Cassanova's, Bad Economy and Night Funerals

Hot song for Carrie Underwood & company! "Cowboy Casanova" should be pretty close to #1 as we get to CMA time. Sounds a little like Shania at first and that's not a bad thing. The CD hits Nov 3rd ... just in time for CMA.

CMA nominations in the week ahead ... such a political minefield! I hate it that ABC or any network has so much control. CBS did, too. You just wish it was important enough just to have a news conference and everyone in the media gets equal treatment, like the Oscar announcements. Grammys, too. But it's not, so it doesn't.

ABC had good ratings luck with the CMA Music Festival, so be sure they will feel empowered to book more Kid Rock/rappers etc. ... any kind of crossover kick they can get.

The CMA nominations should be very interesting. In theory, if the nominations go as expected, this could be a very competitive year in the male/female/entertainer of the year categories. Very competitive. Carrie vs. Taylor a few times. Brad vs. Kenny a few times. We shall see.

Too bad the CMA doesn't have a touring award. Kenny would when a lifetime achievement for that -- $500 million and 7 million tickets in 7 years. Amazing....

Jerry Lewis telethon getting some Nashville A-list help this year. Reba and Wy both are set to sing.

The political twins of Hank, Jr. and John Rich out on the stump again this weekend. This time West Virginia playing for the Friends of America rally. Ted Nugent and Sean Hannity will be there, too.

What is the deal with Blake Shelton and Twitter? It is borderline negative with some of the language. Be careful, Blake. Be careful...

Dolly's "Broadway Way" show is done after 9/5/09. The George Strait show going in next year has to be very nervous.

Diamond Rio and Jason Michael Carroll on NASACAR duty this weekend in Atlanta. They both play in the late afternoon before the nighttime green flag.

College football thrills most on Music Row with the NFL working its Titan magic. too. Stars singing the openings and other simply going to the games. Tennessee's stadium seats over 100,000 ... now Texas can claim the same.

Vince Gill getting a Grammy honor in the week ahead. 9-11 to be remembered, too.

The night funeral concept of Michael Jackson was odd ... Never heard of one ... seen one ... creepy