Richie McDonald- “How Do I Just Stop”

Recognize the voice or the name?  Yes folks, the former lead singer of Lonestar is trying to hit the charts with “How Do I Just Stop,” a song about figuring out how to move on after losing love.  Richie left the band to pursue his solo career, and so far has had three singles barely make a dent on radio (none of them making the Billboard Top 60, but each getting some play on Christian radio).  However, Richie has finally gotten his hands on a song that should gain some decent airplay as it allows him to use his signature vocals to their fullest extent.  Lonestar had a way with songs like these, basically because of Richie’s vocals.  Now that they’ve moved on, Richie has more freedom to record what he wants.

As far as the charts, I think Richie has his first charting solo single, but I’m not sure the general audience wants to hear a “Richie McDonald song.”  I think a large part of the audience misses Lonestar from their glory days and would rather hear this song as a “Lonestar song.”  I think Richie will find what Randy Owen is finding out–it’s hard to get established on radio when your voice is linked to a successful band from the recent past.

Chart Prediction- Top 50

Listen- Richie’s MySpace Page

Jason Aldean- “She’s Country”

Fresh off his first single not to make the Top 10 (“Relentless”), Jason Aldean is back with the first single off his upcoming third album.  Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t good artists supposed to continue to get better at song choice as they become more established?  Jason’s attempt at the “rebel country girl” song just doesn’t leave me with the desire to listen to it again.  I don’t know if it’s the arrangement, the lyrics, or the vocals, it just doesn’t completely appeal to me.

With that said, there’s enough people out there that like Jason enough to request the song enough that it will probably grow on a lot of people.  However, I can’t see this song making the Top 10.  I think he’ll have a problem outcharting his previous single, but should make the Top 20 just on his reputation alone.

Chart Prediction- Top 20

Listen- Jason’s MySpace Page

Jason Michael Carroll- “Where I’m From”

Jason Michael Carroll is moving on to his sophomore album after three decently successful singles off his debut album.  “Where I’m From” did not really have me at first as it just seemed like another “I’m from the South” song.  However, the bridge and the last chorus got me as the twist to the song, which I’ll let you listen for yourself to get, just made the entire four minutes worth the listen.  I just love how well written this song is, that even though some people will claim they saw it coming, but I just love that twist at the end, so much that I think Jason Michael might just have his first #1.

Chart Prediction- #1

Listen- Jason Michael’s MySpace Page

PS:  If you have never seen Jason Michael in concert, it is well worth it.  He was one of the acts at the 2007 Taste of Country in Buffalo and was definitely worth getting there early (a lot of people get the tickets and only come for the last two acts instead of catching all 4 or 5 acts).

Rodney Atkins- “It’s America”

Now is an important time in Rodney Atkins’ career.  After breaking through with four #1’s off of If You’re Going Through Hell, how do you follow up that success? (Side note:  It should’ve been five #1’s, but apparently “Invisibly Shaken” wasn’t good enough for the general audience…).

One way to follow that success is to use the same formula you used.  Rodney’s four #1’s each were about different subjects, not about the same things everyone else would sing, and sounded different than the rest of the singles on the album (which he actually had 5 different sounding singles).  “It’s America” meets all of these criteria.  It is about different aspects of life in America and what makes America unique.  Not too many people have had a well written song about America in general, instead of just different regions (the South, the North, California, etc.).  Lastly, the song sounds different than his four #1’s.

Rodney is one of today’s hottest artists, and rightly so, as he has figured out who he is as an artist and what America wants to hear out of their Country Music.  It would be a shame for Rodney not to go to #1 with this song.

Chart Prediction- #1

Listen:  Rodney’s MySpace Page

Kellie Pickler- “Best Days of Your Life”

After barely missing out on another Top 20 with “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful” (which should’ve been her first Top 10!), Kellie Pickler is back with a different sounding song for her.  “Best Days of Your Life” is co-written by Taylor Swift, so if you have already heard the song, that’s why it sounds similar to Taylor Swift’s music.  As far as Kellie singing the song, a well-written song can be sung any talented artist and sound extremely well.  Kellie pulls that off with this song, where the lyric talks about the guy who left her for another girl has already experienced the best days of his life.  In other words, she’s telling him off cheating on him, and her way of stating it is that his best days are over.  She’s quite “high on herself” throughout the song, which adds to the lyric and gives it an attitude that it truly needs to be successful.

