The 9513» News Roundup

Bill Anderson Recognized as ‘Poet & Prophet’; Robert Earl Keen, “If You Don’t Like George Strait, You Don’t Know [Very Much]“

Brody Vercher — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:05:35 +0000

Jimmy Buffet and the Zac Brown Band are booked for the next CMT Crossroads.
Charles Kelley, one-third of Lady Antebellum, as an older brother by the name of Josh Kelley who has made a name for himself as a pop singer-songwriter. Convinced by Charles to switch formats, the elder Kelley hopes to release a soul-flavored country music debut next year. He told EW.com, “Country is where I’m going to live out the rest of my career.”
@joenichols: “Merle Haggard sang me a song that he wanted me to record over the phone today. How cool is that?”
Robert Earl Keen told Paste magazine what records he’s listening to and loving.
In his most recent blog post, Tom Russell explains his affinity for Johnny Cash.

How important is Johnny Cash to our culture? His face should be carved in granite next to Mount Rushmore, along with Hank Williams and Crazy Horse. He is our Black Moses. His voice defines an honesty which cuts to the heart of how human beings love and hate and hurt. That voice was not so much “beautiful,” as it was raw and truth-filled and in your face, with real poetic news that needed to be heard, swallowed, spit out and heard again.
Owen Temple named five records that inspire him for Sounds Country. (P.S. That’s my favorite Jerry Jeff Walker record, in case you care.)
Leave a comment about your favorite holiday snack at Country California for a chance to win a copy of Sugarland’s new holiday album, Gold and Green.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson will be honored on December 12 as part of the Museum’s quarterly programming series Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters.
Listen to Tom Russell perform “Guadalupe” live in KUT’s studio 1A.
Lyle Lovett relays the story behind “It’s Rock and Roll,” a song on his latest album co-written with Robert Earl Keen:

“There was a theater group at A&M; I know that sounds like an oxymoron,” Lovett said, laughing again. “In 1980, they were doing a spoof play, a rock opera, and asked us for a song. That’s where ‘It’s Rock and Roll’ came from. I pitched it for that ‘Dewey Cox’ movie, but they didn’t use it. But I found the demo tape and I used it.”
Harper Simon (MySpace), the son of Paul Simon, is a self-professed “hippie country” fan and The Columbus Dispatch describes his recently-released, self-titled debut album as “a folky, country-tinged style heavy with acoustic and slide guitars.” (via That Nashville Sound)
An upcoming reissue of a 1978 television special titled Country’s Greatest Stars Live: Volume 1 and 2 will feature nearly seven hours of performances and behind-the-scenes footage of stars like Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, and many more at the Grand Ole Opry House.
Austin City Limits posted a video interview with Ray Benson and Willie Nelson about their collaboration earlier this year on Willie and the Wheel.
Paste magazine’s Cory Alberston just wants a cohesive record for Christmas, unfortunately Sugarland’s Gold and Green is not it:

As with Sugarland’s previous studio efforts, lead singer Jennifer Nettles suffers from a vocal identity crisis on the duo’s new holiday-themed Gold and Green. [...] Here, such shifts seem contrived, robbing Nettles of any relatable authenticity. What little sincerity the set has comes from Kristian Bush singing lead [...]
Listen to A.A. Bondy cover the Hank Williams classic “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” live in the KUT’s studio.
Test your country music knowledge with Chet Flippo’s brief quiz.
Music Fog: Madison Violet – “Crying”

Lee Ann Womack Joins Strait and McEntire; Jeff Bridges Plays Country Singer In ‘Crazy Heart’

Brody Vercher — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:02:24 +0000

The 2010 George Strait tour with Reba McEntire just got a little more can’t-miss with the addition of Lee Ann Womack.
Sugar Hill Records compiled a list of its top 50 must-have tracks from the past three decades and made them available for download through iTunes for a mere $19.99. The list includes stalwarts like Ricky Skaggs, Doc Watson, Townes Van Zandt, and newcomers like Red Stick Ramblers, Joey+Rory, and Sarah Jarosz. It’s a pretty killer lineup. (via The Bluegrass Blog)
Big Kenny filmed his latest video in the mountains of Edmonton, Calgary with the Blackfoot Confederacy and Blood Indian tribes, who performed a headdress ceremony and gave him his blood name, Chief Mountain Boy. Watch the video for “Wake Up.”
Having been fascinated with Merle Haggard since 1967, one fan, John Reddick, publicly confessed his feelings for Haggard’s music after reading the recent featured article in Rolling Stone.

