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Radio Heartland's Favorite Albums of 2018

Radio Heartland Program Director Mike Pengra at The Hook and Ladder Theater and Lounge in Minneapolis on Dec. 13, 2018.
Radio Heartland Program Director Mike Pengra at The Hook and Ladder Theater and Lounge in Minneapolis on Dec. 13, 2018.Andy Witchger for MPR

by Mike Pengra

December 27, 2018

You've probably come up with your own list — at least in your head — of your favorite albums of the past year. And if you're like me, it's nearly impossible to pick … right? I've made many edits. Some other albums have come and gone from the list and I cringed when I removed them. I've seen a lot of other "best of" lists. I've seen the Grammy nominees. My list of what stuck out musically in 2018 has some similarities to those, but it includes some that didn't make the front page except in my own head.

Radio Heartland's favorites are in alphabetical order (by artist name) because I couldn't begin to rank them since that ranking would change from day to day, depending on my mood. So here goes:

Radio Heartland Favorite Albums of 2018



Caitlin Canty Motel Bouquet
Rosanne Cash She Remembers Everything
Mike Farris Silver and Stone
Jeffrey Foucault Blood Brothers
Mary Gauthier Rifles and Rosary Beads
Kevin Gordon Tilt and Shine
John Gorka True In Time
John Hiatt The Eclipse Sessions
I'm With Her See You Around
Lucy Kaplansky Everyday Street
Mark Knopfler Down The Road Wherever
The Lowland Lakers Lost In The Move
Lori McKenna The Tree
Mipso Edges Run
Kacey Musgraves Golden Hour
John Prine The Tree of Forgiveness
Pharis and Jason Romero Sweet Old Religion
Boz Scaggs Out of the Blues
Various Artists Johnny Cash: Forever Words
Various Artists King of the Road: Tribute To Roger Miller

Also, if I may, I'd like to nominate this next single for Song of the Year. Mark Erelli wrote it and got some very talented singers to help record it. If you haven't heard it yet, you will.

Song of the Year - "By Degrees"


Mark Erelli featuring Rosanne Cash, Lori McKenna, Josh Ritter, Sheryl Crow and Anaïs Mitchell