Rusty Walker:  I, like many of us in the radio community, am shaken by Rusty Walker's death. I had a high regard for Rusty, both personally and professionally. Although we were competitors for years, I got to see Rusty at work, as we co-consulted on several stations over the years. His love for radio, music, and most importantly, people, is what I remember most. He was a tenacious competitor who seized every advantage imaginable to win for his clients. I was proud for him, and for Country radio, at his induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame. His wonderful family beamed at the well-deserved honor. I'm glad that it happened while he was here to enjoy it. Rusty may have signed off from earth, but his influence will be felt for years to come.

Not So Deep Thoughts

Who's a Classic Artist?: Listeners are now refering to Toby Keith and Tim McGraw as "classic" artists. That's not a bad thing for them, as they are still strong and active, like George Strait is, but it does show that the newer artists are gaining momentum and challenging the format's big guns.

Ball Cap Acts: Remember the term "Hat Acts"? These are the stars who wear cowboy hats. Nearly every major superstar in recent years has worn one. However, a new trend is emerging: the "Ball Cap" acts, like Luke Bryan, Eric Church and others. I can't say that I coined this phrase, but it does speak to the newer Country music that's more rock edged, yet no less Country than what has been released in the past.
ACM Awards Show: Performances were great as usual, however, the artists seem to have a tough time hearing themselves, making pitch a challenge. Also, the lack of big hit songs in the first half-hour may have kept the ratings from reaching their accustomed level. If a radio station played a half-hour of unfamiliar songs, we might have a ratings problem.
Congrats To Taylor Swift: Shut out until the fan-voted Entertainer of the Year, Taylor Swift got the well- deserved ACM win in this category. Can you think of anyone who puts on a better show, or who has done more to bring Country to the masses? I can't.
Ronnie vs. Kix:  Both former Brooks and Dunn guys have current singles.  Ironically, programmers seem to be preferring the Kix single.  Who'd a thunk it?

CMA Awards: My 2 Cents

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood did the best job anyone has ever done hosting that show. They were everything you wanted in hosts. The Tim and Faith Barbi doll segment is a CLASSIC!

Great to see Taylor Swift win Entertainer of the Year. She's done more to help Country music and Country radio than she gets credit for through the halo effect of her mass appeal popularity.

Zac Brown Band should have won SOMETHING for the great year they had. That said, I wished they had performed one of their great songs instead of "Georgia On My Mind".

Why do some artists get two turns - while many worthy ones get none? Just askin'??

Too bad the Hall of Fame has become an afterthought. Not even a picture of the winners. Seems like lately other genres are doing a better job honoring their pioneers.

Now, we should start a Facebook page to lobby for Brad and Carrie to host the Oscars!

Fishing Is King

Each year it seems, a different theme becomes popular in Country music.  This year, fishing rules.  "Just Fishin'", "Bait a Hook" and simply "Fish" are all on the charts. All good songs. I have to say, I much prefer fishing to last year's "my town is smaller than your town and I'm more Country than you" dominant theme.  Lifestyle themes are part of the format, and always will be.  Let's remember, too, that Country is also about universal themes, told in the clearest most honest way.  I wonder what's in store for next year?

Just saw my first "Back To School" ad - on July 3rd. Is this for Summer School?

Classic Country Radio Songs

Phil Sweetland wrote a great column today about Country songs that reference Country radio.  It made me think of others that I either remember, or learned about from Country music's rich past.  Besides the recent Reba hit, "Turn On Your Radio", how about these (in no particular order): 
Nothing On But The Radio - Gary Allan
Fading In, Fading Out - Tommy Overstreet
Listen To The Radio - Don Williams
Tiny Blue Transistor Radio - Connie Smith
(Lord Have Mercy On A) Country DJ - Bill Anderson
Radio Lover - George Jones
There Ain't Nothing Wrong With The Radio - Aaron Tippin
Turn Your Radio On - Ray Stevens
I Watched It All On My Radio - Lionel Cartwright

Radio and Country music are forever entwined in these classic songs.

No Respect For Merle

Kennedy Center Awards are tonight.  Most of the articles and promotion for the show reads something like, "McCartney, Winfrey and others" honored tonight.  One of those "others" is Country Music Hall of Famer Merle Haggard.  While I can't argue that Sir Paul and Oprah are more famous than "Hag", to me he means than both of them put together.  From the 60's through the 80's, no one loomed larger over the Country music landscape than Merle Haggard.  While physically small, he was larger than life.  He could do it all; sing, write, and perform while being strong enough to buck the Nashville star system by succeeding his own way.  In 2010 Merle Haggard continues to do it his own way.  Long live Merle.  My hero.

Wishful Packaging

Is it presumtous to put not yet released songs on a "Greatest Hits" or "Number One's" package?  I think it is. If the song or songs are then released to radio and are not hits or do not make number one, what then?  I suppose all releases are hits with someone.  Just askin'.

CMA Awards 2010

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood did a great job hosting again this year, teasing Nashville's royalty and keeping the show moving. Funny line: (paraphrasing) "After the night Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert are having ... expect a baby in 9 months."

Kelly Clarkson performed a powerful song with Jason Aldean, "Don't You Want To Stay Here A Little While".  No surprise that the song was released today to Country radio.

Gwyneth Paltrow sang the title song from her new movie, "Country Strong". Vince Gill sang with her to lend support. She got a standing ovation (in spite of looking nervous during the performance). 

