Some amazing albums came out in 2018 - like the final album from Montgomery Gentry (Here's to You in February), highly-anticipated collections from Dierks Bentley (The Mountain in June), Eric Church (Desperate Man in October), Jason Aldean (Rearview Town in April), Keith Urban (Graffiti U in April), and Carrie Underwood (Cry Pretty in September). There was also Kenny Chesney's Songs for the Saints, proceeds from which were donated to his Love for Love City fund, which provided Hurricane Relief to the Virgin Islands. Pistol Annies returned with their Interstate Gospel album in November, and Devin Dawson, Ashley McBryde, Morgan Wallen, and Mitchell Tenpenny were among those who put out their debut albums.
So what were some of the favorites among the K-Frog airstaff?
Heather had two. "WITHOUT A DOUBT, Jordan Davis' Home State and Kacey Musgraves' Golden Hour," she says. "Both albums provide hits from start to finish. I'm so impressed with Jordan, this album has been on REPEAT since it came out. Same for Kacey's. To me, she IS Country Musics' James Taylor. For that, we should be grateful!"
Kelli's favorite didn't come in until the end of the year - Brett Young's sophomore album Ticket to L.A., Scott's was also a third-quarter entry: Jimmie Allen's Mercury Lane.
"Set aside all of the hype about how he looks and his backstory," recommends Scott. "Mercury Lane announces the arrival of a pretty important new artist. #1 single 'Best Shot' is just the tip of the iceberg. Take a listen to 'Warrior' and then re-think how you view the important women in your life. 'All Tractors Ain't Green' is Jimmie's way of reminding you not to judge a book by its cover. Jimmie Allen deserves a spot on the radio for many years to come!"
The resurgence of Sugarland made my pick for my favorite album of 2018. After a hiatus to focus on family and solo projects, the title Bigger for Sugarland's reunion album could not be more appropriate, as the whole of Sugarland is greater than the sum of their equal parts (that's in no way meant as a slight to the solo work of either member). While songs like "Still the Same" and "Babe" welcomed them back on radio, perhaps the most important music on this album is on the end of it - "Tuesday's Broken" and "Not the Only."
