My Top 14 Country Albums of 2014!

A lot of great country music was released this year and I'm here with my list of 14 albums and thoughts on them, good and bad. My reviews are only based on what albums I purchased this year. There were more albums released but I did not get them all! Here it goes.....

14. Florida Georgia Line- Anything Goes

Florida Georgia Line is back with their sophomore album called "Anything Goes". I thought this album was going to be a great followup to their first party album based on the lead single called "Dirt". That was probably the least party sounding song on this album which left me a little disappointed. I guess I was hoping for more meaningful songs like "Dirt" but like the album title "Anything Goes"....I guess anything goes? Florida Georgia Line will still have mainstream country success because of their huge following now but hoping the next album they will dig a little deeper into the dirt if you know what I mean.....still an OK album....but just OK....

13. Jason Aldean- Old Boots, New Dirt

I'm usually a huge fan of Jason Aldean's albums and they usually have a lot of great tracks on them to listen to. This one also left me a little unimpressed. Maybe I still need more time to listen to the songs and have them grow on me a little. The lead single "Burnin' It Down" is probably one of the best on the album. Another song I really like on it is called "Two Night Town" but besides that I think that's it. I looked back at last years list and it surprised me to see that Luke Bryan's album was at the bottom of the list! I've now grown to love it, hope to see the same here with this album hopefully! 

12. Garth Brooks- Man Against Machine

Garth Brooks came back this year with new music along with his many tour dates across the country. His first single "People Loving People" is a great message song but did not really make it on country radio. I was not hugely in love with the song but was hopeful that this new album would have more songs on it that I would like. I feel like it's the exact opposite of the Florida Georgia Line album and has too many meaningful songs on it! My favorites on this album are "She's Tired Of Boys" and the two-steppin' tune called "Romeo And Juliet". It is a great comeback album for Garth but I think the next album needs a few beer drinkin' songs on it? 

11. Chase Rice- Ignite The Night

I have to admit that it took quite a while for Chase Rice to grow on me. I'm not sure what happened but ended up seeing him live four times this year! My favorites on this album are "How She Rolls", "50 Shades Of Crazy", "Gonna Wanna Tonight" and "Jack Daniels and Jesus". This album is full of great up tempo songs and maybe what you would consider "bro-country".....but it does not seem to bother me! 

10. Cole Swindell (Self-Titled)

He used to sell t-shirts for Luke Bryan and now he's had a few #1 songs and opened for Luke! Besides his hits "Chillin It" and "Hope You Get Lonely Tonight", I have other favorites on this album. "Swayin" is an amazing song that I relate to a lot because Dave and I go to so many concerts. When I listen to that song all I imagine is us in the crowd dancing along to the music! "Dozen Roses & A Six Pack" is another amazing song that if the girl in the song wants him back he's got a "Dozen Roses & A Six pack if she don't". 

9. Frankie Ballard- Sunshine and Whiskey

It's been an amazing year for Frankie and could not be more proud of him! Love his two #1 songs "Helluva Life" and the title track "Sunshine and Whiskey"! He's got some other great songs on this album called "Tip Jar" and a funny one called "Don't Tell Mama I Was Drinkin'". 

8. Rascal Flatts- Rewind

This album is much better than their last album called "Changed". Along with their singles "Rewind", "Payback and "Riot", there are other solid songs on this album like "I Have Never Been To Memphis" and "Powerful Stuff". They will always be one of my favorite country bands and hope to see them putting more albums out like this for many years to come! 

7. The Swon Brothers (Self-Titled)

We saw The Swon Brothers earlier this year in San Jose and was blown away with their original songs. I was a pretty big fan of theirs on The Voice too and glad that they made an album that is pretty traditional sounding country that is also modern. "Chasing You Around" is a great example of the traditional sound I am talking about along with "Songs That Said It All". There are quite a few deep, meaningful songs on here as well like their current single called "Pray For You" and "Breaking". All in all this is a pretty solid debut album and hope to see them around for a long time. 

6. Kenny Chesney- The Big Revival

Or more like the big redemption, this album MUCH better than the previous two! When I first heard "American Kids" I knew that Kenny was back with some more hits! I just love "Beer Can Chicken", "Don't It" and "If This Bus Could Talk". Comparing it to his last release "Hemingway's Whiskey", I've found myself not skipping any songs and enjoying this amazing album! 

