The Country Music Media Podcast

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: A mid-year diversity scorecard. Plus, country media showed rare patience in covering a charged story and two feel good stories to wrap Season 1 of the podcast. Listen: Walker Hayes, “Fancy Like” on YouTubeWatch: Hardy Surprises a Soldier's Family on Instagram Read: The Police Report Summarizing the Kristy Lee and Heath Sanders Altercation on Taste of CountryTweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: CRB Executive Director RJ Curtis, who's spent 40 years in radio and digital media, talks about how a fundamental radio rule has seemingly changed and tries to explain why. Plus, is Morgan Wallen's return to radio good for the medium? He makes a strong case that it is. More: The latest on CRSRead: Morgan Wallen's Ban Has Quietly Been Lifted, at VarietyTweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Kid Rock plays above the rules, so there's no way to hold him accountable for calling someone a “f—-t.”  That lack of leverage works both ways however and the media should absolutely cover his antics with aggression. Also, new reports about frosty negotiations between CBS and the ACMs could signal a larger issue for awards shows in 2022 and beyond.    Read: CBS Balks at Airing 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards Over $22 Million Asking Price at The Wrap. Read: Kid Rock's "Apology" after he's caught using a homophobic slur, at TMZ.Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Whiskey Jam co-founder Ward Guenther talks about the 10th anniversary of Whiskey Jam, if the showcase can get too big (12:45) and how his shows on Apple Music Radio expand his vision (XX). Listen to the end to hear great origin stories about Luke Combs and Kane Brown that will surprise you. GO: Tickets to the Whiskey Jam 10th Anniversary Show, July 26th at the Ryman AuditoriumListen: The Ward Guenther Show on Apple Music RadioListen: Country Risers Radio With Ward Guenther on Apple Music RadioListen: Country Roads Radio on Apple Music Radio More: Find Whiskey Jam on InstagramTweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: The 2021 CMT Awards were the first country awards show shot in front of a live audience, but did that make much of a difference? Which songs should have been cut (2:30)? How did hosts Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini do (4:10)? How can we improve awards shows to keep them relevant (XX)? Read: 2021 CMT Awards winners, per People.  Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast, Washington Post reporter Emily Yahr talks about her profile on Garth Brooks ahead of the Kennedy Center Honors. Plus (18:00) astute observations about the 2021 season of American Idol and (21:00) The Voice. Read: Everyone wants Garth Brooks on their side. He just wants everyone to get along, at the Washington Post. Read: 'The Voice winner is a former tween YouTube sensation - and he could change the show forever at the Washington Post. Read: This season of 'American Idol' was a close competition - until one very strategic move by the winner, at the Washington Post. Tweet: Find Emily Yahr on Twitter at @EmilyYahrTweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter at @billydukes

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast, why Kelly Clarkson earning Ellen DeGeneres' time slot is very, very good news for country music. Plus, could Luke Bryan and his family be slowly warming us up for a major reality television show? Read: Kelly Clarkson takes over for Ellen at Deadline Read: Kelly Clarkson's Kellyoke Songs by Wide Open Country Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: does objectivity exist in country music media? Should it? Marcus Dowling just won the Rolling Stone Chet Flippo Award for Excellence in Country Music and it's fair to say he did it his way.  He talks about his unusual path here, his tireless hustle, his rock star impulses and how and when news outlets should cover Morgan Wallen.5:15 | “I write like rapper's rap.” 15:00 | What the winner of the Chet Flippo Award gets in 2021 16:15 | The Rock Star Journalist 22:00 | What's the deal with Medium for journalists?29:00 | When should news outlets cover Morgan Wallen? 42:00 | Is it time to lift the ban?52:30 | Luke Combs' attempts to do the right thing.  Read: "On Colostomies, Country Music, And Morgan Wallen's Return"  at MediumTweet: Find Marcus Dowling on Twitter @marcuskdowlingPhotos: Find Marcus Dowling on Instagram More: Marcus Dowling's LinkTree

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: a recent decision by the Country Music Association made it clear. What was once a conversation about Morgan Wallen and race in country music, is becoming a fight. It's time for media outlets and music platforms to change course. Plus, what is news and what is hype when it comes to Morgan and other sensitive subjects? Read: Morgan Wallen returns to Kid Rock's bar, per the Tennessean. Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @BillyDukes

