Forgotten 90s Country Artists, Songs is a series that reflects on my favorite country artists and songs during the fifth generation. Country music became a worldwide sensation because of the stadium acts and neotraditional sound. The combination of these elements created an exhilarating live experience and more of a pop sound that appealed to a bigger audience. Garth Brooks and George Strait were the top two headliners of this era.
What Defines Forgotten 90s Country Artists, Songs?
I’m either focusing on artists who had a limited amount of radio hits or songs whose Billboard Country Airplay chart peak was outside the top three. I’d guess that these songs haven’t played on most radio stations in at least 20 years. These aren’t the popular 90s country songs that radio stations still play to this day. Some of these songs were almost completely off radio stations within two years of chart peak. The artists may have never been heard from again.
The Forgotten 90s Country Artists, Songs series is not about Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Clint Black, and all the acclaimed singers whose careers have spanned decades. This series is to recognize the more popular songs from singers such as Mindy McCready, Michael Peterson, John Berry, BlackHawk, Kevin Sharp, Mike Reid, and Lionel Cartwright.
BlackHawk: What Makes Them a Gem Among Forgotten 90s Country Artists?
Formation
BlackHawk was founded in 1992. The members who formed the original trio were Henry Paul (lead singer), Dave Robbins (keyboard), and Van Stephenson (electric guitar). Paul was an original recording member of the Southern rock band, Outlaws.
As of 2022, the band remains active as it consists of two of the three founding members. Unfortunately, Van Stephenson passed away in 2001 due to complications of melanoma. Melanoma is an incurable form of skin cancer. The band has gone through many temporary members including former Outlaws member Randy Threet.
Radio Successes
BlackHawk had seven top 10 hits but they never had a No. 1 song in the United States. “Every Once In A While” and “I’m Not Strong Enough to Say No” both peaked at No. 2. Despite that, any true 90s country fan will remember the unforgettable harmonic vocals that they brought to the neotradtiional country music genre from 1993 to at least 1998. They’re the type of band whose less popular music makes me gravitate to them more than many of their most popular hits.
Where Are They Now?
They just released a new album called Blue Highway. As of 26 reviews, the album has a 4.7 out of five-star rating. You can learn more about their touring schedule and other information at their official website. They have a Twitter but they’re inactive on it.
Van Stephenson Memorial Fund
In early 1999 BlackHawk founding member Van Stephenson was diagnosed with melanoma, the most severe form of skin cancer. Before his passing in 2001 his dying wish to Henry and Dave was that the band continue on, saying “there’s a lot more music left in BlackHawk,” and do all it can to help find a cure for cancer.
BlackHawk, Van’s Charity | BlackHawk
For more information about the Van Stephenson Memorial Cancer Research Fund, click on the link in the quote above.
My Favorite BlackHawk Hits
5. Ships of Heaven
“Ships of Heaven” was an unreleased track from their 2000 Greatest Hits album. It’s almost a precursor of Van Stephenson‘s eventual passing from melanoma on April 8, 2001. BlackHawk dedicated their 2000 Greatest Hits album to him. From what I can tell, the song was never a radio single. The release came at a time when their radio airplay had basically went asystole.
As for lyrical meaning, I’m just going to commit the cardinal sin of quoting Wikipedia on this one because they do a fantastic job of explaining it.
“Ships of Heaven”, written by guitarist Van Stephenson, centers around a person who is dying but has lived a full life and therefore does not want his loved ones to “cry for” him when he is gone. He reflects on love he has experienced in life and explains that it was strongest in the end, and that now he will sail “on the ships of heaven” and wait to see his loved ones in the future: “I’ll be sailing on the ships of heaven / When the tide rolls out for the last time / You’ll find me sailing on the ships of heaven / Waiting for the day I come sailing back to you.”
Greatest Hits (Blackhawk album), Wikipedia (August 26, 2022)
4. I’m Not Strong Enough to Say No
The song that got me into the BlackHawk catalog was “I’m Not Strong Enough to Say No.” It had such a unique harmony compared to other country and pop songs. The song was arguably their greatest radio success as it peaked at No. 2 in 1995 on the Hot Country Singles and Tracks Billboard chart. Furthermore, it became their first No. 1 hit in Canada. The song that kept it out of Billboard’s No. 1 spot was Garth Brooks, “She’s Every Woman.”
