Essie Country’s
Song of the Week
February 8-14, 2026
That’s How Hearts Get Broken
by Kree Harrison
Released 08/21/2020
Review 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
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