The Best of 2012
By: Cheryl Harvey Hill, Sr.Editor
Although several of my favorite artists released new albums this year, the artist who made the very top of my list released only one song in 2012 – one very special song. Earlier this year, when Wade Hayes was diagnosed with colon cancer, he wrote “Is It Already Time” as he waited for his test results. The tests revealed he had stage IV colon cancer which had already spread to his liver, so his prognosis was quite bleak. His battle with the cancer was fierce and the courage with which he fought it was truly inspirational. It was also moving to see that his faith in God never wavered and he was grateful to his fans for their prayers. Hayes, who has always been very private when it came to his personal life, shared his story in order to raise awareness and encourage others to get screened for colon cancer. Now cancer free, he is donating 100% of the proceeds from this song to the Colon Cancer Alliance. If you haven't heard this beautiful song, you are really missing out. You can download it HERE.
Heroes, by Willie Nelson, definitely made my list. It has fourteen great songs and to make it all the more interesting, Nelson is joined by an eclectic blend of talent that includes Merle Haggard, Jamey Johnson, Kris Kristofferson, Snoop Dogg, Sheryl Crow, Billy Joe Shaver, and the amazing Ray Price. The final track on this album is Nelson's superb version of “The Scientist”, a rather odd choice for a country outlaw perhaps, but it simply reminds me that Willie Nelson's music remains as unique as he is and you actually can label greatness.
Country legend Don Williams delivered And So It Goes with some real bonus treats on the album, both instrumentally and vocally. Alison Kraus sings beautiful vocal harmony, and plays fiddle, on “I Just Come Here For The Music”. Keith Urban sings harmony vocals on “Imagine That” and plays electric guitar on “She's With Me”. Vince Gill sings harmony vocals both on “Heart of Hearts” and joins Urban on “Imagine That“, and he also has a wonderful electric guitar solo on “She's With Me”. It goes without saying that their participation on this album speaks to the degree of respect they all have for Williams... and so do I. He truly is a legend.
It's no secret I prefer the more traditional country music but I had no problem including Red on my “best of” list simply because, as a beautiful, brilliantly talented, singer/songwriter, marketing genius, with an incredibly magnetic personality, and a delightfully crazy sense of humor, Taylor Swift has grown on me. Whether you love her or hate her, there is no denying she has added a whole new dimension to country music.
Joey and Rory released His and Hers and there is much to like on this album. Every track offers up something a little different. The fact that we don't need last names to recognize this amazing duo speaks volumes about who they are and one of the coolest things about them is they remain sincerely humble despite their extraordinary success. Joey and Rory are the most uniquely talented, down-to-earth, dynamic duo since Tammy and George.
With more than thirty million albums sold, twenty million digital transactions and twenty-three number one singles, Kenny Chesney is one of the most successful recording artists in country music. Welcome To The Fishbowl is his thirteenth studio album. Chesney has nine ACM Awards and seven CMA Awards to date. His duet with Tim McGraw, "Feel Like A Rock Star", debuted at number thirteen only days after its premiere at the Academy of Country Music Awards in early April, making it Chesney's highest debut ever on Billboard s Country Song chart and the duet went on to win the CMA award for “Musical Event of the Year” so it's pretty obvious why he is on my list.
One of my all-time favorites, Alan Jackson, went Thirty Miles West to release his seventeenth album on his very own label while Little Big Town, the 2012 CMA Vocal Group of the Year, also claimed the CMA Single of the Year when they launched “Pontoon” from their excellent Tornado album.
Carrie Underwood's Blown Away definitely had to be on my list since she continues to grow as both a singer and songwriter and Kellie Pickler's new album is 100 Proof positive that she deserves all the accolades that have been going her way too. Oh, and is there anyone who didn't finally cave in to singing at least one version of “Red Solo Cup”? Come on, admit it. After all, it was the biggest viral event in country music history! However, Toby Keith delivers way more than frivolity on Hope On The Rocks.
My list wouldn't be complete if I didn't give a shout out to Blake Shelton (Cheers, it's Christmas) for getting the 2012 CMA “Entertainer of the Year” and “Male Vocalist of the Year” awards and his beautiful wife, Miranda Lambert (Four The Record), who, despite being in stiff competition with Martina, Taylor, Kelly, and Carrie, took home the “Female Vocalist of the Year” award, but the icing on the cake is they also took home the CMA “Song of the Year” award for “Over You”, which they co-wrote.