As for lyrical interpretation, there’s a man who’s falling in love for another man’s wife. He fears that, if he continues seeing this woman, that he’ll lose control over the situation. The man begs the woman to go as he’s “Not strong enough to say no.”
3. Postmarked Birmingham
Here’s a massively underrated single that, for whatever reason, only peaked at No. 37. “Postmarked Birmingham” is a beautiful ballad with a message that probably didn’t connect to many people. The singer talks about how his lover has left him and the only clue that she left was a letter that was postmarked Birmingham.
2. Your Own Little Corner of My Heart
This is one of two BlackHawk songs that stand out the most to me. “Your Own Little Corner of My Heart” was another classic that never received much radio airplay. The song peaked at No. 27 in 1999 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. This is quite possibly the last time that many people heard them on the radio although they had a couple other hits that barely grazed the top 40. “I Need You All The Time” peaked at No. 40 and “Days of America” peaked at No. 37.
“Your Own Little Corner of My Heart” was a song that paid tribute to anyone who had lost a loved one. The person needed time to get over the unexpected loss but now realizes that the person will always live on in “Your own little corner of my heart.” Another translation of the song is someone who will always fondly remember someone from a previous relationship.
1. Like There Ain’t No Yesterday
“Like There Ain’t No Yesterday” is without a doubt my favorite BlackHawk song. This was the second release from the album, Strong Enough. The song peaked at No. 3 on the US Hot Country Songs Billboard chart in 1996. It become their second No. 1 hit in Canada. Not many BlackHawk supporters would’ve predicted that, from this point forward, that their only other top 10 hit was 1998’s, “There You Have It” (No. 4 in 1998).
The meaning behind the song is that a man has been going through a grieving period after losing his lover. The man decides that it’s time to get up and move on with his life. It’s time for that person to find a new soulmate. That man will make sure to avoid the mistakes that he previously made and “Love her like there ain’t no yesterday.”
“Like There Ain’t No Yesterday” made it on my top 50 favorite 90s country songs list at No. 27. For what it’s worth, “Your Own Little Corner of My Heart” just barely missed the top 50. Anyone who has survived a season of grieving or depression for whatever reason can relate to the importance of this former No. 3 hit. The song is an embodiment of everything that made BlackHawk an underrated legend within the country music industry.
Most Popular Song: Goodbye Says It All
“Goodbye Says It All” is the 1993 debut single that put BlackHawk on the mainstream map. I was surprised to see that this song was approaching seven million views. It peaked at No. 11 on the US Hot Country Songs Billboard chart. The song is about a man who is thinking of an alibi as to why he was out late at night instead of at home with his wife. The man comes home and finds that his now former wife has left a message for him that’s painted with lipstick on the wall, “Goodbye.”
I’m baffled at how often debut singles just barely fail to reach the top 10. A few examples of this include Shania Twain‘s, “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under (No. 11),” Montgomery Gentry‘s, “Hillbilly Shoes (No. 13),” and Brad Paisley‘s, “Who Needs Pictures (No. 12).” These artists and group each followed their debut singles with follow-up releases that received more airplay than their predecessors.
If anyone knows the reason as to why radio stations seem intent on keeping certain debut singles just outside of the top 10 then please let me know. It seems as if letting them sneak into the top 10 would do more for building their resume as a rising act within the music industry. I’ve always felt that, if I were a musician who made songs for radio, that No. 2, No. 11, and No. 41 are the chart peaks that would make me think, “Ah man, I was so close!”
Conclusion
Anyone who enjoys Southern rock or 90s country music should listen to BlackHawk’s music catalog. Their debut album, BlackHawk, had five top-11 hits. The follow up to that, Strong Enough, was in the heart of their popularity around 1995 to 1996. The albums following that were very good but they barely received any mainstream recognition for whatever reason. I’m in the minority of people who preferred their music over the much more popular Brooks & Dunn.
