MORE RANDOMNESS

This week will be one of those weeks where I write about nothing in general, just a few thoughts about names in the news, or at least my news!

• THE ROYAL WEDDING 2011------I was in the store recently, and saw about eight to ten different magazines about William and Kate. Sometimes, I wonder what all the fuss is about. Did England go crazy back in 2008 when Jenna Bush was married? Now, I understand it's different, but I'm just sayin. Still, it's hard not to be a little interested in the Royals. I read someone saying that Kate was "ordinary." OK....and television and those McDonald's hamburger joints were just fads, right?

• THE KENNEDYS------In America, I guess the closest thing we have to royalty is the Kennedy family. There have been numerous movies made about them, but I found myself engrossed last week in the Reelz miniseries based on their story. Historians have many good points in disputing the authenticity of the film (NO MENTION OF TED?), but Greg Kinnear and Barry Pepper were remarkable as the brothers John and Bobby. In fact, Pepper will likely be nominated for an Emmy, as he gave one of the best portrayals of RFK I have ever seen---and that includes Martin Sheen and William Devane. But, I missed the finale, and won't get to see it until next week...so don't tell me how it ends!

• BACK TO THE FUTURE----This week, I have made the trip back to Tennessee to do a week of morning drive at Kix 96 in Centerville. It's strange, and unless you have worked mornings in radio, you will think I'm crazy....but getting up at 4 in the morning.....I have missed it....even though I like to sleep.

• TESTING-------Say a prayer and cross your fingers for a lot of kids this week. In Georgia and Tennessee both this week, the annual profiency tests are taking place. The children are taking them all this week, and I know (even though it has to be done) it's going to be a long one. I do have a question, though. Do you stil have to color in the circle on the sheet, or has that gone the way of the card catalog?

• I SAW KENNY ROGERS-----Well, actually, it was my father. I got back to Tennessee Saturday night tired and very much out of it. I sat down in a recliner at Dad and Marcia's house, when he looked at me for a second. As out of it as I was, I knew that Kenny Rogers had stopped by for a visit. Nope, my father has grown a beard. In all seriousness, it looks good, Dad. I have had success with goatees, but me growing a beard is a joke....If only my name were Tidwell! Well, that's about it for this week...Have a great Monday!

ACM AWARDS 2011 BLOG

• 9:47AM EST "ACM AWARDS BLOG" LIVE TONIGHT AT 8PM / EST

7:25PM EST Ok...Just sat down in front of TV for GAC Red Carpet. Thought I would give you my thoughts on who just might win in these categories

Vocal Event: Zac Brown Band & Alan Jackson, though if Loretta Lynn and Co. won this one, I wouldn't be too sad.

Video: "The House That Built Me"

Song of the Year: "The House That Built Me"

Single of the Year: "The House That Built Me"

Album of the Year: THE GUITAR SONG, Jamey Johnson

Top New Artist: The Band Perry

Top Vocal Group: Lady Antebellum

Top Vocal Duo: Sugarland

Female Vocalist: Miranda Lambert

Male Vocalist: Blake Shelton

Entertainer: Going out on a limb....Taylor Swift

While I was writing this entry, it was announced that the ZBB and Alan Jackson won the Vocal Event crown. Since I didn't know it at the time....does that count as a win?

7:42PM.....Comments are welcome. Leave them here, or e-mail me at spinthehitz74@gmail.com....First time I've ever done anything like this, so bear with me....

8:00 PM.....Here we go!

8:01 PM....Blake singing to Miranda....Where will this go? Is that Miranda? LOL...Didn't think so!

8:02 PM.....I have been excited about this one. I love the new Paisley song better than anything he's done in a while. It could be his night as far as Entertainer, but I still feel Taylor Swift. I hope this is a number one hit....You know, the years might have changed....but they are still Alabama! Was that Marg Helgenberger from C.S.I. in the audience? I'm impressed! Love it....A country award show with no pop or rock stars in the opening. We're pretty dang cool without them!

8:07pm.....And the pop world comes....Hey, I love pop music. But, Country stars are cool by themselves....But Celine is the musical ambassador of Vegas now, so it works. I really think Blake is going to do well as host tonight, and Reba is....Reba.....This guy is going to continue to see his star rise in 2011....Nice joke about the age....Miley joke not so much.....Cool timing on Brokeback Mountain.....So so joke on Brad....

8:14pm......Toby on stage.....Really liked the new album. Hard to believe he's going to be 50 this year. Pretty decent song.....

8:18pm......I love Brad Garrett, but that was kind of lame.

8:23pm......Here comes Carrie.....OK....You know what I said about pop / rock stars earlier? As gorgeous and talented as Carrie is.....I think more people are looking at Steven Tyler right now......Carrie is handling herself pretty good for the most part.....But, i can hear Nashville groaning.....I still stand by what I said, but this is Steven Tyler.....

