Free Country Music Information

Charlie was in Tampa today helping out a charity. He's always helping out someone. Vince is playing the Opry this weekend after playing at a mutual friend's funeral this week. Both men amaze me as artists and as human beings.

As a charter member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, I am drowning in movies right now. The Fedex and UPS carriers are loading me down with screener DVDs. I am watching, while I am typing, Mrs. Urban in "Margot at the Wedding." She may get an Oscar nomination for one of her films. Her "Golden Compass" film is opening amidst some controversy concerning the source material.

Keith is playing the arena tonight and just got back from his husbandly duties with her in London.

Garth is playing Los Angeles with tickets going on sale for that this weekend. The money goes to Southern California 2008 Fire Relief. Garth is another one who helps a lot of people with his success.

The cute "Dancing with the Stars" winning professional Julianne Hough (pronounced: "Huff") has been signed to Shania's home label Mercury. They say she can sing. The gal's already famous. Do we have another potential Carrie Underwood head start coming here? Being well known is a factor, but she has to have some GREAT songs. That part is the hard part.

Cool book out for Christmas: "Air Castle of the South: WSM and the Making of Music City." Craig Havighurst has put together a fascinating history of Music City.

Willie on the cover of High Times Magazine...My, my...

So we reach the last month of 2007. I still would like to see the sales figures for the year when you do NOT include Garth and The Eagles. I guess it's fair to include them, but not really. Factor out Carrie and Taylor Swift and what DID you have this year? What new artist besides the brilliant job done with Taylor has busted out?

I just know Miley Cyrus is the real deal -- if she can just keep the wheels on the car as it speeds down the road. I also know the Internet has changed all our lives ... and people still can't figure out how to make it a cash cow.

Fake tickets at the Hannah Montana show in Atlanta. That whole ticket thing and the paparazzi are two issues someone needs to look at in 2008. Sales issues, too, but who is NOT looking at that.

Where is Nashville Star?