Xuan Loc (Swan Lock), South Vietnam is a crazy place to associate Merle Haggard music with, but that’s where it all started. My friend, Staff Sergeant Willie Parker, a dedicated soldier since the Korean War, was also a huge Merle Haggard fan. Willie, being a man of color, delighted in taking me into the all-black social club on the dusty “strip” in Xuan Loc. He would walk in, take off the Sam and Dave or Aretha Franklin album, whatever soul music that was on the box at the time, and put on “Swingin’ Doors, a Juke Box and a Barstool”, Merle’s latest hit song and an all-time anthem of Honky Tonk Music. Though Willie wasn’t a man of significant stature, nobody messed with him. As Merle twanged “and thanks to you I’m always here till closin’ time,” the resulting buzzkill mood in the room was evident in the growly faces being directed my way…..”Don’t look at me man, I’m with Willie.”
Music Fog: Gabriel Kelley – “Panic”
Gene Watson has been added to the lineup for the Rhonda Vincent Bluegrass Cruise, which departs from Fort Lauderdale, FL next February.
CMT’s Craig Shelburne interviewed Guy Clark:

I spent the weekend listening to your older albums, and I like how you use harmony singing like it’s another instrument.
Yeah, I never did like choruses — four or five people all blending together and ooo-ing in the background. I like one voice, up there like it’s a duet. And I’ve always felt that was more effective. I like it better than big choruses.
My Kind of Country’s Razor X imagines how country music icons Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire might fare if they were just starting out in today’s musical climate.
The CMA Awards boosted album sales for those who performed on the show, with the Zac Brown Band and Jamey Johnson benefiting the most percentage wise.
Watch the preview for Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D.
Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts attempts to separate the fact from the fiction with Dolly Parton:

“True or false,” Roberts said. “You once lost a Dolly Parton lookalike contest.”

“True,” Parton said. “At a Halloween contest years ago on Santa Monica Boulevard where all the guys were dressed up like me and I just overexaggerated my look and went in and just walked up on stage. … I didn’t win. I didn’t even come in close, I don’t think.”
Gloriana beat out the Zac Brown Band to represent country in the breakthrough artist category at the 2009 American Music Awards and is campaigning for support to best the remaining nominees: Lady Gaga, Keri Hilson, and Kid Cudi. (via Country Music Tattle Tale)
WFMU posted radio spots of artists promoting the 1962 observance of National Country Music Week, which was from Nov. 4 – Nov. 10. Not only do the discs have spots from Connie Francis and the Kingston Trio alongside those of Faron Young and Chet Atkins, but they also have back to back tracks from Eddie Arnold and Eddy Arnold.
In an interview with The Tennessean’s Peter Cooper, John Fogerty talks about the unrelenting hours he’s dedicated to practice in order to be a better musician.

I practiced scales, and positions I’d never cared about when I played rock ’n’ roll. I was atrocious, horrible, but I knew it was the path. I thought it might take me a couple of years. From 1998 it took until 2009. Being 48 and knowing it might take 17 years, I don’t know if I’d have done it. But I can be in a room now with Buddy Miller and not have to go, “Aw, shucks.” I don’t have to apologize.
Country Universe guest contributor Michael Allan counted down his 25 favorite songs by Wynonna.
If the purpose of a movie trailer is to increase anticipation, then I do believe the trailer for Crazy Heart has done it’s job.

Christie’s Country Sale; Taylor Swift Inks Deal to Write Greeting Cards; New Music Magazine Launches in January

