Across the Country with Amanda

Top Story: Megan Moroney and Ella Langley are making headlines for becoming the first country artists to simultaneously top the all-genre Billboard 200 and 100 charts. I dive into every album and song that has achieved success on those charts. Trending Stories: I dive into this week's biggest stories in country music including new music from Kacey Musgraves. On the Record: I'll share my th...

In this episode of Across The Country With Amanda, we dive into "Better Man," the second single from The Warren Brothers' debut album, Beautiful Day in a Cruel World. Despite its low peak at 32 on the country charts, "Better Man" remains a standout in their catalog. The episode also highlights the Warren Brothers' successful songwriting careers including cuts from major...

In this episode of Across the Country with Amanda, Amanda reveals her top contenders for the 2025 Country Music Hall of Fame's Modern Era category. She discusses a range of artists who achieved national prominence at least 20 years ago, highlighting their significant contributions to country music. Featured artists include Steve Wariner, Roseanne Cash, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Shania Twain, and...

In this episode of Across the Country with Amanda, Amanda explores Martina McBride's 1999 album Emotion. Highlighting how the album stood out during a competitive era in country music, Amanda discusses its deeper themes, unique production quality, and chart successes like "I Love You." She also covers Martina's significant moments at award shows and how the album contributed to h...

In this episode of Across the Country, Amanda discusses the underrated Conway Twitty song "She's Got a Man on Her Mind" from his Even Now album. She explores how Conway Twitty was able to naturally adapt to the contemporary 90s country sound of the time without seeming out of place. Plus, find out which country singers, including a future hall of famer, provide background vocals. Tun...

2025 Veterans Picks for Country Music Hall of Fame | Across the Country with Amanda Radio Personality Amanda Tempel dives into her picks for the 2025 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the Veterans category. She also explains the Hall of Fame election process, including the different categories and the voting procedure. Additionally, she discusses the Hall of Fame's medallion cer...

Carly Pearce's album Hummingbird, is a bright spot for contemporary country music. In this episode, I discuss how she blends storytelling, musical arrangements, bluegrass roots, and touches of humor, resulting in a mainstream masterpiece. Tune in to discover why this album is a must-listen! Watch episodes on YouTube⁠ ⁠Follow Amanda on Instagram

This series explores underrated country songs that missed the top 20, delving into their backstories, chart history, and radio impact. In this episode, we look back at Sons of the Desert and their song "Albuquerque." Known for their rich harmonies, the band first made waves in 1997 with "Whatever Comes First", a top-ten hit. They also contributed background vocals for artists l...

The ACM Honors are happening on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, and I have your honoree preview. In This Episode: Carly Pearce returns for as host for the 16th annual event taking place in the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. How to get tickets for the ACM Honors. My favorite past moments from the event. Clint Black, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and KT Oslin to be honored with Poet's Award. Chris...

The second single from The Warren Brothers provides a relief to the glossy and overproduced country music of the late '90s. "Better Man" from their debut album Beautiful Day in a Cruel World lands on this countdown at #87. In this Episode: The Warren Brothers endure longevity with the support of their label, resulting in award nomination streaks. BNA Records signed young artists and...

If there's a country album from the past year that you need to listen to, it's Julie Roberts' "Ain't In No Hurry." Produced by Shooter Jennings and Erin Enderlin, the collection is unlike anything we've heard from the singer on her previous efforts. While it was nearly a decade in-between full-fledged albums, the wait was worth it. Find out which country classic she c...

The Chicks World Tour made its way to Louisville, Kentucky, on July 25, 2023. With a setlist comprised of selections from each of their five studio albums, it's a show that every fan should see! I share my highlights in this country music podcast. Visit  AcrossTheCountryWithAmanda.com  for the latest happenings, music news, and more in country music.

Diving into the current state and what's happening at country radio in this podcast. Crossover songs are ruling from Jelly Roll, Parmalee, and Luke Combs but at what point are songs no longer considered country? Country's leading females - Lainey Wilson, Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce - deliver the best of the genre. New songs from Chris Janson, Brothers Osborne, and Dar...

Penned for a '90s TV movie, "xxx's and ooo's (An American Girl)" by Trisha Yearwood becomes a staple of country music. The movie? It wasn't so acclaimed. But was it really as bad as it sounded? I'll give you my review! In This Episode: Learn which country superstar was supposed to originally sing the song. We'll talk about the country stars who made cameos in the...

Conway Twitty left a legacy of hundreds of songs, many of which were chart-toppers. His reign continued throughout the early '90s when he was scoring big hits amid the Hot New Country wave. "She's Got A Man On Her Mind" would become his final top thirty hit in 1991 and it ranks at #88 in this podcast mini-series. In this Episode: Conway Twitty's Chart Success Discover the Cou...

Kimberly Perry releases the most personal project of her career titled "Bloom." As she begins her solo career, she looks back at the journey here through "If I Die Young Part II," a beautiful ode to her award-winning single that sold over five million copies during her stance as lead singer for The Band Perry. We'll dive into "Bloom" and revisit the monumental tim...

With her latest album God's Work, LeAnn Rimes continues to evolve and captivate listeners. Her current tour "The Story...So Far" is an immersive experience that highlights her twenty-five years of making records. I share my thoughts on attending the show and how it exceeded every expectation, resulting in a powerful night of music on the most scared stage in country music. Plus, I&#3...

Could Gary Allan's lack of success with “No Man in His Wrong Heart” be due to another song that happened to be a hidden track that radio program directors were intrigued by? We’ll uncover the details in this episode! Learn about the most popular country songs in 1998. Gary Allan's record label closes in the midst of his second album being released. Dive into Gary Allan's Her Man album....

When you're scrolling through your favorite streaming platform, you might notice an album or two from an artist’s catalog missing. That’s the case with Shenandoah’s Long Time Comin’ and Under the Kudzu . Both of those albums contain some pretty big hits from the ‘90s, like "I Want To Be Loved Like That" and "Rock My Baby." I had the chance to talk with Marty Raybon of the l...

Are Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen starting a trend where artists release multiple singles simultaneously to country radio? I'll talk about their success, along with my top picks for the month. Plus, Carrie Underwood's "Hate My Heart," written by HARDY, was poised to be a chart topper, so why did it stall on country radio? I'll touch on that and dive into what country songs are...

During a seismic sales boom in the late '90s, Mark Wills released one of the most successful albums from that era. Wish You Were Here spawned multiple top ten singles including the acclaimed "Don't Laugh at Me," which created a generational impact. This podcast outlines the state of country music in 1998, takes you back to the top hits playing on country radio at the time, includ...

The Academy of Country Music Awards were once again streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton hosted and we saw the next generation of country music claim the night's top prizes. Find out the biggest moments, surprising performances, and how the show fared compared to year's past. Featured Artists: Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, Trisha Yearwood, Jelly Roll, Zach Bryan, Hailey Whi...

I have an exciting announcement for listeners! The podcast is growing, and I have some major updates!

Country music superstar Sara Evans talks about songwriting and the traditional-sounding style planned for her next album. Don't miss this interview with one of the leading singer-songwriters of the last 25 years. In This Episode: When is Sara Evans releasing a new album? Sara Evans talks about the types of songs she's writing. What beloved country artist is inspiring the types of songs she...

Discussing the current trends at country radio for the month of February 2023. I’ll talk about how the slow-climbing nature of songs is affecting the longevity of artists. Plus the rise in traditional country continues. See how the influx of new artists of today compares to decades past, too. Featured Artists: Parker McCollum, Cody Johnson, Bailey Zimmerman, Kenny Chesney, Lorrie Morgan, Clay Walk...