I'm Never EVER Buying Lime-Green Tennis Shoes!

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville.

We had Beyonce-Gate this week ... God forbid a great singer was called out for lip-syncing. Trying to explain that subject to non-industry people is similar to explaining the need for men to wear makeup on television. Challenging topic.

Go to YouTube and watch all the great American Bandstand lip-syncing ... maybe all did it for decades. Then find a show and awards show where EVERYONE is live ... vocals and backup. All live is rare and sometimes stupid to try. The Super Bowl is one place for sure ... Lip-sync or live vocal and band is tracked. Sure did get a lot of TV time and ink. Ridiculous. Wolf Blitzer wears makeup! So what!

Then Blake Shelton had to stamp out a fire. He basically said old people don't buy music recorded by and for young people. That is not a Ben Franklin observation. It's more of a well, duh ...

But let's back up: The interview was on GAC and here is what Blake said: "Country music has to evolve in order to survive. Nobody wants to listen to their grandpa's music. And I don't care how many of these old farts around Nashville going, "My God, that ain't Country!" Well that's because you don't buy records anymore, jackass. The kids do, and they don't want to buy the music you were buying."

That sent the protectors of all things old off the scale ... I'm not giving publicity to the website but a classic Country website got folks like Ray Price all stirred up ... doubtful that Ray read the entire passage -- just the old farts part:

"Every now and then some young artist will record a rock and roll type song, have a hit first time out with kids only. This is why you see stars come with a few hits only and then just fade away believing they are God's answer to the world. This guy sounds like in his own mind that his head is so large no hat ever made will fit him. Stupidity Reigns Supreme!!!!!!! Ray Price (CHIEF "OLD FART" & JACKASS")"

Blake issued an apology ... he could have worded his comments a little more carefully... but he is right about generational musical differences. We are all guilty of it. Just have to check yourself when you do it ...

Here's Blake: "Whoa!!! I heard I offended one of my all-time favorite artists Ray Price by my statement 'Nobody wants to listen to their grandpa's music.' And probably some other things from that same interview on GAC Backstory. I hate that I upset him. The truth is my statement was and STILL is about how we as the new generation of Country artists have to keep re-inventing Country music to keep it popular. Just EXACTLY the way Mr. Price did along hid [sic] journey as a mainstream Country artist. Pushing the boundaries with his records. "For The Goodtimes" is a perfect example with the introduction of a bigger orchestrated sound in Country music. It was new and awesome!!! I absolutely have no doubt I could have worded it better (as always ha!) and I apologize to Mr. Price and any other heroes of mine that it may offended. I meant every word I said. Country music is my life and it's [sic] future AND past is important to me. I'll put my [love] and respect and knowledge about it up against anybody out there. ANYBODY."

I love Ray Stevens take on all this: "I just heard Blake Shelton's remarks about 'old farts and jackasses' and all I want to know is how he found out the title to my next single because it's been a closely guarded secret here at the 'Home.' It will be available on vinyl or 8-track at your nearest Tower Records store."

2013 and we are all a bit sensitive ... lip-sync horror ... generational differences in music tastes ... women in combat ... gun control ... we need a vacation and it's just 20-something days into the new year!

A big salute to everyone on Tim McGraw's team ... especially Tim. He has passed through a muddy patch of road and gone to the car wash. Things look so much better. This new CD of his is his best. As a whole, his best work.

Randy Houser and Gary Allan have excellent CDs just out. Things are starting out great musically this year. Now we just all need to get along:)...

I'm still never going to buy those lime-green shoes in the Nike store. Old fart or not!