Brody Vercher — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:55:17 +0000

On December 3, Christie’s will hold The Country Music Sale, its first sale dedicated to the creation, history, and evolution of Country Music. The foundation of the sale consists of property from the estate of Hank Thompson, but also includes memorabilia from Roy Rogers, Hank Snow, Hank Williams, and many more classic country artists. There are 150 items in all, ranging from boots, belt buckles, and hats to the more expensive Nudie suits and instruments. Browse all the items on Christie’s website.
Whether you’re looking to improve your songwriting or need a slice of humble pie, Guy Clark suggests reading Dylan Thomas.
Ronnie Fauss (MySpace), who released his debut EP New Songs for the Old Frontier, Volume 1 earlier this year followed recently by a three-song release, I Can’t Make You Happy, shared his list of favorite country albums with Country California.
Taylor Swift reached a deal with American Greetings Corp. to write and design greeting cards.
The U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 maintains that if an artist or author sold a copyright before 1978, they or their heirs can take it back 56 years later, and if the artist or author sold the copyright during or after 1978, they can terminate that grant after 35 years. That means it won’t be long until record labels start poopin’ cinder blocks — or losing valuable copyrights. Epicenter’s Eliot Van Buskirk notes that one way labels are trying to work their way around the impending loss is through re-recordings of the originals, or digital remasters, which they believe would reset the copyright claim. (via The Bluegrass Blog)
Faith Hill and her business manager of 16 years parted ways.
Because of personal experience, My Kind of Country’s Occasional Hope is drawn to the subject of adoption in country songs and asks if you actively search for songs of any particular topics.
Texas artist Aaron Watson is in the process of building a Nashville team and will self-produce his next album, due out in the spring.
A new music magazine, M Music & Musicians, will launch in January, covering everything from rock, pop and hip-hop to R&B, country, folk and jazz. The head honchos consist of former Performing Songwriter staff, including Chris Neal, who is leaving Country Weekly. Big congrats and lots of luck to him and the rest of the M crew.
For week 23 of Nashville or Bust, Nathan Rabin covered George Strait’s early career.

Before I began Nashville Or Bust, I had a vague sense that Strait was popular, but I didn’t grasp the full extent of his enormous popularity. He’s sold nearly 60 million albums, making him the 10th best-selling American artist in history. From the comments in this column, it seems like Strait is the Exception that proves the rule that contemporary mainstream country sucks. He’s the mainstream, incredibly popular country act that even people who don’t like mainstream country enjoy. He’s like the Garth Brooks it’s okay to like.
Twangville is giving away four copies of the new Wrinkle Neck Mules album Let the Lead Fly.
Maxim listed the hottest women of country music, but GAC’s Jason Mease feels the list could have been improved with the addition of a few more women.
Stephen Deusner on the new Carrie Underwood album:

Carrie Underwood’s new album isn’t meant for iPods or headphones—or, for that matter, for individuals. It’s a more public record than a private or personal one, sometimes for better but usually for worse.
On a slightly belated note, The 9513 hit the three year mark three days ago and continues to grow daily, so thanks to everyone who reads, comments, and tells their friends about us. And a special thanks to all our writers who hit their one year marks with The 9513 in the past month: C.M. (Oct. 22), Karlie (Nov. 10), Pierce (Nov. 14), and Juli (Nov. 18).

Wanda Jackson Finds Producer In Jack White; Dierks Bentley Plans Bluegrass Record

Brody Vercher — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:39:57 +0000

Jack White is scheduled to produce a forthcoming album for Wanda Jackson.
Trace Adkins is the new celebrity spokesperson for BC Headache Powder. The only other country artist the company has worked with in its 100-year history is Faron Young.
The title track to Jerry Lee Lewis‘ recent EP release, Mean Old Man, was written by Kris Kristofferson, but it’s not the first time the two have collaborated.

He and Shel Silverstein wrote ‘Once More with Feeling,’ a hit for Jerry Lee in the early ’70s. “I remember Shel and I sat with Jerry Lee over in [producer] Jerry Kennedy’s office, and he played our song over and over, maybe 30 times,” Kris recalled. “Shel leaned over to me and said ‘Can you believe this,’ and Jerry Lee stopped the tape. He looked at Shel and said, ‘Killer if you want to talk, go outside.’
New releases for the week of November 17, 2009 include:
- Bucky Covington – Live From Rockingham (EP)
  Amazon | iTunes | MySpace
- David Grier – Evocative
  Amazon | Artist Website
- Joe Diffie – Live at Billy Bob’s Texas
  Amazon | iTunes | MySpace
Twang Nation hates on the CMA Awards.
For her first single, newcomer Margaret Durante covered the song “Use Somebody” from some band called Kings of Leon. Watch the video at CMT.
Music Row’s David M. Ross asks, “Is Taylor the new Garth?”
Ninebullets.net recommends Works Progress Administration, the band whose core consists of Glen Phillips, Sean Watkins, and Luke Bulla.
Watch Carrie Underwood perform “Temporary Home” live from the CMT show Invitation Only.
John Prine commented on the state of country music in a Q&A with The Arizona Republic:

My dad was a country music fan. I’d sit with him in the kitchen and listen to Webb Pierce, Ray Price, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams on the radio. Country music today feels like I’m sitting with my therapist. It has nothing to do with getting drunk.

