An Exhausting First Week...

2015 has been exhausting and it's only a few days old. Usually things sort of ramp up slowly but situations created a "get dressed and go..."

The weather went into the deep freeze once New Year's left ... A Country Music Hall of Fame member and Opry great died after a short illness. Then the press releases and early promo pushes started and we are rolling...

The death of Little Jimmy Dickens ... he was one of the most beloved persons in Nashville history. Much like his friend Minnie Pearl, Little Jimmy had a long career and made no enemies! Imagine anyone in radio ever saying that ... it is rare in any business! The send-off was like only Nashville can ... a Country Music State Funeral.

Brad, Vince and Carrie along with Hall of Fame member Connie Smith provided the emotional energy, and the Opry staged a beautiful event seen around the world and multiple websites for radio and TV. It was with the greatest respect that a tribute of this level is given. He created a hole that can not be filled. An American original. Read about him; you too will be amazed at his life story. You can watch the highlights in video section of wsmv.com.

Garth Brooks has a big week most every week now that he is back in the game. Got a Platinum record for the new project while he was doing all four hours of the Today show. This weekend he starts the seven shows in his hometown of Tulsa. Not sure when he sleeps.

Backing up to New Years ... ever watched all that stuff from the West Coast? You have to watch CNN or FOX News to get things live and the main networks try to fake their way with you outside of their primary focus of NYC. It is odd to try and watch.

Blake Shelton got the first Gold record of the year with Neon Light. The big news of the week involved Blake getting to sing and host Saturday Night Live January 24th. Overdue by a year probably, but welcomed and I bet the ratings will be good ... If bored sometime, go to HULU and call up some old SNL shows with Dolly or Johnny Cash. The Dolly show especially funny.

Garth had a funny one, too, with that Mango character showing romantic interest.

SNL is one of those bucket list things few in Country have ever been able to do ... NYC rarely gets Country despite all the efforts to educate...

Did you see the video that went viral this week? The famous mash-up where many Country songs seem to sound alike ... here is the link: http://youtu.be/FY8SwIvxj8o

You know they sped up and did some jiggering to them ... still it is fascinating ... and maybe if true, more than a little a sad picture painted about much of what is out for human consumption under the current rules of engagement.

Alan Jackson got his tour underway ... several others in the week ahead ... so here we go...

Brad Paisley's Perfect Storm made it to #1 ... and the race is on. -7 wind chill this week in Nashville ... ready for Spring, anyone???