The Youth Movement...

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville.

New talent is the life blood of any business ... no shortage of new blood in Country music, that's for sure!

The Country Radio Seminar has always been a huge showcase for the next big thing. The names are everywhere ... I was in the bathroom and several were looking at me from the ads on the wall. It is the theory that we get 10 and hopefully one or two will hit. The two pay for the 10 ... always been that way..

Still ... so many new not really unique singers. Feel like you have seen them all before. But things take time. That breakout act seems to be hiding like they sometimes do on "American Idol." Can't see anyone on "Idol" right now winning and someone must.

"Idol" has hurt my ears this year. Or is it just me? I think the bad singers had been loud this time around. Boys and girls.

The pop side of Country is well represented right now. Copies of Lady A, Taylor, you name them ... clones! Corporate-think at big labels is not a playground for uniqueness.

Congrats to Taylor at 10 million. Scott, too ... wow ... that is a huge accomplishment in these days... If Country Radio backs off Taylor, it will be screwing up in a very huge way. She will reinvent herself 10 times before it's all done. An amazing talent who will adapt and evolve. Carrie Underwood seems to be doing that too ... two very bright stars.

Interesting musical chairs around town at some of the big employers. ASCAP, CMA, CRB all have new bosses or are looking for one. Hard economic times or just timing?

Good for Brooks & Dunn doing a beNefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame before they go. August 10TH for 25 bucks ... it will sell out very fast March 6th.

The weather has just been cold in Music City. Coldest winter here in 30 years. Bet the songs reflect this at some point.

The CMA research report was so depressing I didn't post it on a blog. Go find it if you missed it. CD sales are in the toilet and getting worse. How do labels operate like this?

No change in the bingo wars of Alabama. The closed halls have to be losing millions.

The Country music component has already been damaged but nothing permanent. Things need to evolve pretty soon.

BamaJam added Zac Brown and others June 3rd-5th ... Bryan Adams on the big Sony Boat ride Thursday 2/26. He played with Brad Paisley.

Taylor Swift now at 10 million physical sales? That gets a wow for sure this day and time.

Danny Gokey is a good guy and good singer .. .help his new music ... He's good people!

Lots of Country music on TV this coming week ... Paisley on Leno ... Josh Turner on Kimmell all Monday night. Carrie on the CBS sitcom and "CSI" has Rascal Flatts.

John Rich's neighbors think he has too many bright lights on his striking Vanderbilt-area hillside home.

PR nightmare for SeaWorld ... Zac Brown band just there a few weeks ago. Love that place! PETA on the warpath ... they want all the animals let go! Heard that on Larry King from the PETA person...sighhhh

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville.

New talent is the life blood of any business ... no shortage of new blood in Country music, that's for sure!

The Country Radio Seminar has always been a huge showcase for the next big thing. The names are everywhere ... I was in the bathroom and several were looking at me from the ads on the wall. It is the theory that we get 10 and hopefully one or two will hit. The two pay for the 10 ... always been that way..

Still ... so many new not really unique singers. Feel like you have seen them all before. But things take time. That breakout act seems to be hiding like they sometimes do on "American Idol." Can't see anyone on "Idol" right now winning and someone must.

"Idol" has hurt my ears this year. Or is it just me? I think the bad singers had been loud this time around. Boys and girls.

The pop side of Country is well represented right now. Copies of Lady A, Taylor, you name them ... clones! Corporate-think at big labels is not a playground for uniqueness.

Congrats to Taylor at 10 million. Scott, too ... wow ... that is a huge accomplishment in these days... If Country Radio backs off Taylor, it will be screwing up in a very huge way. She will reinvent herself 10 times before it's all done. An amazing talent who will adapt and evolve. Carrie Underwood seems to be doing that too ... two very bright stars.

Interesting musical chairs around town at some of the big employers. ASCAP, CMA, CRB all have new bosses or are looking for one. Hard economic times or just timing?

Good for Brooks & Dunn doing a beNefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame before they go. August 10TH for 25 bucks ... it will sell out very fast March 6th.

The weather has just been cold in Music City. Coldest winter here in 30 years. Bet the songs reflect this at some point.

The CMA research report was so depressing I didn't post it on a blog. Go find it if you missed it. CD sales are in the toilet and getting worse. How do labels operate like this?

No change in the bingo wars of Alabama. The closed halls have to be losing millions.

The Country music component has already been damaged but nothing permanent. Things need to evolve pretty soon.

BamaJam added Zac Brown and others June 3rd-5th ... Bryan Adams on the big Sony Boat ride Thursday 2/26. He played with Brad Paisley.

Taylor Swift now at 10 million physical sales? That gets a wow for sure this day and time.

Danny Gokey is a good guy and good singer .. .help his new music ... He's good people!

Lots of Country music on TV this coming week ... Paisley on Leno ... Josh Turner on Kimmell all Monday night. Carrie on the CBS sitcom and "CSI" has Rascal Flatts.

John Rich's neighbors think he has too many bright lights on his striking Vanderbilt-area hillside home.

PR nightmare for SeaWorld ... Zac Brown band just there a few weeks ago. Love that place! PETA on the warpath ... they want all the animals let go! Heard that on Larry King from the PETA person...sighhhh