-
42nd CMA Awards Nominees Announced
Here are the nominees for the 42nd CMA Awards which will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM ET) on ABC. There are lots of interesting things here, let us know what you think of the selections in the comments.
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Sugarland
Keith Urban
Male Vocalist [...] -
Top 12 Nashville Star Contestants Revealed
NBC revealed the top 12 acts vying to become the next Nashville Star, and it seems they all have somewhat of a sob story overcome many adversities to get where they are. (via ggcolumn)
In an open letter to her fans, Shania Twain expressed her gratitude for their words of encouragement during her rough time.
I have [...]Continue reading "Top 12 Nashville Star Contestants Revealed"
-
Man Returns Stolen George Jones Guitar 46-Years Later
Larry Berry bought a guitar from two boys in 1962 that they said had been stolen. The guitar strap had George Jones‘ name on it with streaks of white lightning. Berry says he’s been trying to reach Jones since the ’60s to return the guitar, but couldn’t get through to him until this year.
Michael Roberts [...]Continue reading "Man Returns Stolen George Jones Guitar 46-Years Later"
-
43rd Annual ACM Awards: Who Should Have Been Nominated
In a perfect world, The 9513 staff would select the ACM nominees and fans would not vote for Entertainer of the Year. Here in the real world, the Academy votes for the nominees, the fans vote for the Entertainer, and I make fun of both.
There are only two rules: as much as I’d like to, [...]Continue reading "43rd Annual ACM Awards: Who Should Have Been Nominated"
-
50th Annual Grammy Awards Wrap-Up
We haven’t featured much Grammy coverage here on The 9513, but give us credit for weighing in when it counts: after the results have been revealed and with the benefit of perfect hindsight (we certainly wouldn’t want to stick our necks out before the votes have been cast).
In all seriousness, readers who desire extensive [...] -
Patty Loveless Gears Up For Her Third Trip On the Santa Train
Gary Allan has no balls, as illustrated by his latest album — Living Hard — and just so you know, Ronnie Dunn and John Anderson are merely average Nashville singers, too. I wish I was just making this stuff up, folks.
Tours featuring two mega-stars are in. First it was Kenny Chesney and LeAnn Rimes, then [...]Continue reading "Patty Loveless Gears Up For Her Third Trip On the Santa Train"
-
Bluebird Cafe To Be Bought By Nashville Songwriters Association
The big news last Friday was that Big Machine launched a sister label, Valory Music Co., and signed Jewel, Jimmy Wayne, and newcomer Justin Moore to their roster. Scott Borchetta operates both labels, and says that the company was named after June Carter Cash, whose real name was Valerie and means bravery.
Country music’s women don’t [...]Continue reading "Bluebird Cafe To Be Bought By Nashville Songwriters Association"
-
Garth Brooks Returning To The Stage For One Night Only
This is the first mention I’ve heard of it, but Jamey Johnson released an album at the end of August that’s available only as a digital download (iTunes, Rhapsody, etc.). That Lonesome Song contains 13 songs, 11 of which Johnson has some kind of writing credit on. Definitely worth checking out.
The reality show Nashville [...]Continue reading "Garth Brooks Returning To The Stage For One Night Only"
-
Townes Van Zandt To Be Awarded The President’s Award At AMA
Before you go out and buy The Great Lost Performance from Johnny Cash that was recently released, head over to Twangville and see what they have to say about the album.
This release is billed as The Great Lost Performance, but I’m not sure I’d go that far. It is a rollicking good time but [...]Continue reading "Townes Van Zandt To Be Awarded The President’s Award At AMA"
-
Review: Ty Herndon’s Latest, Right About Now
Ty Herndon released his latest album, Right About Now, today. It is his first secular studio album release since his 1999 album, Steam. During that time, he put out two Christmas albums and a greatest hits CD.
“Everything familiar feels so new to me. I might look the same, but I’m not who I used to [...]Continue reading "Review: Ty Herndon’s Latest, Right About Now"
Popular Stuff
Sponsor
Forgotten Artists: Cal Smith - When the Florida Sunshine Opry (Eustis, FL) booked its first “name” (non-local) act back in 1999, the act they chose was Cal Smith. No wonder, since Cal is an excellent singer, musician, storyteller and showman. | View more artists featured in Paul W. Dennis' recurring "Forgotten Artists" feature »
Current Discussion
- J.R. Journey: My favorite feature ... you can't make this stuff up, people.
- J.R. Journey: I ... love Loretta Lynn.
- Craig R.: SW - No one thinks Bob Dylan has a great voice- but when Dylan was around Swift's age he was ...
- SW: NOT THAT THEY ARE IN THE SAME LEAGUE, AT ALL: regarding Taylor Swift's singing ability; Bob Dylan's voice is horrendous.
- Paula_W: We missed you all tremendously Brody!! But we satisfied ourselves the best we could with turkey and dressing and pies ...
- Brody Vercher: By the way, I forgot to mention, after our long holiday break, we're back and should resume our regular posting ...
- Kelly: Amazace: You said that bad red dirt is still original and that bad red dirt is still better than any mainstream ...
- Chris N.: For TV performances, no one has matched the late D. Ray White: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-mD-dntAOk
- mikeky: nightranger in 1982, louisville ky. they were ROCKIN'. or .38 special. maybe the michael schenker group. ...
- Razor X: Translation: Taylor's performance sucked but it doesn't matter because she sells millions of CDs. Who cares about talent, ...
In an attempt to discover and highlight the best music every month, We'll be publishing a list of the best songs released throughout that period. Here's Brady Vercher's picks for October.
For the second episode of The 9513 Country Music Podcast, your host Kelly Dearmore caught up with two seemingly different artists in Sarah Borges and Trent Willmon. Take a listen.
Free Music Downloads: If you’ve only recently come to country music, or have never delved past the genre’s surface and it’s most famous names, you may not have heard of Tom Russell. That’s a shame, and The 9513’s Free Music series is here to help set you down the right path.
Martina McBride - “Ride” Catchy, but a little low on cogency–not to mention originality. And it essentially resolves into the same kind of positive “message song” that has defined so much of McBride’s recent work.
Richie McDonald - “How Do I Just Stop” So gloriously simple and unequivocally lackluster that people of every political persuasion should rejoice in the opportunity to come together and have a hearty laugh at its expense.
Donnie Vondra - “If I Didn’t Love You” Combinining a golden trifecta of country music—steel guitar, fiddle and a strong, twangy vocal—"If I Didn't Love You" pulls together a sweet, toe-tapping ditty reminiscent of Marty Raybon-era Shenandoah.
Lance Miller - “Bacon Frying” A charming country song that is beautiful for its simplicity, a musical remnant from a time when songwriters understood that often the best thing to do is just get out of the song’s way.
John Rich - “Another You” For a guy who is supposed to be a genius songwriter, John Rich sure does seem to be running out of ideas.
George Ducas - “Walk Through This World” Ducas banks on the success of recent artists’ pleasantly bland lyrics and agreeable instrumentation for his first release with WhiteStar Nashville.
In this exclusive interview for The 9513, Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook talks about life with the band, as well as A Place to Land, the group’s current album, which has charted in the top 10 of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart on two separate occasions