When I reviewed “DYKYB,” I was certain it would soar into the Top 10.  Then, it fizzled out at #21.  Apparently, it was “trendy” enough with the age group it targeted despite the fact that it was one of those ”character-reaffirming” songs.  As for “BDoYL,” I am going to be more cautious because I’m afraid a lot of people are going to compare it to Taylor Swift’s “Should’ve Said No” or Taylor Swift in general.  I do think it could outdo “DYKYB,” so I’m going to predict that it will.

Chart Prediction- Top 20

Listen:  Kellie’s MySpace page

CML Chart for 11/23 to 11/29/08

Number One:
For the 3rd week in a row, Taylor Swift has the #1 song on the CML Chart.

Debuts:
The highest debut this week comes from Kellie Pickler with “Best Days of Your Life.”  The song, which enters at #45, has a connection to the #1 song this week as it co-written by Taylor Swift.  Also debuting this week is Rodney Atkins at #47 with “It’s America,” the lead single from his much anticipated follow up album to If You’re Going Through Hell.  Jason Michael Carroll’s first single off his sophomore album, “Where I’m From” enters at #51.  Entering at #52 this week is “She’s Country” by Jason Aldean, his first single off his upcoming third album.  At #53 is Canadian band Emerson Drive with “Belongs To You.”  The final debut this week is from a familiar voice in a new role–Richie McDonald’s first trip onto the CML Chart as a solo artist comes this week with “How Do I Just Stop” at #56.

The Chart

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. Starting in January, I’m going to attempt to make this chart interactive.  I will post details at a later time.

CML Chart for 11/16 to 11/22/08

Number One:
Taylor Swift with “Love Story”

Highest Debut:
Keith Urban with “Sweet Thing” at #31

To see what other songs debuted on my chart this week or where you current favorite single is, visit the CML Chart Top 60.

Heidi Newfield- “Cry Cry (‘Til The Sun Shines)”

Fresh off of an overplayed “debut” single, Heidi Newfield returns with her second solo single.  Her first solo single was a great lyric and song, but Heidi’s voice really did not fit the song (amongst other things that made it turn my stomach every time I heard it).  Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, and Trisha Yearwood are the first ones that come to my mind that could’ve taken such a well written song and made it a surefire #1 single.

“Cry Cry (‘Til The Sun Shines)” actually sounds good with Heidi’s voice, but it ultimately is just a weak song.  There’s not much to the lyric as it is supposed to talk about someone crying until morning and that everything is going to be alright (1st verse it’s a waitress who quit her job, 2nd verse is a man who drinks too much).  If the lyric was more engaging, Heidi, in my opinion, would have a legitimate shot at a Top 10 as it doesn’t sound bad at all.  However, the shortcoming on the lyric make me think it’s going to be a Top 40 hit.

Chart Prediction- Top 40

To listen, visit Heidi’s MySpace page.

George Strait- “River of Love”

The last time I blogged about a George Strait single (“Troubadour”) I stated that George could do no wrong.  Well, his current single comes as close to wrong as George can get.

“River of Love” does not have much substance to it as at least half of the song is George singing “river of love” and an instrumental.  The verses don’t do much for me and are very forgettable.

That said, it has a few things goes for it.  First, it’s a George Strait single, so it’s an automatic Top 20.  Second, it actually has a good sound to it.  Finally, it’s not the same old, same old that artists keep trying to put out there.  I do think that the weaknesses in the song will keep it from making the Top 10, and this song will probably end up peaking somewhere between #11 and #15.

Chart Prediction- Top 15

To listen, visit George’s MySpace page.  If the song is not on his “Featured Playlist” when you visit, just click on the drop down box and then click on “Troubadour.”

Keith Urban- “Sweet Thing”

Fresh off his first #1 in three years, Keith Urban is back with his first single from his upcoming album (yet to be titled and to be released in March ‘09).  “Sweet Thing” is a love song about a man who is head over heels for a woman.  He’s trying to encourage her to come out and enjoy more time with him late at night and that he’s not leaving until she does.

Keith has only ever had two singles not make the Top 5 in the US (his debut “It’s A Love Thing”  at #18 and “Once In A Lifetime at #6) and this song does absolutely nothing to keep him from adding to that collection.  It’s well sung, well written, is fun, has Keith’s unique sound, and has already debuted on the Billboard Charts at #30–all great ingredients for another trip to the Top 5.  As a matter of my opinion, I think he’s got another #1 on his hands.

Chart Prediction- #1

To listen, visit Keith’s MySpace page.