Click through to read Prine’s story about being an uncredited writer on “You Never Even Called Me By My Name.” (via Country California)
Visit Country California for an especially good edition of Quotable Country.
Tommy Cash is not Johnny, it’s a fact that he’s well aware of, but that doesn’t keep him from feeling proud of the career he’s had and what he does for a living.
Joe Nichols on recording Old Things New, his first album since rehab:

“There were moments when I thought, ‘I’ve lost it, and I might not be coming back from this,’” he said. “I’ve heard of people having a mental breakdown and not being able to sing anymore, and I thought I was on the verge of that. I wasn’t sounding anything like I wanted, or feeling anything like where I wanted to be. I knew it didn’t feel right, and I wasn’t doing it like before, and I had to take baby steps and re-learn how to sing. Even the tiny, simple things I started doing way back when — things that should be easy — were hard. And it scared me. I was climbing up hill, and every step was harder. ”
A Tale of Two Records: Dierks Bentley plans to release two new albums in 2010; one bluegrass and the other country.
All Songs Considered’s list of the decade’s 50 most important recordings includes Brad Paisley’s song “Ticks,” the Harry McClintock version of “Big Rock Candy Mountain” from the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack, and the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss song “Please Read the Letter.”
Verlon Thompson might be best known as Guy Clark’s sideman, but he’s also a damn fine, albeit unsung songwriter. Listen to his song “Caddo County” at Alt-512 Music Musings.

And because one can never get enough Verlon Thomson:

New Label Imprint Includes Brad Paisley; Country Music Hall of Fame Redesigns; Full Album Concerts

Brody Vercher — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:40:46 +0000

Songwriter Chris DuBois, producer Frank Rogers, and Brad Paisley are launching a new Sony Nashville record label imprint called Sea Gayle Records. The label’s debut artist is Jerrod Niemann (MySpace). (via All About Country)
The Country Music Hall of Fame website got a makeover. (via Country Music Tattle Tale)
Nashville At Nite attended last week’s BMI Country Awards and published video interviews with country singers Jimmy Wayne, Sarah Buxton, Jake Owen, Eric Church, Trent Tomlinson, Little Big Town, Keith Anderson, Jason Michael Carroll, Joey + Rory, and faux country singer Danny Gokey (to be fair to Gokey, a few of the other could probably fit in this category, too).
In an interview with American Songwriter, Chase Heard — one of the primary songwriters of the Wrinkle Neck Mules (MySpace) — talked about his band’s recent release:

Let the Lead Fly was created in the same vein as our previous record The Wicks Have Met, but it skews towards the rootsier end of the Mules spectrum. When we sat down to record this album we actually had about 30 songs we were really excited about putting out. We ultimately decided to split them up and release this batch of songs first. The heavier songs were held back for next project which should make its way to the surface in the near future.
The Judds may or may not be reuniting in 2010.
New album reviews from Country Weekly’s Chris Neal: Joe Nichols‘ Old Things New, Kris Kristofferson’s Closer to the Bone, Veronica Ballestrini’s What I’m All About, and Sam Bush’s Circles Around Me.
Music Fog videos:
- Sarah Jarosz – “Tell Me True”
- The Wiyos – “Dontchaletmecatchya”
You know you’ve made it in country music when…
This week in country music history, according to Country California.

2004 – Sugarland performs “Baby Girl” during its Grand Ole Opry debut. Backstage after the performance, Kristian Bush comments on what a huge honor this must be for the Opry.
@ashleymonroe: I’m worried sick about the future of country music.. that’s all I’ll say.
Country Haiku:

I really prefer
When you say nothing at all
So STFU
Post Rock’s David Malitz and Chris Richards ponder the point of full album concerts — those concerts where an entire album is played, start-to-finish, in order. Still, there are at least ten albums they’d love to hear recreated by the original players. What are your thoughts on full album concerts, and what country albums would you like to hear in concert from beginning to end?

2009 CMA Awards Ratings Surpass 2008, But Not 1978; R.I.P. Country Music (1927-2009); Revisit 1981 With Haggard

Brody Vercher — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:27:33 +0000

The 43rd Annual CMA Awards was the most watched show in four years, logging an average of 16.85 million viewers, a number that is distorted by consumers who record the show to watch on their own time. The record for the CMA Awards is 36 millions viewers, set in 1978, when Dolly Parton was crowned entertainer of the year.
The New Yorker’s John Seabrook recounts a recent trip Robert Earl Keen took to Mandolin Brothers, the vintage-instrument store on Staten Island.

Finally, Jay handed Keen a Martin 000-45, one of only two hundred and sixty-five ever made, from 1930. Keen strummed it once, cocked his head, and then asked for a pick.

