Grammy Gold Lasts Forever

When you win a Grammy, your life forever changes. When you are announced, die, reported on ... It's Grammy winning artist so-and-so ... It is the most prestigious award any musician can attain.

Like the Oscar, Emmy and Tony awards, the Grammy is from the entire music industry and makes a statement about the work. The Grammys has often been behind the trends since they first were given out in 1959.

The award itself is bigger and brighter than it was in the early days. It is not as easily broken as the original ones. Its importance only grows. The flavors of the day rarely get the Grammy attention that other awards show give out. Like the Oscars, some of the biggest artists are often overlooked, too. Elvis is probably the best example. He won for his religious songs, never for the popular ones. The Beach Boys never got a Grammy. The Stones have won two, Neil Diamond one, David Bowie one, The Who NONE, Garth Brooks two.

The big question for this 58th edition of Grammys ... How will the Chris Stapleton story continue? Will he beat out Taylor Swift for Album of the Year? I wouldn't think so, but this is a very odd year.

Might take a little bit to see who got the most buzz from the CRS event. Good PR jobs from the baby acts folks. Chris Janson is a very energetic act and was well received at the New Faces Show. You see artists come and go. All have a story. Of the ones I've met in last few years, I am rooting for Mo Pitney and Chris Janson ... rooting for a lot of them but those two deserve an extra push! And listen!!

The cancellation of the only Country festival for New York City is getting some buzz. The Village Voice wrote the biggest story but all the trades had something to say. The cancellation was caused simply by a ticket sales shortfall. The lineup was good but the word from Live Nation? Can't point to any specific reason.

The Dover Delaware Big Barrel festival is cancelled, too. Rumors are buzzing about some more festivals throwing in the towel as well.

With the stock market acting crazy, what about the economy and concert ticket sales? Actually very good for many already in pre-sale, so the concert business remains solid. But how do people find the money for all these great tours? Country music remains the hottest concert ticket. LIVE is still what it's all about.

Randy Travis sang some at a funeral recently. Great news! Travis had a near-fatal stroke in 2013.

Vince Gill's people have been doing a good job in rolling out his new CD. A pop-up store on Nashville's Broadway is getting plenty of attention as the album rolls out.

Thomas Rhett's star is growing by the day ... airplay in U.K. ... impressive ... Jason Aldean selling out festival show in Australia is equally impressive.

Back to The Grammys ... The Eagles' Glenn Frey tribute will be huge and if you are entering any trivia contest: remember Nashville's own Alison Krauss has 27 ... with Quincy Jones. Only person with more is Sir Georg Solti with 31. (Vince has 20 and is overall tied in 7th place with five others ... Vince has two more than McCartney!!!)