CMT Blog: Archive

When it comes to underwriting the costs of touring, country music artists generally look to the alcohol and snack food industries for sponsorship. But maybe it's time that somebody summoned the courage to seek sponsorship from a condom company. Especially in light of an Associated Press report about a significant increase in pregnancies around Grand Junction, Colo., following the Country Jam USA that took place there on June 26-29.

According to the story, a health department official told country officials this week that the number of pregnant women seeking services increased from an average of about 30 per month to almost 80 just five weeks after the festival. And if that just represents the one county, how many others are there in other counties and other states? Not that any of the country artists were involved beyond merely setting a romantic mood with their music, but the festival included appearances by Rodney Atkins, Lady Antebellum, Josh Turner, Joe Nichols, Sugarland and Tim McGraw.

So the next time you walk up to the merchandise booth at a music festival and start thinking that $35 is too much to pay for a T-shirt, consider how expensive it could be to take home another little souvenir from the show.