8:30pm.......I understand this is a party....but this is the ACM AWARDS, right? You know, Jennifer Nettles is someone that my mind goes back and forth on. I think looks-wise, she's having a good night.....but this current album is a little too different. It has its' moments, but if I wanted to hear Heart, they're on tour this summer.....My daughter just asked me what the name of this song was? I said "Tonight." At least, that's what I think it is....My daughter is not impressed....

8:36PM.....Still no awards, but I like this new Dierks Bentley song kicks butt. No big statement, just fun! Cool chorus....8:40PM and no awards handed out yet?

8:40pm....I will take some flak for this, but should fans be allowed to vote in the ACM's or CMA's....I have my feelings about this....Plus, isn't that what the CMT Video Awards are for? Just my two cents....

8:45pm.....I know that Keith loves Nicole, but George Strait has been married for forty years, and some of his biggest songs are heartbreak-laden....Just a thought.....

8:49pm.....One of my cats just hit the channel button on the satellite....Interesting!

8:50pm....Jennifer looks like Alison Krauss.....I really liked Eric Church's first disc.....but he's country. If you don't believe him, he'll tell you,.....But, at least they mentioned the word "award." That's a first....

8:53pm.....Dan Patrick talks about Brooklyn Decker all the time on his radio show. I understand why. An award? OMG! Miranda, get ready!

8:54pm.....Two for two!

9:00pm.....I know she's everywhere, but Taylor Swift keeps getting better and better. "Mine," "Back To December," and "Mean"....a pretty cool 1-2-3 punch...Is that The Walton's house? In all seriousness, this might be the best performance since the opener...She deserves the ovation

9:05pm.....Little Big Town should be winning instead of presenting....With that said, The Band Perry is going to keep getting bigger and bigger. "You Lie" is a cool song, and Kimberly Perry is a star!

9:08pm.....The Band Perry

9:08pm......Three for Three....I should be rolling the dice tonight....

9:10pm...The Bing commercial is pretty cool.....

9:15pm...I thought the Luke Bryan joke was funny. I know I'm about five years late, but I am starting to get Jason Aldean. Holding your own with Kelly Clarkson....wait a minute...A rap? It might sell units, but radio play is going to be interesting......

9:18pm.....Nancy O'Dell is one of the prettiest people on the planet Earth......and she's about to be joined on stage by....Miranda Lambert and Frank Liddell....

9:19pm....Four of Four!

9:25pm.....Really interested to hear Blake's new one....Nice beat.....I like it......Perfect for summer. There is no doubt in my mind that Blake Shelton is the next major star of the format....I guess he's already there....but he's got it all. Nice Conway and Loretts reference.......He knows exactly what he's doing....

9:29pm.....Miranda looks stunning......The only award she's not up for, I think......Where is Jamey Johnson?....Paging Jamey Johnson....

9:32pm.....OK....I missed one....Happens to the best of us, but Jamey did have the best album...IMHO...4 of 5...Still a good night so far.....An "Arthur" remake? Really????

9:35pm....Thoughts? Comments? E-mail me at spinthehitz74@gmail.com or comment!

9:38pm...."A Little Bit Stronger" by Sara Evans has really grown on me. I hated it at first, but it's a great showcase for her voice....

9:42pm......Dang! Marie Osmond is timeless....One of my first crushes from way back when....I used to have a Donny Osmond microphone years ago.....Lady Antebellum, get ready!

9:44pm.....Five of Six......No surprise....They keep growing with the sky still being the limit!

9:52pm.....Funny intro....There's a reason Miranda Lambert is so highly regarded......She's doing the best work right now!

9:56pm.....The moment that people have been waiting for....Rihanna and Jennifer Nettles....Is that Wilma Flintstone?.....Does Jennifer ever sing with anybody Country? The song itself doesn't sound so bad.....but is it Country? Oh, the debate rolls on!

10:04pm....Ronnie Dunn....Enough said! Take notes, folks!

10:10pm....Sugarland.....Six of Seven

10:13pm....To quote her album from 2005, Martina McBride is TIMELESS.....The best dressed....the most beautiful woman there.....and I love this song.....In a way, it reminds me of a 1976 Loretta Lynn song...Here's to you Mrs. Rob...I mean, McBride...

10:21pm....Marg Helgenberger hasn't aged a bit in ten years. And Blake Shelton gets to accept an award from her? Cool!

10:24pm....Well...maybe not.....But Blake will win next year. Book it!...Six of Eight...

10:25pm....Still recovering from Martina and Marg back to back....This is going to be a highlight, and one of the more touching moments of the night. Darius Rucker and his "choir" define the word SOUL.

10:32pm....All these food commercials are making me hungry. I've got to be strong....Lost about 30 pounds since October....Hello to my good friends Jim and Bobbie Anderson out in the city of Burns, TN tonight!

10:35pm....I think next year, Jennifer Nettles should duet with Marilyn Manson.......I remember being a thirteen year old kid with a crush on Reba....and now, I'm....older. That's all that has changed!

10:39pm....Reese Witherspoon is class times ten.....Female Vocalist.....Miranda get ready!....Blake will help you carry the awards home.....Seven of Nine....and whoever I pick to win the NCAA will lose by 20....I don't get it!

