Brad Paisley - "She's Everything"
Brad Paisley is a superstar and this song continues his great streak. The fourth single from Time Well Wasted, There's no doubt in my mind that Brad's about to have another Top 10 hit. The fact that there's steel guitar here only serves up notice of Brad's continued homage to country past and present. Just like Alan Jackson does it.
Kevin Sharp -
Kevin Sharp is a very good singer and this soft ballad may be just the song to remind radio that he's still out there. His story of surviving Cancer is amazing and music is more or less his 'hobby' now that he's got a genuine career as a motivational speaker. Still, This song, released by small label Cupit Records, would find an audience in a just world.
Ray Scott -
The music reminds me of Gary Allan and the lyrics remind me of Conway Twitty. Why this guy isn't a star yet is beyond me. This song is hot, hot, hot! The ladies will love and the guys will too. This should hopefully find Ray Scott in the Top 20.
Randy Rogers Band - "Kiss Me In The Dark"
This is a great up tempo track from these Oklahoma/Texas "Red Dirt" superstars. More radio accessible than Cross Canadian Ragweed, the Randy Rogers Band should find a place on country radio with their jovial country/rock. Fans of Radney Foster should notice a similarity in the production and the lyrics for Radney produced the band's debut album for Mercury Records.
Brian McComas - "All Comes Floodin' Down"
I really liked Brian McComas' first album for Lyric Street Records. With his first two singles from his new record deal with Katapult Records, I have great hope for a wonderful album. This one reminds me of some of Garth Brooks' better ballads. Hopefully Brian can have a hit with this one. An independent label single with big label production (albeit bare and backing the lyric on this one).
Carolyn Dawn Johnson - "Love And Negotiation"
One thing that Canadian country singers have that the USA natives don't is the ability to get guaranteed airplay on Canada's airwaves. With that established artists like CDJ can record songs on their own and secure major label deals for Canada only. However, in CDJ's case, she's still an engaging songwriter and singer with an ability to sing songs that women love and relate to. This song may never be a Top 10 hit like her "Complicated" was but CDJ certainly should have a shot at Top 40. It may just be a bit 'too progressive' for country radio (it sounds like a Adult pop/rock song a la Sheryl Crow to me).
