Taylor Swift For President ... What's Left?

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville.

It would kill many on Music Row to do this, BUT factor out Taylor Swift from 2011s digital sales, concert sales, CD sales, etc. It might tell a different picture.

After watching the 60 Minute profile on Taylor, how can anyone still be a hater? Her accomplishments are Garth and Elvis-like. To her fans and nine million Twitter followers, she is Elvis! If you missed her show, shame on you as a professional. It was a cultural phenomenon. The DVD comes close, but you had to be there to watch the faces and hear the love. It has been an absolute pleasure watching her grow.

There are others on the runway. I'm don't think they will have a similar tsunami effect, but their stars are on the rise. 2012 will be another growing year for Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean. Two young guns with bright futures. They are A-listers but I'm not sure who is after those guys.

It was weird not seeing and hearing Alan Jackson and George Strait on the CMAs. I'm not sure why. A vacation, that's okay ... forever? I hope not. They are the Redwood trees of this format. Redwoods are cherished even after they fall over as one recently did.

I loved seeing Reba, Faith and Martina during CMA week. Working the interviews and singing. Sara Evans in that bunch, too. Girl power is strong on Music Row. Hope they all have huge 2012s.

The CMA Music Festival is not Fan Fair. Both were great. The Music Festival is a huge success from a corporate and attendance standpoint. It is its on thing. Maybe you never can go back to Fan Fair, but you would sure hope the autographs and up-close personal moments will keep happening. The ones that did in the convention center in 2011 were electric. Personal contact. Or at least the potential of sets Country apart from everything else.

The White House bringing Country music again to the national spotlight. Second time for a big showcase recently with The Band Perry, Lauren Alaina, Dierks, Darius, Lyle, Kris, Alison and legend/inspiration James Taylor.

Coming up Dec 1st, Rodney Atkins across the street from the White House for the lighting of the national Christmas tree ... Faith Hill at Rock Center for that one. Career photos for their future life stories. Important events for the memory bank.

I hope Keith Urban's vocal cords are healing. I'm sure he and Adele will be good as new. The medical knowledge on vocal problems just keeps getting better.

What will the 2012 version of Alabama music sound like and will radio take it? This is a big bone to pick. Is the format going to be a teen-driven format or can Vince Gill, Alabama, Alan Jackson and other co-exist? If they can't, then this ship that brought the golden egg may sink. Yes, sink.

Teen Country is for the most part not really Country. This all survives like a swamp or a mountain-fed river ... very carefully. Our eco-system is getting way too corporate, way too teeny bopper. Balance and broad-mindedness is needed.

If not, may those Spotify jukeboxes do win.

Spotify can't tell you about the tornado coming down the block. Radio will survive if it does what made it last this long. Some things don't and can't change.