Ch ... Ch ... Ch ... Changes

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville.

David Bowie had a hit talking about CHANGES ... and we have no shortage of those in Music City. Another CRS has come and gone and there was plenty of something old alongside something new.

Vince Gill leaving MCA after 23 years was sort of a surprise. No idea what his plans are right now.

That class of '88-'89 is going through a good bit of change right now ... go look at the list ... 23 years in this business is a long time.

All the more amazing to see George Strait who thought it was important to show up for CRS. Alan Jackson working the lunch crowd. Jason Aldean working a reception. Miranda schmoozing Thursday and making a lot of starstruck DJs very happy.

The family reunion, next job search convention is an interesting mix of good education and cocktails. No shortage of new talent coming in every room. Not sure who broke through the ceiling just yet.

What is quite clear: Lady A and Jason Aldean are in the top-of-the-game lists. No question.

The guard has changed and will continue to evolve especially behind the scenes where minor to major earthquakes are expected throughout this year with consolidation in every business.

Lionel Richie worked the CRS hard. The new CD with all the Country stars is fantastic. Kenny's Chesney's "My Love" and Tim McGraw's "Stuck On You" are standouts ...but all 13 cuts are great. Shania and Lionel, Jason and Lionel, Buffett and Lionel. Tuskegee will be marketed with not just radio, but TV and every other means. It is a worldwide release that could really open new markets for Country stars currently unknown where Lionel remains one of the greats. Make sure you sit and listen and enjoy that CD in March.

In early March, the mystery selection process for the Country Music Hall of Fame will reveal again its picks. Political ... oh yeah! The L.A. Times tried to figure out who the Oscar voters were and got some interesting revelations. I wish someone would uncover this process!

These folks are NOT in the Country Music Hall of Fame; some of these left out are almost shamefully done so:

Ronnie Milsap (!!!) and Kenny Rogers are the two biggest. Anne Murray, Eddie Rabbitt, Johnny Horton, Tanya Tucker, The Oak Ridge Boys, just to name a few. Doesn't Milsap have like 40 #1s? And Kenny? Let's hope this gets fixed this year!