“You know what I said about some guitars just having songs in them?” he said. “This is one of them.” Keen’s fingers moved over the strings, but the rest of him seemed to float toward the ceiling.

“How much?” he asked, when he’d finished playing.

“Sixty-five thousand.”

“Damn, I always go for the most expensive guitar in the place, and after that nothing else sounds as good.”

Jay said the guitar was on hold for someone else, but “I could notify you if he doesn’t want it.”

“Yeah, right. Maybe you could also notify my banker.”

“Certainly,” Jay said. “And your wife. I’m good with wives. Do you want to call her now?” Jay pointed toward the phone in the next room. But Keen knew better than to follow him there.
Chet Flippo argues that the CMA would have lost credibility had they not acknowledged Taylor Swift’s dominance. Now, the problem is figuring out where to go from here:

I know one thing: There are a lot of CMA voters who woke up this morning and thought, “What did we just do? Who did I just wake up next to? Four major CMA Awards at age 19? We just gave her the keys to the kingdom. Now what?”
Justin Townes Earle’s tour schedule for early 2010.
The Boston Globe’s Sarah Rodman introduces WPA (Works Progress Administration), a supergroup that doesn’t like being called a supergroup. (MySpace)

[...] fans of pop, roots, folk, bluegrass, and country music who pay attention to liner notes will undoubtedly think the WPA membership list is pretty damn super. The octet, which formed following various cross-pollinations over the years at the Los Angeles club Largo, comprises musicians who have played on hundreds of albums.
As Tim McGraw’s acting experience increases, so do his roles. His next movie, The Blind Side, will be released next Friday and Randy Travis, who has seen all of McGraw’s movies, is rooting for his fellow country star. Travis is no stranger to the camera himself, and tells The Tennessean’s Cindy Watts that his dream role would be playing in a Western with Kevin Costner or Clint Eastwood.
Vernell Hackett recapped Gary Allan’s performance at the Ryman last night for The Boot.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s annual American Master Music series will take place Saturday with a tribute concert to Janis Joplin. Guy Clark, Ray Benson, and Lucinda Williams are among the artists scheduled to perform. Clark commented on his involvement with the show:

“I’m going to do the old blues song “Trouble in Mind” (on Saturday). I’d bet anything we both learned that from Lightnin’ Hopkins. Janis’ version and mine are pretty much the same, aside from the vocals. I’m not scared, you know, but I’m not really sure why I’m doing this. I wasn’t a bosom buddy, but I guess there was some connection they wanted to make. They asked me to do an original, too, and I chose ‘She Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere.’ It kind of reminds me of what Janis was going through when she left Texas.”
Farce the Music: R.I.P. Country Music
Chapter 16’s Paul McCoy interviewed Barry Mazor on the subject of his recent book Meeting Jimmie Rodgers, which is described as more of a biography of the music than the man.

[...] a few people have expressed shock that Jimmie Rodgers dies, in this book, in chapter six out of fifteen, despite being warned that it’s not a conventional biography. It really is the life story of the music, not just of the man.
Merle Haggard & The Strangers at Opryland in 1981. That thar is very nice radio broadcast.
The Buck Owens compilation 21 #1 Hits: The Ultimate Collection is on sale for $3.99 on Amazon!
Fresh off his new artist of the year win at the CMA Awards, Darius Rucker told reporters most of his next album is written and recording will begin next month. One more single will be released from Learn To Live, followed by a single from the new record, and eventually the new record itself sometime next year.
Atlanta-based band The Whiskey Gentry — they bill themselves as everything from bluegrass to punk to gospel to outlaw country to old-time rock and roll — recently released a new video for its song “Four Horseman.” Enjoy. (MySpace)

Vince Gill Surprised, Jack Ingram Probably Not So Much; ‘Wine, Women, & Song’ Heads to Atlanta Area

Brody Vercher — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:58:01 +0000

Pop & Hiss’ Ann Powers on Taylor Swift’s opening performance:

Swift started things out with a version of “Forever and Always” that was glitzy and high-concept — and off-tune, a consistent characteristic of Swift’s live outings that gave the lie to her one undeserved triumph, for best female vocalist. The prize should have gone to Carrie Underwood, country’s most powerful young singer and the evening’s co-host with Brad Paisley.
Vince Gill, pre-CMA Awards, commented on the likelihood of Taylor Swift winning entertainer of the year:

“I’ve been around a long time, and I know people are predicting early that she’s going to win, but I would be surprised if she did.”

