My love of music is one of the reasons I got into radio. It's one of the reasons I still enjoy the job to this day. Yes, the country genre has had it's ups and downs the past few years, but it still puts out amazing music every year. I decided to narrow my favorites of 2016 down to just three. It wasn't easy. Just missing out on my top three? Maren Morris, Frankie Ballard, and Miranda Lambert. Here are my big three for 2016.

3. A Sailor's Guide To Earth - Sturgill Simpson:  This album introduced to the music of Sturgill Simpson and I'm a better person for it. This album has the over arcing theme of a welcome letter to his newborn son. If you're a dad, you need to listen to it. Plus it includes an amazing cover of Nirvana's 'In Bloom'.

2. Ripcord - Keith Urban:  Is there anything Keith can't do? His last two albums have pushed the boundaries of what country music can be. Sometimes it's a homerun, like 'Blue Ain't Your Color'. Other times it's a miss...ahem...Pitbull Keith? Really? But more often than not Ripcord expands the horizons of country music.

1. Big Day In A Small Town - Brandy Clark:  This is the album I fell in love with in 2016. It wasn't on my radar until late in the year. The songwriting on the album is meticulous. Clark puts you right in her hometown, and it then becomes your hometown. Songs like 'Girl Next Door', 'Broke', and 'Love Can Go To Hell' make this my pick for my favorite country album of 2016!

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