Essie Country’s 21st Century
Real Country Music Song
of the Week, for the week of
03/29/26 thru 04/04/26
My Kind of Lonely
by Bernie Nelson
Released 10/17/2019
https://youtu.be/CSUEG_nESJI?si=N0pBH_SpqggtyP69
Review of
My Kind of Lonely
by Gene Johns
March 28, 2026
When I first listened to “My Kind of Lonely,” I thought I had discovered a great five-star traditional country song. The musicality, vocal performance, and overall sound of this song exemplify authentic country music. So, in that sense, it is a five-star traditional country song.
It wasn’t until I listened to the lyrics of this song a second time and paid closer attention to the words that I started to understand what this song is really about. At first listen, it seems like it is about a man rescuing a woman in emotional distress. In reality, “My Kind of Lonely” is a glamorized story about seducing the vulnerable. I wasn’t sure if this song should be considered for Essie Country’s Song of the Week.
“My Kind of Lonely” is a playbook for exploiting a woman in distress. The story provides a detailed description of what a manipulative, womanizing, smooth-talking predator can achieve with an emotionally vulnerable woman.
To be fair, this song is mild in content compared to many pop songs and the countless rap songs that have strong, sexually explicit themes. Like an old-fashioned romance movie, this song leaves much to your imagination. It just struck me in a way that I felt compelled to write about the story behind this otherwise classic country-style ballad.
One might ask, if I felt compelled to point out the unsavory predatory behavior showcased in this song, why would I choose it for a song of the week? Good question. A question I’m not sure I can answer.
“My Kind of Lonely” features everything that all good, authentic country songs should have: an exceptional vocal performance, authentic country-style musicality, and a story that awakens your awareness, sparks your imagination, and touches your heart.
Ultimately, I chose this song because it’s more than a song; it’s a complete package of all the characteristics of a genuine country music song that gives you an experience you won’t soon forget.
Essie Country previously chose one of Bernie’s songs, “Barbershop.” It was featured as Essie Country’s 21st Century Real Country Music Song of the Week during the week of 11/09/2025.
One thing is certain: “My Kind of Lonely” would never make today’s country radio playlist. Not because of the storyline, but because it’s too country. By the way, it is a five-star real country song.
My Kind of Lonely
by Bernie Nelson
https://youtu.be/CSUEG_nESJI?si=N0pBH_SpqggtyP69
Author: Essiecountry
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My Kind of Lonely
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Cheap Paradise
Essie Country’s 21st Century
Real Country Music Song of the Week,
for the week of:
03/22/26 thru 03/28/26.
Cheap Paradise
by Erin Viancourt
Released 07/21/2023
⬇️
https://youtu.be/1SW6QNaz27A?si=HXAaMSLjuccWL9HN
A review of Erin Viancourt’s
Cheap Paradise
by Gene Johns
I don’t know anyone who sounds like Erin Viancourt. Her unique voice and soft, effortless vocal style have caught my attention more than once. She has been featured twice before in Essie Country’s 21st Century Real Country Music Song of the Week series with “Old Time Melody" and “Pray.” If you missed those two outstanding real country songs, you can find them at EssieCountry. Com.
This Cleveland, Ohio, born singer/songwriter said she “came from a pretty musical family, and spent a lot of time sitting around the campfire with 5 to 7 guitars going at once.” After graduating from high school, she left the safety of her family and the warmth of the family campfire to head for Nashville.
Since arriving in Nashville in 2015, she found her own community of singers and songwriters. In 2019, she recorded her debut single, “Playin’ Old Records,” and later released her first album, “Won’t Die This Way.” That album, released on July 21, 2023, features 13 tracks, all co-written by her, including “Pray,” “Old Time Melody,” and “Cheap Paradise.”
Within the lyrics of this song, there's a line that references the sun setting over Turtle Bay. Turtle Bay might not be nearby, but if you set up a couple of lawn chairs in your backyard, and as the sun dips below your horizon, have a cold beverage of your choice in hand, with your sweetheart close by (for a kiss or two) to join you. Then you too can enjoy a “Cheap Paradise.”
Cheap Paradise
by Erin Viancourt
https://youtu.be/1SW6QNaz27A?si=HXAaMSLjuccWL9HN -
Goodbye Ain’t All That Bad
Greetings to fans of real country
music, and welcome to this week’s
Essie Country’s 21st Century Real Country Music Song of the Week, for the week of 03/15/26 thru 03/21/Greetings to fans of real country music, and welcome to this week’s Essie Country’s 21st Century Real Country Music Song of the Week, for the week of 03/15/26 thru 03/21/26
Goodbye Ain’t All That Bad
Cowritten & Performed by
Drake Mulligan
Released 11/07/2025
Intro by Gene Johns
essie-country.com
On November 7, 2025, real country artist and songwriter Drake Milligan released his second studio album titled “Tumbleweed.” I read an AI-generated review of the album, which said, “The 14-track album blends neotraditional country, Texas country, and Western swing with modern Nashville influences, showcasing Milligan’s storytelling and musical versatility.”
