A 10-Year Overnight Success

How many of the artists on Country radio today came to Nashville with a few bucks and a dream? Probably most of them.

Read the back-story of Baskin, LA’s Lainey Wilson, who is celebrating her first #1, “Things a Man Oughta Know.”

She is one of those 10-year overnight successes. She came to Nashville after high school, lived in a camper trailer for three years parked outside a family friend’s recording studio. She tried a lot of pathways to stardom. How many times did she have talks with herself about calling it a day and going back home? Can’t imagine what the odds are for a new artist getting a #1 song.

But think about how many people have come to town with a dream and got sent home. Garth Brooks went home once and came back, than sold boots at Rivergate Mall.

Still think someone should make a movie about Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney and Tracy Lawrence as roommates in an apartment complex near the Nashville airport early in their careers. And all three made it to #1. What were the odds of all three?

Patience is a virtue. You sure better have it when dealing with Music Row. The Carrie Underwood path to the top is, to say the least, rare.

Hard work is a given. Take the 10,000-hour rule invented by Malcolm Gladwell: It takes 10,000 hours to get to expert level. If you sang or played eight hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year you would have about 2,600 hours for the year, so a little over three years and you are there. But you can’t sing that much. Maybe in five years.

Five years of baloney is a lot. To get where Lainey Wilson is today is a huge achievement. You are working against the clock. You are getting older and presumably less marketable after you are 25. Dealing with consultants, revolving label people, publishers, media, social media … it’s a wonder anyone cuts through. So next time you see a new name reach #1, check their career path. I bet it was a long and winding road!

The talent competition shows are back. “Dancing With The Stars” and “The Voice” are head-to-head. “The Voice” got 7.22 million viewers. That’s a million less than last fall. “DWTS” premiered with 5.47 million, down a little from last year. “Monday Night Football” has 13.76 million when you add ESPN 1 and 2. Sports is the hottest show on TV in 2021. Emmy Awards ratings were up a bit, and that sure made the music award shows hopeful.

“The Voice” season 21 is solid. It’s Blake Shelton vs. the other judges, with some interesting singers trying to be famous. They sure want a lot of you time every week. Four hours is a big commitment.

“DWTS” is close to unwatchable. Not sure who is staying with that show. Producers are trying to make the host/judges the stars of the show. Jimmie Allen did well. Who knew he was a dancer?

Read up on NFL Colts owner Jim Irsay wanting to create a sports and music museum for his stuff. Someone tell him, just hook up with The Musician’s Hall of Fame. It would be perfect for him. It’s a great place with so much music history. The Stones had their traveling exhibit there. It is very cool. Irsay and his George Harrison Gibson SG guitar would fit very well.

Got my third Pfizer shot today. Get the first if you’ve haven’t. Stay well!