Happening Ten Years Time Ago

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville

I doubt many remember that Yardbirds song, but I saw them play on top of a flatbed truck Montgomery International Speedway back in the '60s. Jimmy Page and I spoke for a while after the band arrive ... He was cool. Led Zeppelin came along a few years later and he became a rock God ...You never know who these folks will be on the way up...

Ten years time ago, a 14-year-old skinny blonde girl with a big box guitar and her stage mom were knocking on doors on Music Row. It was not an overnight success story but close to it ... Last night she closed down Hollywood Blvd and as the Goodyear Blimp flew overhead. She sang on national TV. One of the coolest parts of working in Nashville is watching a normal person become a star. Maybe not normal or regular, but watching a person become a star.

Keith Urban showed up at Tootsie's downtown bar last night and played with the house band. A cool thing to do. Sort of a rare thing these days. Music Row has changed and Nashville, too ... The old Stockyard Bullpen lounge was THE spot in the '80s and early '90s. Amazing band and stars stopping in all the time. Owned by producer Buddy Killen. Some of the best times ever in that club.

The award season is here ... final voting for CMA and AMA underway. Even the People's Choice voting is ongoing. Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert seem to be the early predictable headlines. Cole Swindell is getting a big PR push and may break out in this award time.

The current class of Country stars are really on fire in sales.. FGL and Jason Aldean with #1 album projects recently. Luke on Nightline didn't sound to thrilled with the term Bro Country. Found it derogatory. I don't think it is often said with love. He may be right. Labels can sting. But these guys with their styles are crying all the way to the bank.

The "Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me" was one of the best documentaries ever. One of the best movies I've seen. Why? It's filled with great music ... funny ... sad ... intense ... makes you squirm ... cry ... laugh out loud a few times. What movie gives you all that in 100 minutes? A rare gem.

Not a sad film but touching. What a career! And the bravery to go out and try to do and accomplish 151 or so shows. Insane. But they did it!!

The Icon label and station creation is something to watch. The plan assumes the current state of teen Country ... Bro Country ... will continue.

The urban markets and the suburbs/rural America is so rapidly changing. Country should reflect the changes. The older and more conservative Country fans aren't as thrilled about the FGL and Bro stuff. Still not sure where all this is going. Movie companies are having trouble with the same thing. Audience tastes have never been easily predictable. Just ask all the people who said no to Taylor Swift, Randy Travis and The Judds.

Oh yeah ... in case you want to go back in time...