That does not conflict with the assertion that the mirror doesn’t show the whole truth. The mirror shows an old man.

He doesn’t say, “I still ‘look’ 25.”

Incredibly simple song, shows how good simple can be. Try to write one so simple and have it turn out this good. Chorus progression never changes, no bridge. Doesn’t need it. I give it 5 stars. I’m a serious songwriter and I only wish I would have written it; it’s my life in a song. And the production is fabulous, like all of his songs are.

No kidding, this song gives me goosebumps. Works for me; maybe it’s just because I am a songwriter. I have even written a song or two with the word Troubadour in it.

It’s funny, I find myself wanting to “take up” for you guys everytime someone comes on here and makes the whole “opinion and a keyboard” type of comment. As a fan that is somewhat sour on the mainstream Nashville product (not all of it, mind you), it is the talent and perspective of Brady, Brody, Ben, Matt and yourself that make me take a release from RF, Lady A, Jessica Simpson, Carrie, Talyor,Toby K., etc…more seriously than I might typically. I think the mix of news and objective commentary with serious attention to detail, that is a priority on the 9513 is important and severely absent in todays Country Music media.

There is a fundamental difference between people with keyboards and Brady–credentials aside. That difference is that every day (or roundabouts) Brady’s criticism (positive or negative) is vetted by the public. Every review he writes has an effect on his professional reputation, and that people regularly read his work (and trust me, many people read his work) speaks to the fact that while his writing might be centered around an “opinion” it a noteworthy opinion, whether you would care to agree or not.

You could certainly go and start your own blog and start writing reviews, but I believe the average blog has a total readership of three people. So if you want to be read by tens of thousands of people, like Brady is, you’re going to need to:

A) be a very good writer
B) have an incredible amount of knowledge about what you’re writing about
C) have a unique perspective on your subject

You’re also going to need to work hard to build relationships in the industry so that you have access to music and artists; you’re going to need to be consistent and consistently engaging; and you’re going to need to offer something that doesn’t already exist in the marketplace.

We do that here. No one–and I mean NO one–covers mainstream country music with as much honesty and candor as we do.

Now, it is not unexpected that people will post comments here decrying our relevance or our credibility; alas, that is the nature of New Media.

That’s ok. The interactivity is one of the reasons I love this medium. Do you know that I occasionally turn down print jobs (i.e. writing reviews for print publications) because I get paid more, and have a wider readership, when I write for The 9513?

Indeed, there are big differences between “guys with keyboards” and music critics.

This whole discussion makes me think of something Simon said once, referring to an AI contestant who played the “your opinion” card: “Yes, it may be just one opinion, but it happens to be a very well-informed and important opinion.”

The difference between the two is that lots of us, me included, have an opinion and a keyboard too.

Brady, that’s all it is, your opinion and nothing more. Stop acting like you’re some sort of expert. You have no more expertise than the rest of us.