Top 10 Country Albums of 2009

Country music is topping the charts left and right. In fact, Country music is coming in big with nominations in more than just the country music categories for the 52^nd annual Grammy's in January of 2010. (http://www.grammy.com/nominees) I sat down to try and decide who the best of the best in country music was this year. Not necessarily by album sales, but just plain good music. With so many talented artists both old and new, it was hard to pin down only 10 of the best albums in 2009. But, I gave it a shot anyway. So, without further ado, here are my Top Ten Country Albums for 2009.

Artist: Pat Green

Album: What I'm For

Song that stands out: "Let Me"

Texas born and bred, you got to love Pat Green. Starting out in the 90's, Green got his toe hold in country music while he was still a student at Texas Tech. I told my husband back in 2004 that while I loved Pat Green and his music, he would never top "Wave on Wave". I may have been wrong. Pat's album, What I'm For takes on a whole new direction of maturity in his songwriting. He has done a little growing and has moved into a more rounded album that fits him and who he is now. The title track, "What I'm For" is purely Texan proud and "Let Me" brings out a wonderfully written ballad with a ton of feeling. Learn more about Pat Green at www.patgreen.com.

Artist: Miranda Lambert

Album: Revolution

Song that stands out: "Somewhere Trouble Don't Go" and "White Liar"

Miranda Lambert reminds me so much of a young Reba McEntire. She has a sound that is all her own and she is a firecracker in a small package. A talented singer and songwriter, her music can probably best be described as country with a hint of punk. In her second album, Lambert proved that she's not only the "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" but can belt out a ballad that'll tear your heart out with "More Like Her". The album Revolution with "White Liar" and "Somewhere Trouble Don't Go" brings us more of the girls we love. I put this one at the top of my list and expect to see more singles coming from it in the next few months. Check out Miranda Lambert at her website www.mirandalambert.com

Artist: Brad Paisley

Album: American Saturday Night

Song that stands out: "Oh Yeah You're Gone" and "No"

Brad Paisley can do what most artists can't. He can sing a tear-jerker of a love song that makes you say "Oh yeah I have been there" and then turn around and sing a song that makes you tear up with laughter. His latest album release, American Saturday Night, is again a combination of the two and just reminds us why we love Brad so much. The songs I love the most on the album are "Oh Yeah You're Gone" and "No". This is just another album of the stuff that has made Brad Paisley a superstar in country music.

Artist: Lady Antebellum

Album: Lady Antebellum

Song that Stands Out: "I Run to You", "Love Don't Live Here", and "Can't Keep My Eyes Off You"

With the release of their first album and their second due out in January of 2010, Lady A doesn't show any signs of slowing down. Their single from their sophomore album, "Need You Now" has been sitting at number one since November 28^th. (www.billboard.com) Between "I run to You" and "Love Don't Live Here" you really see the diversity of the group and Lady Antebellum will be in the Top 10 lists for a long time coming. (http://ladyantebellum.com/index.htm?id=14119&inc=7&album_id=982)

Artist: Reba Mc Entire

Album: Keep On Loving You

Song that Stands Out: "Strange", "Consider Me Gone", and "I want a Cowboy"

I love the fact that Reba is still going strong. Always being true to who she is and one of the most down to earth superstars in the world, Reba is every ones favorite, even if you aren't a county fan. Her newest album is no exception to her greatness. Just like George Strait, anything Reba touches is gold. And we love her for that. And in case you didn't know, Reba is an avid twitter head. Check her out at www.reba.com

Artist: George Strait

Album: TWANG

Songs that Stand Out: "I Gotta get to You" and "Living For the Night"

Before this album came out, I had been waiting for years for George to pick up the pen again and start writing some more music. With the Album Twang, I got my wish. This is probably one of Strait's best albums in years and that is really saying something. "I gotta Get to You" is a great song I would expect to see as a single. "Living for the Night" has already been out as a single and has done really well for George. I just hope he keeps on writing. The thing that makes this album really great though, is that it is so very old-school-George-Strait. For long time fans, you know what I mean! For a preview of the album, check out the website www.georgestrait.com

Artist: Jason Aldean

Album: Wide Open

Songs That Stand Out: "Big Green Tractor", "The Truth", and "She's Country"

I love Jason Aldean! I really do. Jason has been steadily producing excellent music for the past several years and I have yet to hear a song from him I didn't like. His newest album, Wide Open, is no exception to that rule. "Big Green Tractor" and "She's Country" have been high on the charts and his newest single from this album, "The Truth" is one of the best songs I have heard in a long time. If you don't know who Jason Aldean is, you are missing out. Check him out at www.jasonaldean.com

Artist: Taylor Swift

Album: Fearless

Songs That Stand Out: "The Way I Loved You", "You're Not Sorry", and "Fearless"

I have to say I really like Taylor Swift. I think though, I have more respect for her being so young and a really great songwriter. Her newest album has had several singles topping the charts, but I have a few that haven't "The Way I loved You" and "You're Not Sorry" are great teenage love/break up songs. And "Fearless" takes you back to that first love feeling of being wild and carefree. One thing I am looking forward to is seeing her grow as a person and an artist as she grows up. Look for more of Taylor at her website www.taylorswift.com.

Artist: Luke Bryan

Album: "Doing My Thing

Songs That Stand Out: "Do I", "What Country Is", and "Somebody Else Calling You baby"

I have said it before and I will say it again, Georgia boy, Luke Bryan, is one of my new favorites. I look for him to go really far in the future. His second album, Doing My Thing, is sure to take him even higher, especially with "Do I" sitting at number two on the Billboard Charts. (www.billboard.com) Luke is a fresh voice with an old sound and I am glad to see him doing so well. Check him out at www.lukebryan.com

Artist: Joe Nichols

Album: Old Things New

Songs That Stand Out: "Coming Back in a Cadillac" and "My Whiskey Years"

Joe Nichols, like brad Paisley, has a way of making you laugh and then making you cry. His newest album is no exception. Joe Nichols is really letting loose with this one and I hope to see some more singles out of this album. www.joenichols.com

Well, there you have it, my best of the best country albums of 2009. I can't wait till 2010 to see what else is coming through the airwaves.