The 'American Idol' Machine Comes to Town...

I'll admit it. When I heard Hollywood was coming to town I was prepared for attitude, arrogance, and pushy television producers who had no respect for southerners. Perhaps I read too many tabloids as nothing could have been further from the truth.

From the beginning, the 'American Idol' team asked for and listened to our opinions on important issues like where to take their media parade, and what to expect at each location. There was never a sense of "this is how it's going down and if you hillbillies don't like it, you can go back to your tobacky farm." To our credit we were agreeable partners who realized at the end of the day it was their show. I was shocked by the mutual respect.


QDR was the day's first stop and you could see the anxiousness in the producer's face. The visit would ultimately set the tone for the afternoon, so some nervousness was to be expected. There wasn't any rudeness (despite a larger than expected in-studio audience) and Scotty McCreery's bodyguards were purposeful but understanding when the 17-year-old was peppered with autograph requests. They kept the parade moving, but didn't turn down any of the youngest "Scotty Hotties."

It turns out Scotty's stop at QDR did set the tone for the day. Everyone who had a hand in the planning should have beamed with pride when the producer announced that the Garner stop was the best she'd been a part of in eight years on 'Idol.' Kudos to the town of Garner for throwing together a wonderful show with little time and money. They weren't prepared for this, but their effort was exemplary.

Watch Scotty Talk to the Q-Morning Crew

(The A.I. producer is the dark haired woman in the white blouse, who enters just behind Scotty.)

James Durbin: America's #2

I can't pretend I thought James would go home last night. In fact I had him in the final two with Scotty McCreery, and wouldn't have felt comfortable betting on either horse in that race.

That said, I understand how he went home last night on 'American Idol.' James Durbin was America's # 2. Everyone loved his story, appreciated his courage, found his vocal range impressive, but voted for someone else.


Think about the heavy metal lover in your life. Is that person watching 'American Idol?' More than likely he's mocking the reality show. He (and let's be honest, it IS a "he") complains about how all the contestants have no talent and all those standard complaints. We have a rock station right next door, and I'm pretty sure they're not behind JD like country stations are behind Scotty. That show doesn't really fit their demographic.

Love her or hate her, Haley has her people. Lauren fits into the pop world or country world (lack of a decision could be her downfall). Scotty's path to the winner's circle should be clear now. At this point it's not about the performance. It's about who has the most people. Who has a large cross section of America behind them?

James didn't have people.

The Fail Whale...

Can someone explain this picture to me? I know it's the Twitter "Fail Whale." From time to time it appears when Twitter is over capacity, but why?

Let's count the perplexing elements of this graphic...

1) Are the birds kidnapping the whale or returning him safely? The satisfied look on the big fish's face leads one to believe he's being led to water. But where were the birds hiding him?

2) Clearly the birds need to work on their team work. Half the birds are flying east, and the other half are pulling west. Whatever they're up to, it won't last long.

3) Of course they did all work together to each grab one guideline and hoist the mammoth beast from (or to) the water, so maybe I should give them a little credit.

4) And finally, does this picture on it's own merit state: "Please be patient during this technical delay."

Oh Fail Whale, you're on a conundrum wrapped in a riddle, locked safely inside an enigma.

How Lauren Stole 'American Idol' last night...

Let's roll play. We are every guy who's ever tried to break up with a high school girlfriend. Lauren Alaina is that girlfriend.

Us: So, um, listen. I really enjoy hanging out with you but-

Lauren: Me too. I love you so much! I mean, you are just so wonderful!

Us: Yeah, well... you see I'm not sure I can give you what you need.

Lauren: (looks concerned. somewhere deep down in her ultra pure heart the tear factory is starting up)

Us: Yeah, it's just. I think. (long pause) I have too much going on right now, and I can't give you the time -

Lauren: (barely holding back tears) Are you breaking up with me?

Us: Well, I love you. But I'm not "in love" with you.

Lauren: (twenty minutes worth of sobbing, begging, pleading and general pathetic cuteness)

Us: OK, you know what?  You're right.  I'm just being an idiot.  I am in love with you.

Last night on 'Idol' we almost broke up with Lauren, and it didn't go too well. If you saw those tears and that adorable quivering lip, and you felt no compassion, your soul (to quote the Grinch) is an "appalling dump heap overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable rubbish imaginable."

American Idol: Jacob Lusk Eliminated - Amazing videos are here

I'm not sure America can go through that again. If we "dump" James, Haley or (God forbid) Scotty, I think each would be disappointed and grieve privately. We wouldn't have to see it.

Sometimes in life and love, the winner is the one we fear disappointing most and right now Lauren scares the hell out of me.

My senior year of high school I ran into a similar problem. I remained in an unsatisfying relationship for months after initially trying to break up with a really sweet girl. MONTHS! She kept winning me back with that quivering lip. The tight blue jeans helped too, but mostly the quivering lip.

The Curious Case of Benton Blount ... Continued

One year ago, I wrote about North Carolina's Benton Blount. For some reason, his story really stuck with me. For those of you unfamiliar with Benton, and I'm assuming that is almost everybody, I'll provide an extreme Cliff Notes version of Benton's story thus far:

Benton visited QDR on a radio tour last spring. He was about to release a song called "Carolina," that seemed perfect for our radio station. Listeners showed they'd support it, we were dying to play it, but the label never officially released it (read my original post to learn why that's important).

A short time later, his label closed leaving Benton professionally homeless. I recently learned that he no longer has the rights to any of the music he wrote or recorded during that contract, and a few legal battles are pending.* Essentially this guy didn't just lose a job, his boss stole his wife and kids too. That's a mighty metaphor; I have no reason to believe adultery occurred.

