CMT Blog: Archive

Everybody's been asking me lately what I think about Dierks Bentley's new album, Up on the Ridge. And I always reply that I'm proud of him for making it -- and that's true. But it's been a challenge for me to describe it, except to say that it's a compelling combination of bluegrass and contemporary country music, and that it cuts right to the chase. By that, I mean the music is right there in front of you -- not hiding behind any veil of gimmicks or technology. I really dig it. The tracks I keep returning to are "Fiddlin' Around," because that melody always perks me up, and "Love Grows Wild," with its sweet, mature lyrics. But my favorite one is "Draw Me a Map," because its message of forgiveness is well-matched to the tempo -- brooding but still a sense of urgency.

For this playlist, I'll let "Draw Me a Map" lead the way, followed by several other new tunes from country, rock, R&B, Americana and bluegrass that caught my attention over the last few weeks.

"Draw Me a Map," Dierks Bentley
"Journey On," Ty Herndon
"Lovin' Her Was Easier," Mark Chesnutt
"Running Man's Bible," Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
"Like We Never Said Goodbye," Clay Walker
"The Living Legend," Bobby Bare
"Hand Me Down Blues," Terri Hendrix
"Answer Me That," Kevin Welch
"Home," Mary McBride
"Break My Heart Again," Cadillac Sky
"Overtone," Anna Rose
"Everyone Is Talking," Farewell Drifters
"One Notch Tighter," Nora Jane Struthers
"The Laugh's on Me," Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice
"Cowboy Song," Steven L. Smith