"He Stopped Loving Her Today" is melodrama overkill...."

That's why it's the best. Country music is about melodrama overkill. It's a social class thing. Keeping calm and reserved and not showing your feelings is a mark of being upper middle class and sophisticated. Country music is about "The hell with that! This is how I feel and I'm saying so and f*** anyone who doesn't approve!"

Sorry, between the words and Jones' voice it's too close to parody. Hank knew how to put it up to the line but not over. Jones wallows too much.

Tunesmith--I normally avoid Nashville like the plague but I have to admit I like Randy Travis. I even like "On the Other Hand" even though the premise drives me nuts. He's got a lot of good ones, though--"Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart", "Forever and Ever, Amen", "Heroes and Friends", and a lot of his gospel stuff is really good.