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.
When the nation celebrates its birthday on Friday, Nashville will be one of many cities across America shooting off fireworks, with Phil Vassar and the Lost Trailers taking part in a celebration expected to draw 100,000 people to Riverfront Park.
Another anniversary is coming up on Sunday that has its own impact on Music City and its creative community. Bob Mulloy was born 75 years ago in Nashville. The name won’t mean much to a lot of readers, but he’s had a huge impact on who works on Music Row and who records there. Bob created a Music Business program at then-tiny Belmont College in 1972. The school is located near the end of 16th Avenue, literally 1.1 miles from the first recording studio on the Row, where Marty Robbins cut “El Paso” and Johnny Cash did “Ring Of Fire.”
Usually I can persuade a few of my friends to join me for the nightly concerts at the CMA Music Festival, so I don’t have to sit there by myself all night, taking notes. This year, for the first time, I had several friends ask if they could tag along. Well, sure! Seeing the event through the eyes of a first-timer always makes it a lot more fun. When Rascal Flatts suddenly appeared as the surprise guest that first night, you could definitely sense the excitement in the crowd - stuff like this just doesn’t happen outside of Nashville.
I cannot wait for 3:30 p.m. CT today (June 6). That’s when Sara Evans takes the stage at Nashville’s Rocketown. God, she’s so good live. That distinctive voice, that sense of humor. I wonder what she’ll sing first. I wonder what kind of beers they have on tap. Oh, wait. I’m getting so caught up in the live music experience that I forgot I won’t actually be there. I’ll be home in Chicago, at my desk. But since this new wave of “live” music has started, I’ve been able to “see” plenty of shows I can’t attend. This one’s coming to me (and you) by way of SyncLive.com, a site that seems cooler than the rest because there’s no need to register or log in or join in order to watch.
As I pushed off for the Country Music Half Marathon last Saturday, I began to think what had attracted all these thousands of visiting runners to Nashville. I had 13.1 miles to find some answers. The CMT Music City Mile began just before we hit Music Row, home to the publishing companies, studios and labels that keep Nashville ticking over. Big banners in front yards congratulated songwriters on their latest hit — part of the village feel that Nashville offers over other industry towns like L.A. and New York.
Josh Turner loves playing basketball on the road with his band and crew – but not as much as he used to. “We try to play as much as we can,” he says, “but here lately, everybody’s been getting hurt, so it’s slowing us down.”
Turner sprained his ankle in early April, but he’s ready for another try, now that he’s able to walk without lingering pain. “I was on defense and my lead guitar player had the ball,” he says. “I was guarding him, and I went to try to steal the ball, and when I did, he went to drive past me. I tried to change direction really quick, and my ankle gave way. I just flipped over and laid there on the floor for a little while. But luckily I walked it off and played three or four more games.”
One of the coolest country videos I’ve seen in a while is Josh Turner’s “Another Try.” In the opening shot, a suitcase shoots up from the ground, over the bridge and right into his hands. Sounds like it could be cheesy, but it isn’t — thanks to the latest film technology. Plus, I know exactly where that bridge is, because I ride my bike out there in the summer and fall, and it always makes me nervous because it’s so high.
Hey everyone,
Monday night was AMAZING. I am still smiling. My sister and I sat next to my tourmates Jewel and Chuck Wicks, and behind us was James Otto, who tapped me on the shoulder and gave me the “biggest fan” award. I’ve grown up idolizing these artists, and I actually got to meet most of them, one in particular, Faith Hill, who has inspired me so much. It was an honor meeting her.
It was so much fun being up on that stage. I got to introduce my tourmate, Brad Paisley, with Sara Evans and Josh Turner, who kept making me laugh during rehearsals that day. Not to mention I was pretty nervous. You would think after performing on TV with 30 million people watching each week the nerves would leave. Well, well think again! :)
The performances blew me away, they were all so amazing. I really enjoyed LeAnn Rimes, Sugarland and Keith Urban. I can only hope to perform up there one day. What an unforgettable night!
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Brad Paisley and Gretchen Wilson weigh in on what makes for a good country video — in the latest edition of USA Weekend.
For you guitar freaks, Paisley also gives his opinion on why multiple amps and in-ear monitors are so important to his sound.
Josh Turner is the latest country artist to set his sights on acting with his appearance in Billy: The Early Years, the upcoming film about Billy Graham.
There’s a new artist growing up out of the band behind Kenny Chesney. His name is Tim Hensley.
“Awkward” and “fun.” Those are just a couple of the choice words Carrie Underwood uses to describe what it’s like to be famous, in this story from the Baltimore Sun.
Us magazine readers now have a forum for choosing Underwood’s next crush. See if you agree with them.
“God would be so flattered.” That was my 9-year-old’s rationale for naming our new puppy “God.” Granted, this dog will one day be 125 lbs. and very omnipresent. Still, I didn’t think it was appropriate to name him after Him, even if God would take it as a compliment. It does make you wonder, though, what God thinks of all the country songs about Him. Is He flattered? And will we ever know if He likes the trend?
George Strait’s new single, “I Saw God Today,” debuted this week at No. 19 on the country charts. That’s high, even for Strait. Is that the work of God? Or the brilliant songwriters? Brooks & Dunn’s “God Must Be Busy” is holding steady in the Top 20, too. Maybe there is indeed a special place on the charts for songs about Him. Even songs that just casually mention God seem to perform well, such as Tim McGraw’s “If You’re Reading This,” with this line: “I’m up here with God and we’re both watching over you.” Add to that songs like Shania Twain’s “God Bless the Child,” Phil Vassar’s “This is God,” Josh Turner’s “Me & God,” Emerson Drive’s “Only God,” JoDee Messina’s “Even God Must Get the Blues,” and Vince Gill’s “Hey God,” and you have enough singles to fill a seriously heavenly playlist.
Not every song about Him climbs the charts, though, so God may be a little pickier than we think. Maybe He does play favorites. When Keith Urban released “But for the Grace of God” in 2001, it shot straight to the top. But “God Made Woman,” in which he attempts to know how God felt when creating a woman (”he must’ve been proud/he must’ve been crying or laughing out loud”), was never released. Did God have a hand in that?
Someone like Keith Whitley must know by now whether or not God is flattered by all this. I’m sure they’ve had this very conversation. But since we can’t talk to Whitley, we’ll just have to pray that God’s cool with the songs that cast him in a good light. So far, no one’s been brave enough to sing a song that makes Him look bad. And even if they did, I’m guessing He’d never let it chart.
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