>>>...On a couple of the Underwood songs, which I can say with 100% certainty I have never heard, I was able to hum along with the chord changes like 4-5 measures ahead of when they changed. It's kind of all sounding the same to me. It could be...>>>

Those songs are not meant to be subjected to the kind of analysis you are giving them. They are meant for listeners who expect their music to be somewhat predictable and formulaic. I think of Country as a branch of fold music, and I mean that with respect. It is popular because it appeals to the experiences and emotions of regular folks. The meaning depends on the words as much as the music, and if the music gets to be complex and unpredictable, it can draw attention away from the overall message.

This is true in other genres as well. There are lot of symphonies where I can 'predict' the harmonic movement much of the time. Pop and jazz songs keep returning to familiar II-V-I patterns. The blues continues as a vital and meaningful art form, and probably always will. Long stretches of rap songs do away with melody and harmony altogether, and there is no denying that it is meaningful for millions of people.

Flatfoot sez: Call me when 'Talent-in-a-Box' is ready to ship! -- [8{>

Got some tunes on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/flatfoot50
.
My BiaB lesson site:
http://jdwolfe0.wixsite.com/learnbiab