With dozens of dates scheduled across America and Europe, the 2009/2010 New American Voices tour brings together two compelling artists for a night of good fun and great storytelling. Following in the footsteps and furthering the traditions of country icons like Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash, Drew Kennedy and Rodney Hayden—two of country music's most talented independent artists—combine their distinct artistic styles with the simple truths, emotional complexity and honky tonk attitude that binds all country music together. Each boasting a catalog of original material that has garnered critical praise throughout the industry, these two Texans (Hayden a native and Kennedy a Virginia-born transplant) are teaming up to bring their passionate, high-energy live shows to a single stage for an acoustic event that promises to be an unforgettable night of music. Sponsored by The9513.com (the web's premier country music blog), the New American Voices tour is one of the year's most unique can't-miss country concert events.
Rodney Hayden is country music's best-kept secret. Sure, he's already released four albums and has worked with legendary producer Tony Brown (George Strait, Gary Allan) and Texas music icon Robert Earl Keen (who once called Hayden a "double eagle, blackjack talent," adding, "[Hayden] makes me want to give up my night job"), but one listen to the music of this 29 year old Pleasanton, Texas native and you'll be left wondering how he's managed to fly under the radar since the release of his 2001 debut The Real Thing. With national media finally taking note, that "under the radar" status is about to change: Hayden has been given high praise by manstream outlets like Billboard, People Weekly and USA Today (the later calling him, "As solid as a well kept dancefloor"), and The9513.com's own Jim Malec went so far as proclaim, "Hayden's songwriting is so good at certain points that it's easy to forget you're [not] listening to the songs of a country music legend." Hayden's latest album, 12 Ounce World, showcases a combination of dancehall ditties like the album's title track, gorgeous waltzes and haunting country dirges like "Lonesome, Heartbroke and Blue," a song so chilling you'd swear it was pulled straight from the Hank Williams songbook.
With a smooth baritone delivery and a narrative voice that can be described as equal parts hillbilly philosopher and affected observer, Drew Kennedy is quickly making a name as one of country music's best independent singer/songwriters. After successfully releasing 2007's self-penned album Dollar Theatre Movie on Sustain Records, which featured guest vocals from Kelly Willis and her husband, the legendary songwriter Bruce Robison ("Angry All The Time," "Travelin' Soldier"), Kennedy is working with veteran Matt Powell on his next project, titled An Audio Guide To Cross Country Travel (currently scheduled for release in Summer 2009). An artist who cut his musical teeth on albums by Americana icons Guy Clark and Gram Parsons—with a bit of Dave Matthews and Ben Folds added to the mix for good measure—Kennedy's music has been lauded for its literary foundations and its keen insight, with The9513.com editor Brody Vercher calling it, "Melodically addicting and lyrically introspective. […] Kennedy is an acute observer of human interaction."
The 9513 is the web's premier country music blog, and a go-to resource for thousands of readers in search of the latest country music news, reviews and commentary. Our community includes artists, songwriters, radio DJs, promoters, label executives, and fans—all of whom come together on a daily basis to discuss and analyze every aspect of country music. The 9513 (pronounced "ninety-five thirteen") is 100% independent—which means that our content is never influenced by our advertisers or our industry connections. Because of that fact, our readers have come to rely on us for the most honest and uncensored country music perspective available anywhere—online or in print. Mainstream, Red Dirt, Texas Country, Americana, Bluegrass—whatever the style, we've got it covered. The 9513 is country music commentary the way it was meant to be—hard hitting, thorough, insightful and always entertaining.
