Kenny Again!

Summer is hot in the South. ... global warming or not! This Summer is scalding us from NYC to the Deep South hotspot Atlanta.

Kenny Chesney's money machine rolled into Turner Field last weekend and gave the fans everything they wanted.

When the CMA votes are counted, how can Kenny NOT be Entertainer of the Year ... AGAIN? Mr. Urban is close, but it really is no comparison. No offense to Keith, but Chesney's operation is beyond compare again this year.

Not sure how long this traveling circus can keep going, but Kenny's had a great year -- like the one before and the one before that. The interesting part of that category will be the other two nominees. Brad and Keith, for sure ... and who?

Lots of wondering what Jessica Simpson's sales and future airplay will be in the second half of the year. Good buzz about the Fall CDm but lots of eyes on her show and how she may evolve that into something someone will call country. Country's a pretty broad genre right now, so almost anything will get her in the door.

Isn't it amazing how Kenny, Alan and Brooks& Dunn just keep rolling along. Impressive number of years to be that high on the mountain. Someone who attended the Brooks & Dunn show in Atlanta told me, "I was not that big of B & D fan before the concert. After seeing them ... wow!" After all these years, still converting fans ... impressive!

I'm still buzzing from seeing the new Batman movie. Brad Paisley sat next to me at the Opry Mills IMAX and we both were blown away. Heath Ledger's performance was Oscar worthy regardless of his breath status. No pity vote for this guy! Heath knocked the ball out of the park and is still flying way past Heaven. See the film in IMAX if you can. Best film I have seen this year for sure. It's a bit long. but whoa! (PS: Hhorrible makeup job on Two Face without giving anything away!)

Can't wait to hear Brad's mostly instrumental CD coming out later this Fall. Brad and fellow guitar giants pick together. Keith Urban gets one ... B.B. King, too, I think. Surf music ... Vince Gill in it somewhere. Glad he's getting to put some of that guitar talent on a CD for longer than just a turnaround or break. Still one of the good guys even with all that success.

Can't think about Brad without thinking of Little Jimmie Dickens. LJD is not in any life-threatening situation, as rumored on a few websites. He's going to be fine and just needs rest.

Taylor Swift and the Jonas Bros. sing "Should've Said No" in the Brothers' new 3D film coming out in a few months. I think Taylor did a quick thing in the Hannah Montana movie, too. She's a dynamo.

"Nashville Star" RIP ... No blame ... just a missed opportunity. "America's Got Talent's" audience is huge ... Next night, same network. Failures do not help the cause. But all the promotion couldn't have saved this monolith.

Randy Travis, LeeAnn Womack and Patty Loveless all have new CDs. Have we gone too far away from the traditional country for those CDs to have a chance?

Alan Jackson and Trace Adkins have 17 shows on the books for the Fall. Great pairing.

How big would a Taylor Swift/Miley Cyrus or Taylor Swift/Jonas Bros. tour be? Taylor played on same night with Carrie recently. The reviewers didn't know who to write about. Taylor is on fire and Carrie is stronger on the road all the time.

This has nothing to do directly with Nashville, but with all the people trying to get a break on Music Row this story is cool: Arnel Pineda? Lead singer 2008 of Journey. Found singing on YouTube in a cover band in the Philippines. Was homeless for a time. If this isn't a BIO movie, then I have lost all faith in Hollywood's ability to exploit. Go to YouTube now and put in Arney Pineda Journey. A bunch of songs from a concert in Chile. He seems so nice and so humble. What a story!

So the Internet is where you find your next singer/star. Crazy, but true.

YouTube is an amazing idea ... I have 260 videos on my channel (askjimmycarter) and it grows everyday.

PS: If you know an artist/act that wants to get involved with a great army aviation museum, e-mail me. Go to YouTube: Sky Soldiers. They need a sponsor and more. Great bunch of vets!

askjimmycarter@aol.com....