Jack Ingram, pre-CMA Awards, commented on the likelihood of Taylor Swift winning entertainer of the year:

“I think she’s going to be the surprise of the night,” he said. “I think the entertainer category is going to have a lot people talking. I don’t want to call it a changing of the guard, but that’s what it is, regardless of what happens tonight. Tonight is going to stir things up.”
Ingram isn’t the only one calling last night a changing of the guard, The New York Times‘ Jon Caramanica noted that the “coming sea change” could be seen in several categories.
That Nashville Sound created its own categories (The Hell Hasn’t Frozen Over After All Award, The Dry Cleaners Appreciation Award, etc.) to honor the best and worst of last night’s awards show.
EW.com’s Ken Tucker rounded up is own list of best and worst moments.
If you haven’t claimed your free download of a CMA Awards nominated artist from Amazon yet, may I suggest “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by the Zac Brown Band, which was performed last night. If that doesn’t suit your fancy, perhaps the karaoke version of Taylor Swift’s song “Fifteen” will.
KNBT FM has an audio interview with Darrell Scott on the subject of his latest album, Modern Hymns, his skills on the guitar, an upcoming project, and thoughts on Americana.
Music Fog: BettySoo – “Whisper My Name”
Wine, Women & Song — the tour featuring Gretchen Peters, Suzy Bogguss, and Matraca Berg — is heading to the Atlanta area, which also gives me the excuse to link to their MySpace again.
CMT’s Edward Morris recapped Tuesday night’s BMI Country Awards.
John Rich confirmed that he and wife Joan are having a baby boy and that his name will indeed be Cash.
Johnny Burke’s new EP The Long Haul EP is currently available for free on Internet Archive. (via Alt-512 Music Musings)
Richard Elliott believes the new Rosie Flores record, Girl of the Century, suffers from the briefness of the majority of the tracks.
Self.com has video interviews with Kellie Pickler before her acoustic performance at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Miranda Lambert while she was getting ready for the red carpet.
Listen to Mac Leaphart’s song “Confederate Roses” at The Gobblers Knob.

Kristofferson Honored As BMI Icon; Live Video Stream of Underwood at Opry; Hough & Wicks Call It Quits

Brody Vercher — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:00:22 +0000

Kris Kristofferson was named a BMI Icon at last night’s BMI Country Awards and Bobby Pinson took home the award for songwriter of the year. Visit The Tennessean for a full list of winners.
In light of today’s holiday, revisit The 9513’s playlist “20 Top War and Soldier Songs.”
George Strait’s publicist confirmed that the singer will have a “very limited role” in the film A Pure Country Gift, which will star singer-songwriter Katrina Elam and is being billed as a “feature film sequel.”
Below are a couple of new releases I missed in yesterday’s roundup:
- Jerry Lee Lewis – Mean Old Man EP
  Amazon MP3 Exclusive
- Josh Thompson – Josh Thompson – EP
  Amazon | iTunes | MySpace
- Steve Wariner – My Tribute to Chet Atkins
  Amazon | MySpace
It’s time for another country day at Farce the Music, where album covers are parodied and no one is too sacred.
San Antonio Express-News Hector Saldaña on the new, self-titled Jessie James record:

Country music’s been going in this direction for a long time, but it’s still a shock to hear hip-hop loops, samplers and triggers on these pop numbers, or to hear so little twang in James’ Avril Lavigne impression on I Look So Good (Without You). It’s no surprise to see that [Katy] Perry and Kara DioGuardi have hands in the songwriting.
Charlie Robison performs brother Bruce’s song “My Brother and Me.”
The CMT New Video Evaluation Team reviewed Darius Rucker’s video for “History in the Making,” Randy Houser’s “Whistlin’ Dixie,” Jason Aldean’s “The Truth,” and Justin Moore’s “Backwoods.”
Eric Brace and Peter Cooper performed “Sheboygan” (drunk again, drunk again!) for the Music Fog crew.
Must Read: A boy, who happens to have autism, meets his hero, Dierks Bentley. (via @galleywinter)

“Bud, look,” I said. “Who’s that?”

Bud glanced up, then turned his back to Dierks, stared down at the ground, and said “That’s Dierks.”

I looked back at Dierks, who motioned to me – Should I come out?

I shrugged and nodded (I don’t know; I think so.), and in a flash he was with us. “Hey, Bud! It’s nice to meet you!”

Bud kept his eyes down, but lifted his hand and said to the ground, “Hey, Dierks!” I wasn’t sure how to read him. Was this moving too fast? Did we need to slow down?

I put my head next to his and asked, “Hey, Bud, what do you think about this?”

