The Slippery Slope

Riding down Music Row this week, you wouldn't really know it's election season. Maybe that's how it ought to be. Not really knowing how anyone feels about politics. After all, you want everyone to consume your music.

Really, everything around here is political ... just not always as easy to read as a yard sign declaration.

Ten years ago the bosses were left leaning Democrats, and many of the artists were closet right wingers. You could guess their political affiliations, but for the most part they keep their leanings to themselves. You would see or hear about private fundraisers or political gifts that had to be reported.

2018 is a hot midterm election. to say the least. Get Out The Vote rallies were smokescreens for a particular tilt. But if pushed, you heard everyone should vote -- and a million in Nashville have in early voting with a week to go when last checked. So stepping toward the ledge but not going over

Now Taylor Swift did endorse this year in the Tennessee US Senate race …as well as promote voting. John Rich and Jason Isbell have cancelled each other's vote, so publicy stated Isbell.

Former Nashvillian and overall superstar Jimmy Buffett all in for the Democrats running for the top offices in Florida, playing at rallies. Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA" is heard at every Trump Rally sometimes performed live.

Tim and Faith pushed the vote campaign as did a few other hitmakers, but most kept silent.

Charlie Daniels will generally tell you what he thinks. Kid Rock, too and of course Willie is all for Beto for Senate in Texas.

President Trump will likely not be invited to the CMA show. I doubt Kayne will be in a duet role either. Will there be any CMA political humor? Maybe since the midterms will be history by then. Very touchy subject.

Big Machine for sale? One publication had the price at $300 million right now and the value is said to be in the ownership of the Taylor Swift master recordings. Universal the buyer?

The CMA election returns will be out November 14th. The top format stars will, of course, attend and perform. But who will the "stunt" performers include this year?

Beyonce was a big secret one year; Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton was a career kicker for Stapleton. What pop star this year? Ed Sheeran has been hanging around town a lot; that might help TV ratings.

With so many new kids on the block, what familiar faces can be called on to give the show some out of house star power? Ratings are off on every award show lately. Remember, the format has been driven younger and younger. That demo has been streaming more and watching network TV less. I'm sure someone is thinking about how to counter this. Right?

The CMA show will be time zone delayed for the West Coast. Three hours is a long time in this media universe. If ABC and the CMA can overcome award show malaise, that will be a huge feat.

New blood is the life line of any industry. Music Row has no shortage of new talent right now. How that mixes with the non-Country music listening public who sample the ABC/CMA show in NYC or LA or SF will be interesting.

Luke Bryan played to 1.5 million people this year. Luke Combs is at the top of the album and singles charts. Dan and Shay had an amazing year, as did Brett Young. Kane Brown and Chris Stapleton couldn't be more different, but they may be the two most popular acts. 

Can't wait to see what we will all be talking about politically around Thanksgiving.