Country Music Blog Rodeo: Music & Touring in 2013

A new year is upon us and that can only mean one thing…new music is heading your way! What can you expect from the country music scene in 2013? Will pop-country dominate the charts again or will traditional country experience a resurgence?  Will Kenny be the king of the tour circuit this summer or will King George take his final crown? Country Music Pride is excited to share our thoughts on 2013’s most promising developments including top tours, new albums/singles, rising stars and seasoned artists set to return to the stage.

The dedicated staff at Country Music Pride is thrilled to be a part of the inaugural Country Music Blog Rodeo, sharing our brand of music-loving witticism with the blogosphere! Country Music News Blog graciously invited top independent country music blogs across the U.S. (and even a couple across the pond) to participate in the first ever Blog Rodeo. Through individual posts, links and social sharing, we’re coming together to chat about what we all love most…country music! Each site will be discussing what’s to come in 2013 for the country music scene. 2013 promises to be big for country music artists, fans, bloggers and the industry at large.

Our Voice is Your Voice in 2013!

Country Music Pride is “proud” to deliver the voice of the fans…passionate music lovers who delight in live music, cry when they hear their favorite old song on the radio or sing along at the top of their lungs to a track in the shower.  Contrary to the name, Country Music Pride is not just about country music—we’re also about bluegrass, folk, alt-country, Americana and a fair amount of classic rock—but most of all, we’re about love. We strive to deliver music from every niche of country music: the pop songstresses, the gritty red dirt road Texans, the southern rockers and the iconic legends who made us all fall in love with the genre in the first place. In 2013, you can expect full coverage from CMP on the artists you love! Please let us know in the comments who you are excited to see or hear from in 2013! We will write an exclusive on the artist who garners the most interest from you! Without further ado, our writers are thrilled to present to you what’s to come in 2013!

 

**The Mayans may have predicted the world to end in 2012 but us country music fans knew better; we knew the only world domination that would occur would be a complete country music takeover. From the most award shows to the most winners of reality singing competitions, the largest fan base to largest generated ticket sales, Country Music is unstoppable and gaining more and more momentum in the new year!

A little recap… when closing out 2012 we were introduced to ABC’s country music based television hit “Nashville.” A new country music star was born on FOX as Tate Stevens took home a $5 million recording contract on “The X Factor.” On NBC, Blake Shelton did it again by mentoring country prodigy Cassidy Pope, winning the coveted title on “The Voice.” Let’s not forget to mention the CMT Awards, CMA Awards, ACM awards, CMT Artists of the Year, iHeart Radio Music Festival, 5 country-themed Christmas specials, the Grammy nominations, and a countrified Rockin’ New Years Eve. Honestly, as the ball dropped in Times Square this year I think even “Auld Lang Syne” was sung with a little country twang.

We “Cruise”d into 2013 with newcomers Florida Georgia Line and their powerhouse single–without a doubt one of my top resolutions is to see these guys in concert! Their new album is a toast to their success appropriately titled “Here’s to the Good Times,” and if you haven’t listened to it yet you are missing out on the party. The boys of FL/GA Line have also hit the road this year joining Thompson Square on Luke Bryan’s “Dirt Road Diaries Tour.” Other big tours to watch out for in 2013 are Kenny Chesney’s “No Shoes Nation Tour” with Eric Church and Eli Young Band, Jason Aldean’s “Night Train Tour” with Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban’s Tour with Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch, Little Big Town’s “Tornado Tour” with Kacey Musgraves and David Nail, Miranda Lambert’s “Locked and Loaded Tour” with Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts’ “Changed Tour” with The Band Perry, Taylor Swift’s “Red Tour” with Ed Sheeran (who, OK, isn’t really country but just go with it), Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away Tour” with Hunter Hayes. Finally, last but certainly not least, most incredible yet bittersweet news for country fans everywhere, the legendary George Strait begins his perfectly titled farewell– “Cowboy Rides Away Tour” with Martina McBride.  But wait there’s MORE! … Seriously, I’m not kidding, 2013 also has plans for some of the biggest festivals ever including Country Thunder with dates in Florence, AZ and Twin Lakes, WI, Stagecoach in Indio, CA, the amazing CMA Music Fest in Nashville, TN, and any other party across the US with good friends, good beer, and a set of speakers.

So let’s get this “Strait” (pun intended), country music has taken over major television networks, there are 10 major Country Music tours playing throughout 2013 all over the US and Canada, and you have at least 3 reasons to save your new set of paid vacation days for country festivals; not to mention non-stop new music from all of your favorite artists? Mayans you could not have been more wrong! The world was never going to end in 2012, it was just going to get a little less Pop, a little less Rock, a little less Rap, and A LOT more COUNTRY in 2013 and for many more years to come.–CMP Writer, Sarah

 

**2013 is sure to be an unforgettable year for country music. Mega stars Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert propelled country music to the forefront of the entertainment arena in 2012. I expect the powerhouse trio to continue their world domination in the new year! Debuting this spring, Ashley Monroe’s album “Like A Rose” (produced by Vince Gill) should be added to your must-listen list. Ashley may be best known as a member of Pistol Annies but her magical voice and prolific songwriting abilities are set to make her a breakout star in 2013. Other notable albums delivering delicious musical goods in 2013 include Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell’s “Old Yellow Moon” and Kris Kristofferson’s melancholy yet moving “Feeling Mortal.” Live music is the foundation for many music fans and 2013 will not disappoint. Luke Bryan is shaping up to be the new king of summertime, selling out his “Dirt Road Diaries” shows in record time. Luke may have some competition from fellow Georgian, Zac Brown. The Southern Ground Music and Food Festival is a masterful sensory experience, combining world class fare with top caliber live music. Last year Zac and the boys delighted two cities with the SGMFF. Let’s hope more cities can enjoy this insanely awesome music fest in 2013!–Contributing Editor, Amanda

 

**Be sure to check back later this week as we add perspectives from more CMP staffers!

 

Blog Rodeo Roundup: See What Everyone Else Is Saying About Country Music in 2013!

 

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