Coming Around For The Home Stretch

Labor Day without Jerry Lewis ... still doesn't seem right. Labor Day, the last great weekend of Summer. Hollywood has always run from it and college football has now embraced it.

Country music uses it to wind the spring for Fall. One big festival this weekend in Panama City, FL, then it's reboot for Fall.

Fall used to be the advance push for the holiday album sales season but with the Internet and every other change, the calendar seems to be playing a lesser role. Disney pushed out the Stars Wars new toys this weekend instead of waiting for the holiday shopping season. When do you ever remember this happening?

The Summer and the stadiums and festivals are the center focus for making money in this world today. One big tour is already getting ready to sell tickets for next Spring.

Music Row will be flooded with promotion and spin after the CMA nominations come out September 9th. The jockeying for nominations is an art even for the veteran Oscar marketers. The Nashville labels like wins, but will take a nomination for a baby act.

The CMA's relationship with ABC is strong but I am glad to see some of the artists going over the NBC's Today Show instead of just GMA/The View/Kelly. Can't just have Country artists on ABC! Need some different approaches and audiences. The Today Show in ratings are coming back. And look for Toby Keith on the opening week of the Late Show with Colbert. Many folks in all the industries will be watching to see exactly what that show is going to be. Willie Nelson the only Country act on week two.

Brad Paisley starting out the Fall with a new song and video "Country Nation." New Fall college tour and plenty of TV from Tonight to Today and ESPN's Gameday. Lots of eyeballs when you add up those audiences. Brad and Carrie back hosting CMA with their annual promo shoot coming up soon.

Carrie's Sunday Night football opening coming in a few days ... Brad has the CBS college game and ESPN likes a song called "History" with Lauren Alaina. Country music is the soundtrack of America!

On that subject ... check out the Guardian newspaper on line ... out of the U.K. You get some nice Country coverage from this. Big blog on Carrie and "Smoke Break." They love it and love her. The blog is more than that ... They are no huge fans of Bro Country products.

Here is the link: