Chad’s 2014 Summer Playlist

Sam Smith is my newest obsession.  I am in awe of and in love with this guy's voice and how it drips with pain and regret.  I rarely pay to go to concerts, but I am willing to fork over big bucks to see Sam Smith at the Ryman.  October.  Mark it!

Classic summer song.  One of my favorite country songs of the year so far.  You can't beat its beach vibe and the idea of mixing the sun with rum. I am there!

I'm not sure why Keith Urban hasn't released this album track to radio.  It's the perfect pop-country song and the perfect tune for riding around in a convertible.  Now I wish I had a convertible.

THE best country ballad in years.  And, this summer, I will sit at an intersection with the windows of Rhonda the Ram rolled down and belt this puppy out!  Randy Houser is running neck-and-neck with David Nail for my favorite voice in country music.

From one of my favorite voices in country to one of my favorite female voices in pop.  I have been a Sia fan since she belted out "Titanium" for David Guetta and "Wild Ones" for Flo Rida.  And here she belts it out solo and I wanna swing from a chandelier.

Released a year ago, but just now catching steam in the U.S.  I love this song and the relentlessness of its percussion.  This is my 5K jam!  If I'm running . . . this song makes me an optimist about it!  It owns a permanent home on my iPod.

I love a good anthem and this Billy Currington release is most definitely that.  This is his best song to date and the kinda song that makes you wanna pile your friends in the car and hit the highway on a road trip . . . TONIGHT! 

Since I have worn out One Direction's "Story of My Life", I have to choose another boy group song for my summer 2014 playlist.  And "Classic" by MKTO is it. This dynamic duo (Malcolm Kelley and Tony Oller) have delivered an homage to the classic pop music and hit-makers of the 70's, 80's and 90's.  In a world gone plastic, this song is classic.

LOVE this girl's voice.  Ariana Grande is billed as the next Mariah and there's no doubt she's got the pipes.  But, in this summer jam, this youngster shows she's maturing into a pop goddess who's caught on to the player and his game.  LOVE!!!

Who knew it was possible for Michael Jackson to be on my 2014 summer playlist . . . five years after his death?  Hey, some lost tracks and a little remastering and presto!  The King of Pop is resurrected.  I am a slave to this rhythm.