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McGraw and Jackson Added to CMA Music Fest; Country’s Bad Rap; Industry Veteran Jim Halsey Releases New Book
Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, and Kellie Pickler are the latest entertainers added to the CMA Music Fest lineup.
I missed the release of Chris King’s new, six-song Bexar County EP in Tuesday’s new release list. (iTunes)
Top Country Albums Even Country Haters Should Own
CMT’s Craig Shelburne introduced the new black-and-white, acoustic video for Easton Corbin’s [...] -
Jessica Harp Reconsiders Career Choice; WSM Enlists New DJs: Dierks Bentley, Pam Tillis, & Jim Lauderdale
Jessica Harp announced on her website that she’s leaving her career as a recording artist to become a full-time songwriter.
Chris Price and Joe Harland, producers for BBC and MTV, went on a cross-country search for the spirit of Gram Parsons for a project they call Missing Parsons. Along the way, they received a lesson in [...] -
Grammy Winners; Willie Nelson Cancels Concert, Crew Charged With Illegal Possession; UT to Close Historic Venue
Taylor Swift came up big at last night’s Grammy Awards. Following is a list of winners in categories relevant to this blog:
Album Of The Year
Taylor Swift – Fearless
Best New Artist
Zac Brown Band
Best Female Country Vocal Performance
Taylor Swift – White Horse
Best Male Country Vocal Performance
Keith Urban – Sweet Thing
Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group [...] -
Carrie Underwood Reportedly Engaged; Taylor Swift to Play Supergirl; New Ashton Shepherd Album in the Works
Rumors swirled on Sunday about the possible engagement of Carrie Underwood and hockey player Mike Fisher. This morning, the Toronto Sun is citing a source who has supposedly confirmed the engagement.
“The rumours began spreading after a friend of Underwood’s family congratulated the former American Idol and the Senators centre on their upcoming marriage on his [...] -
CMA Donates A Lot of Money; Ralph Rinzler’s Role In Bill Monroe’s Legacy; The Farcie Awards
The Country Music Association donated its largest sum ($1,066,632) to Nashville public schools yet through its “Keep the Music Playing” campaign.
The Infamous Stringdusters have a new album, Things That Fly, planned for an April release.
Danny Balis‘ song “Tethered” came in at No. 24 on DC9 At Night’s list of the best songs in Dallas [...] -
Grammy Nominees; Jack Cooke & Big Bill Lister Passed Away; Dixie Chick Lawsuit Dropped; CMA CEO Resigns
Nominees for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in the country category are as follows:
Best Female Country Vocal Performance
“Dead Flowers” – Miranda Lambert
“I Just Call You Mine” – Martina McBride
“White Horse” – Taylor Swift
“Just A Dream” – Carrie Underwood
“Solitary Thinkin” – Lee Ann WomackBest Male Country Vocal Performance
“All I Ask For Anymore” – Trace Adkins
“People Are [...] -
Acuff, Rogers & Evans, and Monroe Head to Grammy Hall of Fame; Unfinished Hank Williams Song Finally Released
The Recording Academy inducted 25 songs into the Grammy Hall of Fame yesterday. Songs in the country category are:
Roy Acuff & The Crazy Tennesseans – “Great Speckled Bird” (Amazon)
Roy Rogers & Dale Evans – “Happy Trails” (Amazon)
Bill Monroe And His Blue Grass Boys – “Mule Skinner Blues” (Amazon)On the surface, Rosanne Cash and Ricky Skaggs [...]
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Friday Five: Songs About Walls
My original intent was to write a Friday Five in honor of Guy Fawkes Night; however, there are few songs about plotting to blow up Parliament. So instead, we’ll be looking at another important historical event. This November marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Here are five of country music’s [...]
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Blake Shelton’s Defiant Attitude; Rascal Flatts Pluses; Carolwood Records Folds
Blake Shelton on his more defiant attitude of late:
“One thing we’re doing that we probably haven’t done is showcase the … ‘I don’t give a (expletive) if you like it or not’ attitude,” Shelton says. “It’s puzzled me why country artists have to be so politically correct. I mean I’m not a politician. If I’m [...]Continue reading "Blake Shelton’s Defiant Attitude; Rascal Flatts Pluses; Carolwood Records Folds"
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The 9513 Last.fm Chart Update (11-1-09)
Last.fm Top Artists
Two familiar faces are tied for #1 this week, as George Strait and Miranda Lambert both have 24 listeners. Alan Jackson is one behind to end up at #3, and the group of artists at #4 with 21 listeners includes Taylor Swift, Patty Loveless, Keith Urban and Johnny Cash. For Swift and Urban, [...]
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- Recording Studio: It looks very good. Miley is such a nice singer. Her album is really very good.
- luckyoldsun: Chris N, Toby didn't go after anyone personally in that song--just an unnamed critic. That song is part of what makes Toby ...
- luckyoldsun: Wade Hayes' debut album "Old Enough To Know Better" had a great cut near the end called "Family Reunion" about ...
- nashvegas: Tyler is very much his own person and doesn't try to be like anybody else. I know him personally ...
- travis s: my son dusty commited suicide 1 month ago, he was 12 years. for any of you that has lost a ...
- Tony: I don't understand some of you folks. Trust me I understand the disdain that many have for the country ...
- Jon: I would suspect that while the tune would change the perception of the song... Dude, that's the whole freaking point! ...
- merlefan49: No offense taken
- sam (sam): Although it would be the copyright holder who would have to give permission, even if Dylan did give permission, it ...
- Steve M.: I would suspect that while the tune would change the perception of the song, the words of "Hard Rain" speak ...
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.

