BITTER SWEET, Ky. — Let’s face it, country music is full of its share of good ole boys and girls with an occasional outlaw mixed in. I think it takes a diverse group of entertainers to make the industry strong.

Sam Hunt definitely seems to fit in the good old boy category. He was born in a small north Georgia town, played football in high school and college, then headed to Nashville where he began his musical career by writing hit songs for another set of good ole boys including Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Billy Currington.

In 2014, Hunt got a record deal of his own and began collecting hits for himself. His first album, Montevallo, was released last fall and the first single, Leave the Night On, shot to the top of the airplay chart and became a platinum hit for this new star. In fact, Hunt topped three country charts at the same time, a feat that had not been accomplished in more than two decades since a little-known singer from Flatwoods, Ky., surprised the country music industry with his Achy Breaky Heart. For those of you who are older than 40, you remember that young singer, Billy Ray Cyrus.

And like Cyrus, Hunt has a unique sound, not based on a novelty type song like ABH but on a relatively new, shall I say modern sound that carries through this entire album.

Now if you’re expecting a George Jones kind of good ole boy song selection, then you won’t find it on this album.

But that’s not a bad thing. This release has a new feel to it. A blend perhaps is the best way to describe it; country voice, in what I call contemporary country. In addition to that country flavor, I get a hind of hip-hop, and yes I know what hip-hop is. I’m old but not ancient.

There is also a touch of R&B in there. This mix of music has created something that feels, for lack of a better word, young to me. I think Sam Hunt is going to bring a whole new crowd to country and at the same time I think he is going to expand what people think of when they think of country music.

Montevallo is refreshing and made me realize I like this “young” sound more than I thought. I give Sam’s first album a strong 95, A. If he can make an old dog like me feel new again, imagine what he will do for the younger country generation.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.