101.5 KNUE Country Radio » Reviews

Does Your Food at the Drive-Thru Look Like the Commercial? [POLL]

Fish — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:14:37 +0000

We all have experienced the situation when going through the drive-thru and getting food that does not look like the burger or platter that was on the commercial feeling. Take this poll so we really know finally how many time we feel like this.I bring this story up today because I think I have ordered [...]

Kacey Musgraves, 'Blowin' Smoke' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:36:19 +0000

The magic of many of the songs on Kacey Musgraves‘ debut album — including her new single ‘Blowin’ Smoke’ — is in the little details. ‘Merry Go ‘Round’ thrived in efficient specificity. The follow-up is equally effective in its portrayal of a life waiting tables. Of course, the waitress Musgraves plays on this song is [...]

Kacey Musgraves, 'Same Trailer Different Park' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:22:03 +0000

Kacey Musgraves' Mercury Records debut album is everything a new artist dreams her first record will be. 'Same Trailer Different Park' is well-written, edgy (yet familiar) and coated in "cool." Musgraves is an original who at age 24 is surprisingly wise and adept at using her voice to share her experiences.

Pistol Annies, 'Hush Hush' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:39:17 +0000

The themes found on ‘Hush Hush’ — the new single from the Pistol Annies‘ anticipated sophomore album ‘Annie Up’ — work within the portrait of the hard luck, rural America that the trio of women painted on ‘Hell on Heels.’ One recognizes a few characters, but one element is missing: Danger. Listening to ‘Hush Hush’ [...]

Tim McGraw, 'Two Lanes of Freedom' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:59:53 +0000

"Optimism" is the word Tim McGraw uses to describe his new album 'Two Lanes of Freedom,' and despite a garnish of somber ballads and hopeless love stories, the singer is dead on. The project's production creates the buoyant mood that carries each of the 15 songs on the accelerated deluxe version. In fact, one's opinion of 'Two Lanes of Freedom' may rest on production decisions made by McGraw and Byron Gallimore.

Jake Owen, 'Anywhere With You' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:00:47 +0000

Jake Owen found his niche with songs from the 'Barefoot Blue Jean Night' album, but the unidirectional theme is wearing thin with the arrival of his new single 'Anywhere With You.' There's a thread of spontaneity and nostalgia throughout all of Owen's most recent hits. He is the essence of carefree, which is refreshing... but no longer surprising.

Eric Church, 'Like Jesus Does' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:28:42 +0000

Eric Church has released his most devoted love song from 'Chief' as the album's fifth single. 'Like Jesus Does' reveals the singer's vulnerabilities in a way none of his previous ballads have done. Like 'Springsteen,' reference is made to famous classic rock standards, giving the song some familiarity even before a first listen is finished.

Texas Beers — Which is Your Favorite? [POLL]

Nora Schreiber — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:01:50 +0000

With the excitement of the passing of Propositions one and two in Tyler and the stocking of holiday flavored beers, the thought of the frothy cold beverage is on a lot of people's minds. Lucky for us Texans, our state offers a variety of great homeland brewers. We can support our state's economy and enjoy a cold one at the same time. So, which one is your favorite Texas beer?

Josh Abbott Band, 'I'll Sing About Mine' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:00:27 +0000

Josh Abbott Band's new release to radio isn't as much of a single as it is a statement. The signature track from his 'Small Town Family Dream' album paints Abbott as a champion of outlaw country or a cantankerous whiner envious of greener grass, depending on one's personal view of music coming out of Nashville.

Marijuana Legalization Could Be Coming Soon — Do You Support It? [POLL]

Fish — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:13:20 +0000

We all know we have came long distances from the “just say no” days, because three states are voting legalize pot altogether — and for any purposes.On Nov. 6, Colorado, Oregon and Washington will be voting to legalize pot. This is not just for medicinal purposes, but to be able to smoke and buy marijuana [...]