He answered softly, but clearly: “I think it’s really cool.”
Carrie Underwood’s Opry performance this Saturday will stream live on MySpace, marking the first time an Opry performance has been offered as a live video stream.
Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks quit each other.
Country Haiku:

Take a look at this
I have a hillbilly bone
Right here IN MY PANTS
Despite his comments last week, George Jones wants people to know that he isn’t against anyone, particularly not Carrie Underwood, who posed for pictures with Jones at a Dolly Parton CD/DVD release event on Monday.
EW.com’s Chris Willman listed 25 country albums you need to hear.
Free Download: Download a song from a CMA Award nominated artist for free courtesy of Amazon. Be sure to use the code before it expires on Nov. 22, and if you need some help choosing a song, The Raconteurs’s “Old Enough,” featuring Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe, is well worth downloading. There’s also Miranda Lambert’s “California,” which was available as a bonus track on Me and Charlie Talking, or Brooks & Dunn’s take on the Merle Haggard standard “The Fightin’ Side Of Me.”
Be sure to join Jim, Juli, Karlie and Pierce (with special guest appearances by…) starting at 7:30 pm EST for our CMA Awards Live Blog.
Watch the new video for, and find out the inspiration behind, Caroline Herring’s song “Tales of the Islander.”

Keith Urban Ticket Scalping; SEASAC Music Awards; New Releases, Reissues, & Free Downloads

Brody Vercher — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:09:02 +0000

NewsChannel 5 chief investigative reporter Phil Williams published the results of a seven month investigation into ticket scalping for Keith Urban concerts and more specifically, the recent “We’re All For the Hall” benefit.

[...] our investigation discovered, this year Keith Urban struck a deal with Ticketmaster to, in essence, scalp tickets to his own shows.

Internal documents show that at stops on his 2009 “Escape Together” tour, Keith Urban’s people instructed the venues to pull out 50 prime seats to be auctioned off to the highest bidders through Ticketmaster.

Plus, they ordered a hold on another 150 so-called “Platinum” or “TicketExchange” seats. TicketExchange was an area of Ticketmaster’s web site that claimed to have tickets being resold — usually at inflated prices — by other fans.
Monty Powell, a co-writer behind three of the songs on Keith Urban’s latest album, won songwriter of the year at SEASAC’s 2009 Nashville Music Awards last night. View the complete list of winners at The Tennessean.
New releases (and quite a few reissues) for the week of November 10, 2009 include:
- Big Kenny – The Quiet Times Of A Rock And Roll Farm Boy
  Amazon | iTunes | MySpace
- B.J. Thomas
  - I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry/Tomorrow Never Comes
    Amazon | Collector’s Choice
  - On My Way/Young And In Love
    Amazon | Collector’s Choice
  - Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head/Everybody’s Out Of Town
    Amazon | Collector’s Choice
- Caroline Herring – Golden Apples of the Sun
  Amazon | iTunes | MySpace
- Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed – Me and Jerry/Me and Chet … Plus
  Amazon | Raven
- Crystal Gayle – Top 10 Country Hits
  Amazon | Micro Werks
- Dolly Parton – Live from London (CD/DVD)
  Amazon | iTunes | MySpace
- Don Williams – Great Country
  Amazon | Micro Werks
- The Earl Scruggs Revue
  - Bold & New
    Amazon | Wounded Bird Records
  - Family Portrait
    Amazon | Wounded Bird Records
  - Live From Austin City Limits
    Amazon | Wounded Bird Records
  - Strike Anywhere
    Amazon | Wounded Bird Records
- Earl Scruggs – Nashville Rock
  Amazon | Wounded Bird Records
- Earl Scruggs & Tom T. Hall – The Storyteller and the Banjo Man
  Amazon | Wounded Bird Records
- Glen Campbell – Duets
  Amazon | Micro Werks
- Micky and The Motorcars – Live at Billy Bob’s Texas
  Amazon | iTunes | MySpace
- Shelly West – The Very Best of Shelly West
  Amazon | Varese Fontana
- Slim Whitman – Greatest Country Hits
  Amazon | Micro Werks
- Sonny James – Chart Toppin’ Country Hits
  Amazon | Micro Werks
- The Statler Brothers – Flowers on the Wall/The Big Hits (First two albums reissued on one CD)
  Amazon | Wounded Bird Records
- Tanya Tucker – Singles and Doubles
  Amazon | Micro Werks
- Texas Renegade – Bad Dreams & Other Things
  iTunes | MySpace
- Wynn Stewart – Greatest Country Hits
  Amazon | Micro Werks
Congrats to Miss Leslie! She’s expecting a baby on March 21.
Farce the Music: Top 10 Sleazy Songs The Bellamy Brothers Have Yet to Record
Sarah Borges performed “Me And Your Ghost,” while her band, the Broken Singles, displayed some impressive clapping skills, for the Music Fog crew.
Austin Music Source’s John T. Davis reviewed the Doug Sahm Birthday Tribute at Antone’s last Friday.
Ashley Ray’s new song “Dirt Cheap,” featuring Mike Eli of Eli Young Band fame, will be released to iTunes next Tuesday. Until then, you can listen to the song on her MySpace. (via Country Music Tattle Tale)
Ninebullets.net posted an audio interview with Cory Morrow. The quality is pretty poor, but scroll to the bottom to listen to tracks from a few of his albums.
Watch the new video for Jason Aldean’s song “The Truth.”
Free Downloads:
- The track “Jolene” from the new Dolly Parton live album is free on Amazon.
- The track “Little Lovin’” from Lissie’s album Why You Runnin’ is free on Amazon.
- The Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent duet “Staying Together” is available for free for a limited time.
- Shawna Russell has made her song “Rumor” available for free for the month of November. (via Roughstock)
Scott H. Biram has a fairly new video for “Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue.”

