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We're not even a week into the New Year yet here we are with the year's first new single from the year's first new artist.  The theme of the song isn't original but does it have enough to inspire folks to get out of their post-holiday "back to the grind" depression?

What's that you hear? Is it the sound of another label closing or the sound of traditionalists closing up their instrument cases?  Whatever the sound is, it wasn't good for Country music in 2008.  What can be done in '09 to stop the bleeding? Anything?

For the second time in three years a Country music artist has topped Neilsen SoundScan's year-end, all-genre cumulative album sales chart.  Rascal Flatts did so in 2006 and Teen Queen Taylor Swift takes home the honor this year, beating out the likes of Lil' Wayne.

With the number one single having been revealed, here's the one place on Roughstock to find our Editorial staff's choices for the "Top 40 Country Singles of 2008."

For the last 40 days we've counted down the top 40 songs so that we'd end right here, on January 1, 2009, with our Top Country single of 2008.  If you've followed along you probably figured out this one'd be our favorite.  Now you can read what makes this song the best.

Major record labels often follow trends when signing new artists. While some may insist that Capital Nashville's newest group is a trend follower, they might actually be blazing a trail.

Now we're down to the nitty gritty of this year's best Singles of 2008 countdown.  This song, today's #2 song is a special song.  From the first time we heard it in late 2007, we were mesmerized.

While there are many 'best-of' or 'worst of' or 'dissappointing' lists coming out this time of year, few if any will manage to cover most aspects of Country music as our "Top 25 Country Albums of 2008" manages to do.

To be successful in life, most people have to work hard.  Some musicians have to work even harder to succeed, especially when many have deemed them a failure.  Otto overcame those obstacles to score a Grammy nomination with this single, Country's biggest hit of 2008.