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My First Blog Entry!

Posted on March 29, 2007 at 2:38 PM

You know I’ve heard of these blogs..I even read them a time or two- Kind of like a stream of conscious on whatever is going on…. An online journal of sorts.  Well I’m excited to get to write one… And by the way..forget the grammar…No teachers allowed..I’ll just write like I talk… Ha.  I couldn’t think of a better time to start a blog for GACTV.COM then after one of the busiest weeks we’ve had.   Known as the Country Radio Seminar..or as many refer to it as “fan fair for the industry”.  It’s a time when radio programmers and sales people come into Nashville and meet up with the promoters and vp’s of record labels, along with their artists for 3 days of intense meetings…educational seminars and lot’s of dinners, drinks and music.  Me? Not that I’m complaining..but I stay in what I refer to as the “bunker”.  It’s the bottom suite of the convention center and our crew sets up our camera’s..and we literally park ourselves there for 3 days. 

We get there early morning about 9 and stay till about 8ish and interview all the artists that are there for that particular day- For example- My first day started out with a long form interview with John Mellencamp-He is not a guy that does interviews but these days he’s out making the rounds to promote his new cd, “Freedom’s Road”.  Needless to say I was a little anxious about the interview. Here is someone whose music has been a soundtrack to our lives….well certainly to my life.  Songs like “Jack and Diane” and “Cherry Bomb”. I found him to be exactly like I thought he would. A “rocker”..and very intense. He definitely has the weight of the world on his shoulders and his music is drenched with his thoughts and feelings about the current state of our country. He is passionate and creative and really lit up when the conversation turned to his paintings. As always his new cd is something you should check out..plus OUR group Little Big Town adds their vocals throughout.  Ha..I say “our”…they are very much a country band..and so well loved throughout the industry and audience alike. So it’s great to see that they are finally getting recognition!

From Mellencamp..my day went something like this- Lindsey Haun, Flynnville Train, Van Zant, Jamie O’Neal, John Anderson, Bucky Covington, Craig Morgan, Neal McCoy, Rodney Atkins, Luke Byran, Taylor Swift and oh..forgot..a long form interview with Alison Krauss and John Waite.  Long form meaning the interview is anywhere from 20-30 minutes. This was just day 1.  Let me just say..I know..I understand..you hate me..I mean who wouldn’t want this gig right? It is a blast. I can’t believe that I get to do this everyday. As a kid all I could do was listen to the radio..I would think of questions to ask the artists..put myself in the shoes of the ones on television..What would it be like to be there..to go through lyrics..and finally get to ask the question of the artist..or songwriter.. “what did you mean when you wrote this..” ..or “who were you thinking of when you recorded that..”..Right? It’s the questions we all think about..only I dwell on it! Ha! To the point of driving people crazy..so it’s a good thing I get to talk about it with the artists themselves.  They were all great..Krauss and Waite was just a surreal moment. Who doesn’t love Alison Krauss’ music? I always try to play it cool around her..but I’m such a freak about her music..and then to have John Waite there!! I told him he was like the Beatles to me in 84 when “Missing You” was a hit.  That clef in his chin…that sneer to the camera..I knew that video by heart! Overall it was a great week..Every artist that came by to give a little of their time..a little piece of themselves..I thank them.  Be sure to check out the week of interviews on GAC Nights running…March 12th through March 16th.

And oh yeah..don’t miss our last show during our CRS coverage..We head to the tour bus of each artist who played the concert on the closing night of the seminar..the show known as “New Faces”.  This is when radio picks 5 artists who they feel are the “most promising” artist of the year.. Miranda Lambert was one of the 5…and let me tell you..Her bus rocks!  I would vacation that that bus! It’s beautiful..and you’ll get to see Miranda’s little girl..a little puppy named Delilah! Well..I”m beat. I’m going to rest up as we head back into the studio this week! Till next time…S

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