-
Forgotten Artists: Donald Lytle, aka Donny Young
Very few artists have been as successful at reinventing themselves as Donald Eugene Lytle (May 31, 1938–February 19, 2003). Possessed of enormous talent as a vocalist, Lytle was not as talented at keeping himself in check. As a result, he continually found himself in hot water.
Lytle was born in the small rural town of Greenfield, [...]Continue reading "Forgotten Artists: Donald Lytle, aka Donny Young"
-
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 [...] -
25 Songs About Saturday Night
A lifetime spent listening to music has taught me a lot about Saturday night. It is, for example, all right for fighting or going to the movies, not to mention a good night to simultaneously keep dancing to the rock and roll and work on one’s spelling, and those are just the pop songs. Nobody [...]
-
Top Country Albums of the Decade (#90-#81)
The second installment of our countdown of the decade’s top 100 albums is a male-dominated affair, save for a Georgia peach with big old voice and a young Aussie Sheila with a love for traditional country.
90. Twice The Speed Of Life (2004) – Sugarland
Twice The Speed Of Life may not be the most perfect [...]Continue reading "Top Country Albums of the Decade (#90-#81)"
-
Garth Talks Business; Rejected Baby Rich Names; George Strait’s Song-Selecting Savvy
Garth Brooks talks business in Chet Flippo’s newest Nashville Skyline column:
“I’m not a record label fan, but on this one, I have to stand up for the record labels and say that they can’t afford development anymore. Because if you think you can live on 99 cents a single, I can guarantee you one of [...] -
John Rich Blasts ‘Nashville Star’ and Contestants
Remember that whole Nashville Star thing? John Rich is trying to distance himself from his involvement in the show.
“I wouldn’t touch ‘Nashville Star’ with a 40-foot pole,” he told The Tennessean. “NBC completely bastardized what country music is about. I thought this was really going to represent country music, put us on a new level. [...]Continue reading "John Rich Blasts ‘Nashville Star’ and Contestants"
-
Overlooked Albums of 2008
There were a number of albums that were deserving of more attention than they received in 2008. I could claim Hal Ketchum’s Father Time didn’t garner the praise it was due or that Randy Rogers Band was overlooked despite placing an album in the top ten. Amber Digby could certainly qualify for this list, but [...]
-
The Best Country Songs Of 2008
Ladies and gentlemen, after weeks of mulling over nearly every country album released last year, we’re proud to present The 9513’s Best Country Songs of 2008.
To be eligible, a song may not have appeared on 2007’s Top 50 list, and all significant covers have been excluded. Also, please note that a song need not [...] -
Willie Nelson Goes Naked For New Album
In the latest Rolling Stone, Vanessa Grigoriadis notes that aside from Willie Nelson’s project with Asleep at the Wheel, he has another album slated for early ‘09 titled Naked Willie. It’ll be produced by his harmonica player, Mickey Raphael, and consist of his RCA recordings from 1966 to 1970, without the strings and schmaltz. “For [...]
-
Dealing Blind: Clint Black Files Lawsuit Against His Manager
Clint Black filed a lawsuit against his manager/accountant, Charles Sussman. Black asserts that Sussman and his firm “repeatedly engaged in self-dealing, negligence, and/or gross negligence” in steering his finances. Part of the dispute involves Little Big Town. Black believed the band was signed to a long-term deal with Equity Records, the independent record label in [...]
Continue reading "Dealing Blind: Clint Black Files Lawsuit Against His Manager"
Popular Stuff
Sponsor
Current Discussion
- Jon: Try to keep up, will you, Jim?
- Vicki: More will vote for Classic Country performers for Entertainter of the year, etc and on GAC and CMT Top 20.
- Michelle: It isn't old people only living out in rural areas. All age groups are living in rural areas. I bought ...
- stormy: I don't know that it will help country with its existing fans base, but it will help music in all ...
- mickey michael: A lengthy comment is necessary to make a small but important correction regarding the 1950's version of the song. ...
- Jon: @K Sorry, but that's not very clear, either, though it still seems like you wind up saying that a ...
- Dan E: Well this debate really doesn't affect Carrie much anyway. She is an amazing vocalist that can sing anything. Beyond that, ...
- K: First off, the songwriters vs. singers debate going on here isn't really what I intended to do with my post. ...
- Mike R: I think this is a great song - simple, but direct. You have to give her credit for sticking ...
- carol: you can't help but love bucky covington he is an awesome guy he is what you call a real down ...
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.

