The 9513 - Country Music Blog

In case you hadn’t heard, Rascal Flatts signed with Scott Borchetta and Big Machine Records, the home of Taylor Swift. Farce the Music had a few things to say about the new Rascal Flatts album cover. People posted the audio for all six songs on Blake Shelton‘s upcoming “six pak,” All About Tonight. Among the [...]

Continue reading "Rascal Flatts Joins Big Machine; Russell Crowe Cast as Country Singer; Canadian Country Awards"

I’m not the type of person who travels 2700 miles for a concert. The best part about living in DC is that nearly all genres of music can be found just a short walk or Metro ride away. But on Monday, I found myself flying cross-country to Sacramento for the third annual Golf & Guitars [...]

Continue reading "Golf & Guitars: Great Music for a Great Cause"

Country music has long been about establishing (and often fabricating) authenticity. Regardless of a singer’s actual background, upbringing, and lifestyle, there’s always been a sense of having to prove one’s country cred. As of late, this trend has led to a slew of backwoods-boasting singles that feature tired stereotypes and worn-out characters. That being said, [...]

Continue reading "Notes From Colt Ford’s Album Release Party"

Josh Gracin has been out of the spotlight for more than a year, but while on hiatus, he’s completely revamped his music career: Everything from his management to his record label to the music itself. In this exclusive interview with The 9513, Gracin dishes about the transition to an independent label, his thoughts on Scott [...]

Continue reading "Josh Gracin Takes On The Nashville Establishment – The 9513′s Exclusive Interview From CRS"

Blake Shelton on his more defiant attitude of late: “One thing we’re doing that we probably haven’t done is showcase the … ‘I don’t give a (expletive) if you like it or not’ attitude,” Shelton says. “It’s puzzled me why country artists have to be so politically correct. I mean I’m not a politician. If [...]

Continue reading "Blake Shelton’s Defiant Attitude; Rascal Flatts Pluses; Carolwood Records Folds"

Clint Black couldn’t fill Trace Adkins‘ shoes and was fired on Celebrity Apprentice last night, just shy of earning a spot in the top four. Josh Gracin added a new song to his MySpace titled “Enough,” and in a blog post he mentions that it’s his first project without Lyric Street. (via CountryMusicIsLove) Jason Michael [...]

Continue reading "Donald Trump Fires Clint Black and Lyric Street Drops Josh Gracin"

Who sings “That’s what brothers are for?” Nashville-via-Canada Broken Bow recording artist Dean Brody, but only after one too many Moosehead Lagers. – CM Who plays guitar for Chuck Wicks? A player who, having chosen consistent employment over artistic satisfaction, consoles himself nightly with the fact that at least he’s not One Night Rodeo’s guitar [...]

Continue reading "Mailbag: Who Did Kenny Chesney Take to the Grammys?"

The CMA Board of Directors approved changes to redefine the procedures and categories for inclusion into the Country Music Hall of Fame, starting with the 2010 ballots. The new “Veterans Era” category will be for professionals who have been in the industry for more than 25 45 years and combines the former “Career Achieved National [...]

Continue reading "CMA Tweaks Hall of Fame Ballot Procedures and Categories"

Don’t confuse disappointing with worst, as that list would most likely be dominated by obscure indie knockoff bands along with a couple of mainstream releases. There has to be a modicum of expectation that’s dashed upon the release of an album for it to qualify for the year’s most disappointing. Hopefully all of the acts [...]

Continue reading "Ten Most Disappointing Albums of 2008"

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 [...]

Continue reading "Josh Gracin – “Telluride”"