Islands In The Streams

Just this week, Dan + Shay's multi-format hit song "Tequila" hit 100 million streams. It is said the song has 250 million on-demand streams. "Tequila" is also a hit in the Hot AC format. To say the least, the boys hit the jackpot with that one.

With all these big numbers flying around, does anyone actually have any concept of 250 million anythings? A million sales reaching platinum is actually pretty amazing if you saw a million actual pieces of product laid out in a warehouse. But 250 million plays, on-demand streams is off the scale. And how much is an on-demand play worth?

Even with any new laws, not much.

The music business getting, what, 70% of its revenue now from streaming. The labels seem happy so we move on. The House passed the Music Modernization act this week ... now it's on to the President to sign. Hopefully, the songwriters will see bigger actual paychecks soon.

Garth Brooks is always doing something smart. He handled the awkward AGT singer's domestic abuse situation the only way it could be handled. The singer is no longer playing at Garth's Notre Dame show. Did that guy blow it or what?

Garth's next play of the week: Announcing a private show for the Future Farmers of America convention in Indy. A private stadium show for only FFA convention attendees. The only way to get a way to a ticket is with convention enrollment, then paying 50 bucks and getting a debit card to buy the actual ticket with. The war against scalpers rolls on. Not sure how the bots will defeat this plan!

Garth playing for the largest high school gathering in the U.S. Smart career investment while you see if the ticket buying plan works. Garth, his people ... Taylor Swift and her people ... no one does it better on any level. Maybe McCartney, maybe Mick and The Stones.

Luke Bryan did some publicity for the upcoming Farm Tour as we stay in the agriculture/Country mode. He told of a philosophy he goes by: He plays large and small audiences alike. He plays each show like Elvis is watching it. He gives the best he can, night in and night out. Amen to that.

Same goes no matter what you are doing ... like broadcasting ... you give the same effort at a 500-watt station in Wetumpka as you would in NYC on a network. You never know who's watching and listening. Every show is your best show!

Another smart operator is Tim McGraw. His new song was written and performed for a Nat Geo movie, Free Solo. The song is called "Gravity." It's only in the movie right now but should get out wide soon. Free Solo is about this El Capitan climber. Amazing story.

Tim has always done things first class.

Carrie Underwood selling a quarter-million Cry Pretty albums is amazing. Lots of amazings this week.

Carrie is pregnant and playing Australia at the moment. Her band busy posting shots on Instagram. Looks like things are going well.

Things are going much better for one of the Allman Brothers' founding fathers, Dickey Betts. His brain surgery went well and he's off the respirator and talking, laughing, complaining, per his wife Donna.

And just in time for the Christmas shopping season, Vince Gill's friends, The Eagles, have a huge box set coming out November 2nd. Fifteen albums ... 12 CDs and lots of extras...

The Beatles are also coming out with a remixed and sonically fixed-up The White Album.