No Shortage of Star Power

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville.

From the ESPYs to Aquapalooza ... from the cover of People Magazine to the festivals and fairs ... Country Music is everywhere...

Star power is strong. Sales power may be a bit weak in the physical sales world, but as concert draws and TV show bookings, the stars of Music Row are all over.

Maybe the rockers are either too teeny bopper or simply crazy and not safe for LIVE TV. Country is the safe booking and the stars leave their audiences with a smile.

Carrie Underwood's wedding had more security than a royal wedding. The folks who kept that story under wraps should be in charge of national security. People may or may not have paid a small fortune for those five pages of pictures and story. Regardless, Carrie's career and storyline has her on track be Entertainer of the Year at the CMAs this year. Or so it seems.

Kenny Chesney's return to the public world seems to be on track. His smaller schedule was hopefully helpful for the type-A star. His new music and sports documentary seem to be getting the desired attention.

McGraw is on a roll, too ... Paisley, Aldean, yes. Lady A very hot ... Taylor Swift on the side burner but still getting attention for a Maine video shoot and a webcast this coming week.

The new stars on the runway include Joanna Smith, Columbia artist. She is a bright light put her on your radar screen. A Reba-like personality with a voice like a young Faith Hill. She is a joy to listen and talk to.

The death this week of Hank Cochran hit Music Row hard. He was 74 and idolized by the younger writers.

Hank's song "Make the World Go Away" is one of the best songs ever. And the story of it is great. He wrote it fast ... publisher hated it and it became a classic anyway. "The Chair" ... "I Fall To Pieces." Classics too many to name. Great is an over-used word ... He was GREAT!

Just in case you think "American Idol" is dead ... you only had to look in downtown Nashville as 10 or more thousand showed up for the "Idol" auditions. What other show has ever been able to draw like this? An arena full of people on a very hot summer day. The dream still motivates in the town that helped put "Idol" Carrie on the cover of this week's People.

The star power is there ... Now radio must become as interesting as its stars. Is anyone really wanting to talk about the lack of live after 10a? No immediacy ... canned spam. Even in afternoon drive ... no localization ... less every day ... Is that really alright with everyone? Sure seems to be an expensive jukebox!