CMT Is On Fire

The words of Jayson Dinsmore, one of the big bosses at CMT. The network told advertisers and the rest of us about their new programming plans and I'm not sure what this means for Country music.

Billy Ray Cyrus will play an Elvis impersonator in a CMT comedy; Kellie Pickler is the subject of something that sounds like a reality series and a cast member of the old Chelsea Lately; Josh Wolf is getting CMT's first late-night "talk" show.

This is all going to take time to sink in. The Josh Wolf Show sounds interesting ... It will run from Wednesday to Saturday. Odd non-traditional scheduling but hitting two days with minimal talk show competition. To say the least, that world is super-crowded with new guys right now.

CMT is doing what a regular network does. Scripted comedy, reality shows and talk. It has to be the most money on programming ever spent by Viacom on CMT. A network that used to run JUST music videos.

Will they keep the shows already on the air? Not sure. Will these shows be Nashville based? Don't know. How does Country music fit into all this? Don't know.

Viacom before this announcement had some layoffs. A few good people lost their jobs at CMT Nashville. What really is going on at CMT? Doubling down at a time of weakness? Maybe. These are ambitious moves. If they work, huge consequences. All ships rise at high tide. If they fail? Lets not think about that today.

How about that new music streaming service where Jason Aldean is on stage with Beyonce for the unveiling, TIDAL.

They are ready to fight APPLE with all their money? Good luck on that experiment. Like CMT, double down and go for it when you can.

Maybe Kenny Chesney can practice the double-down theory in Vegas this weekend as he plays in the intimate The Joint at the Hard Rock ... 4,500 seats is not a big catch for KC and his folks. Maybe the show is just a great place to have fun because it sure sounds like that is going to take place ... Pool parties pre-concert?

Sounds like T R O U B L E!!! Watch out for Wayne Newton and Carrot Top busting a move!

Final Four weekend ... basketball ... Easter baskets ... long week that includes Easter Monday for our Canadian friends.

The first quarter of 2015 is done. "Little Red Wagon" and "Girl Crush" stand out as the most memorable songs for any upcoming award ballot. Winter was a rough one for most in the U.S. Real rough for many. Spring Break in March was biblically bad in Panama City. A rocky year so far but with warmer weather, fasten your seat belts and watch how this concert season blasts off.

April, May and especially June will blow the doors off with The Rolling Stones and Kenny Chesney hitting their after-burners! The big show in Baton Rouge as Taylor Swift roars into the lower 48.

The Bro-Country gang won't be sitting still and the unfrozen NE and Upper Midwest folks will go nuts at the festivals ... there are more outdoor festivals than EVER in 2015.

Let the games begin! This week Chesney in Vegas and Brad Paisley on a farm near Auburn University.

Toadlick (look it up) near Dothan, Alabama ...Tortuga on Florida's SE coast ... and on and on....

Fasten your seat belts and lower your tray tables to an upright and locked position ... We are landing ... It's time to PARTY!!!