Spring Cleaning On Music Row

With CRS out of the way, it was time to retune the strings and get ready for the CMT awards and ACMs in May.

Lonestar losing their record deal was a surprise, but not a shock. Diamond Rio suffered the same fate several months prior. It is a business of young blood, and veterans have a hard time equaling the sales figures of their youth. Reba, Vince, Trisha, Lonestar, and Diamond Rio are simply fantastic performers. Their sales are not at the levels of their first years. It happens to almost everyone. And when that passion for you at the CD sales register dims, it is sad, but at some point almost expected. Paul McCartney and the Stones can break box-office records but they can hardly go platinum!

In this new world order of Wal-Mart-only sales and new independent upstarts, everyone who had a deal in the '80s and 90s can get a digital deal. Simple as that!

Lonestar and the rest will keep booking the shows and find another way to sell product. They might actually make some money on the CD sales this time around.

Hot Apple Pie have been booted from their roost, and contract talks are ongoing with Trisha Yearwood.

The "American Idol" show is talent pool LOW this year. Ratings are good, but the bad outweigh the good singers this time. Carrie Underwood was great on her "Idol" shot this week and has really grown up! She performed "Wasted."

Johnny Cash made $48 million last year. Did Big John ever make that much a year when alive? What a shame.

Look in Business Week for a story on the Opry members and their age discrimination suit. Both sides have interesting positions, but Vince Gill shoud be the broker. He understands both sides!

Don't hold your breath looking for Shania to his the road and tour. No new music is set, or tour, or anything. She's a veryyyyyyyy rich mom and doesn't need the hassle of a tour or riches it would bring.

Keith Urban is jet setting with Nicole. He told the media this week he doesn't like the term "Mr. Kidman."

(Anyone see a picture of Eddie Van Halen? He looks 150 years old!)

Sheryl Crow needs a man -- or at the least wants one. She made her plea at the Houston Livestock show and rodeo. SC said, "I'm looking for a cowboy!"

The top 200 album of all time from the Rock Hall is "Sgt. Pepper." Best country could do was a #21 for Shania's "Come On Over." Johnny Cash is at #77 for his "Folsom Prison" CD.

Tim and Faith are going to do some intense touring between the start of June and the first of September. Thirty-four cities in 10 weeks. Jeep is the corporate sponsor, and all tickets go on sale in U.S. on March 17.

Talked to Kenny Rogers this week, and that Don Henley duet, "Calling Me," is STRONG!

Hoorah for Chely Wright, just back from her fourth trip to the Middle East to play for the troops.