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Journalist Alison Bonaguro helps us understand Jake Owen and why his best days might be ahead of him. She also talks about her mentor, the late journalism legend Chet Flippo, and why she left CMT after over a decade of work. 2:00 | The Jake Owen paradox 18:00 | Getting paid as a country journalist 22:00 | Chet Flippo 31:00 | Why she split from CMT Find Alison Bonaguro on Twitter @alisonbonaguroFind Billy Dukes on Twitter @BillyDukes

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Apple Music Country host Kelleigh Bannen was still finding her way when we chatted in November 2020. The platform is nearing its 1-year anniversary and she continues to get every A-lister imaginable. Eric Church and Alan Jackson are just two she's chatted with recently. Host Billy Dukes is on vacation this week so this is a replay of Ep. 9. She may not be a trained journalist, but the singer and songwriter has the chops and grit to be very, very good at this job for awhile. The Kelleigh Bannen Show, M-F at 7AMFollow Kelleigh on Twitter, @KelleighBannenFind Billy Dukes on Twitter @BillyDukesWe talked about my reviews of her song "Famous" and "Sorry On the Rocks."Find her other podcast, This Nashville Life. 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: country music isn't just going to Hollywood? Our genre is going to New York City and Las Vegas as well. But why? Plus: 2:30 | Kane Brown + Kelsea Ballerini are the Perfect Fit4:00 | A new country music drama, called Monarch. 9:05 | Be cautious reporting on American Idol's Caleb KennedyRead: Fox orders Monarch for the 2021-22 season per VarietyRead: Caleb Kennedy dropped from American Idol, from the Spartanburg Herald-Tribune Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter at @billydukes 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: It's the Q2 2021 Stock Report. If country artists were a publicly traded business, which would be worth your money this month. With new albums and tours on the horizon there is a lot to consider but perhaps most of all consider who is not doing anything. Kenny Chesney - HoldLuke Bryan - BuyMorgan Wallen - SellDan + Shay - HoldMiranda Lambert - SellMaren Morris - BuyCarrie Underwood - HoldJason Aldean - BuyBlake Shelton - BuyEric Church - SellThomas Rhett - BuyLuke Combs - HoldSam Hunt - Buy Top 3 Hot Picks: Cody Johnson - BuyGabby Barrett - BuyJake Owen - BuyTweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter at @billydukes 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: A one-word review of Miranda Lambert's The Marfa Tapes album with Jon Randall and Jack Ingram, Morgan Wallen's BBMA expulsion and unpacking some of the important moments from the Ep 55 conversation with Tyler Mahan Coe. Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter at @billydukes 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Tyler Mahan Coe, host of Cocaine & Rhinestones talks about Season 2, which debuted in April 2021. He also has strong, well-educated opinions on country today and country media today. It will surprise you to hear his thoughts on "Outlaws" and "pop-country." 5:50 | Where did Tyler learn his journalism skills. 11:50 | Why Johnny Cash sucks14:55 | Tyler's take on the pop-country music debate is unique and hard to argue with18:10 | The sound of today's country music isn't the problem 22:10 | Teasing Ep. 2 of Season 2 of C&R  33:10 | How involved is George Jones' family?38:10 | The Johnny Paycheck misunderstanding 43:10 | Criticism is dead48:10 | Tyler's first career in digital marketing 55:25 | Tyler Mahan Coe's guide to Fair Use More Cocaine & Rhinestones: Find More on Seasons 1 and 2 at the official websiteRead: Tyler Mahan' Coe's profile in GQRead: Tyler Mahan Coe's profile in the Washington PostTweet: Find Tyler Mahan Coe on Twitter at @TylerMahanCoeTweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter at @billydukes 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Kip Moore dropped a new song called "Good Life" that asks his long time fans to adjust to something new. Plus Rascal Flatts may not be done and how a bad band or song name can doom the artist. Alabama simply wouldn't stand a chance today. Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukesListen: Kip Moore, "Good Life" on YouTubeListen: Tenille Arts, "Somebody Like That" on YouTubeWatch: Alexandra Kay covering Randy Travis on TikTok

