Still In Bed With The Big Boys

Some of the dinosaur music directors who have hung on to their jobs better wake up and wake up soon.

In case you didn't notice, the music business is changing very rapidly. The independents are no long a joke. Those who don't deal with indies are missing some of the best music coming out. The big boys still have the juice but the indies will have a place at the table and already do.

The biggest issue right now. A number one on a indie will sell x amount of cd's. A number one on the big guys will usually generate a platinum CD. Or at least close to it. The distribution and promotional muscle is still with the big guys but it's changing and that's healthy. Way too much footsy still being played to get those extra spins. Get those free station shows. Shameful way to have to do business. Has always been murky and still is. These power hungry gimme gimme kiss my feet radio folks can make you sick.

You just hear a few that abuse their positions with corporate heads turning away. These are the folks that the NY AG is motivated by.

Music directors that don't talk to Universal/WB/CURB/Sony-BMG people are still wayyyyyy too far in the bed with their reps.

Further consolidation in radio will force some big changes near the end of 06 and the first of 07 you watch. It may not be pretty!

The Wreckers are getting some buzz. Chesney stats for this tour and the record breaking that's going on is very impressive.

Rascal Flatts is the #2 act behind Tim and Faith in ticket sales. Their tour might not be getting as much buzz but it is sure getting the sell out sign on it most every night. Their business on the West Coast has been huge.

Brooks & Dunn in an Oliver Stone movie? Yes they are ... in the opening credits for World Trade Center. When "Only in America" comes up as one of the lead characters drives to work, it sounds great! One of the characters the film is based on survived almost a day buried up to his neck in the WTC rubble .Will Jimeno is a retired Port Authority cop now but he told me he LOVES country music and especially Charlie Daniels.

Can you imagine playing on a stage with these 100 plus degree temperatures? Much less sitting in the audience with no air moving ... awfulllllll.

Good news: Porter Wagoner is now in a private room after a big health scare a week ago. Bad news: Freddy Fender is gallantly fighting cancer in South Texas.

Look for the John Fogerty/Willie Nelson show now on the road for the next month.

Willie has a guitar playing son that almost steals the show!