Learnings From Our Blogiversary
This week marks the one-year anniversary of the CMT Blog. I can't speak for my co-bloggers, but I have learned during the past 12 months. Namely, that country fans are a passionate bunch. If it was my job to blog about, say, children's theater, I don't know that I'd see such heated discussions and get such tremendous feedback. Good and bad.
I've learned a handful of specific lessons that will likely stay with me for years to come. And these are my Top 10:
1. Never say anything remotely negative about Dolly Parton. Ever. Or at least be prepared for the hailstorm of flak from her fans.
2. Always sing the praises of the artists who get no love from country radio.
3. Ignore the blog comments that are of a personal nature and have nothing to do with the blog itself. (You know who you are: you readers who tell me I have an ugly soul.)
4. Remember that the roots of country music often have nothing to do with the way it sounds today.
5. And you should never compare an icon to a rookie.
6. Country fans are not always who you think they are. True, there's that middle-aged female demo for radio. But this blog generates readers from teenage fans to senior citizens, all who love something about the music.
7. Be honest, even if it means risking criticism.
8. Try to write about things other blogs aren't. Readers' time is precious, and they don't want to spend it on yet another opinion of what it really meant when Faith Hill told a fan that someone needed to teach her some class.
9. Certain artists (Keith Urban, Shania Twain and Reba McEntire come to mind) can do no wrong in the eyes of fans, and they think all blogs should be written thusly.
10. Never forget that the artists read this blog, too. Not every day, but sometimes. And that's enough to keep me on my toes.
This is my 97th blog for CMT.com. And I hope I'll write a least a hundred more in the next year. God willing, Nashville will keep churning out new music, great stories and a few controversies so I never run out of things to talk about.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Kim says:
Wow, this blog has been around for a year? I had no idea. I just started noticing it in the past month or so. I thought it was new. Where have I been?
Well anyway, I love the blogs. Very entertaining!!
Gary says:
Stick to the music and to the art of the music. Be objective and don’t turn this blog into TMZ or Perez Hilton. Be better and leave that for the hollywood types!
DollyNood says:
Dolly is one of the greatest hotties of the world. At age 62 she still looks better than a lot of those so-called supermodels. I’d say it’s way overdue that she showed “The Best Boobs in the Bizz” to the world, so c’mon Dolly pose nude in the near future and don’t wait until y’er 100-th birthday or at least have the pictures that have been taken in the past published!!
Leah says:
This blog is always entertaining. Keep up the good work!
MiaT says:
Great job Alison !!!!
Thanks for all your great articles, I still don’t know how y’all know what the heck to write about. As always, can’t wait for the next one !!
GLORIA says:
Dolly,
I JUST LOVE YOUR GOSPEL MUSIC GOD HAS REALLY BLESSED YOU AND GAVE YOU SUCH GREAT TALENT TO SING GOSPEL. IT REALLY TOUCHES ALOT OF FOLKS. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO PUT OUT A NEW GOSPEL SONG. I CAN’T WAIT.GOD BLESS YOU IN ALL YOU DO WITH YOUR VOICE, SING FOR HIM ,HE GAVE IT TO YOU. SO USE IT TO GLORIFY HIM.
IN CHRIST NAME
Cory says:
Thanks for the acknowledgement: Reba can do no wrong. :-)
kayefun says:
Good Read Alison, Happy Blog Anniversary…….
CMT Blog is my favorite here at the CMT Web Site.
You made many specific, valid and merit worthy points of blogging life lessons from this past year.
And of course, I love Dolly and Reba.
BTW, I’m going on written record, right now, IMHO - there is not a shadow of darkness in your soul, you bring a lot of warmth with your realism and are very much appreciated. Thank you.
Taylor Marie Carnival says:
Hello Um i have a question okay like is dolly’s hair fake?
Liz says:
Totally fake–she admits they are wigs made in China. She has joked b4 that every time she pulls a little hair out some woman in china yells out in pain. God love a woman that can be so funny and honest. God bless you Dolly!
Stage Dive Stacy says:
Happy blogiversary Alison! Sorry so late posting! LOVE your blogs! Look forward to many, many more from ya! I loved meeting ya and I’m sure I’ll catch ya at a show soon! :)
gloria says:
Congrats on your 1 yr anniversay!! Love reading your blogs and yes, you are right…in my eyes Keith Urban is almost perfect!! lol!!
Kelsy says:
yes, Allison, you ARE right. In my eyes, Keith and Reba CAN DO NO WRONG!!!!!!
Happy Blogiversary!
Desiree Dawn says:
Dolly said
make em laugh
make em cry
scare em to death
and send em home
great Motto !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dolly has inspired me as an artist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
songwriter songwryter Desiree Dawn
“Cheap Trick”
“Dusty On the shelf”
“Twisted fairytale”
“Just keep Loving me”
Desiree Dawn says:
Thanks to the greats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
opponienalt says:
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