No Gas-Nashville

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville

MusicRow has no gas ... now is this a metaphor for a real problem? It's true ... the no gas part.

Almost an entire city on 9/19/08 with no gasoline ... Ike, stupidity, several reasons for the cause. But after a week with chaotic financial news it's almost more than you can take.

Someone on Music Row once wrote a huge hit song ... isn't it time for a little good news today!

As Chet over at CMT reported in his weekly column, someone sent an e-mail around citing the state of Country music - especially the fact that it seems to be the home of fading or faded pop stars. That might be a bit overstated, but this column has mentioned on more than one occasion that mixing these pop star folks with the real country ones is oil and water. The outcome is not a pleasant one, circa Top 40 late '60s.

Those who are unaware of history are doomed to repeat it ... or something like Ike.

It's bigger than simply going with a pop star with a Country music wish. Chasing the needs and desires of youth has always been like trying to capture smoke. Today is no different.

Look at the Internet strategy of any major company. Chaos! Just like the gas lines right now in Nashville at the few places who do have gas.

Jessica and Kid Rock are not end of the world as we know it. Simple as that.

If these folks have good songs the audience likes, then they will stay ... if they don't they are gone. No matter how much marketing money is placed ... NEW COKE.

So many people are just trying to maintain what they have. The Opry folks picking Craig Morgan this week is a solid safe choice. He's a good man! Good pick!

The fans are having money trouble. Someone better get that memo and soon. If it comes to eating or a concert ticket ... that day is fast upon us. Buying a mediocre CD's time has long since been with us. The headbangers got Metallica, but that type of product is short-term Depression-proof. Look at the catalogue sales. For everyone. Pretty sad.

Some of this is just going to require patience. Hopefully. It better come back ... or we are in a mess. It always has. Like the gasoline. They say Monday or maybe Tuesday. That doesn't help you today, does it?

Country music needs a big floor-length mirror. Do we like what we see? Overall, I would say YES. Great mix. BUT sometimes it does seem like the pendulum is a bit too much in one direction or the other.

Right now, way too much in one direction. It will swing back ... It always does ... and the gasoline is supposed to come Monday or Tuesday.