Flash forward to today. The big man presses on and is looking for a little help. 

I'm not asking you to throw a bunch of money at the guy. It looks like he's well on his way to his goal anyway. Just keep BB in mind when you hear his song on the radio or he shows up in your town. He makes music for all the right reasons, and only the soulless can ignore that. 

*This story was relayed to me by a third party, and has not been checked for accuracy. Aside from his radio visit, I've never met Benton, nor have I ever seen him perform. That sort of makes my appreciation for him a little creepy, but I get that a lot.

The Definition of Country Music

Last month I issued a challenge: “Define Country Music.” The only rule was you couldn't mention a specific artist. Here are some of the responses.

“Country music is music from the heart,” says Mighty Tim Robbins. “Be it sad, happy, or just in a playful mood … it describes who we are as a people of this great country.”
 

Brian Edwards was more concise. “Country music is three chords and the truth.”

I liked Debbie Seean's definition. “The sound of folks living their lives.” Dougie Freshie had similar ideas from a teenage boy's perspective. “(Country music is...) Redneck Yacht Club and Hot Women!”

Ginny Fisher: "Country music is about life. It's about living, loving, heartache and faith. Country music is about real people."

You can see a theme. My definition is “relatable life experiences set to music,” and that seems to jive with what the majority.

So tell me again why Taylor Swift “isn't country?” Why are people trying to argue Rascal Flatts is a pop-band? What about Kid Rock, Colt Ford and, once upon a time, Shania Twain? Next time someone tries to argue one of your favorites “isn't real country music” issue this challenge.

Scotty Needs to Dress for Success...

It's shallow, but let's admit it. There is a small faction of 'Idol' fans voting for Scotty because he's cute. No one's complaining, after all when the competition trims to four, then three and two, McCreery is going to need every vote he can get.

I fear that faction could be getting bored with him however. Every night he walks on stage in a pretty predictable outfit. We've seen amazing growth in Scotty as a singer and entertainer, but not much as dresser. Other contestants have found ways to change it up, while remaining within the comforts of their personality. Perhaps it's Haley crimping her hair, or Casey shaving that beaver off of his face. Jacob came out dressed as a clown last night. I certainly don't want Scotty to emulate that, I'm just asking that he surprise us with something new. He has resources, and should use them.

We need only to revisit Season two to see how important this is. Would Raleigh's Clay Aiken have been as popular if he'd stayed true to the duds that he wore during auditions?

Inside Scoop on Chris Young's New Video...

Back when he was on 'Nashville Star,' Chris Young decided to wear a cowboy hat because no one else on the show was wearing one and he thought it'd set him apart from the competition. He won, so he was probably well advised. Before the show he wasn't a "hat act," per se. And now the time has come to take it off.

That's harder than it sounds. Chris is recognized under the stiff brim of his black Stetson. Simply leaving it at home for a video shoot would leave casual country fans wondering who the handsome country newcomer was. Imagine if Reba went blond, or if Zac Brown shaved that beaver off his face. The black hat is his calling card, it's how his fans find him in a crowd.

In the video for 'Tomorrow,' Young's team made a decision to include scenes of Chris with and without the hat. It was a very intentional decision ... think of it as his "coming out" party as a hatless man. I expect we'll continue to see more hatless Chris that hatted Chris. The response has been great from his female fans. He's a handsome man, with a nice head of hair.

Perhaps he can work out a shampoo endorsement.

The Purpose of Music Videos...

Let's not kid ourselves. Artists and record companies spend thousands of dollars on music videos in hopes that you'll love it, and then go by the album. It's sort of the ultimate product placement because you're not even aware you're being sold anything. I think “He-Man” tried the same thing in the 1980s, but it was way more obvious.

That said, there are some brilliant videos. Brad Paisley's are usually pretty fun, and Taylor Swift's are a roller coaster. Sometimes a video changes the meaning of a song, or at least tries to. For example, before you watched the video for Sugarland's hit “Stuck Like Glue” were you thinking it was a stalker song?

Lady Antebellum wussed out a bit with the video for “Need You Now.” That song is about two people who know they're wrong for each other, but hook up anyway. It's not about love. The video would lead you to believe otherwise.

Joe Nichols latest hit “The Shape I'm”is a great song about perseverance, and the video improves upon the concept in a way the lyrics don't hint at. Adding wounded military veterans took a good song and made it powerful. 

I just watched Ronnie Dunn's “Bleed Red” video. The first 30 seconds focus on his daughter (or someone we should assume is his daughter) after a break up. The girl begins to paint her face but then we start seeing historic scenes from around the world. Berlin Wall falling, September 11, the Tienanmen Square massacre... It's sort of random, but eventually gets to where it needs to go. If I were reviewing this video I'd give it a 5/10.

It doesn't leave me inspired to go buy the album however. Actually, I sort of want to go find my old He-Man's. 

The Reviews are In...

Recently I started writing for Taste of Country. I've always held various freelance journalism jobs in addition to my radio work, but this first news blog I've worked for. Mine is the Scotty McCreery beat, as the 'American Idol' contestant is from just down the road and I can access to his friends and family.
 

So far so good. 

Today I did my first song review. I've done album reviews in the past. Usually I feel under-qualified and tend to agree with writer/genius Chuck Klosterman that one learns more about the reviewer than the topic being reviewed. With that in mind, you can read what I wrote about the lead singer of Air Supply's first country effort.
 
I do feel qualified to write country music reviews, but that could be my undoing. An inflated sense of importance tends to make an opinion piece feel like gospel. I think I make some good points here however, and will continue to try to stay out of the way of myself in the future.