Summer of 2013: Week One

Jimmy Carter on the road

Alright here we go this summer of 2013 is upon us. In Nashville normally we don't declare summer until fanfare/CMA music Fest week. This year is an exception; we're all ready for summer to begin.

We didn't have much of a spring, o there are high hopes for this summer. My hotel over friends in Panama City Florida stated bookings are very strong for the summer so maybe the economy has picked up.

Kenny Chesney is in Milwaukee this weekend, so that's a good start for the Wisconsin gang. Next week the huge Bayou country fest in Baton Rouge. Check ticket prices out lately for those who actually have to buy a ticket? The aftermarket prices for things like the Bayou Superfest $ 169 for nosebleed $ 381 for a two day pass on the floor ... Paul McCartney this weekend in Orlando, the best seats were maybe an average of $381. And those figures are each, so times two if you're taking a date! Looks like we may to moonlight a second job to be able to go to many concerts this summer. The price the talent charges and the price we pay for tickets way over-the-top, but as long as people keep paying, it'll stay that way

How about the "Idol" mess? Would radio really going to get behind Kree Harrison if she's the one? The answer to that is I don't think so ... Keith Urban actually wants to be a judge again next season. He did a good job but that show is a mess.

There will be a huge shoot-out on television this Sunday night. Cannibalism from the programmers! The ACM Tim McGraw special on CBS versus the NBC's Celebrity Apprentice versus the ABC Billboard Music Awards ... My DVR can catch one, but won't be up to catch both. I'm afraid NBC is in for one big beating, I like Donald and company. but I don't think it can handle the competition.

Have we seen anything like the Luke Bryan career situation? We have certainly had artist work their way up and then get hot ... But this guy it's unbelievable ... It's happened really over a two-year period. You saw the college girls get all screaming and hollering about two years ago. Yeah, the PR push from his label and publicist and everything has come together, from the awards to the physical sales to the concert sales.. The price he is charging for concerts is almost in the land of Kenny Chesney. It was a race between Aldean, Church and Luke Bryan, but Luke has pulled out in front of the pack 3 to 1 ... It has been fun to watch and I'm not sure when he reaches the top ... Walmart picked up Luke this week to perform at the shareholders meeting in Fayetteville.

Can the people who are preparing interviews for Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert take out the, "When are you going to get pregnant"questions? Those questions are really deserved for their mothers and then even then it's probably nobody's business.

One of the big things for 2013 will surely be the weekend of December 5th when Carrie Underwood sings "The Sound Of Music" three hours live on NBC.

Meanwhile, we got the summer of 2013 to get started; you better fasten your seatbelts. I's going to be hot -- and let's hope it's going to be fun.. I'm going to Alaska in a couple of weeks; that should be interesting!