Consequences Of A Life In The Lens

Living your life in front of a camera like Ellen DeGeneres, or just taking a picture like the ejected “American Idol” finalist did, the cameras never blink and the internet lasts forever.

Caleb Kennedy was 12 when an older kid dressed up in what appeared to be a Ku Klux Klan outfit and sat next to him. According to Caleb’s mother, the video was taken after Caleb had watched the movie “The Strangers: Prey at Night” and the boys were imitating those characters. It had nothing to do with the Klan, she said, while acknowledging that the photo appears otherwise. “Caleb doesn’t have a racist bone in his body,” she said. “He loves everyone and has friends of all races.”

It doesn’t matter what the reason was, there was a guy in a Klan outfit. These days, that may even be worse than a Nazi outfit. It is not acceptable … ever. This young man did nothing, but he will pay dearly for that picture. It’s a tragedy. He is the victim, but ejecting him from “Idol” was the only route they could take. The person or persons who put that online are bad people. That picture should have been destroyed. But no, they ruined this kid’s life. Cruel!

Then there’s Ellen, and her plans to wind down her talk show after its upcoming 19th season. She has been very nice to the Country music community. In reality, much nicer than the late night shows who only dabble in Country these days.

Ellen had the right audience and format, and did a lot of good for Country music PR. Is Ellen the sweetest person to work for? Probably not. Warm and fuzzy in general? Not really. I’ve had interns work for her and be hired full time. It’s a no screwups place. Many snowflakes can’t handle a zero defects environment. She runs a tight ship.

Hate it that she is doing the blame game now. Nineteen years is a very long TV run. She’s mega rich, and I hope she goes and enjoys her success a little. A five-day a week show is a grind and lots of pressure. I’ve been a part of one, and it’s not easy to get on the air every day at the high level where she operates.

There were Las Vegas residency announcements this week from Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan. Vegas has featured Country performers since Elvis Presley was just getting started. In 1949, he debuted at the El Rancho Vegas, and in 1953 at The Sahara, a deal made through manager Colonel Tom Parker.

Vegas is not just a place for old people, although that stigma won’t leave for some. Paris Hilton and the Kardashians modernized some of the gigs around town. The Rat Pack is gone, but those were great days!

Luke and Carrie will be in residency at the new Resorts World opening in June, with its theater opening in November. Carrie will be there the first of December and Luke in mid-February. The showrooms around Vegas have the best sound systems in the world. The seats are not cheap, but if you really love the artist it will be a great experience.

Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Mel Tillis, Carl Perkins and Mickey Gilley all got my money in Vegas. Redd Fox, Dean Martin, Don Rickles, Johnny Carson, Chicago, Fats Domino, Barbara Mandrell, Wayne Newton, The Oak Ridge Boys, Frank Sinatra, Petula Clark and The Righteous Brothers did too. Carrie and Luke will make great memories there!

Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini are hosting the CMT Awards. They are the new faces of Country music for some. Alan Jackson is putting out new music today 5/14 (find it on All Access’ Country Cool New Music page). He is the other side of the Country music pond: the hats and no hats, the pickup trucks and the Range Rovers. Music Row is seeking its identity in 2021. The hotel people blew up the UA Tower, and Ray Stevens’ old office is now a hole in the ground. We are evolving. Better or worse? Depends on where you stand.