Free is a Great Price...

Aquapalooza ... A big concert on the water at the former playground of Hank Williams Sr., Lake Martin and Alabama. Alan Jackson is the featured act. Sr. wrote the famed Kowliga here ... Saturday night at 6p, a legacy Country artist Alan Jackson will play on a stage 100 yards away from that wooden Indian safely behind plexiglass at Sinclair's Restaurant.

FREE is the price tag ... 2,000 boats were already in tie-up mode 24 hours before the show ... This will be a CMT special and another big night in the career that has featured many great nights.

Summer is usually a slow time ... Not this summer on any level. From economic chaos to legislative health care hoopla ... In Country, Ms. Rimes can't seem to get out of the tabloids ... Ms, Nettle's throat problems have been the subject of much discussion.

Brad Paisley singing "Welcome to the Future" in the East Room of the Obama White House is a nice headline, too ... Busy times.

So boredom is not an issue ... Uncertainty is. Many choose to just ignore the big Gorilla in the room and maybe that's the way to go.

The stock market is back to November 2008 levels. Can advertising and the broadcasting world bounce back to that time? No signs of it yet. In fact, there are more layoffs this week and limited job opportunities.

This is such an unpredictable time. Indecision is an illness you see everywhere ... People are working harder in every business of the media ... Harder than ever ... Still it never seems to be enough. Fear makes good people do bad things. Let's hope this crazy time will get better -- and better soon!

Radio seems to get it right a lot lately ... Live and local is difficult in a time of cutbacks, but it's the only way to survive. Let's hope some wise people are in the driver's seat right now.

The top of the Country food chain sure seems to be doing great despite any kind of economic weakness. The tours seem to be doing okay considering. People are out there going to shows. People are having fun.

The Sugarland duo is more popular than many have given them credit for. They have crossed over outside Country and have a very loyal audience. It was interesting to see all the hoopla about her show cancellations. The fans did have a point that was never really addressed by those in charge.

If you know you are going to cancel, tell the friends as early as you can. It might cost the promoter money, but the good will might remove some of the sting of a no-show. Hope Jennifer can get well soon ... I don't know anyone who has escaped the dreaded voice issue at one time or another. Joe Bonsall is the most recent.

You need a real good specialist ... Voice clinic handy if money is not an issue. It takes time to get it fixed ...You can get well with medicine and 10 days ... Then you get sick again ... unfortunately.

The fans love Sugarland ... No one likes to cance -- I'm sure Sugarland, most of all! Just be straight with the fans ... Do the signs ... Make an announcement early and tell the truth ... Rumor is worse! It's unpleasant for everyone ... I hope everything is being done that can be to get her WELL...100%!