10:41pm.....C'mon that was automatic.....I had that one marked when the nominations came out!

10:44pm.....It just dawned on me....Where is George Strait?

10:46pm.....I'll probably get stoned for saying this....but James Taylor has had some great songs, but I would rather listen to the Zac Brown Band.....It wasn't announced on the show.....but, Miranda won Video of the Year for "The House That Built Me." Make that eight of ten......

10:48pm....How do some men grow beards like Zac Brown's? I've tried, but all I can get is a goatee....Just a question...Well, who's the Entertainer Of The Year? I might be leaning with Brad a little more.....but I'm sticking with Taylor.......

10:50pm....This just in....Zac Brown can sing!

10:52pm....James Taylor was a hippie in 1971....Now he looks like an Elder at a Baptist Church or Church of Christ.....

10:54pm....Well, what have you thought about tonight? I think it was a pretty good award show overall. No George Strait, but some great moments. Martina and Reba proving they are ageless.....Ronnie Dunn being Ronnie Dunn, Blake Shelton having a big night even without a win, and Steven Tyler. Pretty cool....I'll still be listening to WAJQ 104.3 in Alma, GA tomorrow----the best COUNTRY station in South Georgia, where you can here Buck and Merle.....but overall I liked what I saw....Well, my daughter wants Taylor to win, so Swift, pull it out for Bella!

10:56pm----Last call...The fans have spoken....Until this album, I've never idenitfied with Taylor's music, but I have always admired the way that she has handled herself with the utmost amount of class. She has patterned the way she treats people like a guy named Garth....and all I've got to say is ....You Go Girl! Well, the award show is in the books....Time to get back to work......Thanks for following tonight......Good-Night, John Boy!

11:02.....Nine of eleven......Cool....time to watch "Hee Haw"

RANDOM THOUGHTS FROM A RANDOM MIND

Sometimes, these blogs are about one main subject.....then there are days like today, where I just feel like rambling a bit.....

• MEL MCDANIEL-----Not every Country star becomes a legend or a Hall of Fame candidate. Still, there are many that work the one nighters constantly, and over the course of time, make a very nice catalog of music. Mel McDaniel was one of those. The Opry star, who died yesterday at 68, was best known for hits like "Louisiana Saturday Night" and "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On." He also had some of Country's more underrated moments in songs like "Hello Daddy, Good Morning Darlin," "I Call It Love," and "Old Man River." He had been in ill health for some time. I got a chance to interview him in 2006. Very nice guy.

• RIHANNA ON THE ACM AWARDS: Several are in an uproar about this one. It seems that Jennifer Nettles is going to be doing a duet with Rihanna on the ACM Awards Sunday night. I don't have a big problem with it, but can see where others might. Personally, I would much rather see Beyonce (who performed with Nettles on the AMA's a few years back) if you wanted to have somebody from the pop world. I'm sure it would be a highlight, but there are other artists who have worked hard for that slot. Then again, Country Music award shows have had pop / rock artists featured for years. The rumors are it makes us cool.

• I'M COUNTRY!: Chet Flippo had a great blog on CMT.COM this week where he talked about one of my personal pet peeves---Singing about "How Country" you are. Basically, if you have to say it.....then there's probably something a little mixed up somewhere.

• UT WOMEN: For a lot of reasons, I get into Women's Basketball in the NCAA a lot more than I do men's ball. I was hoping for another title run from Pat Summitt and Co. this year, but it turned out not to be. Still, you have to admire what this woman does year in and year out. She's a winner, and always has conducted herself as such. Maybe next season. Meanwhile...Go Butler and UK, with Butler taking it all!

• FONTANEL: I had a chance last week to visit the Fontanel Mansion, thanks to my good friend and Eric Lee Beddingfield publicist (among others) Craig Campbell. Of course, it was once home to Barbara Mandrell and family, and Barbara's daughter Jaimie can be seen there occasionally, popping in on tours. Between the house, the restaurant, the amphitheater, and the walking trails, there's a lot to see there, and a lot more to come. Many know this, but Barbara was one of my first celebrity crushes, and also one of the more underrated singers of the format's history. Thanks, Craig!

• BILL CODY: Since 2000, I have written about singers, songwriters, publicists, and a few football coaches or two. But one of my favorite interviews took place recently with WSM-AM morning man Bill Cody. I've long been a fan of "Coffee, Country, and Cody," and for the past few years, I have been very fortunate to call him friend. The article is up on the March issue of the DIRECT BUZZ, and I appreciate him for taking time to share stories about his 40-year career in the business. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The ones that really are the giants in the business aren't the ones that proclaim their accomplishments the loudest. Greatness talks without saying anything....if that makes any sense! I know that you will be sitting on the edge of your seat for it...lol...but this Sunday night, I'm going to experiment with the web a little bit. Many of my friends and business associates have tried to get me to do the Facebook thing, and I very well might....but Sunday night during the ACM Awards, I am going to attempt to blog live some of my thoughts about what happens on the show. As I said, I know that's exciting news for many of you....but if you get bored, take a look!