Last, but certainly not least, I could never, ever, never, ever, never make a “best of” list without including two of the most handsome and talented baritones in any genre of music, Joe Nichols and Chris Young. So, despite the fact that neither of them put out a new album this year, without apology, I have put them on my list.
Heroes, by Willie Nelson, definitely made my list. It has fourteen great songs and to make it all the more interesting, Nelson is joined by an eclectic blend of talent that includes Merle Haggard, Jamey Johnson, Kris Kristofferson, Snoop Dogg, Sheryl Crow, Billy Joe Shaver, and the amazing Ray Price. The final track on this album is Nelson's superb version of “The Scientist”, a rather odd choice for a country outlaw perhaps, but it simply reminds me that Willie Nelson's music remains as unique as he is and you actually can label greatness.
Country legend Don Williams delivered And So It Goes with some real bonus treats on the album, both instrumentally and vocally. Alison Kraus sings beautiful vocal harmony, and plays fiddle, on “I Just Come Here For The Music”. Keith Urban sings harmony vocals on “Imagine That” and plays electric guitar on “She's With Me”. Vince Gill sings harmony vocals both on “Heart of Hearts” and joins Urban on “Imagine That“, and he also has a wonderful electric guitar solo on “She's With Me”. It goes without saying that their participation on this album speaks to the degree of respect they all have for Williams... and so do I. He truly is a legend.
It's no secret I prefer the more traditional country music but I had no problem including Red on my “best of” list simply because, as a beautiful, brilliantly talented, singer/songwriter, marketing genius, with an incredibly magnetic personality, and a delightfully crazy sense of humor, Taylor Swift has grown on me. Whether you love her or hate her, there is no denying she has added a whole new dimension to country music.
Joey and Rory released His and Hers and there is much to like on this album. Every track offers up something a little different. The fact that we don't need last names to recognize this amazing duo speaks volumes about who they are and one of the coolest things about them is they remain sincerely humble despite their extraordinary success. Joey and Rory are the most uniquely talented, down-to-earth, dynamic duo since Tammy and George.
With more than thirty million albums sold, twenty million digital transactions and twenty-three number one singles, Kenny Chesney is one of the most successful recording artists in country music. Welcome To The Fishbowl is his thirteenth studio album. Chesney has nine ACM Awards and seven CMA Awards to date. His duet with Tim McGraw, "Feel Like A Rock Star", debuted at number thirteen only days after its premiere at the Academy of Country Music Awards in early April, making it Chesney's highest debut ever on Billboard s Country Song chart and the duet went on to win the CMA award for “Musical Event of the Year” so it's pretty obvious why he is on my list.
One of my all-time favorites, Alan Jackson, went Thirty Miles West to release his seventeenth album on his very own label while Little Big Town, the 2012 CMA Vocal Group of the Year, also claimed the CMA Single of the Year when they launched “Pontoon” from their excellent Tornado album.
Carrie Underwood's Blown Away definitely had to be on my list since she continues to grow as both a singer and songwriter and Kellie Pickler's new album is 100 Proof positive that she deserves all the accolades that have been going her way too. Oh, and is there anyone who didn't finally cave in to singing at least one version of “Red Solo Cup”? Come on, admit it. After all, it was the biggest viral event in country music history! However, Toby Keith delivers way more than frivolity on Hope On The Rocks.
My list wouldn't be complete if I didn't give a shout out to Blake Shelton (Cheers, it's Christmas) for getting the 2012 CMA “Entertainer of the Year” and “Male Vocalist of the Year” awards and his beautiful wife, Miranda Lambert (Four The Record), who, despite being in stiff competition with Martina, Taylor, Kelly, and Carrie, took home the “Female Vocalist of the Year” award, but the icing on the cake is they also took home the CMA “Song of the Year” award for “Over You”, which they co-wrote.
Last, but certainly not least, I could never, ever, never, ever, never make a “best of” list without including two of the most handsome and talented baritones in any genre of music, Joe Nichols and Chris Young. So, despite the fact that neither of them put out a new album this year, without apology, I have put them on my list.
