Missing Persons And Liking The Unusual

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville

The ratings were good ... very good. The other networks made no real attempt to bump off the show, so ABC did very well.

That's good and bad. Good because you hope the ratings translate into music sales. Taylor is going to debut at #1 with maybe sales close to 700,000. That's amazing. Scott's team is the best out there right now.

Good because Country music needed some good news ... Award shows needed some good news.

Bad because bad behavior will probably be rewarded. Crappy sound again ... I had to put the bedroom TV on MONO to make it sound decent. I heard the same complaint from lots of places. Who knows? Bad because there was no Dolly, Faith, Hank Jr. , Tim and Toby. The show would have been better with them ... simple as that, ratings or not.

Bad because ABC disrespects the traditions with the push to be all-young. The CMA show, like the Oscars, is not just an infomercial, but should be about the grand tradition of this town and the heroes who have appeared on the CMA stage. The Hall of Famers got kissed off ... as usual.

I'm so proud of Brad Paisley and the great job he did in all things CMA night. Carrie Underwood's performance was very strong. The Carrie haters will always be there, I guess. She deserves 100% to be where she is ... Deal with it!

Taylor Swift is a class act and a great role model. She is elegant and always interesting. She puts 100% into everything. PLEASE don't burn this young woman out!!

Trace Adkins gets better all the time. I'm downloading the Eagles tonight and I am booking a cruise to the Islands to get a dose of whatever Kenny is getting.

The show is that one rare spotlight show for Nashville and Country music. Did they even show a shot of Nashville? I can't remember. We saw more Nashville on Monday Night Football. Is history and tradition a turn-off? Must be. BULL!

The diversity on the show was impressive without feeling forced. That was easily the most color ever seen.

So until the ACMs in Vegas ... and there is another award show before Turkey Day ... The American Music Awards in LA. Taylor gets that one, maybe one or two others in some role ... It's not a Country show.

The future ... with all the crazy range that actually worked most of the time ... will we get more Lil Wayne in 2009? Maybe, BUT the pipeline of real new talent is filled with some real Country singers.

I did so many interviews I can't remember everyone, so I don't want to start a list. I was impressed by Justin Moore. This whole week is a blur right now. I'll get back to that because the new folks on the block. A lot of the singers on these independent labels are going to be worth a shot.

Pat Green and Jack Ingram deserve even more than they get now.

We need some more energy ... Where is Gretchen Wilson? I missed Big and Rich in the mix. I like the vibe of the music mafia in the live arena ....

Real folks singing about real life may be just when the folks need when this recession kicks in next year.

What will Shania be singing about in her 60 new songs? I like her and she looks fantastic. What will her sound be? Does she really want to get back in the business? I guess we shall see.

Brad and Keith would be good ... but wouldn't someone like to see the Gods of the Country Guitar? Or is that too inside? Add guests Steve Wariner, Vince Gill, Lee Roy Parnell ... Maybe that's too much, but I'd buy a ticket. You have to make it girl-friendly. Someone needs to think big on this show. Mix some rock folks in there ... cross it over ... Southern rockers ... AC/DC ... who knows....

Rest in peace, Mitch Mitchell...saw him beat the drums to "Purple Haze" and "Foxy Lady" with Jimi Hendrix in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama ... Long ago, but never far away ... What a show!