Taste of Country Staff hasn't taken a day off since he/she was born in December 2010. Staff is an avid fan of country music and country music only although he/she has a soft spot for artists like Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson. Other interests include live music, cold beer, pizza at midnight and photos of country music babies.
Taste of Country Staff
Win a Cole Swindell Prize Pack
Cole Swindell doesn't just want you to listen to his album -- the singer wants you to live it, and he's offering a prize pack to ensure the 'Cole Swindell' experience is complete.
Win a Signed DVD Copy of Kix Brooks’ Movie ‘Ambush at Dark Canyon’
Kix Brooks made his acting debut earlier this year, and now fans have a chance to bring him home. Enter here to win one of 10 signed copies of both the DVD and CD soundtrack to ‘Ambush at Dark Canyon.’
Album Spotlight: Cole Swindell, ‘Cole Swindell’
Cole Swindell set out to make a well-rounded album that tells his story, and he succeeded. The 12 tracks on ‘Cole Swindell’ tread along familiar country themes, but don’t run ruts into any one in particular. It’s surprisingly easy to find yourself halfway through the album a second time without noticing.
Danielle Bradbery Gets New Artist of the Year at 2014 ToC Awards
Three times as many people voted for New Artist of the Year than any other 2014 Taste of Country Awards category, and until the final days, the competition was very tight. Danielle Bradbery pulled away late however, giving her a New Artist of the Year win.
Win a Guitar and Copy of ‘The Journey: (Livin’ Hits)’ Signed by Craig Morgan
a Rafflecopter giveaway
As Craig Morgan's 'Wake Up Lovin' You' climbs its way up the country charts, the singer wants to reward fans for making it a hit. Enter here to win an autographed guitar and a copy of his new 'The Journey: (Livin' Hits)' album.
Kellie Pickler, ‘Closer to Nowhere’ [Listen]
Sincere love songs fit Kellie Pickler like a tailored red carpet gown. ‘Closer to Nowhere’ is a big, stirring ballad from the ‘The Woman I Am’ album. Her romantic story talks of getting lost with a lover at the edge of town.
ToC Encore: A Defense for Artists Who Play SeaWorld
Nearly a dozen others refused, but Alan Jackson, Gretchen Wilson and Kid Rock have taken the stage to play SeaWorld's Bands, Brews & BBQ concert series, despite heavy protest from a controversy started after a documentary called 'Blackfish' aired. Should those who play be demonized?
Chris Young’s ‘Aw Naw’ Named Video of the Year at 2014 Taste of Country Awards
Fans have named Chris Young's 'Aw Naw' video the Video of the Year at the 2014 Taste of Country Awards! The clip beat out nine others, including the CMA-winning video for 'Highway Don't Care.'
Tim McGraw’s ‘Highway Don’t Care’ Named Song of the Year at 2014 ToC Awards
A trio of country superstars was just too much for nine other nominees to overcome. Tim McGraw's 'Highway Don't Care,' a chart-topping collaboration with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, was voted the best song of 2013 at the recent Taste of Country Awards.
2014 ToC Awards: Taylor Swift’s Phone Call to Dying Girl Was Most Heartwarming Moment of 2013
Odds were good Taylor Swift would take the 2014 Taste of Country Award for Most Heartwarming Moment of 2013. She had two of the five nominations, after all. The star won a record eighth ToC Award, including her second in this category.
Gary Allan’s ‘Set You Free’ Named Best Album of 2013 at Taste of Country Awards
Gary Allan and Blake Shelton battled for most of the one-month voting period, but in the end, fans of the California-raised country singer would not be denied. Allan's 'Set You Free' was named the Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Taste of Country Awards.
Album Spotlight: Eric Paslay, ‘Eric Paslay’
Eric Paslay’s self-titled debut album is a songwriter’s album, but that doesn’t mean the redheaded singer sounds out of place fronting a full, ultra-modern production. Paslay dabbles with several different styles during the 11 tracks on ‘Eric Paslay.’
Miranda Lambert, ‘Automatic’ [Listen]
Miranda Lambert does nostalgia as well as she does crazy. Her new single ‘Automatic’ is a yearning look back at a time before computers, cell phones and 800 channels on TV. With familiar and original references, the singer introduces a softer tone for her fifth studio album.
Win an Acoustic Guitar Signed by Eric Paslay
Eric Palsay's self-titled debut album is in stores now, and he's celebrating by turning over the strings to a new guitar. Enter here for your chance to win this autographed acoustic from the 'Friday Night' hitmaker.
Lee Brice, ‘I Don’t Dance’ [Listen]
Lee Brice’s new single ‘I Don’t Dance’ feels like a natural progression of this singer-songwriter’s career. It’s personal, like almost every song on the ‘Hard 2 Love’ album, but also powerful and experimental like Brice's early recordings. The power is provided in production, however -- a key difference between this ballad and others that relied solely on his vocal abilities.
Maggie Rose, ‘Looking Back Now’ [Listen]
Maggie Rose’s new single ‘Looking Back Now’ is the reason her debut album ‘Cut to Impress’ ended up on a number of Top Albums of 2013 lists. For some, there is a special place for women who commit acts of violence in the name jealousy or safety. Never has a country song told a revenge story in such vivid detail, however.