Some Like It Hot

The summer of 2022 is not getting started on a good path. For most of us, it’s WAY too hot! One hundred and five regular degrees for weeks is not good for our power bills or water bills (the plants). No rain for most, too. The gas prices are choking, and the Supreme Court is doing their part to make the summer even hotter.

Waiting for that great summer song still, too.

Blake Shelton is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. That is a nice tribute. Roy Acuff got his in 1960! Gene Autry has five!

The most impressive thing this late spring/early summer is the fantastic success of the stadium shows: Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church and, yes, Paul McCartney. Big money is flying through the gates and into the drained bank accounts of the concert promoters. There’s an impressive season ahead at the sheds. Keith Urban has a fully loaded next four months, and many others do too.

The weather got Cole Swindell’s crew in Virginia the other night. Rain got to the gear. A few blown tires on tour buses noted, and Covid checked in on Chris Stapleton, forcing a full stop.

The Chicks’ lead Chick, Natalie Maines, is on vocal rest after breathing the dust, the heat and probably the “smoke” at Bonnaroo. Covid aftermath is to be seen for many of the fans.

This milder, but still undesirable, Covid is everywhere. The dark cloud of a possible recession looms large. Many of the dot coms are rescinding offers. iHeartMedia is downsizing some more. This week the median for home prices is $400,000!

With all the doom and gloom there is opportunity. People are worried, and depression is a real issue. Radio and music must step up to ease the pain.

Radio needs to be a place for people to have fun and be entertained. How a voice track AI communicates is a recipe I’ve never seen work.

Again, why put up with 20-plus minutes of commercials when you can hear the same song streaming with no commercials? The audience must have a unique reason to stay with the free signal but torturous commercials. You have to be unique, but that fact is mostly ignored.

Some non-Country fan friends have asked about Walker Hayes. He’s really cutting through.

Don’t dismiss the fact that 90s Country is in full attendance for Garth and Brooks & Dunn, and is cool again. The fans may have seen enough of cookie cutter Country and Rap Country.

Look at the “Lightyear” Disney box office. That ought to make some stockholders sweat. Politics is not a good place to swell in the entertainment jungle. Very jagged outcomes.

And big media people, just because you say it doesn’t mean it’s fact. Stop calling every Country performer a superstar. I want to projectile hurl when I see this term used on unknown people or dimly illuminated stars. And I’ve seen some whoppers lately. Also the word “beloved” star. Really? That’s a loaded description and not accurate many times.

The man-hating songs feed wildfires. Point your pen in the direction of positive. The world is a negative, so don’t wallow. Be a point of light! Write and sing about love!

Off to see the Elvis movie. I hope it’s good!