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Eric Church's new Heart & Soul album is big and personal, but is it any good? Three members of the media join Billy Dukes to discuss the triple album project, including Angella Sharpe, Marty Kurtz and Grady Smith. 2:27 | Angella Sharpe on Heart20:30 | Marty Kurtz on &39:23 | Grady Smith on SoulRead: The Top 50 Eric Church Songs on Taste of Country Tweet: Find Angella Sharpe on Twitter at @AngellaSharpe Tweet: Find Marty Kurtz on Twitter at @marty_kurtzTweet: Find Grady Smith on Twitter at @gradywsmith Watch: Grady Smith's YouTube Channel Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes

The ACM Awards were great, for country music fans. But for everyone else? Well, the 2021 ACM's poor ratings showed that there just wasn't much for the non-country audience, which is a problem. This week we look at ways the genre can grow without losing its soul. Change doesn't have to be scary. 1:20 | What the ACM Awards got right and wrong5:00 | Diversity at the 2021 ACM Awards 6:30 | Ratings are becoming a big problem 9:05 | Here's how to solve it Read: Why Luke Bryan Deserved Entertainer of the Year at Taste of Country Read: 2021 ACM Awards Ratings, via Hollywood Reporter. Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Chart expert Chris Owen explains what needs to happen for Elle King's duet with Miranda Lambert to hit country radio. It's complicated and takes some major label cooperation. Is it likely? Also, the truth about corporate programming and how it might have cost Hunter Hayes his commercial career. On the flip side how Lainey Wilson's “Thinks A Man Oughta Know” benefited from corporate programming. Chris and Billy also discuss why you can figure out the year's most played song in April, Brian Kelley's solo EP and what the heck happened to Jamey Johnson? Listen: Elle King + Miranda Lambert, "Drunk (And I Wanna Go Home)"Listen: Chris picks Caitlyn Smith (Feat. Old Dominion), “Stars”Listen: Billy picks Heath Sanders, “Old School's In”Tweet: Chris Owen on Twitter @fiddlesabreTweet: Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes 

Morgan Wallen fans should consider that they might be doing more harm than good. Three signs holding two billboards apiece in Nashville continue pressing on a bruise in the country music industry that hasn't had enough time to heal properly.  Read: Who Paid for the Morgan Wallen Billboards? at Rolling StoneRead: The original story at Music Mayhem Magazine  Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: ACM CEO Damon Whiteside joins Billy Dukes for a wide-ranging conversation about the 2021 Awards (April 18 on CBS) and the future of awards shows. Are these pandemic changes permanent? Did CBS hesitate on booking Mickey Guyton as host? Is Carrie Underwood mad about her snub?  1:45 | The hard part about the 2021 ACM Awards 5:00 | Why Mickey Guyton and was CBS hard to convince? 9:00 | What will hosting look like this year? 10:45 | Why is diversity important at the ACM Awards?15:45 | What will the audience look like? 19:00 | Are any of these changes permanent? 23:00 | Digesting fan furor and if snubbed artists, snub back. 28:00 | Does he find out who took second place? 28:40 | Is there bad blood between Carrie Underwood and the ACM Awards? 31:00 | How the ACM Awards are planning for a streaming-dominant future.  33:00 | What's the 2021 ACM Awards alcohol policy? More: The official ACM Awards website Read: 2021 ACM Nominations at BillboardTweet: Billy Dukes on Twitter

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Billy Dukes explores the lengths Eric Church went to in planning his new Gather Again Tour. Do you feel it's safe enough to attend large-venue country concerts? Also, Billy looks at which songs from Heart & Soul might sound good in a set list. Watch: Blake Shelton talks about his exit strategy on The Voice, with Today with Hoda & Jenna  Read: Saving Country Music's news about Loretta Lynn pulling Van Lear RoseListen: Alan Jackson's new song “Where Have You Gone” on YouTubeRead: Eric Church Tour Dates at his official website  Read: Eric Church's Interview with Taste of Country NightsRead: Eric Church's Interview with Billboard

