Platinum In The Pipeline

The seven days of the CMA are exhausting for everyone involved. The sheer number of performers is hard to wrap your logistics around: 500 performances!

Yes! The baby Country act parade is in full drive. Yes, there are some very promising young people trying to break out of their Country Kindergartens.

Not in order of importance but in order of who I can remember seeing, meeting and studying this week:

Mickey Guyton ... this is a very sharp tomato! Mickey is a seriously good singer and a pro. She is cool and charming. It's about the right song for her ... not if, but when! Touring right now with Brad Paisley. Saw her at the Hollywood Bowl last week and is smooth with a big voice! Impressive on the CMT red carpet, too. She is simply good. Country radio would be smart to latch on to this rising star.

Mo Pitney ... Country has grits! Good talker. Kind of like a young Alan Jackson but better at casual conversation. His songs are not BRO, but so strong lyrically. He's a good singer, very personable and for sure a rising star. Like Mickey, it's a when not if.

Brett Eldredge and Frankie Ballard are 100% on the right path. Both have their own style of Country that incorporates all the good stuff. Both are on the radio and having hits. Just saying, two excellent interviews and have it all together.

Too many to name now that I started. Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbury are still trying to find that right formula, but they deserve to win. Both need that career record! Nice people and I'm rooting for them!

There is ageism, racism, sexism and there always has been. In the end, it's hopefully about that great song that can't be ignored.

From the hanging in department ...Billy Ray Cyrus owned Fan Fair one year many years ago. He was back on the CMT red carpet pushing a new show there soon. Bill has always been a good guy. He is a survivor! Crazy family but don't we all!

Dean Carter is back and rolling, Hulk Hogan's daughter Brooke Hogan wants to have a Country music career; this is the week we see and hear it all.

The CMT show was fun as always. The hosts caught some social media flack as did a few of the acts. But that show pushes the envelope. So be it! I enjoyed the production, even though not every song. Arnold S, Tom Arnold and Steve Tyler with Alan Jackson was funny ... go find those comedy segments.

Playing the Hollywood Bowl is a great accomplishment for any artist. Brad Paisley played there for the second time last week. He rose to a new level. Brad is a multi-talented musician, video creator and entertainer. The sold-out Bowl left bigger fans too.

If you can ever see a show at the Bowl or the Greek Theatre in L.A., do it!

Jim Ed Brown is gone ... He was smooth as glass. Consumate pro ... TV host, radio star, hit-making singer. Jim Ed died this week, losing his battle with cancer. He was a 50 year veteran of the Opry.

Kenny Chesney playing the CMTs, then off to Charlotte and Saturday to Atlanta ... busy stars ... Rascal Flatts played the LP Field CMA concert, then left after midnight on the bus for three shows ... Brad Paisley out West all week but will fly in to close the show on Sunday. The fans are working and so are the stars on what is the most challenging week of the year in Music City.