The Great Country Love-In

Thirty of Music City's best on stage February 8th saluting Country Music Hall of Famer member Randy Travis. It was one of those only-in-Nashville kind of nights. The Bridgestone Arena looked quite full from the floor to the rafters hungry to be a part of something so filled with love.

Randy Travis and his wife Mary sat on the stage loving every moment. From Garth to Kenny Rogers ... from Wynonna to Alabama. Chris Young to Josh Turner and too many others to mention here. Nearly four hours of each artist singing a song ... mostly Randy's biggest hits.

Other showbiz places may have benefits and gathers, but not on this scale and with great fan support. The friendly attitude backstage and general love in the building was a nice break from the sometimes very ugly world these days.

Randy Travis has been through a lot. He accomplished a lot and seemed to do all with great humility. His stroke and other medical complications would have taken the life of most. It was not Randy's time. His struggle to come back from his deathbed to where he is today is so inspiring. Watching those stars sing songs with his own band must have been so amazing for him. It was sure great for the fans, too.

Money Making idea: Bill Gaither does it ... Get a bunch of stars like last night and do a Randy Travis presents ... Randy and his wife onstage hosts.. Bring in some new folks and classic ones, too ... a big star as well.. Sing classic hits. Last night Kane Brown sang "King of the Road!" The fans loved it! There is a great hunger for Country music -- not just the current Top 40. That was obvious looking at that older demo filling the house and singing along.

Grammy weekend. It is such an eclectic four hours. Always has been. Metallica and Lady Gaga, George Michael and Prince salutes, and a few Country artists will be featured but it's a crazy musical buffet, so be ready. Hope James Corden is good.

Willie Nelson off the road again ... Willie needs a dose of Hawaii ... It cures him every time!

With The Grammys going out, the next award show is Oscars on the 26th ... In between, Thursday Feb 16th, the ACM nominations go out ... You know these things are highly sought out by the label bosses ...You wonder who is in and who is on the outs? Will they be hip with Sturgill and Maren, or go more the current darlings? I bet the current darlings ... But Maren is cool and so in her music!

Reba seems to have a hit Christian album, Sing It Now. She will outsell everyone on the Country chart and may even beat Lady GaGa's Joanne project ... Big Sean is the dominate #1..

The weather stinks at Pebble Beach this year for the Pro-Am, but Country artists are well represented: Toby Keith, Clay Walker, Jake Owen, Joe Don Rooney, Larry the Cable Guy, Colt Ford and Charles Kelley. Jake Owen along with Peyton Manning and Phil Mickelson were given Arnie Awards for their charity work.

Jake Owen is maybe the best Country golfer ... not sure about that, but he has a two handicap. He is buddies with pro Jordan Spieth. Country has a bunch of folks who golf. Vince is famous for it; so is Darius Rucker.

The famous West Hollywood Troubadour club is where the Eagles were born as part of Linda Ronstadt's band. This Saturday the 11th, it's going Loretta! Big salute to her career is part of the citywide Grammy weekend.

Starting to hear a lot of buss about Jenny Gill's debut project, The House Sessions. Got her own thing going ... seek it out. Rolling Stone Country has it on their radar and The Opry welcomes her on Feb 11th. Wish her luck!