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Fewer media outlets — and far fewer country music media outlets — are building Worst Dressed lists using red carpet pictures from an awards show. With the 2021 ACM Awards coming up, we bring back photographer John Shearer's thoughts on his photos being used for Worst Dressed lists. Plus, what the red carpet actually sounds like. Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukesHere's John Shearer's Official Website.You should follow John on Instagram. 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: The Boot's Angela Stefano reveals her ballot (8:00) for the 2021 ACM Awards. Billy also shares who he'd vote for if he were a voting member. Then (30:00) should fans be allowed to vote again and (32:30) what category should be added. Tweet: Find Angela Stefano on TwitterTweet: Find Billy Dukes on TwitterRead: Frank Sinatra Has a Cold at Esquire Read: 2021 ACM Awards Nominations at the Boot 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Billy Dukes reflects on the death of a great country and bluegrass ambassador and theorizes what might happen to the historic building he watched over. Morgan Wallen's first show back is on the calendar and some people are upset about it. But that anger is misguided. Then (8:00) we look at Country Music Media "Ls." Email or tweet examples of embarrassing mistakes in journalism. We can all learn from them. Read: Frank Sinatra Has a Cold at Esquire Read: “Morgan Wallen to Headline Bud Light Sponsored Kicker Country Stampede” at Consequence of SoundRead: “George Segal, ‘The Goldbergs' Star, Dead at 87” at PopCultureRead: Ree Drummond Reveals That Husband Ladd Broke His Neck In Two Places at Taste of CountryWatch: Carly Pearce Sings “Dear Miss Loretta” at the Grand Ole Opry 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Jaren Johnston from the ACM Vocal Group of the Year nominated band the Cadillac Three joins with no filter to share secrets of the songwriter's room, how and why his band is huge in the U.K. and what the media does wrong consistently during interviews. 5:20 | Do artists prepare for interviews? 9:48 | It's hard out there for a country band.13:00 | Which artists were hit hardest by the pandemic? 14:15 | Has the pandemic changed the sound of country music?16:50 | Do lazy songwriters still get paid?19:00 | What if TC3 had remained a rock band?21:00 | What does the media get wrong? 27:30 | What does TC3 owe their success in the U.K. too?31:00 | The song that keeps cashing checks for him. Tweet: Jaren Johnston on Twitter Tweet: The Cadillac Three on TwitterTweet: Billy Dukes on TwitterAre you a huge Eric Church fan and you work in media? Hit me up. I'm working on a special episode of the CMMP for April. 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: What we can learn about race and gender equality in country music from sports, particularly the NFL. Black quarterbacks started to become the norm after one thing changed, and country singers can do it too. Read: Country Music Is Changing, In Spite of Itself on Pitchfork (the part about Nate Barnes has been removed) Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Dr. Jada Watson joins Billy Dukes to talk about about equality in country music and to discuss her new report: Redlining In Country Music. But first ... The 2021 Grammy Awards featured some serious country talent but it wasn't a full list of artists we're used to hearing on the radio. Miranda Lambert was there and so was Maren Morris and sure, those two have had great years in mainstream country music and are anchors our format. But Brandi Carlile? Mickey Guyton? No men? Clutch your pearls! Read: Redlining In Country Music, Dr. Watson's immersive new study. Read: Jada recommends, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGheeTweet: Find Jada Watson on Twitter at @data_jada Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter at @billydukes

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Billboard revealed that most Grammy Awards categories — including all of the country categories — aren't decided by voters.  Say what? The 2021 Grammy Awards are on Sunday March 14 but this information will shape how you look at all awards shows moving forward. Also (14:30) Billy gives his predictions for the country categories at the Grammys. Read: Who Picks the Grammy Nominees in Billboard Read: 12 Grammy Rules That Will Surprise You in Billboard

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Baylen Leonard from Holler Country joins Billy Dukes to talk about country music's next great frontier: the U.K. and Europe. Holler Country is based in London, England but focused on American country music. The market is long overdue for this approach and it could have a significant impact on the genre in America too. 3:55 | What is Holler Country 9:45 | If Holler Country had a station truck, which artists would be on the wrap? 12:40 | Can a country artist have a lucrative career in England and Europe? 17:20 | The grit and glory of Holler Country 27:40 | Explaining Bro Country to the British Audience Tweet: Holler Country on TwitterTweet: Baylen Leonard on Twitter Read: Holler CountryTweet: Billy Dukes on Twitter

