This is why I live in Nashville :) "Music City" is not a marketing term, it's a specification.
Craig Anderton
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From: Chris Willman
I wrote a story a little bit ago about how Stephen Wilson Jr. got signed… It's pretty interesting and involved, and I didn't even get into the whole thing as much as I could have. But through most of the years he's been in the industry he had no plans to be an artist— which seems insane when you go see his show and see how multi-talented he is, and how solidly he connects with an audience.
I said right after the CMAs that he "won" the CMAs. His two performances on that show didn't result in a deluge of radio adds, yet everyone I know was talking about him the next day, so that's going to pay off whether or not we can say exactly when, But he's already winning just by being on people's lips.
When I won a CMA award a couple of months ago, it was him handing it to me, and I felt honored getting it from him…
"Stephen Wilson Jr., Best New Artist Nominee for CMA Awards, on Why His Maverick 'Death Cab for Country' Approach Found a Home at Big Loud Records"
https://variety.com/2025/music/news/stephen-wilson-jr-big-loud-records-country-interview-1236582486/
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I did the same as you for a while last night and came away with a similar take. I don't think for one second people love anything Ryan Seacrest does. He is pablum. The blandest of crackers. I think of him as the ultimate risk averse commercial sell out. DC'sNYRE pretaped for his comfort. Wheel of Fortune? Same. Everything he does is something that any other talented human could do, he is far from an "only".
I respect him for one reason, he seemingly sized up his needs/wants and took deals in the entertainment business to the tune of what, 50M$ a year in total? More with his production company? And he has the easiest shifts in the trade… I hope he is happy because if he did all this and isn't then my heart goes out to him.
Happy New Year Bob…
Andrew Zimmern
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My wife and I laughed out loud when I read her your comment on Ryan Seacrest.
We also saw Stephen Wilson, Jr's Stand by Me performance and agree: Outstanding!
Happy New Year - The Kimballs
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Couldn't agree with you more. The Dick Clark thing was pure dreck; why would Anderson Cooper, a serious, hard working journalist embarrass himself with this crap.
I've been commuting from Philly to Nashville for the past ten years, running an indie publishing and record company. The talent level is off the chart, the artists are real. And the food scene is rapidly improving!
Come to Nashville!
Best,
David Robkin
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Just couldn't stay with the Nashville broadcast. The sound was marginal at best and the cornpone "realness" you cite was just boring for us. At least there was some choreography on the Times Square stage and it seemed like a pro collective effort rooted in stage, theater and dance. You know the classic arts? I understand your point about authenticity but I want that, I'll just head down to the beer bar downtown on amateur night to get it. New Year's needs to have some sizzle and bang like a true skyrocket should, and CBS wasn't it. I actually enjoyed Diana Ross.
Kenny Lee Lewis
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Totally agree, Nash Big Bash was where it was at. AC & AC on CNN were unwatchable, and I am just tired of watching Lip-Synched Choreography Extravaganzas like on ABC.
Happy New Year. Let's save the small clubs, it's the only hope to develop new live performers.
Kelly Breaks
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Once again, your assessment is spot on. I've been going to rock shows since 1970 and I never liked country music with its sappy lyrics and twangy voices but today's country is rock and roll from the late 60's, early 70's. I have yet to see some of my favorite acts live because tickets are not only outrageously high, they are difficult to get without going through the secondary market. As to the politics of country music I've always felt you have to separate the person from the performer. Thanks again for your honesty and insightfulness. I've read most of the books you recommend and I feel fortunate to be a recipient of your daily musings.
Tom Fitzsimmons
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I couldn't agree with you more. My wife and I were home with the flu and did the same channel surfing. Stayed on the Nashville Bash almost the entire time once I saw Stephen Wilson Jr. I somehow missed Keith Urban playing You Get What You Give (which is a shame since I played guitar and sang backing vocals with New Radicals of the song at the Biden inauguration).
But from a refreshing point of pure musicianship, songs you can sing with actual melodies and lyrics you can understand and it not being pre-taped (usually months in advance by the way making it even more fake) it was all REAL.
