Jimmy Carter (Not at Bonaroooooo)

The summer festival season is here and the concert bookers say, "Thank the Lord!" This weekend is Pryor, Oklahoma, and the big pop festival in Manchester, Tennessee known as Bonnaroo. You can't help but think gas prices will come into play with these and others as the summer goes along. Word was that Bonnaro did NOT sell out for the first time.

Movies are having a big summer already, but it's too early to see if the gas-poor folks will watch more network television. People are going to be entertained!

"Nashville Star." I read one glowing industry review, but I question that person's sanity. First, I do like the judges. They are all credible and smart. Talented, too. I watched the other versions and recognized their limits on budget, but thought the shows and talent were good to very good.

My two major issues are the EXTREME overproduction that made you want a valium after nine minutes. No sense of warmth ... just SPEED!

The other is the final 12 in this nationwide talent hunt. These are the best of thousands and thousands? Wow, it is a real challenge to see the diamonds in the rough here! It was like NBC ordered talent at a music franchise. We need one cute guy, an African-American, a Hispanic, a Dixie chick ... you get the rest. The song choices were...?

One national publication thought it was better than "Idol." What moonshine is that reviewer tasting?

The show deserves a look on a so-called regular night. I will take another chance at getting a favorite singer or find something to love. I could find no one in radio anywhere who loved the show; many saw the weaknesses and are scared that this is going to make everyone look bad ... SO, it needs work and hopefully they will be better. And slower and take some time to have a "feel".

"Nashville Star" should have been, and still can be, a big Nashville showcase. It can also make the place look dinky.

Invasion of the blondes. Whose idea was this? I like blondes ... love them. BUT Country music has never really been the "blondes have more fun" channel. Tammy, Dolly (wig) and Faith come to mind, but look now: Carrie, Taylor, Kellie, Miranda, Jewel, Jessica, Julianne Hough, Sugarland ...Mindy? Maybe more. Not sure what this means and says, but that's a lot of blonde!

Looking at the road ... very busy. Lots of diesel getting burned. How about that Kenny show in San Fran? Steve Miller and Sammy Hagar on the bill.! McGraw getting great reviews and Paisley now into his new tour. In North Carolina, Brad shot a video with Andy Griffith that is guaranteed to make you cry.

Brad's tour is always a must-see. Great opening acts and Brad's never dull. His new guitar CD will be a landmark musical event, too. Vince, B B King, some surf music ... it's going to be coooool!.

Hear about the fight at the Yakima Carrie Underwood show? Google it.