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Open the inbox. Billy Dukes answers listener questions about new albums, ACM snubs, future hits and when live music is coming back. As always, find Billy on Twitter @BillyDukes4:07 | ACM Snubs + Carrie Underwood 5:55 | Any news on Sam Hunt releasing new music? 7:30 | Will we get a new Maren Morris album in 2021?8:35 | Will how Eric Church is releasing his album affect his awards nominations and chart rankings? 10:40 | What song below the Top 40 currently do you think could be a hit in 2021? 13:25 | Your buy, sell or hold picks. 14:21 | Can I be on your podcast? 15:25 | When concerts are coming backListen: “I Can't” by Caitlyn Smith and Old Dominion on YouTubeListen: “Chasing After You” by Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris on YouTubeListen: “You Ain't Pretty” by Nate Barnes on YouTube 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast, Rolling Stone's Jon Freeman joins host Billy Dukes to compare their two very different profiles on Carly Pearce. You don't need to be a fan of Carly's to enjoy hearing how two journalists approached the conversation and built around a central question. Of course, you'll pick up on all the insecurities too. 1:00 | The Truth about the album listening events. 2:00 | A tale of two Carly Pearce profiles 5:45 | The central question16:30 | Covering the hard news with objectivity 20:00 | Jon's personal essay on Morgan Wallen, TJ Osborne and his own small town experiences 23:30 | Would Jon interview Morgan Wallen?27:00 | What are you looking forward to in 2021?32:00 | Country Weekly storiesRead: Jon's profile on Carly Pearce for Rolling StoneRead: Billy's profile on Carly Pearce for Taste of CountryRead: Jon's essay on Morgan Wallen, TJ Osborne and his own experiences, in Rolling Stone Tweet: Jon Freeman on Twitter @freemanjmTweet: Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes

Luke Combs apologized for associating himself with the Confederate Flag but that's the least interesting thing about the story from last week. If you look closely, you'll learn something from the antagonist in this story, Ryan Upchurch. Billy Dukes explains how the whole thing is a lesson in fair and balanced journalism but not for the reasons you think.4:24 | Where did the Luke Combs' Confederate Flag pictures came from?5:38 | Who is Upchurch? 6:53 | What's in the apology video?8:17 | How Confederate Flag supporter aren't a monolith.11:57 | Why that flag is still gonna loseWatch: Luke Combs and Ryan Upchurch in "Can I Get an Outlaw" on YouTube Watch: Upchurch's Apology Video on YouTube Read: Luke Combs' Apology at CRS, via Taste of Country Read: Chase Bryant's Story on People, by friend of the podcast Tricia Despres Watch: The Conservative Twins on YouTube

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: If I gave you $1 million  to invest in a country singer's career, who would you choose? You don't have to put it all in one bucket. You could give 20 percent to Thomas Rhett, 20 percent to Maren Morris, 20 percent to Blake Shelton. He's as big as it gets so that has to be a safe investment, right? What about Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert, or newer artists like Gabby Barrett, Carly Pearce and Morgan Wallen. Remember, I told you to invest, not to bet. So you're not using this money to predict is going to have a bigger year in 2021, you're using it in hopes it will grow this year and beyond. Buy low, sell high — is Eric Church a good investment right now? Billy Dukes delivers the first ever Country Music Stock Report. Who should you buy? Who should you hold? And Who Should you sell? Find the full list of artists below and react on Twitter @billydukes. 5:30 Luke Combs 6:47 Kelsea Ballerini 7:28 Luke Bryan8:08 Thomas Rhett9:02 Gabby Barrett9:40 Jake Owen10:23 Sam Hunt 12MIN Blake Shelton12:50 Carly Pearce13:38 Morgan Wallen14:10 Eric Church14:58 Miranda Lambert15:56 Old Dominion16:10  Brad Paisley 16:44 Keith Urban17:38 Jason Aldean 18:44 Matt Stell 19:10 Carrie Underwood20:25 3 Hot Picks for 2021 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast, how the pandemic has exposed the troubles in forming, marketing and maintaining a band. Nearly a dozen country bands or duos have underwent changes, quit, disappeared or floundered since early 2020. There's a reason for it and it underscores why moving forward bands are a bad bet. Billy argues that just one band active today will make the Hall of Fame and no band that starts in the next 10 years will come close. 

