Twisting Nashville Into Spring

Jimmy Carter in his homebase Nashville.

With tornado warning sirens blaring in the night and the ranting and ravings of Charlie Sheen bouncing off the Internet at every update, we have two months down and 10 to go on what is simply an odd year.

2011 with "American Idol" producing more drama than good music. Nearly 20 "Idol" contestants from the first 10 years now have Nashville bases of operation with the Queen "Idol" Carrie Underwood ruling the roost. And even controlling NHL trades and who knows what else.

"Idol" contestants make money and lose it in Music City just like everyone else. No sure things though Carrie's career ... and her future didn't seem too risky at the time, nor does it still.

Taylor Swift has conquered Asia and soon will go to more well-worn paths in Europe. She knows how to use modern media and few do it as well.

Go to Taylor Swift You Tube channel and watch her Asian video blog. She has style. And haters and millions of dollars to equal those millions of fans. Amazing success story.

Lots of new talent to unveil and schmooze this week. The dreaded CRS week. More debutantes than social season in New Orleans.

The established stars keep a lower profile while the baby acts meet the radio programmers.

Someone will break out ... some radio person will embarrass him or herself.

Oscar's Sunday night with Keith and Nicole ... G Paltrow lots of glamour and talk of movies most people have not seen.

The "Idol" show could have been scripted this week. You see several story arcs. Good guys ... bad girls ... trouble and triumph. Even in sports TV over the years, I have been in meetings where the story line is discussed. "Idol" seems to have a story line, too. I think they have been hiding the truly talented singers so we won't get bored with them as we go forward.

Paisley and Rucker end their very successful tour. The two watched the shuttle lift-off from an Orlando roof Thursday.

The Doobie Brothers on the Opry this weekend and all over the first of CRS week ... no opinion.

Country Strong to Redbox April 12th or so ... Billy Ray's domestic trainwreck in People this week and Miley hosting SNL hosting the first weekend in March.

Congratulations to the mighty Oak Ridge Boys on the 30th anniversary of "Elvira" ... How many millions has that song been responsible for?

And for all the wannabe stars not on "Idol" and who don't have a deal. Put your music on YOU TUBE ... Watched some duet this week Tyler someone? Heard of him? He's making money on ITunes after debuting his material on You Tube ... New World Order ... for sure!

Issues that I am not going into ... too weak to fight this week...

1. Sugarland telling British press they are branching out past Country...
2. No Carrie nomination for EOY at ACM...

Don't want to make the news like Charlie Sheen!