Honestly, I didn’t know what neotraditional country meant. So, I asked ChatGPT for the definition of neotraditional country, and this was the answer:
Neotraditional country is a style of country music that appeared in the 1980s as a reaction against the more pop-influenced sounds of that time. It focuses on reviving traditional elements of classic country-think fiddles, steel guitars, honky-tonk rhythms, and a more straightforward storytelling approach to lyrics.
On March 8, 2026, I reviewed all 14 songs on that album. One song, in my opinion, stood out among the other 13 neotraditional songs: “Goodbye Ain’t All That Bad.” Why? Because its easygoing melody and its pure, classic two-stepping dance-hall country style sound offered a delightful and genuine country tune that Essie Country seeks to promote.
In the world of real country music, “Goodbye Ain’t All That Bad” might not be a top contender, but it’s not that bad. Plus, dog-gone-it, it’s a great example of what today’s fake country music is missing: the sound of real country music, like the steel guitar and the fiddle. Can I get a “YEEHAW?”
Drake finished third on America’s Got Talent Season 17, which wrapped up on September 14, 2022. Do I really need to say it—"that ain’t all that bad!” His third-place finish showed that genuine country artists are still popular in America. Can I get another “YEEHAW?”
You're invited to experience an almost live “on stage” performance of “Goodbye Ain’t All That Bad” by Drake Mulligan. How? Just tap the link below and shout out YEEHAW! Okay, you don’t have to shout “YEEHAW,” but you do need to tap the link below.
Goodbye Ain’t All That Bad
by Drake Mulligan
https://youtu.be/8AzuLlaLqtQ?si=fq9cFki5locKIfIf -
Denver to Dallas
Greetings to fans of real country
music, and welcome to this week’s
Essie Country’s 21st Century Real Country Music Song of the Week, for the week of 03/08/26 thru 03/14/26
Denver to Dallas
by Wynn Williams
Released 01/03/2025
Intro by Gene Johns
As I listened to “Denver to Dallas” for the first time, and before it was halfway through, I knew I had a candidate for Essie Country 21st Century Real Country Music Song of the Week. Cowritten with Brice Long and Jeff Hyde, Wynn Williams’ performance of “Denver to Dallas” will play in your mind like a good romantic Hallmark movie.
With a country piano opening and Wynn’s captivating vocal performance gently guiding you into a romantic story reminiscent of a heartfelt Hallmark movie, it leaves you wishing the story wouldn’t end. “Denver to Dallas” will warm your heart like a playful puppy on Christmas morning.
Born and raised in North Texas, Wynn is recognized for his traditional country sound influenced by legends like George Strait and Brooks & Dunn. Wynn graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in communication in 2016. I don’t believe his communication degree has anything to do with his exceptional skills as a traditional-style country singer. It’s just natural talent.
Get ready for an unforgettable flight from Denver to Dallas:
Attention, guests. Welcome aboard our flagship “Serendipity.” While we don’t anticipate any turbulence on our flight to Dallas, your journey on “Serendipity” might be one you’ll never forget. Please take your seat, fasten your seatbelt, and enjoy your flight. Remain seated until we reach 30,000 feet, after which you’ll be free to move around the cabin.
So, how do you board “Serendipity” and begin a romantic flight from Denver to Dallas? By landing a finger on the link below:
Denver to Dallas
by Wynn Williams
https://youtu.be/ZO3G2auwRQA?si=0TCsGa7Ra5ldda5q
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Blue Jeans
Greetings to fans of real country
music, and welcome to this week’s
Essie Country’s 21st Century Real Country Music Song of the Week, for the week of 03/01/26 thru 03/07/26.
Blue Jeans
by Jessi Pugh
Released 06/28/2024
Intro by Gene Johns
Blue jeans have inspired numerous songs over the years. Perhaps the most famous is “Forever in Blue Jeans” by Neil Diamond. It peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Easy Listening chart in March 1979.
Country music has also produced some notable blue jeans songs. There is Conway Twitty’s memorable “Tight Fittin’ Jeans” and Mel McDaniel’s unforgettable “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On.” Keith Urban, Jake Owen, and Scotty McCreery also recorded songs about blue jeans.
There’s one thing in common among all those blue jeans songs—they’re all by male artists. That changed in June 2024, when country female artist Jessi Pugh recorded “Blue Jeans.”
According to the website “Canvas Rebel,” Jessi penned “Blue Jeans” during high school math class, along with another song, “Picking Petals.” I reviewed both “Picking Petals” and “Blue Jeans,” and “Blue Jeans” is the better song of the two.
Most of Jessi’s songs lean toward country pop, and her website states, “her musical style is a captivating blend that covers the diverse landscape of country pop.” Jessi may be a country pop singer, but she managed to create and perform a lighthearted, up-tempo, Essie Country-certified, pop-free, real country song, “Blue Jeans.”
“Blue Jeans,” by Jessi Pugh, is our latest addition to the long list of exceptional real country songs that contribute to the mission of Essie Country, which is to promote real country music.
So put on a comfortable pair of blue jeans, then click the link below to enjoy this week’s Essie Country’s 21st Century Real Country Music Song of the Week:
Blue Jeans
by Jessi Pugh
https://youtu.be/G3mZkk8x7Cg?si=PbjU_RKXKkMfyXeW
Essie Country: Home of 21st Century Real Country Music 