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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 [...] -
Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood Lead ACM Nominees; Billy Joe Shaver Trial Date Set
If you had any lingering doubts about Lady Antebellum’s rising status, put ‘em to rest. The nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards were announced and the trio earned not five nominations like Taylor Swift, or six like Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, but a total of seven nominations. Off-camera nominees were announced as [...]
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20 Songs About Hotels and Motels
Here’s 20 of country music’s best hotel and motel songs. Apologies for excluding Neal McCoy’s “Hillbilly Rap.”
Honorable Mentions:
Cadillac Sky – “Motel Morning”
David Houston – “No Tell Motel”
Eagles – “Hotel California”
Gene Watson – “Love in the Hot Afternoon”
Guy Clark – “Lone Star Hotel”
Jack Ingram & Jerry Jeff Walker – “Picture on My Wall”
Joe Ely – [...] -
Queen of Rockabilly Wanda Jackson Rocks D.C.’s Black Cat
D.C. has had a rough week, thanks to a couple feet of snow that brought the normally bustling city to a screeching halt. But what better way to cure a raging case of cabin fever than with the Queen of Rockabilly? Wanda Jackson, that sweet lady with a nasty voice, brought some much needed pep [...]
Continue reading "Queen of Rockabilly Wanda Jackson Rocks D.C.’s Black Cat"
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Friday Five: The Songs of Boudleaux Bryant
Tomorrow would have been Boudleaux Bryant’s 90th birthday. There are few songwriters who’ve been as important to music as Bryant. He and wife Felice are responsible for “Wake Up, Little Susie,” “Bird Dog,” “Brand New Heartache,” “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma,” and quite a few other classics. Below are some of my favorite renditions [...]
Continue reading "Friday Five: The Songs of Boudleaux Bryant"
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Bonnaroo Embraces Rootsy Musicians; Rare George Jones Songs Reissued; Luke Bryan Celebrates No. 1
Bonnaroo certainly could have done worse with its lineup, here’s a selection of the more country-leaning acts: John Fogerty, Zac Brown Band, John Prine, Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers, Jamey Johnson, Kris Kristofferson, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Miranda Lambert, Cross Canadian Ragweed, and Carolina Chocolate Drops.
Nathan Rabin summarizes Kris Kristofferson’s inexcusably lackluster [...] -
Steve Wariner Talks Grammys, His Relationship With Chet Atkins And Country Music Guitar Battles
Steve Wariner, known primarily to contemporary country audiences as the voice behind chart-toppers “Holes In The Floor of Heaven” and “I’m Already Taken,” has recorded 18 studio albums, scored 10 #1 singles and won three Grammy awards over his 30-plus year career.
In addition to all of that commercial success, 2009 marked the completion and [...] -
December 2009 Mailbag: What Key Does Garth Brooks Sing In?
What key does Garth Brooks sing in?
Florida doesn’t pay enough to bring Garth out of semi-retirement. — Karlie
What key do you prefer and how much are you willing to pay? Also, is a private jet included as part of the offer? — CMW
Where does Big Kenny live?
He was born in Big Beaver, PA, but then [...]Continue reading "December 2009 Mailbag: What Key Does Garth Brooks Sing In?"
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The 9513 Last.fm Chart Update (12-13-09)
Last.fm has put together a list of the Top 1000 artists for 2009. Artists tagged as country take up… eight spots. By way of comparison, “pop” has 121 artists, “folk” has 80 and “melodic death metal” has 26.
Last.fm’s Top 8 Country artists of the year are, by order of where they ranked in the Top [...] -
26 Songs About Moonshine
Prohibition ended over 70 years ago, but moonshine songs have still enjoyed a fair amount of popularity in the past decades. Narrowing it down to only 26 songs was difficult, and this month’s Top Five was pretty hotly contested here at The 9513 compound. Nevertheless, we did our best to bring you songs from a [...]
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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
- Nicolas: Paula W brought up a good point; whats up with this god-awful name? Its obvious what they were trying to ...
- klark: Tara says: Damn Arista. This over “Songs Like This”? Really? AMEN!
- PaulaW: I heard 'em two years ago when they were just "Jane Dear" not "The Jane Dear Girls" .... and I ...
- stormy: Why would I turn on country radio to hear someone who can rock?
- sam (sam): Although I do think Laura's analysis above is a bit over the top, I am sympathetic. I did find the ...
- Anne: Hmmm not sure what you are wanting to hear on the radio Jim, I'm so excited to hear a new ...
- Quidditchgirl007: i actually happen to LOVE this song. He does a GREAT job of it too. it he had remade it ...
- Josh: Wow Stormy, thank you for posting the definition of Taylor Swift. Cheers!!
- Dan E: Carrie and her team knows what they're doing. This song did well when it was chosen as a promotional single. ...
- nope: yeah, gadfly. if 'gadfly' is a synonym for 'asshat'.
