The second track sent to radio form the critically acclaimed Flatts’ boys eighth studio effort is a huge departure from their preceding #1 hit “Banjo”. Up is a powerful AC Country ballad that has been masterfully produced around the distinctive vocals of lead singer Gary LeVox. At the hands of veteran Nashville producer Dan Huff, Up sores through the speakers and will be the soundtrack to a lot of great summer memories this year. The sound captured on this track would have fit right in with the establishment a decade ago, but is the kind of thing that has been pushed out in recent years. Coming as promotion for Rascal Flatts second effort for independent label Big Machine Records, Up doesn’t fit the current model for success with the majors, making it a quite refreshing thing to hear coming out of my radio speakers. The success of Flatts music has been unchanged over the past twelve years and will not be at all here. This latest release stands as one of the best singles of the year so far and will find the top-5 while making a very convincing case for #1 honors.

Jakes third release from his current project is a bona fide summer hit. Just as he did last year with “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”, Owen has selected a fun summer anthem that is the full package. Away is a great album cut, single, and concert song. On the heels of his first two chart toppers, “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” & “Alone with You”, this third selection will further the career changing effects of the third record for this newlywed Florida native. There is not much more I can say about it other than this will be big and just get ready to hear it all over radio in the coming months. If you love the great summer energy in this track go and see Jake on the Brothers of the Sun Tour with Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw as they hit the road in June through August. Away will be another top-5 and more than likely another chart topper for Owen.

The fourth single off of Blake’s latest gold record Red River Blue comes on the heels of his sixth consecutive chart topper at country radio. Over is a solid album cut that is right in line with the rest of Shelton’s work, but is nothing that special. The decision to release this is quite puzzling. After two mid-tempo ballads, “God Gave Me You” & “Drink on It”, something needs to change, but it just doesn’t. Blake has always been one of my favorite ballad singers, but this was a rather safe choice. With summer coming up, a fun up-tempo song would be right in line. The current project does only have one more radio friendly upbeat song, “Good Ole Boys”, and I can only hope that it follows latter this summer. If another ballad must be put to radio I feel that the emotionally powerful cry for forgiveness, “I’m Sorry” (featuring Martina McBride), would have been the one. No matter the poor choice, Blake will have more success with Over. Nothing less than top-5 is expected with a very good shot at a seventh consecutive trip to #1 for the reigning ACM & CMA Male Vocalist of the Year.

Single number 91 of “King George’s” illustrious career is one of the key fixtures off of his latest release Here for a Good Time. Drinkin’ is a very impactful ballad that is sure to touch home with a lot of people whose lives have been affected by drinking. Right from the intro it is unquestionable a George ballad. There is nothing out on country radio like it. Strait has
continually recorded heavy ballads like this throughout his career, but hasn’t sent many to radio until the last few projects. Tracks such as “The Breath You Take” #6, “Livin’ for the Night”#2 & “I Hate Everything”#1, have all posted peaks right with the rest of his other material. Both of the first two selections from this project were light hearted upbeat songs, “Here for a Goodtime” #2, “Love’s Gonna Make it Alright” #3, Drinkin’ goes almost all the way to the other end of the spectrum. George’s 31 years of unwavering commercial success is unparalleled anywhere and has no end in sight.  This latest release to radio will, as all but one of his single have, make a top-20 peak look like nothing. Top-10 should not be a challenge either. Like every time Strait releases a song it stands just as good a chance as any to find the pinnacle of the charts.