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time continues with Part 8: 30-21. As we push ahead toward the greatest song of all time, we get to experience some of the best that country music has to offer. I hope as you make this journey, you see one of your favorite songs, rehear an old classic you may have forgotten about, and, most importantly, you learn some of the greatest songs for the first time. Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 8: 30-21.

The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 7: 40-31

     The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time continues with Part 7: 40-31.  As we push ahead toward the greatest song of all time, we get to experience some of the best that country music has to offer.  I hope as you make this journey, you see one of your favorite songs, rehear an old classic you may have forgotten about, and, most importantly, you learn some of the greatest songs for the first time.  Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 7: 40-31.

The Top 10: Johnny Cash

     Johnny Cash is more than a country music singer, he is an American legend.  Johnny was a master of bringing the everyday American's story to song form.  His discography is not just a playlist, but a national treasure.  In late March, an album Johnny recorded in the 1980's titled Out Among The Stars was released for the first time and hit number one on the country charts.  To celebrate, Keep It Country Kids proudly presents The Top 10: Johnny Cash.  Cutting down Johnny's massive song collection to 10 was near impossible, but I feel this is a great, but tiny, collection from The Man In Black.

The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 1: 100-91

     Keep It Country Kids is proud to announce we have hit 100 posts!  It's a big milestone for a small, independent blog of this nature, so to celebrate, we are taking on the largest undertaking on the site yet!  Beginning right here with post 100, we will countdown the 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time. There isn't a specific formula to the process, but it is a combination of personal taste, success of song, and historical impact on the genre.  There are songs from every decade, every style, and every era of country music.  Hopefully you will learn a little bit of country music history, hear some of your old favorites, and (most importantly) hear some of these classics for the first time.  Keep It Country Kids is proud to present The 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time Part 1: 100-91

Johnny Cash "Out Among The Stars" Album Review

     Johnny Cash.  The Man In Black.  No introduction can do the man justice.  Recently, his son John Carter Cash discovered a collection of recordings his father made that were never released due to issues with his record label at the time.  They went unheard for decades until John Carter Cash unearthed them and released them as a new album titled Out Among The Stars.  Although the album was recorded in the early 1980's, 2014 needed this release more and fate decided to intervene.  Out Among The Stars is vintage Cash and just the type of record 2014 needs.

Throwback Thursday: Remembering Johnny Cash

     10 years ago today, we lost Johnny Cash.  Johnny Cash was a pillar of not only country music, but American music.  His love for the storytelling and emotion of a song was surpassed only by his love for June, who also passed away 10 years ago this year.  Johnny Cash was arguably the greatest country singer of all time, and is listed as an influence on countless artists.  He could do it all.  He worked with everyone from Elvis Presley to Waylon Jennings to Rick Rubin to Bob Dylan.  He recorded songs penned by anyone from Shel Silverstein to Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.  He sang songs about murder and drugs followed by a gospel song.  He could tell a story and break your heart like no other.  Johnny Cash IS country music.  Keep It Country Kids thanks the Man in Black for being a giant of music, and a giant of a human being.  Thank you for keeping it country, Johnny.  We miss you and June every day, and your music still lives on.

      The best way to celebrate Johnny is through his music, so here are some of my favorites.