Grammy-Palooza On The Left Coast

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville.

Since I am in California, I think I should be high-tech. I am dictating this story on my mini iPad.

If you're going to be here all party weekend, I guess you have to party. Just pulled a 24-hour day flying out from Nashville, hanging around backstage at the Jimmy Kimmel show, Going to see Little Big Town at a sold-out show at the Wiltern Theater.

Twenty-four hours on the clock is too much at this point. But we press on.

Saw Tim McGraw on Jimmy Kimmel; he's had a real big week. From New Orleans to San Diego to all the big TV shows in Southern California, Tim's trying to get a big release week for his new album.

You will never call Tim McGraw lazy; this guy is one competitor. He outdid himself on Ellen; got a ton of publicity when she tricked him into saying he wasn't wearing any underwear. That's the first thing I told him, that it was a trick, but it all worked out well. If you have not sampled this new album, please do ... it is really, really good.

My favorite part about being friends with Tim McGraw is that he is still a good guy. He's a loyal friend, hard-working and still so excited about his music. Check out those crowds of ladies ... still very loyal fans.

My final comment about music this week involves Little Big Town. I have seen so many of their appearances on television or backstage when they open for somebody, but man, this group continues to get better and better. This is their first headlining show and the sound was so full and nearly perfect. Again. some of the nicest people in all of the music business. at the end of the day I guess you don't have to be, but it sure is a bonus.

Their pontoon song has given this group another lease on life. They are really so different from Lady Antebellum; both groups are fantastic ... Little Big Town has a bigger, stronger, fuller and more soulful sound. Make sure you go out and see them even if you've already seen them ... watching in 2013 you will see Little Big Town is unique and fantastic.

The Grammys can often be life-changing for one of the winners. The credibility, the status change ... a big deal. Dierks Bentley getting one of the big shots on the show, singing with Miranda Lambert.

Five minutes on international television to nearly 1 billion people ... that's big!

"American Idol" is going along ... Keith Urban is doing a good job with the show, buuuuuut ... it's sort of boring me. Still, I'm trying to get into it. I wish them well, but I'm not crazy about this judge panel.

Meanwhile, in the late-night wars ... I'd sure some Country artists are having trouble trying to decide whether they do Leno or Jimmy Kimmel. For now, I think you can do both, as both have been loyal to the Country music stars, but Jimmy Kimmel is one hot show. Jimmy reflects the times, purposely has your audience and I guarantee you that's where most Country artists are going to want to be.

Sure keep hearing about a lot of changes going on in the world of radio .... The goals of the owners sure don't seem to be the goals of the employees. So the bosses want to take radio to where it hasn't gone in 75 years. Of course, there have been changes but I still think one thing is true -- you have to be local and you have to have people who are trusted by the community that you serve. Your shows need benchmarks ... they need times to be able to tune in to get information ... I have they have satellite radio, and my iPad and iPhone if I want to hear music ... Hiring people costs money, but so does everything worth having. Waking up with somebody on the radio is a unique love.

This new generation has new needs, but I still don't think you can break the rules. Just because you say it so doesn't mean it's going to be so ...

Love you and see you at the Grammys...