Mirror, Mirror On The Wall, 2021 Edition

Turn the clock back to 2006 in Music City …

The teen daughter of a Pennsylvania family was the unlikely next big thing, debuting at a new label’s coming out party. Blake Shelton was up and coming with “Austin,” “Ole Red” and “Some Beach.” Doing OK, but not sending people to the street in a state of mania.

Now look. A national publication does a “who made what money in 2020” in music. Taylor Swift made zero in touring, but still was #1 with 23 million from physical and digital music sales and streaming. She beat everyone in music. That tall slim blonde with big hair would go on to be the best selling female act in Nashville history and a Music City legend.

Blake, in 28th place on that money list, was behind Luke Combs, who was #1 in the Country world, followed by George Strait. Hold it. Blake is bringing in what multiple publications say is $13 to $15 million a season on “The Voice,” two seasons per year. So put his total at $36 million and that’s more than Taylor and the Beatles made combined in 2020!

Now find anyone who thought Blake Shelton would ever be the biggest prime time name on NBC and bringing in that kind of money.

The moral of the story is to be nice to everyone getting started because they may soon be the biggest thing in the world. In Music City, it has happened again and again.

Go back to 2006 with the dawn of Taylor and look at downtown Nashville. Who would recognize Music Row and downtown 15 years later? Former label head Jimmy Bowen came to town a few years ago after being gone a while and couldn’t get over it. If you do go downtown only once every six months you won’t recognize it! The Apple Store on Broadway looks like it was transported to the area from space. Love Apple, but it sure is odd-looking sitting there.

The price of everything in Nashville is going up. Tried to get anyone a hotel room lately on the weekend? On Hilton.com for this weekend, the first five hotels in the downtown area were all $350 to $450 each, and that’s without parking charges and tax (add another $40 to $60). It’s crazy!

Touring stories are now coming in and they are so good to hear. There’s the Luke Bryan stories about the 7-year-old coming on stage and knowing his new song, “Waves,” word for word, and Garth Brooks having great fun doing a Dive Bar show in Salt Lake City. The concerts are all over and the rust is coming off.

Tragedy at the Faster Horses Festival campgrounds in Michigan. Five high school football player friends went to see Luke Combs, and later went to bed Saturday morning. In the night they were taken by carbon monoxide from the camping trailer generator. Three died and two are fighting for their lives. Such a horrible thing, and a notice to educate these young fans at the festivals. Carbon monoxide is the silent killer.

Country music’s summer of 2021 gets busier every week. August has the Indy Car race, Dan + Shay Centennial Park concert and Darius Rucker’s St Jude benefit at the Ryman Auditorium. Lots going on while the virus is spiking.

Masks are back in Los Angeles; there’s a fourth wave in Europe while Canada is about the reopen with proof of vaccination. Meet and greets are still dead, but Garth doesn’t seem afraid getting close to the fans.

Things are normal, and then at the same time not. People are concerned, but not to the panic stage yet. The key word is “yet.” Country fan Sean Hannity is to the point of begging his TV viewers this week to get vaccinated. Time is running out. Get the shot! Don’t let the bug shut us down again!