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Interview With Peter Strickland, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Warner Nashville
Last week I caught up with Warner Bros. Nashville SVP of Sales and Marketing Peter Strickland to chat about the strategy behind Blake Shelton’s new six-track album release, and about what a successful launch of the “SixPak” brand could mean for a struggling music industry. Here’s the transcription of that interview.
To read my interview [...] -
Blake Shelton: New Album, New Format, Newfound Focus
On March 2nd, country superstar Blake Shelton released Hillbilly Bone, the first in a planned series of two 6-song releases dubbed “Six Paks.” The second, as-yet untitled Six Pak is tentatively scheduled for August.
The move is an apparent attempt by Warner Bros. to shake up the stale album release formula that has contributed to [...]Continue reading "Blake Shelton: New Album, New Format, Newfound Focus"
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Harper Simon: From New York to Nashville
It’s not often you can take lyrics direct from a song and get a snapshot of the man. But for Harper Simon, the lyrics from “Tennessee” come close to doing just that. Simon’s father–some guy named Paul–wrote the lyrics, which Harper refers to as a “mock-autobiographical” country tune:
And then I rambled around/Drove my [...] -
Country Music Hall of Famer Jimmy Dean: The 9513’s Exclusive Interview
Last week’s announcement that Jimmy Dean was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame was a long time coming, but it’s only the latest accolade in his long career. Last October, Dean was one of the inaugural inductees into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame, making him the first person to ever achieve the [...]
Continue reading "Country Music Hall of Famer Jimmy Dean: The 9513’s Exclusive Interview"
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WWE Wrestling Diva Mickie James Embarks On Country Music Career
What is the next step for a WWE superstar diva that’s pretty much won—and done—it all? Well, for six-time champ Mickie James, the answer would be country music, of course.
When she’s not giving her opponent a signature “Long Kiss Goodnight” (a reverse roundhouse kick to the skull), James is writing songs and singing. Her first [...]Continue reading "WWE Wrestling Diva Mickie James Embarks On Country Music Career"
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Josh Thompson Goes To Work: The 9513’s Exclusive Interview
Blue collar country music comes natural to Josh Thompson. He makes no apologies for songwriting that reflects a hard day’s work and the celebration of a week’s end that follows. He writes about it because he’s lived it.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Thompson began pouring concrete at the tender age of 12 in his home [...]Continue reading "Josh Thompson Goes To Work: The 9513’s Exclusive Interview"
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Josh Gracin Takes On The Nashville Establishment – The 9513’s Exclusive Interview From CRS
Josh Gracin has been out of the spotlight for more than a year, but while on hiatus, he’s completely revamped his music career: Everything from his management to his record label to the music itself.
In this exclusive interview with The 9513, Gracin dishes about the transition to an independent label, his thoughts on Scott Borchetta [...] -
Where Are They Now: Holly Dunn
Born in San Antonio in 1957, Holly Dunn’s first taste of country music success was as a songwriter and a co-write called “Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind” which was recorded by Cristy Lane. At the time, she hadn’t even graduated from college. But that early success led Dunn to head to Nashville, where [...]
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Sarah Buxton’s Big Day: The 9513’s Exclusive Interview
For Sarah Buxton, the last six years have been a roller coaster ride. The singer and songwriter has realized huge successes (co-writing the Keith Urban smash “Stupid Boy”) and, at times, she has questioned where the road she was on was headed. Now, her journey aims to all points north; a physical release of her [...]
Continue reading "Sarah Buxton’s Big Day: The 9513’s Exclusive Interview"
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Ryan Bingham And The Long Road To Overnight Success
Anyone who’s followed the Americana or Texas music scene had been familiar with Ryan Bingham for at least a couple of years. Since the release of Mescalito in 2007 and its follow-up, Roadhouse Sun, Bingham has won critical acclaim and a growing fanbase. The success of the movie Crazy Heart and his song “The Weary [...]
Continue reading "Ryan Bingham And The Long Road To Overnight Success"
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While the voice of country’s future took home this year’s big honor, a legendary voice from country music’s past scored a win for Album Of The Year. Check out the winners in The 9513's 2nd Annual Country Music Awards now!
Josh Turner's fourth album, Haywire, furthers his reputation as one of the leading men in contemporary country, a true, traditional voice in an ever-changing Nashville scene.
Having played on more than 500 albums and toured with artists that range from Hank III to Dolly Parton, Randy Kohrs has become one of the go-to musicians when there’s a need for a resophonic guitar
Sammy Kershaw – “Better Than I Used To Be”
As the title track off his upcoming album, “Better Than I Used to Be” is a straight-up look back on the career of a country music staple.
Emily West Featuring Keith Urban – “Blue Sky” Emily West turns in a gorgeous performance on “Blue Sky,” hitting notes few of her contemporaries can reach.
What does Alan Jackson like on his eggs?
Cheese and corn; he still likes bologna; a load of salsa; hens? Answers to the questions you'd never dream of asking. (
In each and every instance, the best country albums of the past ten years were built on the backs of songs -- stories about you and me from birth to death and stories that paint landscapes rooted in every region of America and beyond. These are the top country albums of the decade.Current Discussion
- Razor X: I don't quite understand why the term EP is so objectionable. I do kind of like the idea of ...
- Dr. No: PS: "You know, once we find out what the consumer wants..." How about good music?
- Brady Vercher: It'd be nice to know what y'all think is so gimmicky about the format experimentation. Sure, the naming convention is ...
- Steve M.: Its still half an album, hence its a EP. Ray Wylie Hubbard was right-there is a special place in hell ...
- Michelle: Thanks, Mr. Webster!
- Brody Vercher: Alright all ready. But yeah, that works better.
- TexasVet: "unestimable"?? Perhaps you meant "inestimable" 1. not able to be estimated; immeasurable 2. of immeasurable value
- Erik: I wonder how gimmick-y the record industry will get before it rolls over and admits defeat.
- silvio: Good debate. Some more things to think about - is it "fair" to list EP's on the album charts since ...
- Patrick: The Blake Shelton - Miranda Lambert link is not working! [Editor's note: Thanks. I got it fixed now. -- Brody]
