Ten of the Best Country Songs That 2016 Has Offered So Far

My favorite 2016 song is "My Church" by Maren Morris. It hit #1 on the Country Digital Songs chart in March. I connect to how hearing music on the radio feels like a religious experience. Her debut album Hero has been getting great reviews and she's currently Keith Urban's opening act on his Ripcord tour. Maren is scheduled to perform at The Big E September 25th in West Springfield Massachusetts.

When I play the highway FM
I find my soul revival
Singing every single verse
Yeah I guess that's my church

Leading up to American Idol's finale, Keith Urban sang this live playing a "ganjocaster", which is a banjo and electric guitar. This is a great summer song about reminiscing. It was recently #1 for 2 weeks on the Country Airplay chart.

Keith and Maren Morris will be at Connecticut November 18th at Mohegan Sun.

I've loved Thomas Rhett since "It Goes Like This". He's a talented musician, songwriter, and son of country singer Rhett Atkins. In this flirty video, Thomas Rhett dances around in front of a black and white screen with cool visual effects. It topped Country Airplay in June. 

Thomas will perform at Hartford's Xfinity Theatre with A Thousand Horses and Jason Aldean on September 11th.

Elle King's "Ex's and Oh's" was a huge hit last summer. "America's Sweetheart" was released earlier this year and in my opinion has a heart of a country song. It's been playing on Adult Contemporary radio, but not country yet. Banjos orchestrate the background as Elle sings a twang about not changing who she is.

What do you want from me, I'm not America's sweetheart
But you love me anyway

She also did a duet on Dierks Bentley's new album called "Different With Girls." Elle is also scheduled to perform at The Big E on September 24th.

Kenny Chesney's "Noise" has a serious tone than usual. Its lyrics reflect how connected society and everyday life consume our thoughts. Makes silence sound so sacred.

Kenny toured in our area earlier this year, but will be at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford New Jersey on August 20th.

"Somewhere on a Beach" picks up where "Drunk on a Plane" left off; a guy moving on with another girl far away from his ex. It was #1 throughout May on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay.

Dierks performed last month at Hartford's Xfinity Theatre, but will be performing in Syracuse at The Lakeview Amphitheatre on August 6th.

Luke Bryan sings imagery of those who hunt, fish, and take pride living the country life. It was recently a Hot Country Airplay #1 hit. Luke will be at The Saratoga Performing Arts Center on July 31st.

This song got released after reports of Blake Shelton dating Gwen Stefani, and Miranda Lambert dating musician Anderson East. I first thought the lyrics were too literal, but find the chorus melody so catchy. Its slow tempo and arrangement stands out from how most modern country songs sound. "Came Here to Forget" was #1 for 2 weeks on Country Digital Songs in March, and #1 in June on Country Airplay. 

After a tour hiatus from being on The Voice, Blake will be at the XL Center in Hartford on September 30th.

To me, this song sounds like it will be a classic. Chris Young and Cassadee Pope's vocals blend so well. It hit #1 on Country Airplay in May, becoming Chris' 7th and The Voice season 3 winner's 1st.

Chris will be at Big Flats in upstate NY September 3rd, and Cassadee Pope in Long Island at Pennysaver Amphitheater.

CMT recently named this Video of the Year. Tim McGraw got inspired to record this as his youngest daughter will go off to college in the fall. The lyrics give advice on how to be kind to others and yourself. This video features clips of a documentary Oprah Winfrey produced, and gave her permission to be used supporting the message this song brings.

Tim will be at Mohegan Sun on October 1st.