Even with a fairly spotty posting schedule and a whole week off at the end, November 2010 was our biggest month for pageviews since April/May of 2009. Pageviews aren't the most reliable of metrics because they can be inflated pretty easily by constant reloading (during live blogs, for instance) and search engine bots that pull a bunch of pages at once. Unique visitors are a better indicator, and that's one area where we've grown slowly but surely month to month from the very beginning. By that … [Read more...]
A Birthday and a Giveaway
April 28, 2010 by 5 Comments
Happy Birthday Any jerk can start a blog, but it takes a particular kind of jerk to keep one going for two years. I recently became that kind of jerk. Country California began in late April of 2008, and here we are in late April of 2010. Over the last two years, I've become less precious about this blogging thing - less concerned with how I might be perceived, more willing to simply be myself and suffer the consequences. If I lose interest in a particular feature, I'll stop doing it until … [Read more...]
Findings of Our Reader Survey
December 31, 2009 by 3 Comments
A few surveys are still trickling in - and we'd still like to read yours if you haven't sent it yet - but, for the most part, it seems like you're done. The response was better than anticipated, so thanks to all who answered the call. Here's a quick summary of our findings: 1. Words that showed up a lot in descriptions of the site: funny informative sarcastic/snarky/dry unique/unusual/quirky/insane/original/clever 2. Quotable Country is the site's most popular feature, followed … [Read more...]
Reader Survey 2009
December 21, 2009 by 2 Comments
What have we done well in 2009? Where is there still room for improvement? Which regular features should definitely stay? Which ones need to go? Is it time to call a moratorium on Bucky Covington mustache jokes? These and other matters of concern to the future of Country California are up for discussion in our annual reader survey. It shouldn't take but a couple minutes to complete, and your feedback will be greatly appreciated. No personally identifying information will be collected, so go … [Read more...]
CMA Awards: What Do You Say, West Coast?
November 11, 2009 by 4 Comments
I like giving those out on the West Coast something to do during the show, but it's unclear if I'll actually be able to watch the live broadcast this time around. I'd still be up for hosting a live blog/chat and offering quips on the show I'm not seeing, as well as general comments on the meaning of life. Perhaps one or two people who will definitely be watching the show (in this time zone) would like to try their hand at live commentary? It's easy, I promise. Let me know if you want to give … [Read more...]
I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide
November 5, 2009 by 12 Comments
... but I'm also more popular in some states than I am in others. The heat map at right shows where U.S. visitors came from in the month of October: the darker the green, the more visitors sent by that state. Predictably, the list is topped by Texas, California, and Tennessee, but I'm more interested in the states at the bottom end. Here's a list of the lowest-charting states, along with a snide remark about each which will hopefully bring proud citizens over in droves, saving these … [Read more...]
My First Year at The 9513
October 23, 2009 by 11 Comments
It's true: I'm just enough of a dork to keep track of these anniversaries. Yesterday marked one year since my first appearance in that Roman Coliseum of country music blogs, The 9513. For those who missed some of them the first time around, here's an index of the 30 articles I've written over there to date. October 2008 Album Review: Melonie Cannon - And the Wheels Turn November 2008 Jason Michael Carroll - "Where I'm From" Richie McDonald - "How Do I Just Stop" December 2008 Album … [Read more...]
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