The 9513 - Country Music Blog

As past Nashville Star and American Idol contestants can attest, winning a television singing competition isn’t the same as winning a slot on ever-shrinking radio playlists, much less a long-term career in music. In fact, the very quality that often makes acts stand out on such shows–sounding polished and professional, like something you’d hear on [...]

Continue reading "Steel Magnolia – “Keep on Loving You”"

Miranda Lambert launched her own line of jewelry. Each piece is personally designed and handcrafted by Miranda herself, making them one-of-a-kind. If you’re looking to score a piece — good luck. Due to high demand everything is almost sold out. She’s not the only one with a new jewelry line, though. Big Kenny’s wife, Christiev [...]

Continue reading "Miranda Lambert Designs Jewelry and Jamey Johnson Tapes ‘Crossroads’"

This episode features two interviews with artists from very differnt corners of Country Music. I was, however, able to find a common thread among the seemingly opposite performers. Both artists seemed to not concern themselves with the labels that fans and writers often use to describe their sound, and even shared a bit of frustration [...]

Continue reading "Podcast: Episode 002 – Diamonds and Beer"

Talk about a slow news day. Isn’t anyone having a baby? Kenny Chesney dropped by the White House yesterday–to catch a ball game. Three tee ball games are [...] scheduled at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue featuring youngsters from all 50 states. The games will be attended by President George W. Bush, who will use the event [...]

Continue reading "News Roundup: Kenny Chesney Has a Ball at White House; CMA Awards Broadcast Announced"

The former home of Johnny Cash‘s parents, which sits across the street from where Johnny and June’s home was burned down last year, is up for sale on eBay. For only 1.4 million dollars you get the house, Johnny Cash memorabilia, including a gold record of “I Walk the Line,” and you’ll be neighbors with [...]

Continue reading "Going Once: Former Home of Johnny Cash’s Parents Up For Bid"

Time Life plans to periodically release 143 previously-unreleased Hank Williams‘ recordings over a three year period. The recordings were made in 1951 for Williams’ show on radio station WSM-AM in Nashville and were sponsored by Mother’s Best flour. Watch Jason Isbell perform “Dress Blues” live at Stubb’s in Austin, TX, then go read the story [...]

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Dierks Bentley joins “Mr. Push Up Bra Inventor” and “Mr. Tiny Thong Bikini Wearer” as one of the subjects immortalized in Anheuser Busch’s “Real Men of Genius” radio spots. In the ad, he’s saluted as “Mr. Sad Country Song Songwriter” (listen). “Getting a ‘real men of genius’ spot is pretty much the pinnacle for a [...]

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Shel Silverstein’s 1969 country album Boy Named Sue has been reissued by Water Records and includes liner notes from Chet Flippo. George Jones performed a 30-song concert on Monday night that lasted for over 90 minutes. Robert Reid says his voice showed signs of wear, but it never abandoned him. (via ggcolumn) “I listen to [...]

Continue reading "Celebrate Poetry Month With Shel Silverstein Reissues"

The title track from Trent Willmon’s Broken In is the second single to make it off the album. It’s a simple song, but it’s well constructed and Willmon’s rough vocal suits it just fine, giving it a refreshing sound and an air of authenticity. “Broken In” conveys the cowboy character without the embellished romanticism and [...]

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Blue Highway – Through the Window of a Train If Dierks Bentley ever makes a bluegrass album, and I suspect that he will, it would sound a lot like this. The Dierksache may not much resemble Tim Stafford’s high lonesome, but Through the Window of a Train finds this veteran bluegrass group crooning a self-penned [...]

Continue reading "February ’08 Album Review Wrap-Up"