Country is the new rock.
Fred Goldring
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My wife wants to watch Andy and Anderson after five minutes, it was pretty obvious to me they're done. They need new material or they need to Quit. Anderson gets so silly it's embarrassing
Edward Arguijo
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Andy Cohen's powder blue puffer jacket was the true star of the CNN show. Nicole Skyer, New Jersey
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Nashville's story is twice as deep as it appears on the surface and I know because I'm a native Nashvillian.
Country's culture is sticking it's landing in pop music, finally. CNN's daytime programming for their global 2026 NYE presentation centered not on Lower Broadway or even Bicentennial Park. Rather, it was at Anzie Blue, an intimate, female-owned independent venue located in Hillsboro Village, my husband and I have owned it since '19.
There, it was line dancing by the instructor of the moment Justin Lee Williams, Grammy-winning songwriter Sebastian Kole (who now records as Pynk Beard — yes, because he dyed his beard neon pink, so people would be forced to pay greater attention to him, he admits), and Grammy nominated artist Maggie Rose, legend Chris Isaak, plus legacy artists including John Carter Cash (and his wife, Ana Cristina) on the same billing that highlighted where Nashville heads next.
As this story continues to expand, it's important to be aware that on any given week of 2025, 50 percent of Billboard's Hot 100 pop chart reflected the American and global cultural grip that Nashville broadly — not just with country music's industry at the forefront — is sustaining.
Sure, the downtown story is what's leading. However, as a city, overall? The dynamic of the natural interplay between a more diverse set of pop stars authentically understanding country, Southern and Western culture foremost, with the support of legends and those deep in country and America's legacy, overall, offers what's potentially next — and even more impactful, for Nashville and the music industry.
When I finally woke up this morning after a 16+ hour day yesterday, my heart was full from all the messages from other independents in the music biz, and they all said the same thing. Get ready '26, the independents are not going anywhere.
Thank you CNN for highlighting the "other" Nashville, music is all over the city, not just downtown and not just country music. That's what makes it MUSIC CITY.
Happy new year BOB.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DS-OXCcgMtQ/?igsh=MWZqNTl4bjZrbW81dA==
Marcie Allen
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I was at the Nashville show. What you didn't see was when the TV cameras cut away from Lainey, Jason, and Bailey, they continued playing. The audience at Bicentennial Capital Mall got to see one-hour shows by each of the three headliners. As you said, it was more like a concert, because that's what it was.
As for Stephen Wilson Jr., you should speak with the TV show's producer Robert Deaton about him.
George Achaves
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YESSSS! So glad you got to have that SWJ experience, Bob! I've been waiting/hoping to see his name pop up in your emails. Stephen is such a genuine guy, an incredible talent and proof that there's still a place in this world for authentic artistry and real songs to cut through and connect with people (let alone do it in your mid-40s). He works his ass off too.
I've seen him live many times, and am grateful to call him a friend, but you know someone truly has it when he's selling out a venue in the Newcastle, UK - a true "working man's town", miles away from Nashville - and everyone in the room knows every word to every song, crying (including me!), laughing, galvanized and on the journey with him.
Happy New Year and thanks for all you do.
Cheers,
Richard Grewar
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Thank you for being the best blogger of 2025. My wife is growing tired of me saying, "Well my blogger says…"
But your takes are terrific. You introduce me to great books, shows and bands. (I recently loved the book on the Boston saga. Captivating.)
Peace and love to you and your wife and thanks again for your well-thought out words.
Gary Judson
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You sound like a bitter old weak out of touch sell-out has been, who's decided it's time to switch teams, Bob. So now you write from cowardice and contempt and have decided to get on your knees, bend over and suck up to your new team hoping they'll invite inside', Bob.
You've become a shadow of your former inspiring and insightful self in the wake of Trump / Right Wing / Hate / NAZIfication of America and it's been a pathetic spiral.
That's one way to end an legacy.
Have a wonderful year Bob.
Dale 'Rage' Resteghini
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