Unplug Someone ... You Learn A Lot

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville.

First, a "Get Well" to Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, getting ready for prostate surgery in December. Eddie looked great the other night in Augusta and sounded great, too ... gave no impression that anything was wrong. But he confirmed the whispers this week.

Montgomery Gentry unplugged was just as fun as plugged in. These new Opry members are talented way beyond their stage antics.

Eddie is a walking smile and joy to be around. He has millions of fans and friends sending him prayers and positive thoughts!

Montgomery Gentry just one act dropping in on the Kicks Radio Augusta Guitar Pull. Check out this lineup: M&G, Easton Corbin, The Band Perry, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean and Vince Gill ... I had to go to Augusta to see that and I was not disappointed. You learn a lot about a singer when you unplug them. These are all very talented people. No mystery why any of them got their recording contract.

A few random comments:

The Band Perry ... They work hard ... look good. Have unique harmonies. They have energy and are fun to listen to.

Jason Aldean ... he got shrieks and cheers. This guy is already a star and growing brighter. A bit shy backstage but a nice young man. He is excited about his good fortune in 2010 and will have a great 2011. The CMA better get it right or look dumb if he is not in Male Vocal category in 2011.

Darius Rucker ... A classic even at his age ... he doesn't need anything but a mic and guitar to get everyone to sing along with him. A unique classic voice and he picks great material

Easton Corbin ... matinee idol Country singer. Going to be hard to screw his career up! Has the clean-cut George Strait thing going ... still a bit shy but that will all work out.

Vince Gill ... they don't come any better as a human being or performer. The Best with a capital B....He sings, people sit up straight. A leader. The class president. No one has the stature in Country music that he does. Respected to the max!

Vince is almost done with a new album. I hope Country radio has enough sense to play him every bit as much as they are Reba....

Tee Gentry and that Beasley cluster do an amazing job with that fundraiser every year. Real first-class all the way!

Susan Boyle is outselling everyone ... that is just plain weird. Taylor Swift even. Boyle will outsell Urban and Flatts this coming week.

TS will be all over TV in the next few days. The Tonight Show ... hre own special on NBC Turkey night at 8/7C.

Racing into the Thanksgiving holidays with people actually buying music. It is a thrill but I'm having Beatle trouble. The Beatles on iTunes sound WEIRD! Have you checked them out? They sound too clean and good.

We fell in love with them on one speaker in a car, maybe two in mono...Later in Stereo but vinyl. It's too clean ... too pure... The band when remixed for LOVE by George Martin and son sound great. These mixes sound thin. I haven't downloaded anything yet. I will cherry pick and create my own Beatles' greatest hits. But some of the songs ... most sound very simple and without any other word that comes to mind, THIN.

I did rediscover Billy Joel this week. He did a multiple hour interview with Howard Stern. It was great radio. I'm downloading "Allentown," "Angry Young Man" with prelude, "Big Shot" and a few more this weekend.

Now Garth and a few others are still iTune holdouts. I think they have all waited too late. That train has left the station.