I got the hint- let's get this blog going!
We launched this blog site oh....about 4 months ago. How many entries are there? That would be a fat Zero. Why? I have no idea. But starting here-starting now- that all changes. Welcome to the beginning of "Country Music Across America" Blog-o-rama!! Thanks to those who have been faithfully checking in to see something...anything...only to be greeted by NOTHING. I'll make it up to you. I think some of my reservation in doing blog entries is the fact that they live in cyber-space forever. That's a long time. Then I got to thinking. So what? As long as people look at the date of the entry and understand that my opinion may change on certain things given time to evaluate whatever I spout off about, then no problem, right? I said, right? (sound of crickets) Come on people, work with me. That's not to say that I plan on stirring things up here. But you never know what can come out in the heat of blogging. So, to make it fair. I'm going to put everyone on an even playing field here. Meaning when I make a comment, share an opinion, invite or create a heated dialogue, and you just read and don't share your thoughts as well....well, that's just rude. Dive in! The water's warm. This isn't MY blog. It's a blog for all who stumble across it. I just want to kick-off the conversation. Oh, one little disclaimer... I write fast. That means I often don't spell-check or grammar-check things. Any comments regarding typos, misssspelled words or too many run-on sentences will be deleted upon receipt. Ok, probably not. Just give me a break.
With that....happy blogging!
Welcome to the family. (keep reading. click on the link below!)
So...let's get started.
First topic. Blog numero uno. The premiere.
What should we talk about?.......
Ok, got it.
As Host and co-producer of our little show on GAC, "Country Music Across America" I'm constantly faced with finding a balance between showcasing stories on the superstars and introducing viewers to new artists.
Sponsors want the stars. Stars have more fans. Sponsors want more people. People buy sponsor's stuff.
And yes, it's fun to catch up with our successful friends. Many we've watched since their very first showcase in Nashville. And to watch them become superstars is much like a parent watching a kid play in the Superbowl - and with 5 and 2 year-old boys I hope to experience that scenario sometime in my life... but I digress.
We've grown up with these stars, literally.
But! it's also a blast to meet a rising star for the first time. There's a different look in their eyes. There's a sense of hunger that seems to drift away as some artists achieve stardom. The hunger often gets replaced by ....I don't know exactly what it is, but it's not hunger.
A few maintain it. And they stick around because of it.
What is this hunger?
Is hunger the synonym for competitive spirit? Maybe.
Is hunger a chip on the shoulder only the artists themselves can knock off? Maybe.
Or, is the hunger simply the feeling one gets when there's something more to accomplish? Who knows?
I just know that when that look of hunger in an artist's eyes goes away, it doesn't take long for their career to drift away as well.
So, my questions are these:
What happens to hunger when what you're hungry for becomes unreachable?
Hunger creates desire. Desire creates will. Will creates action. Action creates reaction.
If there's no reaction from the Radio gods. No reaction from the record label. No reaction from music listeners. What happens? Where do artists go to feed the hunger?
Some go back to the drawing board and regroup. They continue their music dream going back to the same bars and clubs they started playing in hopes they might get a second, or third, or fourth shot.
A few lucky ones get those shots. A few others become songwriters and find a way to feed the hunger by supplying songs to other hungry artists.
The rest?
They give up the music chapter in their lives and find other ways to pay to the bills.
But how many artists have disappeared too early?
We have a saying in our office. And it's not one we're proud of:
"Our careers are filled with 'never-have-beens".
I know the set up has been long, but bare with me. It all leads to one final question-
Who, in your opinion, has disappeared too early?
I'm not talking about the artists who achieved "stardom" and then faded. That's a topic for another entry.
I'm talking about the artists who left -or were forced to leave - Country radio before the spotlight ever found them.
For the sake of kicking off this discussion I'll offer up a few my personal picks from recent years.
- Anthony Smith (huge writer. nothing from radio as an artist)
- Hanna-McEuen (best duo to hit Country in years)
- HillJack (best band to Country in years)
- Mark Luna (unbelievable voice and writer)
- Shannon Brown (she's getting her second shot now. Unbelievable everything)
- Shannon Lawson (another Shannon on the verge of a second shot. My favorite male singer)
- Ty England (Garth created him. But Ty hasn't been allowed to move on without him.)
- Tim Rushlow ( yeah he was big with Little Texas, but his band Rushlow never left ground. I think there's more left in him)
- Jeffrey Steele (huge writer. but as an artist? nothing from radio)
- Mark Nessler (again, huge writer. and again, nothing from radio as an artist. do we see a pattern here?)
That's a good start. There are plenty of others I haven't mentioned. Care to add to it?
Here's your chance.
The rules are simple. The artists you pick must have had a record deal at some point in their career and must have released at least one single to radio.
Otherwise the list will go on forever. Another entry will allow the chance to list artists who've never even been signed, but deserve a shot.
Let the Blogging begin!!!!
New entry/question to follow in the next few days.
Thanks for checking in.
-Storme
