-
Chris Young – “The Man I Want To Be”
Songwriters: Brett James & Tim Nichols.
Chris Young’s self-titled first album suffered from an acute case of Underwooditis: a great voice, but not-so-great material. While the dozens of Nashville Star viewers may have bought the record, the subsequent radio play just wasn’t enough to make him a household name. His second album has been much better [...] -
Jason Aldean – “The Truth”
Songwriters: Brett James and Ashley Monroe.
Jason Aldean definitely knows what his fans want and expect—country songs about country life and country living…as long as they don’t sound too, you know, country.
Sure, you can throw in a fiddle or a steel guitar, as long as those instruments don’t take away from the drums and electric [...] -
Carrie Underwood – “Cowboy Casanova”
If this were 1992, and the release of this song came on the boot scootin’ heels of the “Achy Breaky Heart” line dance craze, it would be an understandable entry from a new country act trying to score some face-time on TNN’s Wildhorse Saloon Dance Show; thanks to its hard-pounding rhythm and infectious melody, “Cowboy [...]
-
Kenny Chesney – “Out Last Night”
Songwriters: Kenny Chesney and Brett James.
I once had a journalism professor who said the hardest assignment for a writer was to take an ordinary person–the mechanics, the truck drivers and the waitresses of the world–and craft stories about them and their lives in an interesting, relevant way.
Country music is famous for songs about these [...] -
Jessica Simpson – “Pray Out Loud”
Though gossip mongers and tabloids of late have been focusing on Jessica Simpson’s alleged weight gain, there is another, more important issue which needs to be brought into the public eye, and that’s the sheer lameness of her latest single, “Pray Out Loud.”
First things first, it seems that Simpson—who began her musical career as [...] -
Josh Gracin – “Telluride”
Songwriters: Brett James & Troy Verges.
In 2005 Josh Gracin delivered what I believe is one of the finest performances from a mainstream male country artist this decade; Gracin’s vocal on “Stay With Me (Brass Bed)” is urgent and vulnerable, oscillating between contemplative, understated verses and a pleading chorus that glows with desire.
Since that [...]
Popular Stuff
Sponsor
Is Dave Haywood going solo? This and many other of country music's most pressing questions answered in the September edition of The 9513's world famous Mailbag!
Caroline Herring likes to sing songs about life in the South. No, not exactly like Justin Moore and Jason Aldean...
The 9513's resident historian Paul W. Dennis sits down for a chat with country music legend Gene Watson.
As much as we love girl singers, we love songs about girl singers even more. Here's just a few of the many tribute songs out there.
Step away from the river and up to a jukebox, because heartbreak is only temporary, but a good song about drowning yourself—like a diamond—lasts forever.
What do you think about music labels "testing the waters" with a single before providing access to an artist's entire album? 
What country artist, young or old, would you recommend as a must-listen artist to a newcomer on his/her journey through country music, and what would your essential song picks be?Current Discussion
- Sparkles: OMG - have you seen this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYENOUcaAsM I LOVE DOLLY!!!!
- Ben Milam: On three alternating stages: the pogues mahone, steve earle, eric b. & rakim, the band, emmylou harris, the drive by ...
- Bob: Suzy Bogguss and Hal Ketchum
- Jon: Alison Krauss+Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, and Shania Twain. It almost happened back in 2003-2004; the "Up! Close & ...
- Jeff Colvin: I know Lee Brice VERY WELL! He is kind and very friendly to everyone he meets. He doesn't end "meet ...
- Stormy: OCMS, Tift Merritt, Neko Case, Lucinda William, Kris Kristofferson.
- Steve M.: George and Tammy. After they had been drinking.
- Felipe: Terri herself said that she was re-recording The One You Love with a more stripped down version and etc, but ...
- Drew: It's nothing special, but I like it. Always a breath of fresh air to hear some actual country-sounding songs ...
- J.R. Journey: I saw the Girls Night Out Tour in 2001, but I always thought the lineup was a bit weak, especially ...
