Here We Go!

Music Row remains a little quiet, but things are getting back to normal -- except the weather. The Bradford Pear trees are blooming two months early! Hmmm, not sure what this means for Al Gore's Oscar hopes. Probably a ploy!

Ashley Monroe is a singer I'm getting lots of questions about and may be the first breakout act of the year.

Seeing the new Trick Pony gal singer today at a private rehearsal, and I hear she's very good.

Vince Gill is back to work. Check his dates, from Canada to Alabama to five dates in Florida during spring training. Nothing but great reviews coming from his shows.

New Tim McGraw CD out March 27, around the time of the new Gretchen Wilson CD.

"Nashville Star" debuts Thursday, January 11 at 10p ET, and I am sure we will have something to say about that.

New website for Carrie Underwood that's high tech and shiny: www.carrieunderwood.fm. You have to join the fan club websites now if you ever want to go backstage or get early concert tickets. The Rolling Stones do it, as do lots of others.

Heard the new CBS Radio station that's Country in Denver. Very interesting! They might just give KYGO some trouble. New Country station in Atlanta, too, and that's too early to tell about how that will go. The Wolf in Denver was very good and streams online. Go listen to morning drive.

Bucky Covington getting a Lyric Street deal is interesting. One of his hometown stations in North Carolina loves it, and this "American Idol" phenomenon just rolls on and on. Where's the guy named Yamin? The guy with bad teeth who may have them fixed now?

Flatts and Underwood the top sellers in 2006. Pop Country sells, but the variety right now is impressive.

The Stones may be the #1 tour in 2007 too. The Police are coming back. The country tour season looks more crowded this year than last. Strait on the road later this week -- first, as he was in 2006.

The movie Tim McGraw has a small part in, "The Kingdom," is now showing its trailer. It looks like a HUGE summertime smash!

Well, the year will get busy FAST. Hang on.