Brandon Rhyder vs. Whiskey Myers – Texas Red Dirt Rumble

This week's Taste of Country Texas Red Dirt Rumble is a special one, because not only is it the first of a new year, but it's a clean slate. Aaron Watson has now been retired to the Rumble Hall of Fame after a four-win streak, which means two new contestants -- Brandon Rhyder and Whiskey Myers -- will have a go at the favored spot this week.

Rhyder's free spirit shines on his hit single 'In the Country,' which sings the praises of the gravel roads that lead out to the wide open space of the country. Yeah, as he puts it, the country is a great place to unwind and reconnect with yourself, or relax, lay back and look at the endless stars with someone special. Most importantly, it's a great place to get lost mentally.

On a similar note, Whiskey Myers' 'Ballad of a Southern Man' tells the story of what it's like to grow up country, fishing in creeks, drinking from mason jars and sharing the same beliefs as your friendly neighbors. If you didn't grow up that way, you couldn't possibly understand ... Without listening to this song, from their point of view. Like Rhyder, the WM band seems to love a laid back lifestyle, though for them it's an everyday occurrence -- not a drive to get there.

Who should move on in the Rumble? Do you dig the idea of leaving buildings and traffic for a mini-vacation like in Rhyder's 'In the Country'? Or are you just a little stuck in your ways and proud of where you came from, the way that Whiskey Myers lay it down?

Listen to both of the artists’ songs below and and decide which one is the rightful winner of this week’s Rumble. Be sure to share the link with your friends so they can pick a favorite song for themselves.

You’ve got until Midnight CT on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012 to pick your poison. After the winner of this week’s Rumble is chosen, a new match will start up, pitting the winner against a brand-new challenger.

Listen to Brandon Rhyder, 'In the Country'

Listen to Whiskey Myers, 'Ballad of a Southern Man'

Rules of the Rumble: The artist and song with the most votes wins, and winner goes on to face next week’s challenger. If an artist wins four weeks in a row, he or she will be retired into the Taste of Country Texas Red Dirt Rumble Hall of Fame to allow for new songs to compete.