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Hank Williams’ Steel Guitarist, Don Helms, Passed Away Today At 81
Steel guitarist Don Helms, who played on more than 100 Hank Williams recordings, passed away this morning at 81 from an apparent heart attack.
Mr. Helms was the last remaining link to the Drifting Cowboys. His guitar was heard on more than 100 of Williams’ recordings, including “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Cold, Cold Heart” and “I Can’t […]Continue reading "Hank Williams’ Steel Guitarist, Don Helms, Passed Away Today At 81"
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Bonnie Hill Is On a Mission to Get Keith Whitley Honored In Hall of Fame
Keith Whitley uber fan Bonnie Hill is on a mission to get the late singer recognized alongside all the legends already inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Her online petition has amassed nearly 2,000 signatures, including those of Ralph Stanley, J.D. Crowe and Alan Frizzell. Hill knows her petition alone won’t get Whitely […]
Continue reading "Bonnie Hill Is On a Mission to Get Keith Whitley Honored In Hall of Fame"
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Cancer Patient Granted Wish to Visit Opry
The Charleston Gazette ran a touching story on Christmas Eve about Steve Johnson, a 50-year old cancer patient who had fulfilled two of his three wishes. The last thing he wanted to do before he died was visit the Grand Ole Opry, something he didn’t think he was going to happen. While looking up information […]
Continue reading "Cancer Patient Granted Wish to Visit Opry"
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The Year in Review: Comeback Kids
This is the first of a series of Year in Review articles that will appear on The 9513 between now and the new year.
In my mind, Porter Wagoner will forever epitomize country music in 2007.
Some may object to my hanging an entire year on the back of an artist who didn’t sniff the radio […] -
Kenny Chesney Produced Willie Album Hits Shelves In January
Songs like Johnny Cash’s “Hurt”, Martina McBride’s “Independence Day”, and George Strait’s “Amarillo by Morning” chartered considerably lower than other songs from these artists’ catalogs, but are sometimes considered signature songs; even over higher charting singles. With that in mind, Country Universe wants to know: What is the definition of a hit?
Sarah Borges, Lucinda Williams, […]Continue reading "Kenny Chesney Produced Willie Album Hits Shelves In January"
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Tim McGraw Set To Launch His Own Fragrance
File this one under the sketchy column, but apparently Beyonce is intent on recording a “country” album.
“She is a big fan of country music and thought that would be an interesting and exciting way to go.
“She tested the waters at the American Music Awards last weekend and she is up for it.”
And who is she […]Continue reading "Tim McGraw Set To Launch His Own Fragrance"
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Kellie Pickler Does The Weather and Clint Black and Travis Tritt to Release New Albums
Rascal Flatts will perform at New York City’s Time Square during the “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2007″ special on December 31, at 10pm Eastern on ABC. Their single “My Wish” scored them their sixth number one hit, and their album, Me and My Gang, is the best-selling artist album of the year.
Darryl Worley […] -
Thursday News Roundup
Despite the bad luck George Jones has endured this past year (pneumonia and a fractured wrist), he has set a full tour schedule for 2007. His October release God’s Country, includes an all-star line up performing many of George’s classic numbers. Performers on this album are: George Jones himself, Garth Brooks, Sammy Kershaw, Pam Tillis, […]
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In Memory of Don Helms (1927 - 2008) Helms dated back to a time when an excellent four or five piece band and a good singer were all that were needed to make great country music. No drums, no light shows, no production tricks in the recording studio–just good music.
Don’t look now, but Darius Rucker, lead singer of 90s rock group Hootie & The Blowfish, has a country hit on his hands. What you probably haven’t heard is that Rucker is the first black artist to chart a single in the country top 20 since Charley Pride last did it in 1988.
News that former Sugarland member and co-founder Kristen Hall is suing her ex-mates, to the tune of $1.5 million, goes a long way towards providing a bit of context regarding the Atlanta singer/songwriter’s sudden departure from the group.
Josh Gracin - “Unbelievable (Ann Marie)” Despite initial marketing that touted the album as deep and personal, “Unbelievable (Ann Marie)” is anything but deep or personal.
Josh Turner - "Everything Is Fine" Turner is the rare example of an artist who records material that’s both quality and trademark.
Darryl Worley - "Tequila On Ice" A groovy mid-tempo that sways, a refreshing reprieve from the exhausting pace of a format that clamors for loud music and swelling choruses.
Blake Shelton - "She Wouldn't Be Gone" It’s all about nailing the melody rather than providing a legitimate interpretation that accentuates the lyrical content, although Shelton does do a pretty good job of injecting what limited emotion he can.
Forgotten Artist: David Rogers David Rogers (1936-1993) is proof of the adage that it’s great to be on a major label, but only if the label is truly behind you.
Forgotten Artist: Charley Pride For the ’70s, Billboard has Charley listed as its third ranking singles artist behind only Conway Twitty and Merle Haggard. 
In this exclusive interview with The 9513, the Show Dog Records trio talks about growing up around Waylon and Jessi Colter, and about how those experiences have helped shaped their music as they set off on their own country music journey.
One of an emerging wave of artists empowered by decreasing production costs and a rapidly changing distribution landscape, Kelleigh Bannen has taken a do-it-yourself approach to her debut album, Radio Skies.Current Discussion
- Stephen H.: Stormy, I think his comment implies that Obama is a presidential candidate in ge...
- Paula: We stay there all the time Kelly and have always had a pleasant stay....
- Kelly: that pub crawl is the only thing that would make me ever want to stay at that sm...
- Stormy: Dylan: Because it implies that black people want a white leader. And of course...
- Paula: Dang! The pub crawl is the week before I go to Nashville. I'll be there the wh...
- leeann: I *did* mention the Lauderdale song in my review. I really liked it. He sounds...
- Thomas: "whereas rap was the word of truth, today country is where you go for honesty".....
- Razor X: The Jim Lauderdale track is excellent. Another one that I liked better than I t...
- Dylan Gramm: Why does that statement make Keith a racist?...
- f_t_e: Namely this: http://thinkprogress.org/2008/07/30/toby-keith-obama-white/ "...
