Watch Where You Step!

Most smart business types try to stay away from controversy. Some subjects are very polarizing and like electric fences, you need to stay clear. Politics would be one. Abortion another. Gun control issues ... oh yeah.

Last week, The National Rifle Association rolled into town and broke attendance records. Alan Jackson and Hank Williams, Jr. played to enthusiastic audiences and I never saw a negative word from anyone.

Then you have Tim McGraw's decision to play for the Sandy Hook Promise concert this summer. Founded by the families who lost children in that mass shooting inside an elementary school. What could be controversial about that? Well, apparently a lot!

Go to Twitter and put in Tim McGraw Sandy Hook ... or go to an online publication called The Shotgunnews.com. Who knows how many people read these things, but it hasn't been pretty. Just check it out. Maybe no one knew it was going to be a controversial booking. I sure had no idea. The gun enthusiast side is very upset. Probably best to let this calm down rather than talk about it, since both sides can't hear because they are yelling too loudly. Tim did issue this statement on his motivations:

"Let me be clear regarding the concert for Sandy Hook given much of the erroneous reporting thus far. As a gun owner, I support gun ownership. I also believe that with gun ownership comes the responsibility of education and safety -- most certainly when it relates to what we value most, our children. I can't imagine anyone who disagrees with that.

"Through a personal connection, I saw first-hand how the Sandy Hook tragedy affected families and I felt their pain. The concert is meant to do something good for a community that is recovering."

Tim is a good man ... big heart. Hate to see any our stars hit with online haters. Like the inflamed issues of race in this country, immigration and a few others. You do have to walk so carefully when you depend on the public to make a living. People go so fast half-cocked with social media ... write first and think later. It is the way things roll today. Just ask the Dixie Chicks their thoughts today on the handling of hot button issues. You can't un-ring a bell. The media has not gone to the next level with this ... stay tuned.

The alcohol abuse currently in vogue among many country music fans is going to be an issue again this outdoor music season. If you saw the Spring Break coverage from Panama City, expect a spin off coming to a show near you. Shows fueled by booze better have an action plan if things get crazy like they did in Panama City this year. $90 million in revenue is on the table right now as some city father talk of shutting Spring Break down. Over a 100 arrests, gang rapes, guns ...Nasty business. Google the concert-related problems in the last two years in Cleveland, Upstate NY, Boston and Pittsburgh. Country shows did not leave those places with a positive taste in their mouths. Big money and also a big mess.

One current thing seems to be the drunks throwing things at the stage. Beer cans at Ingram Farms Opelika, Jason Aldean hit in the head stopping the show, Dustin Lynch hit in the mouth late last year. Baseball cuts the booze off at some point so people can sober up. Ignoring the situation may kill the goose that laid the golden egg. Someone needs a plan. Doing nothing is not a plan.

The ACM's pre-show is really a must-see this year ... A one-of-a-kind spectacular possibly never to be repeated again. The cost of doing this is biblical! Over $2 million for just the rigging. Can't imagine the rest. It should be a great historic gathering.

On the way to the ACMs, a scare for Lady A's Hillary Scott. Her tour bus caught fire. Burned up! Everyone is alright ... Hillary, her husband, driver and I think her tour manager. Again reminds everyone that travel is the hidden danger of show business. Trace Adkins crew, Miley Cyrus, Gloria Estefan ... too many others have seen close calls in traffic accidents and fires. The road can be unforgiving.

Garth Brooks now over two million tickets sold since he got back in the game. He may not be a BRO, but he is DA MAN!