Billy Dukes

'A' is for Alabama ... or is it for Aldean, Allan or Autry? 'B' could be for Brooks, but what about Brooks and Dunn, Black or the Bellamy Brothers? This list of 26 country superstars decides who the king or queen of each letter of the alphabet is. A few are easy (can anyone name two 'Q' artists?), but others like the letter 'C' ... that's a debate that is only beginning. 

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Canadian country singer and cultural legend Stompin' Tom Connors died on Wednesday (March 6), bringing to an end a four-decade career that was at times controversial, but always faithful to his home country. 'Bud the Spud,' 'Sudbury Saturday Night' and 'The Hockey Song' were among his most well-known songs, with the latter being played in hockey arenas across the NHL.

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Songs like Drake White's 'The Simple Life' end up inspiring scores of new singer-songwriters to bring their talents to Nashville. White makes it look so easy, singing about familiar pleasures we all know and usually under-appreciate. 

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It's how music fans imagine every album to be recorded, but rarely is it a reality. Instead of sequestering individual musicians in micro-studios or recording each layer of a song one by one, Ashley Monroe recorded 'Like a Rose' live and in the round. The result? A project that fans and critics are fighting to pile with praise, and one that's gathering her attention across the internet.

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No one does anguish quite like Ashley Monroe. On her new album, 'Like a Rose,' the singer redefines bittersweet for a country music audience that is still very much learning her name. Her sorrow comes sprinkled with just a teaspoon of sugar when she's at her best. One finds hope in the face of tragedy and bad circumstance, which is at times inspiring.

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Justin Moore's lead single from his third studio album is a familiar combination of all of his best songs. It's the well-meaning bad boy in 'How I Got to Be This Way' meeting the soft and sensitive lover in ''Til My Last Day.' Fans familiar with Moore's previous two studio albums can find a few more tracks 'Point at You' resembles.

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Founding member Hannah Blaylock has left country trio Edens Edge. The 'Too Good to Be True' hitmakers announced the move, saying she left "on her own accord and with much disappointment" after playing a final show with the group at the Grand Ole Opry.

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Casey James' 'Cryin' on a Suitcase' video continues to roll as the No. 1 video in the Taste of Country Video Top 10, but the competition is catching up. Carrie Underwood has spent three weeks at No. 2. Could this be the week she overtakes her fellow 'American Idol' alum? Or maybe another of the more than two dozen videos listed below will catch fire and become the most requested video of the week? Fans decide in this weekly countdown. 

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Fans of Eric Church and Kix Brooks made strong statements this week. 'Like Jesus Does' and 'Moonshine Road' both cracked the weekly Top 10 video countdown, the only countdown decided entirely by fan votes. Additionally, some familiar videos battled for the No. 1 spot, which was decided by a narrow margin of less than one percent.

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Part of what makes Gloriana's new single 'Can't Shake You' so appealing is that anyone who's gone through a difficult breakup (which is pretty much everyone) can relate to the story. During an interview with Taste of Country Nights radio, the country trio shared which of their past lovers inspired the emotional ballad. 

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Toby Keith's bass player of 25 years has been killed in a two-car collision in Oklahoma. Carl "Chuck" Goff Jr. was Keith's bassist, band leader, friend and the co-writer on two of his best known songs. He died on Wednesday (Feb. 27) at the age of 54.

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Sheryl Crow's new country single 'Easy' is as advertised. It's easy to be seduced by Crow's carefree warmth and laid-back style. It's easy to overlook the effective songwriting, and it's easy to fall into her story again and again.

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