Blake Shelton wins Male Vocalist of the Year, beating out a bunch of heavyweights.  Well deserved.

Blake's fiance Miranda Lambert wins Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, and sings the Song of the Year for "House That Built Me".   2010 is the Year of Miranda.

Sissy Spacek introduced a tribute to Loretta Lynn. There wasn't a dry eye in house as Loretta came out to sing "Coal Miner's Daughter" with Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow.  I had the privalege of interviewing Loretta (and Sissy) when Coal Miner's Daughter was released, and can tell you that there is no one more genuine and deserving of everything she's received than Loretta Lynn.  She is truly a national treasure.

Why did Taylor Swift utter the word "What?" after her performance.  We may never know.  We do know that after her incredible 2009, the woman who just sold a million albums got shut out of winning any awards last night.

Finally, Brad Paisley gets the well deserved Entertainer of the Year award, giving a heartfelt acceptance speech.   Glad to know that men are now allowed to cry in Country Music.

Is Gwyneth Overshadowing the CMA Awards?

Have you noticed that TV promos for tonight's CMA awards focus mostly on Gwyneth Paltrow's debut singing performance?  Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that her spot on the show will no doubt attract viewers who might not otherwise watch.  But I can't help feeling that some of our biggest stars are getting the short shrift.  At least promotionally.  Let's hope her performance on the show is a big hit.  It would be even better if her new movie, Country Strong, is a bigger hit.

Where's Taylor?

No disrepect to today's CMA nominees (they are a great bunch), but I do not understand how last year's Entertainer of the Year, Taylor Swift, is shunned from even a nomination in that category? Did Kanye West hijack the voting?

Shorter Is Better: At least this is true with respect to song length. Could a trend be emerging? Witness new releases from Justin Moore, Billy Currington, Carrie Underwood in the 2:50 something range. Why does this matter? It helps both radio and records. Radio gets to play more songs and records gets more new songs played. Why? At the risk of sounding techno-geeky, new currents are often in "drop" positions and they are less likely to be dropped by the computer if they are shorter and can get aired before a time sync for commercials. If I lost you on that one, just know that shorter songs are less likely to be dropped. Bring on the shorties!

Idea For A New Country Song: Way Out Here we've got a Bonfire going in the Back Woods where I'm a Little More Country than how The Country Boys Roll their Hillbilly Bone.

Give Back, Advance Your Career: The state of the radio industry is such that we need all the help we can get. There are quite a few radio organizations that can use your help. Volunteer to serve on committees putting on radio conventions like the Country Radio Seminar, the NAB, The Midwest Conclave and your state broadcasters. Most states put on an annual convention. Not only can you make a difference, but you’ll make valuable contacts that will not only enrich you personally, but will advance your career.

If you have time to serve on one committee, serve on two. Make the time. Make a difference. I have the privilege of currently serving on the CRB (Country Radio Seminar) Board and the Agenda Committee for the Midwest Conclave. For more information, drop me an email and I’ll get you the contact information to get you involved. You’ll be glad you did.

Where Will The Innovation Come From? Not Nashville, according to the NY Times:

Click here: Grudgingly, Nashville Inches Into the Future - NYTimes.com

It speaks to a point I made on my blog a few months ago. Where are the new stars?

And that while great music comes from Music City, we need to be open to Country sounds from the rest of the Country to help spark innovation.

Help Dene Hallam's Daughters: In my blogs I like to get right to the point and not waste your time. Please help insure that Dene's wonderful daughters get a good education. Moby of Moby in the Morning has set up an Educational Trust Fund. Here's a link to the information: http://www.mobyinthemorning.com/index.cfm

The Hidden Meaning of Taylor Swift's Big CMA Night: Conventional wisdom is that Taylor Swift won Entertainer of the Year because she's arguably the hottest artist on the planet. I think it goes deeper than that. This is the beginning of yet another changing of the guard in Nashville. Think about it. The incredible Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley and George Strait (fellow nominees) have all been hit makers for a decade or more. Taylor was the only recent hitmaker in the bunch. It's not about who's more Pop or who's more Country. Nor is it soley about Taylor's amazing talent. The message from the CMA voters came through loud and clear: It's time to shake things up. Taylor Swift is a glorious lightening rod for that change.

Fourth Single Syndrome: Have you noticed that several of our biggest stars are out with their third or fourth singles from current album projects? No problem with that if the material is great. The problem is that much of it is not. Therein lies the rub. I think strong songs like those by David Nail and Luke Bryan may not be getting their just airplay as we instead give more spins to that weaker song by the bigger artist. Just because an A+ act has a song in the Top 10, it does not mean that it is a hit, or worthy of power rotation. I'm just sayin' ...

Enough Already: Country Boys, Country Girls, Country Men, Country Women. Is it just me, or are these themes overdone in Country songs of the last few years? Just asking.

Write Like Your Life Depends On It: As we all get more tech-savvy, let's not lose sight of the power of the written word, whether it's in our web copy, on-air imaging, or any copy associated with radio stations.

It's easy to become enamored with how something looks or how the audio bells and whistles sound. It's harder to craft the messages that will resonate with our target audiences.

In visual marketing, only the right words combined with great layout and visuals will produce the desired results.

Is there a compelling story ready to motivate your audience? Write and re-write until it's right. Your professional life depends on it.