Under The Spell Of Garth Brooks

For 27 years, Garth Brooks has been casting a spell on Music Row. His album sales were landmarks. Multiple Diamond selling albums! The Beatles have sold more than Garth but that's it. No matter how the accountants slice that pie, it's in a class of its own.

Garth played the Mother Church of Country Music this week. His first time. He is the kind of Country star who walks the walk and talks the talk when it comes to Country music history and tradition. He's not alone, but he is King Kong in the Country world with second place very far away.

Garth was intimidated by the Ryman's history... any good thinking wannabe artist would be scared, but hopefully not paralyzed. Garth slow-faded onstage a few minutes past the

8 o'clock hour. The speculation about the first song grew as showtime approached. If you had 1,000 guesses, most likely you would fail. "Country Bumpkin" by Cal Smith, a #1 song from 1974. Was the Song of the Year winner CMA and ACM. It is Garth's favorite Country song ... Garth historians knew this fact but starting the show with it? Only Garth could pull that off.

Garth said he retired years ago and he's out here again until he is carried out or thrown out. The Garth Channel 55 on Sirius/XM is a fine station. Sounds well thought out and eclectic. It has a dial set in my truck already

He debuted a new school/old school duet that he just recorded with wife Trisha. "Whiskey and Wine," about a divorced couple and it's George and Tammy worthy ... Can't imagine corporate radio playing this. It's real County ... sounds real Country. If radio gets the chance, what will they do with a slow Merle Haggard-like song?

Garth keeps showing everyone how it is done! Learned this week that he and the G Men are going to be inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. They are studio-quality pickers and he is a musical prodigy.

Fifty-four years young, in full tour mode but plenty of time to lead this business back into the light. Country music is still in a rut; Garth will help it rise...

Garth and Trisha are a great Nashville couple. Tim and Faith, too. Tim/Faith are the newest stars on the Music City Walk of Fame. Well deserved ... They are a gold standard on how to behave while famous!

The NFL football season is here. The Christmas trees are up in Cracker Barrel. Things are moving quickly.