Where Did 2006 Go?

They tell me it's time to write the end-of-the-year column. Is time going faster? If so, slow DOWN!

Imagine what a blur the year must have been to Carrie Underwood!

She has been the princess of Music Row this year in awards, sales, opening for Chesney and Paisley -- on any scale. She has also remained press-friendly and open, but you can tell she may be wearing down.

They just about killed Gretchen Wilson in her upward phase that first year or so, and we saw what happened with her. I don't see Carrie able to slow down much with the Grammys ahead and a certain busy recording and tour schedule in 2007. I just hope she is able to put in some island time someplace and that she has enough control over her career to not let the people who make money on her gross earnings kill her!

Carrie is the star of the year, but her equally friendly boys with all the hair, Rascal Flatts, were #2. The awards, sales, million-plus-fan headline tour -- again an amazing year. Good guys from everything I can tell, and they should get more respect from the industry.

The next star who will only grow brighter in 2007 is Brad Paisley. He has a new baby, a new house, and who knows what this very smart, talented star has in that creative mind for the New Year. Brad's show is by far the most improved of the bunch, and I found it to be the most entertaining from just sitting in the audience. His music remains country, but his foot and guitar are contemporary and country-cool. Keep the hat, Brad. Keep the video screens and the style. Don't change a thing. Just do it even better!

The Chesney bandwagon shows no slump for 2007. Watching that show in the huge Ford Stadium in Detroit was the biggest wow factor of the year. Kenny works harder than anyone, and that work has paid off. Dale Morris and manager Clint do a great job. Kenny Chesney on stage is the pied piper, and, like Garth Brooks before him, it's magical some don't change the formula of Coca-Cola!

If there is a bad thing this year it's the PR people some country people have hired. Some are at one label in particular, and a few are L.A./NYC based. They do a disservice to their artists by being assholes! It's a Dixie Chick-Simon Renshaw kind of elite attitude that turns people off. It's a "We only talk to People and ET" attitude that I never saw Garth or Johnny Cash or any TRUE superstar ever have.

The Dixie Chicks are stubbling around now because they got bad advice and Natalie wasn't smart enough to find her way out of a PR mess. It wasn't ultimately about what she said, it was the ATTITUDE and how it was non-handled or wrongly handled. Go watch the documentary "Shut Up and Sing." It should be MUST-viewing on Music Row.

People like Eddie Murphy have Paul Bloch at Rogers & Cowan, who is a nice guy but tough when he needs to be. He treats people with respect. On the other hand, PMK's Pat Kingsley, who was canned recently by Tom Cruise, is not nice. She hurts her clients, and they have no idea!

A few so-called "public relations" people are hurting their clients, and the talent has no idea. A few do a great job, and you know who you are. I can't name names of the good or the bad, but I have always thought the good folks in an industry should do everything they can to get two-faced, back-stabbing slugs out of their industry. I know I try to anytime I can. There is no substitute for showing respect and treating people professionally. You reap what you sow. Good guys do win in the end.

I had a great time going to a lot of country shows this year. I think the music has turned a little too pop again and too soft, but maybe that will be fixed in 2007. Radio with the CC exodus continues to change, and I am not sure it's always for the good.

Consolidation in radio is getting a look from the FCC. Thank the Lord.

The New Faces show at CRS doesn't sound 100% thrilling, and add the Bon Jovi-goes-Country seminar, but I still have faith the industry will find a "Garth" in 2007 and everyone will live happily ever after.

Final thoughts:

I just can't keep flying Southwest, the whole process is so Greyhound! New year's resolution is MORE JetBlue and less Southwest.

The W hotel is NYC on Lexington is the most overrated hotel in America.

Nashville must get Mario's Restaurant back, and we need some homegrown, non-chain fine dining.

Saying I made a mistake is NOT a sign of weakness!

Spend more time with your children, take them on your business trips. You will NEVER get that time back!

Do work that you love. If you hate going to work, get a new job!

Tell the people you love that you LOVE them.

I will miss Buddy Killen.

Listen to old music like Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Sammy Davis Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Durante, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, Willie Nelson, Asleep At The Wheel, John Williams and Henry Mancini, and remember why music is so important to your life.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.