Rhinestones And Shaved Ice

Country music stars are everywhere these days. They are intermingled with everyone, except for the Super Bowl/NFL that can’t find a stadium-worthy Country star that is a crossover too.

Garth Brooks at some point is/was that guy, but he had a falling out with the NFL in the ’90s. Never heard if they kissed and made up more recently. Certainly no sign of a Country music halftime show since Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks were part of one.

Country music songs frequently visit themes like overindulgence of booze, truck driving and not well thought out love issues. None of those themes would lend themselves to stripper poles and crotch touching.

The 2020 NFL Halftime Show was not in the family friendly zone. Country music’s leadership should try to agree on pitching someone to get that showcase. Country music hasn’t quite stooped to stripper poles yet -- key word “yet.” A higher visibility on the Grammys should always be fought for, and in movies.

The Grammy behind-the-scenes stink has not gone away, it just lost momentum when Kobe Bryant died. #MeToo, Harvey Weinstein, and all the issues discussed at the Grammys pre show have been left adrift. This smoldering fire will return. It’s trying to get traction but not getting it yet.

The Netflix Taylor Swift special is honest, as much as any star with edit control can be. Haven’t heard a lot of industry buzz about the show yet.

ABC’s “American Idol” is back February 16th. Luke Bryan has been in Hawaii shooting some episodes. He played Crash My Playa, then it was off to Oahu. Disney had the judges on camera eating colored Mickey Mouse-shaped cones of shaved Hawaiian ice.

Can’t wait to see the new Glen Campbell Museum and Rhinestone Stage opening February 16th in Nashville with the guitars, clothes, and all the usual stuff. Hope it’s a smash! Glen was the best!

Chance the Rapper, Lizzo, and Marshmello have been added to RodeoHouston in March. A dozen major Country stars are going to Houston for it too. Lizzo studied classical flute at the University of Houston. Not your usual rodeo acts, but they will do great.

January seemed to have one tour announcement after another. Tim McGraw is in that bunch. He is playing a big benefit for the Texas Rangers baseball club April 23rd at the new Globe Life Field in Arlington. He will play that night on the field. Chris Stapleton plays the new field in March.

Does Billy Ray Cyrus have the luckiest story in all of Country music history? His TV beginnings on “Hannah Montana,” being Miley’s dad in general, the Lil Nas X saga complete with the last shot he’s on in the Super Bowl Doritos commercial. Now, Hollywood might bring back “Hannah Montana” in the form of a prequel, and Billy Ray would be able to have his mullet haircut back. My, my.

Political talk is everywhere, and never more dangerous a subject than on Music Row. The liberal side is very present and always has been. The Republican side has always been a little more undercover with a few exceptions (John Rich and Larry Gatlin for starters, as they appear on FOX).

Taylor Swift’s dad warned her about getting involved in politics, and that was good advice. Let’s see if anyone jumps into presidential politics this year. Has the musical change in style also changed the political positions? That’s to be seen, but is very dangerous ground to tread on. You would maybe like to sell tickets and tunes to the right and the left. Will be keeping a score card and see where the cards fall.