This week on the Country Music Media Podcast, journalist Marcus K. Dowling joins host Billy Dukes to talk about country music's uneasy relationship with black culture and why white country singers just can't say the N-word. Read: A brief, sordid history of why country music can't use rap music's "n-word" on Medium Listen: Brittney Spencer, "Sorrys Don't Work No More" on YouTubeListen: Ashlie Amber, "Fight With You" on YouTubeMore: All About Marcus DowlingTweet: @MarcusKDowlingTweet: @BillyDukes

Luke Combs did something remarkable in early February and Billy thinks if you're paying attention you're noticing a trend from Luke. Plus (1:10) a response to Eric Church's National Anthem, (13:49) Billy reflects on where he went wrong during Ep. 31 and (16:30) four steps Morgan Wallen needs to take immediately. Read: More about Luke Combs and Maren Morris' plans for CRS, per Inside Radio. Listen: Luke Combs new song "The Great Divide" on YouTubeRead: Luke Combs' introduction to "The Great Divide" on TwitterWatch: Luke Combs' conversation with Dan Rather on YouTubeRead: The Twitter thread that shows how Billy went wrong about the response from country men Tweet: @BillyDukes

This week's guest on the Country Music Media Podcast is Chuck Wicks, an artist who's proving to be as good a host and interviewer as he was songwriter. Chuck talks about his relationships with Bobby Bones (2:00)  and breaks down the financials of being a new artist (4:00). He also reflects on avoiding uncomfortable topics with Carrie Underwood (17:00) and how he'd approach the same today. At 25:00 Chuck offers a unique perspective about why more artists don't speak out on important social issues. Listen: Chuck's new podcast is called Love Country? Talk to Chuck and it's available through iHeart Podcast Network or wherever podcasts are found. Listen: Chuck Wicks' new song "Old With You" Find Chuck on Twitter @chuckwicksmusic Find Billy on Twitter @BillyDukes 

This episode of the Country Music Media Podcast centers on Morgan Wallen's words and consequences. Billy thinks we can't be hard enough on Morgan but we also can't banish him into the wilderness alone. In being removed from streaming platforms Morgan Wallen may also reveal a streaming fallacy. Read: TJ Osborne Comes Out As Gay in TimeRead: The latest on Morgan Wallen's actions and consequences in Taste of Country, plus links to what he did via TMZ. 

This week's guest on the Country Music Media Podcast is Adam Gold. Adam has a long, acrimonious history on Twitter with John Rich of Big & Rich. It reached new heights when they bet $10,000 on who would be inaugurated as president on Jan. 20. The bet was made after the November elections, as even the Supreme Court refused to consider a case that the election was fraudulent. To say it was a strange arrangement is an understatement, but Adam tells the story best. Read: (5:20) The 2013 exchange between Adam and John over the Boston Marathon bomber being put on the cover of Rolling Stone, via the Nashville Scene. Read: (10:40) J.R. Lind's article in the Nashville Scene that summarizes the bet. Read: The 2010 article from the Nashville Scene where Adam called John "the Kenny Powers of M.O.R. country music. Tweet: John Rich said it's on, on Twitter. Tweet: John Rich's concession tweet. Tweet: Adam Gold on TwitterTweet: Billy Dukes on Twitter 

Eric Church announced the Heart & Soul album series this month. It's three separate albums, a concept that comes with implications for the bean counters (1:50). Eric Church clearly does not care about the bean counters. Billy also looks at yet another way country music and sports are similar (at 8:40). We compare stats across eras like it's fair when really there is an increasingly small window of relevancy around any streak or moment of history. Read: Everything You Need to Know About Eric Church's new album at Taste of Country

Kelly Sutton's story isn't just one of perseverance. It's a story of persistence and versatility. Those three qualities are essential for a modern journalist, something she epitomizes in 2021. Think of this episode of the podcast as a Country Music Media survival guide, but enjoy our tangents on industry events, country music Twitter and YouTube conspiracy theories. Kelly's new show is called Connected With Kelly and it's a chance for one of country music's leading ladies of media to have longform conversations with artists like Carrie Underwood and difference makers.Thanks to everyone who has rated and reviewed the podcast, and shared on social media! Watch: Find Connected With Kelly on YouTubeFind: Kelly Sutton on TwitterFind: Billy Dukes on Twitter 

Toby Keith and Ricky Skaggs rolled into the White House during an impeachment. Garth Brooks chose to play an inauguration that was divisive, especially in country music circles. Country music and politics crossed paths in some significant ways this month but there is something you should know, especially about that Medal of Arts ceremony. We got the response all wrong. Read: Toby Keith on His Politics in the Chicago TribuneRead: Emily Yahr's Washington Post profile on Toby Keith Read: A Recap of the Drama that followed Ethan Hawke's Rolling Stone article, in Entertainment Weekly 