5. Little Big Town- Painkiller

Little Big Town never ceases to amaze me with each and every album they put out! My favorite songs off "Painkiller" are "Good People" and "Things That You Don't Think About". The title track has a great vibe and its a perfect album title. Of course the lead single "Day Drinkin'" will be going on every summer playlist from now on. Heck it doesn't even have to be summer to do a little "Day Drinkin'". They just released "Girl Crush" as their current single and it is such a different song but really speaks the truth. 

4. Lady Antebellum- 747

Lady Antebellum thought this album was a departure and different from their previous albums. I don't really think it was all that different but nothing short of amazing! Like I said about "Golden" last year, they really know how to put an album together that caters to what their fans would want to listen to. It has a great mix of uptempo and slow songs. My favorites are "Damn You Seventeen" and "One Great Mystery". "Freestyle" is their current single and love that one too! 

Before we do the top three, here are some honorable mentions that I did purchase but did not make the list of 14:

Ashley Ray- Call Me a Ray

Blackjack Billy- Rebel Child

Blake Shelton- Bringing Back The Sunshine

David Nail- I'm A Fire

Jennifer Nettles- That Girl

3.Eli Young Band- 10,000 Towns

I honestly do not think that I can pick a favorite from this album....or any album they have put out in the past! They are just that good! Alright one of my favorites would probably be "Just Add Moonlight", which I was hoping would be their next single. "Prayer For The Road" is their new single and it is also really amazing. "Drunk Last Night" went to #1 and this album has it all from love songs, drinkin' songs, songs about life.....you'll find it on "10,000 Towns"! 

2. Miranda Lambert- Platinum

This album won a CMA for album of the year! So happy for Miranda! I felt like this album was a little different than her previous albums but in a good way. She had a bit more songs that are pretty humorous like "Gravity is a B*tch" and "Old Sh*t". My personal favorite is "Just Another Sunday In The South" which cites different country songs from the 90's. Also helps that Neal McCoy is singing on it! I really really like her duet with Carrie Underwood "Somethin' Bad" and "Smokin' and Drinkin'" with Little Big Town. 

1. Dierks Bentley- Riser

You all probably know by now (I hope) that I am a HUGE Dierks Bentley fan and this album is his best yet! I knew the day that I heard "Drunk On A Plane" that it would be a huge hit for him and I'm so glad it was! Needless to say "Drunk On A Plane" is my absolute favorite. But where do I begin with the others? They are all amazing too. This is the Dierks I have been missing for the last few albums with more sorrowful sounding songs like "Damn These Dreams" and "Hurt Somebody". The title track "Riser" is a song of hope while "Say You Do" (his current single) is another classic heartbreak song for Dierks. I am so incredibly proud of Dierks for making this album and for all the success he has had this year! 

That's it for this years album countdown! Did your favorites make my list? Let me know! 

That's My Kinda Night!

On October 18th, 2014, Luke Bryan brought his tour to Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA. The show sold out in minutes and it was really great to see Luke for the first time in over three years! Also on the bill was Lee Brice and Cole Swindell. I have never seen either of these guys and was pretty excited to see them for the first time! 

Cole Swindell was up first and really got the crowd going with his hits "Chillin It" and "Hope You Get Lonely Tonight". He also performed many songs off his debut album along with his new single called "Ain't Worth The Whiskey". He's also a great songwriter that's written songs for and with Luke Bryan and his first #1 hit as a songwriter for Thomas Rhett. Here he is singing "It Goes Like This":

Really enjoyed seeing Cole and can't wait to see a full show of his someday! 

Lee Brice brought the party next opening with his hit "Parking Lot Party". I only got to see about half of his set since I was lucky enough to get to meet Cole Swindell. Before I left to meet Cole I got to see him sing "Hard To Love":

From what I could hear backstage, Lee kept the crowd engaged and singing along. During "I Don't Dance" I could hear everyone singing and it felt magical even though I couldn't see! Can't wait to see a full show of Lee's someday too! 

