New country acts that try to get noticed by singing songs of tragedy are not cutting through the clutter.

There have been a lot of attempts to produce a break-through hit or re-invent a country music radio career by artists recording songs that are tragic, and sometimes downright depressing.

The latest to hit the radio is “Big Red Balloon” from newcomer Kristina Cornell:

I miss you dad, how are things in heaven?

I wish you could have been here for my birthday

you know I just turned seven.

I'm sending you this message; I hope you get it soon

I wrote it in big letters on my little red balloon.

Lyrics by: Kristina Cornell

It’s cute but depressing, and not a song that will be played a lot on country radio.

Jason Meadows, of Nashville Star fame, is trying to earn his first country radio hit with the heart-tugging “18 Video Tapes:”

One day little Billy said “momma, where’s my dad?”

Fightin’ back the tears she said “I knew one day you’d ask”

She walked him down the hallway, to a closet with a safe

Said “I think you’ll find the answer right here, in these 18 video tapes”

See the doctors told him he’d be gone before you were born

And it broke his heart to know he’d never hold you in his arms

Determined not to let you grow up learnin from mistakes

He put everything he thought you’d need to know, on 18 video tapes

Like here’s the way you hold a bat,

Be sure to keep that shoulder back

And when you cast that rod and reel,

Well use your wrist its in the field,

Or when you learn to ride your bike

I’ll tell you now that you won’t like those training wheels

But your momma will...

Lyrics from www.jasonmeadows.com

Is this the type of material that an artist with no previous chart success hopes will stir up country radio? Losing your woman, your money, your dignity are all subjects that country radio fans have grown to expect in their songs, but these new songs just don’t work as country singles. These songs have a time and place, and that is as album cut.s The content is important and very real to some people, but it’s not going to strike that chord with the mass population.

Other examples of aspiring country stars trying to make a name with songs full of tragic circumstances include Sherrie Austin’s 2003 song "Streets of Heaven:"

So tell me: what do you need her for?

Don't you know one day she'll be your little girl forever.

But right now I need her so much more.

She's much too young to be on her own:

Barely just turned seven.

So who will hold her hand when she crosses the streets of Heaven?

Lyrics by: Sherrie Austin/Paul Duncan/Al Kasha

Finally, how about the 2003 debut single from then-12-year-old Ashley Gearing, “Do You Hear Me When I Talk To You:”

Time passes by so quickly,

But I guess I thought you'd be here forever.

I never even had the chance,

To say goodbye.

There's so many things to tell you,

Left unsaid until now.

Can you hear me when I talk to you?

Do the words I say ever make it through?

Can you hear me when I talk to you?

'Cause I'd give anything if I just knew.

Written by James Harnen and Richard Manwiller

Bottom line is, these types of songs usually don’t do well for artists who are trying to make a name for themselves. Especially at this time of the year -- when radio wants fun, up-tempo summer songs -- it would behoove some artists to focus on the fun and keep the death songs as album cuts.