Watch Your Fingers And Your Mouth

As an ice storm approaches Music City and the coldest part of winter freezes most of you, let’s call a time out!

First, the forbidden subject of Morgan Wallen. In the world of crisis PR management, this was a tough one.

You’ve heard the term by now, “cancel culture.” The MMA fighter of the DisneyPlus show “The Mandalorian” got struck by it this week after some toxic social media posts. The Jeep people pulled Bruce Springsteen’s excellent Super Bowl commercial after it came out that a DWI federal charge was pending. Actor Armie Hammer … who knows what the real story on him is, but work is on hold. Marilyn Manson is not to be talked to or worked with.

Wallen’s professional life is also on hold. Using the “N” word gets you ejected from the plane. His parachute opened, but he’s still in free fall.

He put himself, his label, management and radio in a bad situation. He has accepted responsibility, but that doesn’t change much right now. He seems to be doing the right thing behind the scenes and in front of the camera, but this event needs time and space. His career is not over, but it will take some to be determined factors to get him back in.

As Brad Paisley sang once, the internet lasts forever. Screen shots, group chats, drunkenness, nasty posts or texts -- judges are standing by to kick you to the curb. There have never been more ways to punch your ticket! Love the saying; “Check yourself before you wreck yourself.”

Those who are quick to give verdicts on these subjects better go read a few Shakespeare plays. Best to stay far away from some of these dangerous swimming holes.

A great Country night for TV is coming up on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. The Grand Ole Opry show on NBC is star-filled. “American Idol” is back on ABC the same night. Earlier in the day, FOX Sports will show Luke Combs at the Daytona 500.

Oh yeah, we’re still in a pandemic. That can get you in trouble too if you do the wrong thing. The jury is still out on the CMA Fest. The Country Music Association did say this week they will make a decision on the fate of the festival by mid-March. Can’t imagine how they would do a normal CMA Fest in June of this year.

This new strain of COVID that’s going around is not what anybody in the music business wants to hear for sure. The LA County Fair canceled this week, for the second year in a row. That fair credits one million visitors every season.

Vaccinations are happening. Still, a third of the people of the United States don’t want one. Others are still trying to get one. It has been going slow in Nashville. The pace should pick up in the next six weeks. Hopefully things will get better.

New music is out for Florida Georgia Line. They are doing a live stream show on February 17th, and it will benefit some downtown Nashville businesses hurt by the Christmas bombing. More new music is coming out in the spring, which I hope is around the corner and things will be a lot brighter soon. You have to think that.

And Morgan Wallen, at some point, will get out of the doghouse.