Cold, Cold Hearts

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville.

Can't wait to hear what the Nashville songwriters turn up after this ultra-cold Winter of 2011 ... Will they write about dreams of the beach or the cold hearts of Winter?

Unforgiving Winter chills spilled over to The Super Bowl music. The spew after the National Anthem incident and the Peas stumble at half-time were eye-opening. Both acts deserved some criticism but the reaction from the fans was over the top.

My 13-year-old daughter called it right ... The production people were half to blame ... the Peas the other half. Country fans really slapped them all around like a "Walker Texas Ranger" episode. Horrible, hated it, she needs to be taught a lesson. Whew ... strong words.

Why would any artist manager allow his act to sing the National Anthem anywhere? It's Russian Roulette. Do a great job ... so what ... Screw it up and you go into the history books. A no-win situation.

As for the half-time: Another no-win situation. Would George Strait and Tim McGraw together have gone over? Probably not. That 110 million-strong American Super Bowl audience can't be pleased in 2011. They've seen it all. The bar is way too high.

It's like a huge stadium extravaganza. After you do that, then what? You go on an acoustic tour ... go small ... like Garth is doing in Vegas.

The Super Bowl pre-game is a no-win deal, too. They use six minutes of your show. I read the Twitter comments Urban got and many were not nice. The hardcore football fans wanted more Steeler/Packer talk. The Urban fans wanted more Urban. Can't win for losing. It's the world's largest stage, but it sure is a dangerous one. Go down gambling, I guess, but all career-leaders should take pause if one of the opportunities comes up.

The National Anthem situation for the Martinas, Faiths, Oak Ridge Boys and many others is nothing to fear. They are so good and strong. The fickle artists who have a lot of emotional drama in their lives better stay far, far away.

Same goes for the Grammys. We have all seen an artist hit less than a home run on that stage, too. "Music's Biggest Night" with an unwise collaboration can turn into a career nightmare. Taylor and Stevie Nicks sure didn't help either one at the end of the day.

If you don't sing well live, then don't sing live on the biggest show in the world. Confidence gets people in the game but also has them write checks they can't cash.

Grammys: I'm sure Lady A will win ... Zac Brown and Miranda. Jamey may, too. I hope the night is a publicity bonanza for all our Nashville artists. I hope they shine!

Brad Paisley at Daytona 500 pre-race Sunday Feb 20. I equally hope all the mixing people do their thing. Outside ... at a racetrack ... limited prep ... All these shows with huge audiences make managers and producers nervous. Or they should. Circumstances beyond their control. I think that was the name of a TV book once upon a time.

One thing you are seeing unfold around the world and on Music Row every day this year. CHANGE. From Egypt to the label rosters drop-and-add. Trying to find the magic formula ... restless leaders ... the pressure of turning things around. Not a time for the weak hearts.

Donald Trump thinking about running for President. Carrie Underwood taking heat for a hockey trade. "American Idol" trying to reinvent itself . Nothing about 2011 is boring. Especially not the weather. Cold, cold times.

Spring training, though, is about to start ... reawakenings ... flowers bloom ... CRS ... Change ... What's next?