Welcome to The 9513! If you're interested in country music, be sure to subscribe to our feed or receive updates via email.
Trent Willmon - “Broken In”
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 the unconventional, simple way of thinking that makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Who needs a new truck if the old one still runs and who cares what the boots look like if they get the job done. Naw, they ain’t broke, they’re just broken in. Besides, there’s something a little sentimental about those old things that have been with you through it all. Willmon then turns around and relates those old things to himself and despite whatever flaws may exist, they only add a little character and he’s still worth something, which is something we all oughta be able to relate to.
It’s not overly polished and it rocks, but only slightly, allowing it to stand apart from most of the rock leaning country music and be an entertaining listen. I previously mentioned that it was one of the more auspicious efforts from Willmon’s album and consider it to be the kind of song that he would do well to continue recording.
Listen: Trent Willmon - “Broken In”
Popular Stuff
Sponsor
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.Tagged In This Article
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/ "...
9 Comments
RSS for comments on this post | Trackback URI for this post
April 4, 2008 at 11:06 am Permalink
I concur!
April 4, 2008 at 11:40 am Permalink
Just heard this one for the first time early this morning on Sirius 60 and thought to myself, “Man, that’s good. Hope the 9513 reviews it soon.” I liked it immediately, and I had never heard of the guy. Solid effort from Willmon, and yes, it would serve him well to continue on this path. Hope it does well for him.
April 4, 2008 at 1:30 pm Permalink
I like his new album a lot, this song in particular. Trent’s great and puts on a terrific live show. I saw him last July in Huntley, Montana, and can’t wait to see him with Ray Scott this July in Hanford, California!
April 4, 2008 at 3:49 pm Permalink
This is a top song from Trent but sadly he has thrown so many singles at Top 40 Country Radio over the last couple of years they’ve learned to completely ignore him. Another “market” weakness of this song is that the things Trent is getting sentimental about are “guy things” that the mostly female radio audience won’t relate to. If anything these women may harbor resentments against such items as old trucks and boots that their boyfriends and husbands have attachments to that the gals would like to see discarded. Its tough being a man’s man in the women’s world of mainstream country radio……
PS - I bought a DVD sampler of music videos produced by the Tailight TV folks in Nashville that included Trent’s “Dixie Rose Deluxe’s”. I absolutely love that song and music video…..
April 4, 2008 at 3:59 pm Permalink
OK. I have to say that I think that Trent is a very handsome, old fashioned looking man. I like his voice. I also like this song. I have only disliked two of his songs: “I’m A Beer Man”- which I just found to be ill-thought out and rather immature. I also disliked ” There Is A God.” This trend in country music to inject God into song is over play. I don’t mind a good song about faith, and when I die I want them to sing” I Saw The Light”, but just like Josh Turner’s ” Me and God” I find these song pander to a crowd that frankly I think may not think beyond simple ideas. There was a time you knew that you and the singer shared in faith, by the way that they sang a song, by the feelings they injected. Meanwhile I hope Trent continues in to record songs like “Broken In”- he sounds like a real man singing about who he really is.
April 7, 2008 at 9:51 pm Permalink
Trent Willmon is a top notch artist. I really like “The Good Life.” I could not get that song out of my head for a very long time when it first came out. The guitar is tremendous as is the whole fun nature of that song. I want to go to that lake right now! Another of his good songs is “On Again Tonight.” And contrary to Craig R, I think “Beerman” was pretty good, too. “Broken In” is another fine track. Trent Willmon deserves to be in the top ranks of country music. Hopefully this new album will help put him there.
April 12, 2008 at 5:29 pm Permalink
A few years ago we got to see Trent live at a fair in Pennsylvania. Very, very entertaining. And way over the head of most of the people there.
When you pull off a medley that includes AC/DC, Charile Daniels, Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, the soccer moms and senior citizens are going to be confused.
Trent was in great voice, the band sounded great. Trent is a really good guitar player and singer. I get the feeling that his talent still hasn’t been captured quite right in the studio. When you have his talent, and his looks, SOMEONE needs to figure out how to make this guy a bigger star.
June 18, 2008 at 4:19 pm Permalink
Trent’s new release is just what he needs to get back to the Nashville spotlight. The song ” doesn’t Mean I Dont Love you” is a sure fire smash hit. I first heard it on itunes adn then saw that he put it on his myspace. I agree that the infusion of God is become a bit much from every country artist but it still does not take away from what is overall a pretty solid album. I hope this is the launching pad back to the top for Trent. Good Luck.
July 27, 2008 at 5:30 pm Permalink
I’m glad you reviewed Trent, I’ve been a big fan of his for awhile, but notice that he doesn’t get any attention at all in the business. All of his albums have been consistently good, and the song “The Ropin’ Pen” is a real good fun little song I love to listen to often.
Leave a Comment