Do You Really Understand All This?

Web3, blockchains, NFTs, Esports, geobroadcast solutions, and on and on. At the National Association of Broadcasters meeting this week in Las Vegas, one thing was said that everyone can understand: “We need to embrace change at a much faster clip than ever before!”

Have you seen the new analog format T Bone Burnett calls Ionic Originals? In less than 60 words your head’s about to explode!

Things are moving fast. The city of Nashville changed in the blink of an eye. Many of us who began our journey here in the late ’70s miss what we had and frown at most of what replaced it. Still, time marches on, as the song says. Some of this word soup will disappear, but a lot of it won’t.

Maybe the one ever-stable place is the road. Digital technology is all in the underbelly, but going from town to town from stadium to arena is about the same. Tickets are sold electronically for the most part, and that’s still being polished up. Bottom line: do you homework and learn about all those things in the first 25 words of this column. Add bitcoin mining in Fort Worth of all places to your assignment. There will be a test, and it might mean your employment status.

Summer on the road is here. Miranda Lambert started this week. Chesney, Church, Wallen and McGraw are on tour. Brad Paisley has played a few but, like Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and others, they are waiting until June and July.

Everyone has catching up to do. People shortages are causing problems at all venues, which need people to man concession stands, clean the bathrooms, you name it. Nothing the visiting road people can do about it. It’s a local problem, and costs are up in every possible area too thanks to inflation and supply chain issues. One thing not in short supply? The desire to see a live show with other humans, and communal excitement.

That’s seen weekly at the Garth Brooks stadium shows, but Kenny Chesney blew the roof where there was no roof, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Not sure who was the most thrilled to be there, Kenny or the fans. Some jaded radio people I know were blown away at that show.

Miranda’s new album and tour show she is on the best roll of her career right now. George Strait re-signing with MCA and wanting to do a new album is just like putting WD40 on a squeaky hinge.

The Country house remains divided. Morgan Wallen is breaking some kind of record every week. Some of the non-radio gatekeepers still have him in time out, not inviting him to their big summer or spring events. Not smart.

Another book is out proclaiming discrimination of women on the air in Country. Same song, 10th verse.

Where are the Country fans in all this? They are spending money and filling up stadiums to see their favorite stars. In the end, the fans will decide where they put their hard-earned money.

As one smart executive on Music Row once said, “Go to the parking lot and see what your customers are driving.” How many got there with Uber? How many have a radio in the house? So much market research is needed at these shows this summer. Hope someone is smart enough to do some!