Rolling Stone music critic Jonathan Bernstein says  Morgan Wallen's Dangerous: The Double Album does some things very well, but has some major flaws. He gave it a 3-star rating and this week he explains what went into the review, how he approaches music criticism and the future of album reviews. Read: “Morgan Wallen is a versatile Nashville Cliché Machine on ‘Dangerous: The Double Album" in Rolling StoneRead: The Story of the Black Country Music Association" in Rolling StoneTweet: Find Jonathan Bernstein on Twitter, @JonBern

There's a problem with Loretta Lynn's new album, and it's kind of a big one. The press release says Still Woman Enough is a celebration of women in country music but it should say it's a celebration of white women in country music.  To what degree should we eviscerate an 88-year-old Country Music Hall of Famer, and true pioneer in American history? The answer to that requires a bit of research. Read: Rest In Peace, Ceasar Gaiters in the Richmond Times DispatchListen: Loretta Lynn recites "Coal Miner's Daughter"Loretta Lynn's Still Woman Enough album drops on March 19.  

Days after the Christmas morning bombing in Nashville, Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts gave weight to a conspiracy theory that a missile — not a bomb in an RV — was responsible for the explosion on 2nd avenue. Today's guest called his bluff. Big Rick Daniels hosts the morning show on Korn Country 100.3 in south-central Indiana. He's not a seasoned news journalist, but you wouldn't know it to hear him handle a serious topic with appropriate objectivity. After our conversation about Gary, Rick and I talk about the art of the radio interview and how to avoid a major trap. Then, some thoughts on two country wives who took to social media following the siege on the U.S. Capitol, which was literally happening as Gary and talked to each other.  Listen: Big Rick's interview with Gary LeVox on Korn Country. See: Rick's tweet with the graphic Gary posted on Instagram and Facebook. Follow: Rick on Twitter at @OnAirWithRick Read: "Why Are Country Music Wives Pushing Baseless Conspiracy Theories" on Rolling Stone Country. 

There are very few people capable of properly reviewing an album like Morgan Wallen's Dangerous, and even fewer who want to. This says nothing about the actual album and it's relative worth. This is more about what goes into a proper album review. They're hard. They're time-consuming and — if we're being honest — nobody is reading them. 

Why do good songs go bad? Chart expert Chris Owen shares what happened to great songs from Maren Morris and Lady A, explained why superstars can't have a year's most played song and looked ahead to new music coming in 2021. No one makes sense of the country music airplay charts quite like Chris. Find Chris Owen on Twitter, @FiddleSabre Read: More About Florida Georgia Line's Solo Efforts on Taste of CountryListen: Hardy, "Give Heaven Some Hell"Listen: Jameson Rodgers (Feat. Luke Combs), "Cold Beer Calling My Name"

K.T. Oslin died on Dec. 21, but her legacy isn't the music. In 1987 she debuted on RCA Records with a song called "80s Ladies" that would win her fans and acclaim and start a half-decade career that featured Grammys, CMA Awards and ACM Awards. She was 45 years old at the time. Only one woman has more No. 1 hits past age 40 than she does (Dolly Parton). Only one woman has reached No. 1 while older than she was (Reba McEntire). Why did we stop embracing women like K.T. Oslin? Why did the average age of women on the radio drop significantly in 2006? Be sure to rate and review this podcast, and subscribe for more great guests and perspective. *Note: All data refers to Billboard Country Airplay Charts, 1985-2020.

Buddy Logan of Radio Texas Live is a hub in a wide and diverse wheel of great country music and storytelling in Texas. Think of him as traffic control for the current Red Dirt Music scene. This week we look back at legends lost in 2020 — Billy Joe Shaver and Jerry Jeff Walker come to mind, but there are more — and the next generation of superstars. Parker McCollum is just starting to break nationally, but he's been headlining in Texas for a decade. Who's next? Listen: Chris Knight, "Down the River" Listen: Mike and the Moonpies, “Smooth Shot of Whiskey” Stream: Radio Texas LiveTweet: Buddy Logan On Twitter

Top 10 country songs of 2021? Top 10 country albums? Of course it's subjective and if you think your favorite artist has been intentionally slighted, you may be right. Artists To Watch lists are also popular this time of year and to understand how to interpret them there's some things you need to know about the motives of the people writing them. And there's some things to look for to pick apart the good ones from the bad ones. Thanks to everyone who's subscribed and double thanks if you've left a rating or review somewhere along the way. Tweet: Find me @BillyDukes