Luke opened his show with the title of his tour "That's My Kinda Night". The crowd went into a frenzy and could see everyone dancing and singing along! Last time we saw Luke was at a little festival right before we moved out to CA. It is great to see how much he has grown as an artist since then and to see about 40,000 people singing his songs back to him! 

Here is Luke singing his latest hit "Rollercoaster":

All of the artists on this tour are hit songwriters, not only for themselves but for other artists too! Luke brought Lee Brice back out to sing a song he helped write called "Crazy Girl" for the Eli Young Band. It was an amazing moment to see with Luke playing on the piano and Lee playing the guitar. 

Luke then brought Cole Swindell back out to sing a song they wrote together called "This Is How We Roll" which Luke sings normally with Florida Georgia Line! 

Luke kept the energy flowing throughout the night with hits like "Country Man", "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye", "Drunk On You" and the list goes on! Another great moment of the night was when Luke sang "Drink A Beer". They brought a little pier for Luke to sit on and fog was projected underneath for a pretty cool effect! 

Luke put on an amazing show and I hope I don't have to wait 3 years to see him again! 

The Girls Behind That Country Song!

On October 10th, 2014, newcomers to country music Jackie Lee and Maddie & Tae performed at the Rodeo Club in San Jose, CA. 

I'm always very excited to see new artists, especially ones who are already shooting up the charts with a hit song like Maddie & Tae. I absolutely love their song "Girl In A Country Song" and was so excited to hear more! 

Opening the show was Jackie Lee, currently signed to Broken Bow records. I was really impressed with him and really hope his current single called "She Does" does well on the radio. 

He played a few original songs and a few cover songs. During one of the covers a surprise guest came out to join him, Raelynn! 

Jackie came back out to do one more song after his set called "Amen". I knew the song sounded familiar and it was! Love and Theft also recorded the same song! 

Maddie and Tae were next and put on an amazing show! They played a lot of original songs. which I was hoping for because I wanted to hear more! One of my favorites was one called "Shut Up And Fish". There was also another called "Sierra" about a girl they went to high school with that was a huge drama queen and bully. Both pretty hilarious songs! 

They played "Cowboy Take Me Away" which was their only cover song. Fantastic choice! 

They ended their set of course with "Girl In A Country Song"! 

I really hope to see both of these artists again! Amazing show! 

Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me?

On September 7th, 2014, Keith Urban brought his Raise Em Up Tour to the Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Wheatland, CA with supporting acts Jerrod Niemman and Brett Eldredge. We have never been to this amphitheatre before and had pit/general admission tickets. Dave and I made the two hour trip up to the Sacramento area because we missed the show in Mountain View, CA the night before. It was well worth the drive! Such an amazing show! 

As many of you know by now, Brett Eldredge is one of my favorite newer country artists and it was amazing to see him on Keith Urban's tour who is also one of my favorites! Brett certainly amped up the crowd by playing up beat favorites like "Don't Ya" and "Beat of the Music". He also showed his tender side by performing his current single "Mean To Me" and one of my favorite songs "One Mississippi". It was great to see Brett again but hopefully next time a longer set! Can't get enough of him! 

Jerrod Niemann was next and really go the audience going with hits like "Lover, Lover" and "Drink To That All Night". I was a big fan of Jerrod when he first came out but I'm not exactly sure if I really like his newer music. I really like a song he played from his newer album called "Beach Baby" but that's about it. It's just my opinion but Jerrod is an amazing artist and will hopefully continue to make great music. Hopefully music that is reminiscent of his first album! 

Keith!!! 

My absolute favorite picture of the night!! 

Keith was amazing as always! I've lost track of how many times I've seen him in concert but this was the first time I've ever been front row! I thought I would freak out a little but more because I was so close but in reality I didn't. Keith mostly played on the catwalk the majority of the show so I wasn't super close most of the time. There were a few times he came over to our side of the stage. He sang "Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me" on our side of the stage and I got a short video of that:

Keith always has the most amazing lighting set up. This time there were huge screens and lights behind him along with this hanging light fixture that turned all sorts of colors. It was very neat! 

