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Taylor Swift – Fearless
Songwriters: Taylor Swift, Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey.
Another day, another dollar and another ditty about young love from Taylor Swift.
“Fearless,” the title track and fifth single from her record-breaking sophomore album, is everything you think it will be and very little more. A special boy? Got it. Down-home reference to a one-horse town, sang with [...] -
Lady Antebellum – “American Honey”
Songwriters: Cary Barlow, Hillary Lindsey and Shane Stevens.
Country music’s group du jour Lady Antebellum blends post-teenage angst with ’70s soul-rock, riding the youth wave that’s washed over Music Row. While today’s pop radio relies often on empty boasts and ironic poses, the trio has lept onto the Top 40 charts by singing earnest, self-serious numbers [...] -
Top Country Albums of the Decade (#100-#91)
The first decade of the 21st century was a tumultuous one for country music. Piracy exploded, iPods ascended, and within a few years the genre had bid adieu to three of its biggest stars–Garth Brooks, who retired after the release of 2001’s Scarecrow (his final studio album); Shania Twain, who retreated after 2002’s Up!; and [...]
Continue reading "Top Country Albums of the Decade (#100-#91)"
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That Old Time Religion: Things Ain’t Like They Used To Be
There is nothing subtle about a couple of guys in white linen suits urgently beckoning in front of a twelve-foot, candy-apple red, plywood devil and a hellfire-and-brimstony rock pile. That jarring scene graced the cover of the Louvin Brothers’ 1959 album em>Satan Is Real, and its twelve songs were hardly any more subtle in their [...]
Continue reading "That Old Time Religion: Things Ain’t Like They Used To Be"
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Honky Tonk Happy Hour: Sharing Music
I am drawn towards two things–vocalists and steel guitar players. I keep my ears out for both. But especially the former. Contemporary country music has drowned out the latter. But that’s another column.
So, when someone said that Holly Williams is their new favorite female vocalist, I thought I’d check her out.
You should know that [...] -
Whitney Duncan – “The Bed That You Made”
Songwriters: Whitney Duncan, Hillary Lindsay, and John Shanks
Whitney Duncan has all the ingredients to be a star – stellar looks, a good voice, some attitude and overall marketability. Unfortunately, her first single “When I Said I Would” didn’t really play up to her strengths, but rather drowned them in an overly loud production. Luckily, [...] -
Carrie Underwood Dazzles Halloween Audience
Carrie Underwood’s spectacular powerhouse pipes and dazzling stage presence were on full display Friday night in Austin, TX at the Frank Erwin Center. Maybe it had something to do with the few dozen Tony Romos in the Halloween night audience. Saturday night in Houston’s Reliant Stadium was no different, but the Houston Chronicle’s Joey Guerra [...]
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January ‘08 Album Review Wrap-Up
Catherine Britt – Little Wildflower
Catherine Britt released her third album, Little Wildflower, in her native Australia. This album, produced by Brett Beavers, attempts to cover ground in both contemporary and traditional country and while her contemporary contributions are decent, they blend in with current offerings from other artists. However, Britt’s performance and smoky vocals [...] -
George Strait Tied With Conway Twitty For Most Number 1 Singles
Joe Samuel Starnes recalls his first Willie Nelson Fourth of July Picnic for The New York Times.
His show was transcendent. That’s a highfalutin word that I would almost never use, but I honestly felt as if I were taking a trip back in time to another era, through Willie’s guitar and voice and the artful [...]Continue reading "George Strait Tied With Conway Twitty For Most Number 1 Singles"
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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
- Music Lover: I haven't been here for a long time. The review is quite unfair and I see how much 9513 don't ...
- Razor X: She sent him letters, Jon! In 1962.
- Paul W Dennis: I agree with Sam, other than to note that while there have been great singers who have had hits with ...
- Vicki: How old is this song? I heard her sing this 2 years ago on the Opry. It's a ...
- Jim Malec: "Keeps her letters in a nightstand." She sent him letters, Jon!
- Leverett Sherrif: Paulaw, Brutal, sir..you heard them when they were first getting started..these young girls have worked extremely hard to get to ...
- sam (sam): I'm just a fan, but as I understand it, both singing and songwriting are essential to making good music. It ...
- Jon: @K, thanks for the further explanation. As near as I can tell, there are at least as many mediocre ...
- K: “I would hope that the legacy of a great singer is rewarded more richly than a great writer.” After reading my ...
- Jon: PS – Its too bad Amie Comeaux wasn’t born years later so she could have been a contestant on American ...
