As The Dust Settles

The rain, the fans and now Bonnaroo! June is half over and what a two weeks as Tennessee is the music capital of America this time each year. No one has even close all the musical events going on at the same time.

Right now the Opry is about to take a rare road show to the land of Phish and Childish Gambino. If you are trying to convert or simply impress potential fans, that's the way to do it. The Opry Square Dancers alone would be enough to send some of these fans on an even wilder trip.

Could you imagine the Opry at Woodstock? No, but this is 2019 and the digital world is blurring all the lines in every part of our culture. Ricky Skaggs is a master artist from the viewpoint of any string instrument player. They will pick up some fans tonight.

The CMA Fans were young and energetic. They saw a lot if they only went to the stadium shows.

You knew Lil Nas X was going to show up some way, somehow. But was there a breakout artist of the week? Was there one that towered over the rest?

Many had a good week but the stars were Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. Carrie won the big CMT award and played to big Opry and stadium audiences. She got the national publicity and was all over the place for several of the days. Miranda comes in a close second working some media, but the media was craving to hear from her about music and marriage.

Keith Urban was playing banjo for Lil Nas X, headlining the stadium and winning CMT awards. He was everywhere. Luke Combs was steady all week, hitting his peak a few days after CMA Week when he was asked to join the Opry.

Then there's Eric Church. Played a 30-minute medley of his hits. This guy is like Carrie right now, working on all cylinders. This is not anywhere near his first rodeo, but he seems motivated more than ever.

Hard to say there was one big headline ... one single thing that blew minds ... one thing did stop every one in their tracks. The death of Granger Smith's young son. That caused singers to cry and hearts to break. Granger announced the tragic news the way you do in 2019 ... on social media. It was a hard post to read. The Smiths are all in our hearts and prayers. It's Father's Day and this one Dad will be thinking of that Texas Dad and hugging my girls a little harder.

The CMA Fest had to contend with rain and the post NFL Draft feeling. Nothing in downtown Nashville will ever seem that big. Dwarfing the CMA Fest was unthinkable.

Garth breaking the Mile High Stadium record and selling a second show in Regina just seems like another day at the office for him. He has raised a very high bar for himself.

Many of the CMA/CMT artists were flying in and out of town from tour locations. Riley Green did a red eye from the California Paisley tour to get to a Sunday Nashville event. It is a very long and hard week.

Many of the same sound tech and crews are in Manchester,Tennessee for Bonnaroo. The Woodstock of the South.

Kasey Musgraves will be there as her star keeps it bright shine. Trisha Yearwood has a big week with her new song getting lots of adds. Every Girl in This Town. Let's hope this is the start of a more balanced Country sound in 2019.