Top Five Country Albums of 2009

Man, I love my country music, and now is the time to look ahead at some of the great country music that will make our hearts sing and feet start a-stomping. My list of the most anticipated music contains a little bit of everything. We've got legends, compilations, hits, and new music. Let's take a look at five of the best country albums coming out this fall - Keep on Loving You by Reba Mcentire, Hayride Anthology by Johnny Cash, American Classic by Willie Nelson, Now That's What I Call Country 2, and American Ride by Toby Keith.

Keep on Loving You by Reba Mcentire
Reba Mcentire has been around country music for so many years, and accomplished so much, that it is hard to pinpoint just one reason why Keep on Loving You is so eagerly awaited. Reba Mcentire's spot on depiction of betrayal and love lost hits so close to home with so many of us that we just cannot stop playing her country music when we have been hurt. 'Strange', her first single off Keep on Loving You fits that bill perfectly.

Hayride Anthology by Johnny Cash
I'm almost ashamed to admit this, but I never gave The Man in Black his proper listening to until he was already gone. His country music cover of Nine Inch Nails' 'Hurt' was such a perfect mix of true pain and vocal prowess that I had to give Johnny Cash a real chance... And I am so glad that I did. Hayride Anthology is a collection of Johnny Cash's best country music and hits. This is the perfect country music album for the most die hard Johnny Cash fan as well as the first time listener.

American Classic by Willie Nelson
When you think about Willie Nelson, what do you think of? Marijuana, of course. But what Willie Nelson is best known for is his passionate music and love for a story. The American Classic import features all of that, minus the marijuana use, to bring Willie Nelson's best country music to a whole new generation of listeners and fans. 'You Were Always on my Mind' reminds me of Grandpa sitting on the front porch on a balmy summer night, just talking about the good old days and blasting his Willie Nelson for the whole neighborhood to hear. I can't wait to feel that again.

Now That's What I Call Country 2
Now Music albums have become such an integral part of modern music collections that it is hard to put together a list of most anticipated albums without including one of their great compilation albums in the mix. With the great tracks that appeared on Now That's What I Call Country - Carrie Underwood, Reba Mcentire, and Rascal Flatts to name a few - I am excited to see what they have in store for us the second time around.

American Ride by Toby Keith
Toby Keith, the True American, is set to out a boot up our - well, you know what - again! Toby Keith's latest country music album, American Ride, will kick start your heart and put that attitude right back into your life. Toby Keith has proven himself as a man of true passion and conviction, rising above the rest with his past country music efforts. This is why I selected Toby Keith as the fifth greatest country album coming out in the fall of 2009.