The Grammys And Country Music

Grammys are at this same building, The Staples Center, February 10th. It's Grammy 50 and I have been at most of the ones since Grammy 27.

They have never been about Country music. Ever! Remember, Country is on a good day 10% of the overall music pie. It's our 10% and has the most talented people in the world!

Carrie Underwood is featured -- and the only one at this writing. No Taylor Swift ...and she's up for Best New Artist! Vince was offered a 90-second slot and that was an insult.

The Grammys are seen all over the world and is a huge break for any artist. Why can't a Vince, Brad and Keith do a salute to Dick Dale or the Ventures? That's Grammy-esque!

It's either a total lack of creativity or a snub. If it's a snub, Country Music does need to make a stand like Vince did...90 seconds for a guy who's won 18 Grammys! Amazing!

The tours of Country music are about firmed up for 2008. Hank Jr. and Lynyrd Skynyrd are on a Southern tour...the Rowdy friends tour... Tom Petty is all over the country. Chesney not playing some of his normal cities ( Little Rock, Seattle, Denver) but he's working hard late spring and summer.

Look for something called BAMAJAM in Enterprise, Alabama Jun 7th. I hear that it will be huge! Check out New Orleans Jazz Ffestival too late April/Early may. Tim McGraw among the names.

New venue in the NW Atlanta suburbs -- the Verizon Encore. A million bucks in landscaping; check out the website! We know Tom Petty will be there, and we hear the EAGLES!

Willie Nelson turns 75 April30th and a lot of product on the way to celebrate. "Texas In My Soul" from his RCA sessions has been added to my iPod Touch ... great fun swing song.

Garth in L.A -- looking forward to see if the feeling is still there. Saw him in Central Park, Orlando and New Jersey's Meadowlands back in the day. It will be interesting to see the demo and the fans!