An Emotional Overload

The death of Montgomery Gentry's Troy Gentry was hard to accept. The news of his helicopter crash came in at the same time we learned Country Music Hall of Famer Don Williams had passed as well.

It was too much to take. The death of one of the greatest voices in Country music, Don Williams, got minimal coverage. There was a deadly hurricane, cleanup from another and Troy's shocking death.

At some point, I hope we can give Don Williams the public appreciation that he earned and deserves. His songs are among the greatest examples of Country music.

It's been a week and Troy has been laid to rest. His Celebration of Life at The Opry House was unique as was Troy. Make a note, make it a mission: Find that new song, "Better Me," and play it ... play it as soon as you can. It represents what Country music on its best day is supposed to be.

Yes, we can have party songs and fun. But a song that is nearly autobiographical from a fallen singer hits you like nothing else I have heard in a while.

I'm old enough to remember hearing "Sittin on the Dock of the Bay" just after Otis Redding died. That song would have been popular MAYBE. With his death, it became iconic!

"Better Me" has that potential. Hearing Troy singing that with convincing heart sent a chill through me. Please reconnect with what Country music's DNA and find that song.

Country music shined another time brightly during the last week. Country was my far the most memorable parts of the Hand in Hand telethon for the hurricane victims.

Blake Shelton and Usher singing "Stand by Me" was excellent. Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker with Demi Lovato and CeCe Winans did their best recreation of Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishman's take on "With a Little Help From My Friends." Country shined brighter than the played-out movie stars. I wish George Strait had opened and closed and left the L.A. and N.Y. parts on the edit room floor.

Willie doing a big Texas Harvey benefit this coming week. Helping the hurricane victims is a task long from over!

See the TMZ story on Luke Bryan this week ... American Idol. This may be resolved in the coming week. Luke Idol #2 judge? They are in salary talks? Hmmmm.

Little Big Town got a star on the Nashville Walk of Fame as they just keep rocketing upward. Before their star ceremony downtown, the quartet sang the National Anthem at Troy Gentry's service. Success couldn't happen to a more talented and nice group of people.

I can't get Montgomery Gentry's "Better Me" out of my mind. Knowing the man that Troy has become and hearing that song. Rarely as a song hit me that hard. It's like he is in the next room telling you a story. Please go find it.