Kenny Chesney In 3D; Chris Hillman Records Live Album; Catch Radney Foster’s “Angel Flight”

Brody Vercher — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:45:58 +0000

Sony Pictures plans to bring Kenny Chesney to the big screen next April in a limited-release concert film, Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3-D.
Sugar Hill released a video from the release party for Sam Bush’s album Circles Around Me.
Brad Paisley on why he wears a hat:

It’s about the image, and it’s about the lifestyle and what I want to sing about. It’s not like someone’s going to mistake me when they turn on “Conan O’Brien” tonight, you know what I mean? It’s not like, “Wonder what kind of music he sings.” Instantly, when you turn it on, you know.
Check out all of Taylor Swift’s skits from her appearance on Saturday Night Live.
EW.com’s Whitney Pastorek kept a not-quite-liveblog of the CMA Awards rehearsal on Sunday, with an occasional interview, and found out Carrie Underwood will change dresses a total of nine times.
Willie Nelson performed an off the cuff concert at the Ryman Auditorium last Thursday that was dominated by cover songs. CMT’s Chris Parton has a review.
Country Haiku:

I cannot help but
Wonder what she’s doing now
Where’s my telescope?
Gary Allan, who plays the Ryman on Thursday, explained the process behind choosing songs for his albums:

“I usually write all I can, and then I go to my friends and if their songs beat my songs, I put them on the CD,” he explains. “They have to relate to me in my life somewhere. I can never do a song about tractors or anything that doesn’t relate to me personally.”
The Dixie Bee-Liners lead singer Brandi Hart on the band’s new album:

“Susanville is the first of several bluegrass concept records we’ve been planning. It’s all about journeys and destinations. If you can imagine being able to look down into every car on the highway and tell the stories of the people inside, that’s what Susanville is like.”
Listen to a live recording of Charlie Robison performing his hit “Photograph.”
Music Fog videos:
- Band of Heathens – “Let Your Heart Not Be Troubled”
- Scott Miller – “Claire Marie”
Chris Hillman performed a concert for a church fundraiser on Saturday night, which was recorded with plans to be released as a live album on Rounder Records next year.
Nashville Scene’s Edd Hurst wonders: “After helping spur a roots revival, where will The Peasall Sisters go next?”
The Brooklyn Rail’s Margaret Eby reviewed the recently released book A Heartbeat and a Guitar: Johnny Cash and the Making of Bitter Tears by Antonino D’Ambrosio. She concludes:

D’Ambrosio’s enthusiasm for Bitter Tears turns into a regurgitation of Cash’s own self-constructed mythology. The Johnny Cash that sings about Ira Hayes’ plight on Bitter Tears is no more—and no less—real than the Johnny Cash of any other era. D’Ambrosio fails to mine the contradictions behind Cash’s persona.

Not that D’Ambrosio’s moment of realization was wrong; Johnny Cash was indeed a folksinger. But he was also a chameleon, a sneering rock star and an earnest troubadour, a country legend and an outlaw. Cash said as much in an angry, amphetamine-fueled letter to Billboard: “I am fighting no particular cause. If I did, it would soon make me a sluggard. For as times change, I change.”

(via That Nashville Sound)
Watch the new video for Radney Foster’s “Angel Flight.” (via Music Fog)