Feel Good Contemporary Country Songs

I enjoy a variety of music genres and often find myself turning to music for what I call "feel good" songs. These are songs that just make you feel good when you listen to them. Sometimes it's the tempo of the music and sometimes it's the lyrics. Often, it's both. I find that if I spend 20-30 minutes listening to songs I enjoy, then my mood shifts.

I sat down Saturday night and went through lots of YouTube videos and assembled a couple of sets of songs that I consider some of my favorite feel good songs. Below you'll find links to more hubs by me that include some pop/rock favorites and old country favorites. I consider this set to be more contemporary country music.

"No News" was the 1st number one single for Lonestar in 1996. I love the upbeat rhymes that make the song fun to sing along to. This is a song I have trouble listening to in the car because it tends to make me want to drive faster than I should.

Lonestar began as 5 guys from Texas calling themselves "Tennessee" because they met in Tennessee, however, they later changed their name to "Lonestar". They included:

• Richie McDonald from Lubbock-lead singer/rhythm guitarist from 1992-2007 when he left to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Cody Collins
• Michael Britt from Ft. Worth-lead guitarist
• Keech Rainwater from Plano-drummer
• Dean Sams from Garland-keyboardist
• John Rich from Amarillo-bass guitarist/co-lead vocalist from 1992-1998, then was fired by the band and went on to team up with Big Kenny to form "Big and Rich"

Sugarland is comprised of Jennifer Nettles who sings the lead vocals and Kristian Bush who sings background vocals, lead vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and harmonica. When the group was founded in 2004 it also included Kristen Hall on background vocals and acoustic guitar. Kristen left the group in December 2005.

You may remember their other hits, "Baby Girl", "Want To", "Stay", "All I Want to Do", "Already Gone"and "It Happens".

It's hard not to get wrapped up into Jennifer Nettles twangy energy.

Charlie Daniels is pretty much a country legend and this song is one of my favorites. I remember seeing Charlie Daniels back in the mid 80s when this song was popular. I was in the long line at the restroom when he started playing this song. I gave up my position in line just to run back into the coliseum to hear this song.

You may recognize another big hit for Charlie, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia"

Alabama was probably the first country band that made me want to listen to country music. During my senior year in high school, they had three number one hits, "Old Flame", "Love in the First Degree" and "Feels so Right". That year, our senior trip was to Six Flags Over Texas where we got to see Alabama perform.

I was able to see Alabama perform two more times in the 80s including the same concert I just mentioned above where Charlie Daniels was the opening act for Alabama.

Alabama consists of:

• Randy Owen (lead vocals)
• Teddy Gentry (bass guitar, background vocals)
• Jeff Cook (guitar, fiddle, keyboards)
• Mark Herndon (drums)

This is probably my favorite Dwight Yoakam song. I have included the story about how I met Dwight Yoakam in another hub.

Not only is Dwight known for his twangy rockabilly sound, but he's also an actor and has his own food brand, Bakersfield Biscuits. You may remember him in:

• Sling Blade(1996)-where he played an abusive alcoholic named Doyle Hargraves
• Panic Room(2002)-played a sociopath killer
• The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)-he played the sheriff
• Wedding Crashers (2005)
• Four Christmases -played Pastor Phil
• South of Heaven, West of Hell

Neal McCoy's real name isHubert Neal McGaughey, Jr.He won 1981 talent contest and became the opening act for Charley Pride and assumed the name Neal McGoy which was his name spelled phonetically. With fans referring to him as McCoy, his record label suggested he change to McCoy.

"Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On" is a very catchy and fun song to listen to and sing a long to. The video includes popular actor Rob Schneider as Billy.

Toby Keith has had numerous hits, but this was one of my instant favorites. The video is a bit cheesy, but cute.

Other songs you may recognize from Toby Keith include: "Beer for My Horses", "Getcha Some", "Should've Been a Cowboy", "Whiskey Girl", "I Love This Bar" and "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue".

Toby also started up the franchise "Toby Keith I Love This Bar and Grill" that now has locations in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Mesa, Arizona, Pittsburgh and just across the Texas border into Oklahoma at the Winstar World Casino.

Keith also has a line of clothing called "TK Steelman".

Gretchen Wilson is about as country and redneck as they get. She started off in 2004 with "Redneck Woman". "Here for the Party" was co-written by Gretchen Wilson, Big Kenny and John Rich, that you may recognize as Big and Rich. Big and Rich can be heard singing background vocals in this song as well. Gretchen was introduced to the MuzikMafia by John Rich.

Even though Pat Green was born in San Antonio, he grew up in Waco, Texas. Around here, everyone knows of Pat Green. "Wave on Wave" is my favorite Pat Green song and his top hit.

Having caught the attention of Willie Nelson, he was invited to join Willie in his legendary 4th of July picnics. Pat Green has also headlined for Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, and Kenny Chesney,

Sawyer Brown formed in 1981, but gained national attention when they won Star Search in 1983. Lead vocals by Mark Miller are undeniably deep and unmistakable. He's also known for his high energy performances. In his early days, he wore a hat but now usually appears bald.

You may recognize other hits of theirs that include: "Step That Step", "The Walk", "Some Girls Do", and "Thank God for You".