Kacey Musgraves, 'Merry Go Round' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:00:35 +0000

The story goes like this: Texas teen auditions for 'Nashville Star,' doesn't win but uses the experience as motivation to sharpen her pen so that she can release her own melodic country music years later. The result strikes deep; right to the bone. It's uncomfortably close to reality for millions of Americans without offering much hope. Sound familiar?

Glen Campbell Returns Home to Arkansas on Final Goodbye Tour

John Tarpley — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:25:33 +0000

During last night's (September 6) near-capacity concert in Little Rock, Ark., the Robinson Center Music Hall audience was on their feet before the band ever played a note of music, the packed room delivering a heartfelt, standing ovation for Glen Campbell, Arkansas's native son and the country music icon on the final stops of his unprecedented Goodbye Tour.

Taste of Country Reviews JB and the Moonshine Band, 'No Better Than This'

Billy Dukes — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:57:39 +0000

Not all summer songs come across as fun and breezy. Too often they’re saturated with sugar or references to the juniper in Georgia or how hot the sun in Oklahoma shines on the scorched earth. JB and the Moonshine Band don’t overthink things with their new single ‘No Better Than This.’ It’s an easy emotion tied up in under three minutes.

Carrie Underwood, 'Blown Away' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 20:16:19 +0000

‘Blown Away’ is the signature song on Carrie Underwood‘s new album of the same name. It’s the dangerous storm cloud that looms over the other tracks on a surprisingly dark project. Is this really the same woman who cut ‘All-American Girl?’ This is what critics are talking about when they hammer the importance of subtly reinventing one’s self with each new album. The singer has built to this point over three previous albums.

Miranda Lambert, 'Fastest Girl in Town' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:21:30 +0000

Every once in awhile, an artist like Miranda Lambert needs to remind the country music community what crazy looks like. All this talk of marriage, babies and puppy dogs could have left some (unwisely) wondering if Nashville’s most explosive firecracker had settled into life as a domestic diva. ‘Fastest Girl in Town’ is Lambert breathing fire again.

Willie Nelson, 'Heroes' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:54 +0000

Willie Nelson‘s new album ‘Heroes’ is an eclectic collection of ambient emo-country, Texas swing and jazzy ballads. The singer isn’t confined by the country genre on any of the 14 songs. No one will ever doubt his credentials, so even songs like ‘The Scientist’ feel like one Hank Sr. may have chosen decades ago. OK, perhaps that’s an exaggeration, but few other singers could give the political lyric the proper twang.

Rodney Atkins, 'Just Wanna Rock N' Roll' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:02 +0000

Much like he did with ‘Take a Back Road’ in 2011, Rodney Atkins has released a song you’ll struggle to keep from singing along with by summer’s end. ‘Just Wanna Rock N’ Roll’ is carefree fun that showcases the singer as a cool breeze on a dog’s-breath-hot summer day.

Lee Brice, 'Hard to Love' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:30:55 +0000

The title track to Lee Brice‘s ‘Hard 2 Love’ album is of the same mood as the chart-topping lead single ‘Woman Like You.’ ‘Hard to Love’ protects none of the vulnerabilities and insecurities a man has in showing his lover how he feels.

Luke Bryan, 'Spring Break 4 … Suntan City' EP – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 14:00:45 +0000

Luke Bryan‘s new EP ‘Spring Break 4 … Suntan City’ is like a good speed boat. Owning one is pretty cool, but borrowing your buddy’s whenever you need it is even better. Bryan has recorded four Panama City-flavored country songs that take on all of the cliche moments of Spring Break — the hook-up, the [...]

Toby Keith, 'Beers Ago' – Song Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:49:18 +0000

After an accidental hit with ‘Red Solo Cup,’ Toby Keith returns to his regularly scheduled programming with a new song, ‘Beers Ago.’ The cut is another country rocker with Keith playing the role of story teller. ‘Beers Ago’ is in the middle of the pack on ‘Clancy’s Tavern,’ but as a whole, that album is [...]