Post-CMA Fatigue

It was a Music City week like never before! The stars of Country music were in full support of the Stanley Cup run that completely upstaged The CMA Music Festival. They co-existed but the media, the artists and for sure the locals' minds were on ice and pucks -- not guitars and stars.

Everything went amazingly smooth. The Preds lost in Game Six but it sure wasn't because of fan support. The games looked like the Lakers or the Knicks with a cavalcade of singers and at least one Oscar-winning wife of a Country superstar.

From Luke on the roof of Tootsies to Carrie the hockey wife to all the anthem singers and the star fans from Aldean to Paisley.

It was a unique Nashville episode. Smashville is our newest nickname.

The star turn-out for the CMAFest was strong. Can't really think of a name we didn't see at one time or another. A few but between hockey and the festival, only a few stayed home.

The race for the CMA Entertainer of the Year is building. Is it Eric Church's year? Garth should just get a lifetime EOY because he still does it best. But if you had to pick another one: How can anyone say who outdid Eric? Three-and-a-half hour shows, 60 of them, huge sell-outs. His to lose. Keith, Luke and Jason and Garth and maybe Carrie, but one of those will not make the five.

Speaking of Garth, the city fathers in Billings, Montana say his June 9th-11th shows had a $10 million economic impact. That's a big number for a small place.

Farm Aid set for September 16th. In Pennsylvania. Great cause and should get more attention!

The pop sound of Country is winning the race right now. Luke Combs may turn that left leaning model more upright. Midland is a fresh sound, too. It could go either way right now ... More pop or a little more traditional.

See where some deep pockets are putting $100 million into El Dorado, Arkansas? Google Murphy Arts District. September 27th week of shows at new amphitheater and music hall.

Rough summer for the heat already and for the star voices ... First Dierks, now Sam Hunt. We also heard about Jamey Johnson's fall seven years ago where he got a concussion. Billy Joel was ill the other day, too. Phil Collins fell and hit his head. These are crazy times!

Taylor Swift is fast approaching the 100 million sold club. How amazing is that?

The Forbes what-you-make list out again. Garth led the pack with $60 million, off $10 million from the year before. A big list of stars making many millions year. The Top 100 Country led with Garth, then Luke, Dolly and Toby. Lifestyles of the Country Rich and Famous!