2010 was the year of good musicianship and songwriting in country music. Here is a brief recap of our picks of 2010 (click on the links for details on each event/item):
Top Albums of 2010
By far, traditional country music took shake in the year of 2010 especially from newcomers to the industry. The top album picks for 2010 include Jamey Johnson's double album, "The Guitar Song," Josh Thompson's "Way Out Here," Easton Corbin's self titled debut album, Kenny Chesney's "Hemingway's Whiskey," Randy Houser's "They Call Me Cadillac," and Dierks Bentley's "Up on the Ridge." The common thread amongst these albums is the traditional sound that show what real country music is all about.
Top Concerts in Kentucky & Surrounding States in 2010
There were many concerts that hit the bluegrass state of Kentucky this year. Some of the best shows included George Strait, Reba McEntire, & Lee Ann Womack at Rupp Arena, Jamey Johnson at Renfro Valley, and Brad Paisley, Justin Moore, and Miranda Lambert at Rupp Arena. The Kentucky State Fair shined with several shows, including the Oak Ridge Boys with the Grascals and Charlie Daniels with the Kentucky Headhunters Two of the top concerts of the year included the Country Throwdown Tour in Cincinnati and the Froggy 104.9 FM Field Party with Josh Thompson, Ashley Ray, & Six Miles South in Owenton, KY.
Best New Artists in 2010
Several artists showed their true talent and grit and raised above the rest in 2010. Several of those were who we predicted just last year that this would be the year for them. Those talented individuals that make up the best new artists of 2010 include Josh Thompson, Jerrod Niemann, Sunny Sweeney, Ashley Ray, and Easton Corbin. Be on the lookout for who to watch in 2011 coming soon!
Celebration of Births
Country Music Celebrities that were blessed with the birth of a new child included John Rich & his wife Joan, Karen Fairchild & Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town, Bo Bice & his wife Caroline, Justin Moore & his wife Kate, Luke Bryan & his wife Caroline, James Otto & his wife Amy, Josh Turner & his wife Jennifer, Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts & his wife Allison, Joe Don Rooney & his wife Tiffany, and Dierks Bentley with his Christmas baby with wife Cassidy.
In Loving Memory
May we remember these individuals who left a lasting impact in country music who passed away in 2010:
Hank Cochran - Songwriter of hit songs "Make the World Go Away," "I Fall to Pieces," "Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me," "The Chair," and "She's Got You.
Jimmy Dean - TV Star, Sausage Entrepeneur, Country Music Hall of Famer, and writer of the hit song, Big Bad John.
George Richey - Widower and last manager of Tammy Wynette. He also co-wrote her hits "Til I Can Make It On My Own" and "You And Me," as well as George Jones' "A Picture of Me (Without You)".