Towards the middle of the show, Brett and Jerrod came back out to join Keith in singing a Tim Mcgraw song. Since it was the last night of the tour they did another song, "Forever Young"! After this happened Keith made his way to the back of the amphitheatre to sing a couple songs on a smaller stage. He walked right in front of us to proceed back there and I touched his bicep. That was a fangirl moment for me! haha! 

The small stage way back by the lawn! 

Keith is one of the only artists I know that can play over two hours and still leave me wanting more! Keith has so many songs that he could not even play all of his hits. One of the songs he omitted was one of my favorites, "You'll Think Of Me". I guess I can forgive him this time for forgetting that one! It was an amazing show and can't wait to see Keith again! Probably again next year! 

"This is one night I'm wishing I could Rewind"

On August 23rd, 2014, Rascal Flatts brought their Rewind tour to Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA with special guests Sheryl Crow and Gloriana. 

Gloriana was up first and played a great set with only about five or six songs. The first few songs were songs I had never heard before as Gloriana is still working on a brand new album. 

The last few songs they played were ones I was familiar with like "Can't Shake You" and their current single to radio right now called "Best Night Ever". Can't wait to hear what their entire new album sounds like! 

Sheryl Crow was an interesting addition to the tour! She's been a pop/rock sensation for years and just recently released a solo country album. It was amazing to finally see her play live since I'm a huge fan of her earlier music. She started her set with "All I Wanna Do Is Have Some Fun" and played even more hits like "If It Makes You Happy" and my favorite song of hers "Soak Up The Sun".

"If It Makes You Happy" Video

"Soak Up The Sun" Video

Rascal Flatts blasted on to the stage and started right off with their current single called "Payback".

They played many of their hits over the years including "These Days", "Stand", "Banjo", "Rewind" and more! 

And my favorite Rascal Flatts song to this day, "Fast Cars and Freedom".

Gary and Jay! 

Joe Don! 

Lead singer Gary took a fans sparkly shades and made for a few goofy pictures! haha! 

One of my favorite parts of the show was when they brought their band out from behind their instruments and they all performed like a barbershop quartet acapella. They sounded amazing singing "Love You Out Loud" this way! 

After that song they continued with the acapella and broke out singing a cover of "Happy" by Pharrell. SO amazing!! 

After this medley they brought Sheryl Crow back out to do a few songs with them.

They sang a certain song about a picture, which I dislike that song...but it sounded better with Rascal Flatts singing it with her! 

Then they sang "My Wish"! 

It was such a great show and can't wait to see the Flatts again! 

These are the Days Of Gold.....

On August 8th, 2014, Jake Owen brought his Days of Gold tour to the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Ca! Dave and I made the 5-6 hour trip down to see Jake since his tour was not coming any closer to us. It was definitely worth the trip and we had an amazing time! Leah Turner and Frankie Ballard opened for Jake and it was great to see them both again. Did not take any videos because we were front row and it seemed like security was pretty strict on video takers......

Leah Turner was up first and we watched most of her set before it was time for Dave and I to go backstage to meet Jake! She sang many songs off her EP available on iTunes like "Take The Keys", "Pull Me Back", and "Bless My Heart". It was great seeing her with a full band in front of such a great audience.

As soon as we got back from our meet and greet, Frankie Ballard took the stage singing "Sunshine and Whiskey". One of my favorite songs this summer! 

Robbie, Frankie's bass player used to be in Dierks Bentley's band! It was pretty good to see him again too! 

Frankie really got the crowd moving and amped up for Jake Owen! 

Jake Owen!!! 

I was so happy to finally see Jake on his headlining summer tour and he put on one heck of a show! 

Beachin' :) 

Jake sang many of hit hits including "The One That Got Away", "Beachin", and "Barefoot Bluejean Night". He did a small acoustic set in the middle with songs that he used to sing back in the day when he was just playing on a barstool like "Chattahoochee", "Friends In Low Places" and even "Ice, Ice Baby". 

Wear an inner tube and water wings and you just might get on stage!! 

Mike Posner came out to sing a song with Jake! How cool! 

Cell phone lights during Jake singing his new single "What We Ain't Got". Absolutely love this song! 

Jake's band members even got in on the fun, his guitarist Derek wearing one of the inner tubes!