Essie Country: Home of 21st Century Real Country Music

Tag: realcountrymusic

  • Sea of Heartbreak

    Sea of Heartbreak

     

    An Essie Country 
    Reflections Moment 

    Sea of Heartbreak
    Performed by Don Gibson
    Released 05/22/1961
    Intro by Gene Johns  

    I was seven years old when the “Sea of Heartbreak” surged onto the shores of country music. Since then, it has been recorded by the unforgettable harmonious duo the Everly Brothers, “the Boss” Bruce Springsteen, the “Man in Black” Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash (yes, Johnny’s daughter), Poco (an American country rock band), the English rock band the Searchers, the “King of Country Music” George Strait, and even the “Mayor of Margaritaville,” Jimmy Buffet.

    Don Gibson’s 1961 hit, “Sea of Heartbreak,” is an up-tempo song that was slightly outside the norms of country music at the time, and it has long been a favorite of mine. The doo-wop-sounding “bom bom bom,” inserted throughout the song by a bass vocalist, anchors the rhythm, giving “Sea of Heartbreak” a classic 1960s country-pop sound. 

    Recorded on April 5, 1961, and released on May 22nd of the same year, this catchy, heartfelt classic country song, with a pinch of pop flavoring, reached number 2 on Billboard’s Country singles chart. It was a crossover hit, peaking at number 21 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. “Sea of Heartbreak” became an international hit, charting at number 14 on the UK Singles chart and number 10 on the Norwegian Singles Chart. 

    Mr. Gibson was inducted into the “Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame” in 1973, which recognized his talent for writing country classics such as “Oh Lonesome Me,” Patsy Cline’s “Sweet Dreams,” and the iconic “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” along with many other hits, including “Sea of Heartbreak.” He was nicknamed “the Sad Poet” for writing songs about loneliness and lost love.

    In 2001, only a couple of years before his death in November 2003, Don Gibson’s unique voice and singing style, along with songs like “Oh Lonesome Me,” “Blue, Blue, Day,” “Woman, Sensuous Woman,” including “Sea of Heartbreak,” and his brilliant songwriting skills, earned him a well-earned membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame. 

    Don Gibson’s unforgettable “Sea of Heartbreak” is now just one click away from becoming an enjoyable and entertaining cruise for you on the “Sea of Heartbreak.” Bon voyage! 

    Sea of Heartbreak

    ⬇️

    https://youtu.be/B8L-JfR0kEg?si=S86N5E0v_PCeGd-s

  • That’s How Hearts Get Broken

    That’s How Hearts Get Broken

    Essie Country’s 21st Century Real Country Music Song of the Week, for the week of 02/08/26 thru 02/14/26.

    That’s How Hearts Get Broken
    by Kree Harrison 
    Released 08/21/2020
    Intro by Gene Johns

    Every music genre has its own stereotypical sound. If I were to pick a stereotypical song that represents real country music, it would be a song like this week’s Essie Country’s 21st Century Real Country Music Song of the Week, “That’s How Hearts Get Broken.”

    To be honest, I have purposely avoided featuring stereotypical songs from traditional country music. Why? I want to show fans of today’s fake country music that modern, real country music can be country without sounding overly stereotypical. Sometimes, a contemporary, stereotypical real country song comes along that simply can’t be ignored. “That’s How Hearts Get Broken” is one of those songs.

    Kree Harrison delivers a superb performance, offering a textbook example of what traditional country music should sound like. Her singing style, the song’s cadence, and the masterful infusion of steel guitar, drums, fiddle, and country piano create a traditional country music masterpiece. 

    I’m sure only diehard country music fans will enjoy and appreciate this week’s Essie Country’s Song of the Week. It wouldn’t surprise me if a number of my subscribers stop listening to this song shortly after it starts. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great song for real country music enthusiasts. I understand it’s not for everyone. 

    Beautiful job, Kree. Thank you for keeping real country music alive! Do you hear anything close to this sound on fake country music radio? No! Essie Country is dedicated to keeping contemporary traditional country music from withering on the vine.

    One side note: Kree Harrison is from Woodville, Texas. Yes, yet another Texan adding to the history of Texans on Essie Country’s 21st Century Real Country Music Song of the Week series. Texas is definitely the “New Nashville.” Are you listening, Nashville? 

    It is my honor and pleasure to present to you, American Idol season twelve (spring 2013) runner-up Kree Harrison, preserving the traditional sound of real country music, with an exemplary performance of a 21st-century traditional country song:

    That’s How a Heart Gets Broken
    by Kree Harrison 

    https://youtu.be/B5MuiNts9HQ?si=Ipfbc7EslN2joCEX