As we look back in country music of 2012 it was still dominating most radio stations, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert reigned the charts, Dierks Bentley and Kellie Pickler gave us the most traditional country albums, rising artists Kip Moore and Casey James proved their hard work pays off and Little Big Town experiences the biggest highlight of their careers, paying your dues in this industry is years in the making.
During the first half of the year Kellie Pickler released her most highly anticipated album 100 Proof and what was receieved was the most refreshing sound in country music. The traditional classic honky tonk feel good vibe made leaps and bounds from the ever catchy "Unlock That Honky Tonk" to "Where's Tammy Wynette", the title track "100 Proof" gave us the real Kellie Pickler at her finest. The small town country girl from Albemarle, North Carolina has music row talking and country music noticed, Country Weekly's senior editor Tammy Ragusa tells us " We haven't heard the last from her, this girl is going places", she tells fans live on +Country Music Chat ~ #CMchat+ Year End Review. Kellie Pickler knows her directions and will prove longevity in her career. 100 Proof is the must have album of 2012.
Dierks Bentley tapped into what was the most promising of his career after releasing an album that could have well been put on the back burner, needless to say Bentley went ahead and delivered. "Home" went on to shine and win all on it's own, the title track "Home" reminded folks what America is all about. Dierks went on to release 4 hit singles "Am I The Only One", "5-1-5-0", "Tip It On Back" and "Home". Bentley's bluegrass, country soul and twang is truly infectious. The Grammy nominated Bentley released a 5 song EP Country and Cold Cans and introduced his fan base to new country from Brantley Gilbert to Thomas Rhett. In 2013 Dierks will co headline with Miranda Lambert on a 33 date Locked and Reloaded tour. There is simply no place like home for Dierks Bentley.
New comers Kip Moore and Casey James may have started their country music paths quite differently however their country sound has the ladies jumping for joy. What many may not know Kip Moore is more than an artist and performer, he in fact is a songwriter among things who has written with other artists of the field from fellow friend of Thompson Square Keifer Thompson to songwriter,producer Brett James, I say Kip Moore keeps the music flowing. Moore debuted his first solo effort as a singer songwriter with "Up All Night" that has spawned the mega hit "Somethin' Bout A Truck" and rising hit "Beer Money". I say give us more of Kip Moore.
Many American Idol followers will remember Casey James from the hit FOX reality TV program who came in third place in season 9, James went on to release his self titled debut Casey James that gave us the hits "Let's Don't Call It A Night" and "Crying On A Suitcase". James is a triple threat, musician, songwriter, entertainer and humanitarian. Casey and the Casey James band have become the most welcoming group to participate for such great causes who have raised more than $15,000 for +St. Jude Children's Research Hospital this past November for No Shave November. James continues to reach out to special causes including St. Jude, Wounded Warrior Project and others. There is no limit to what Casey James can do. Skies the limit for the mutli-talented .
Kip Moore's "Up All Night" and Casey James self titled albums are must have albums of 2012. Country radio keeps Moore and James fans well pleased in rotation.
Out of the pearly gates of Hollywood and into country music Jana Kramer beat the odds of Hollywood meets country who gave people something to talk about earlier this year, Jana went on to debut her first album, her first single "Why Ya' Wanna" became a fast fan favorite and country radio took notice of it,Why Ya' Wanna went on to become gold certified. The One Tree Hill star balances film and TV with her growing music career. Kramer's second single "Whiskey" truly showcases a down to earth country girl at heart who knows a thing or two when it comes to delivering a performance. You can't take the country out of Hollywood, or is it Hollywood out of the country. Kramer is a delight and loves her fans more than anything, I say Jana fans will want more Kramer in 2013.
2012 has been the year for artists Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town and Eric Church to name a few. Miranda's Four The Record album has won Lambert numerous awards for "Over You" written by Miranda and husband Blake Shelton, that song means the world to Miranda and Blake, to win awards for sharing such a personal story with the world has been a little bittersweet for the reigning CMA female vocalist and ACA winner. Blake Shelton himself has had a year full of highs that would include winning the coveted CMA Entertainer of The Year award among releasing his most personal album to date Red River Blue that has landed Blake a Grammy nomination for his single "Over". Miranda herself landed a grammy nomination for best country album for, Four The Record, it's been an unbeatable year for Blake and Miranda.
Throughout the summer of 2012 Little Big Town took the biggest splash in their career's chart topping the year with their multi platinum hit "Pontoon" from their 5th studio album Tornado, Jimi, Karen, Kimberly and Phillip have blown through country radio and country music fans and industry peers jumped on board to help celebrate with the group on this huge milestone. Little Big Town went on to win 3 coveted CMA awards for Pontoon, ACA Awards and landed them a grammy nomination. Tornado has swept Little Big Town in new territory and it's well deserving for the group.
Eric Church might beat to a different drummer and well what has come of it, his most critically acclaimed album Chief that has brought us the hit singles "Springsteen", Creepin", "Homeboy" and "Drink In My Hand". Church who toured most of the year is feeling the accolades pile up who won the ACA with writers Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell for Springsteen, the CMA for Album of The Year for Chief and recently grammy nominated for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for Springsteen. I say Church has a good gripe on things.
Who else has had a big year in country music, Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean, these Georgia men have a lot going for themselves. Bryan dominated country radio as did Aldean for that matter and the awards, those accolades are so sweet for Luke Bryan who took home the most ACA's, I say Luke Bryan keep on beaming with that 100 watt smile. Jason A
ldean who toured feverishly throughout the year released a record breaking milestone in his career with the new album Night Train that not only dominated in record sales, also in digital sales. For Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean they'll keep on truckin'.
Country legend, yes, icon, yes, George Strait the man who's inspired many of today's artists has undoubtedly been in the limelight in 2012, who I have to point out has been named more times in Country Weekly than I can count. Obviously, Strait keeps on the straight and narrow touring the country who continues to bring his sout
hern twang to adoring fans. The biggest story of the year was in fact Mr. Strait announcing he will hang up his cowboy boots in late 2013, the final tour might not send George off into the sunset, he's leaving memories behind for those who have followed his career.
As I leave you with this in 2012, country music still rings on and not far into the distance. We will hear much more diversity in 2013.
