toledoblade.com -- Country Music

The finalists for the Nov. 9 Country Music Awards are out. Who do you think will be the big award winners and losers? Chitchat with Blade country music writer Brian Dugger about the awards, your country music favorites, and acts that you enjoyed in the area this year or who you might like to see come through next year.

Kevin Cesarz: (12:00 P.M. ET ) Welcome to today’s chitchat with Blade country music writer Brian Dugger. We are about ready to get underway. The CMA Awards (Country Music Awards) are scheduled for Tuesday (8 p.m.) on CBS. Brian’s next ‘online only’ column will be Friday, Nov. 5.

Barbara (Sylvania) Can you tell me some more about SHeDAISY? Why do they spell their band name like that?

Brian Dugger: (12:06 P.M. ET ) hey Barbara. Shedaisy is a group made up of three sisters, kristyn, kassidy, and kelsi. The name actually comes from a Navajo word for sister. The band tweaked it a little to come up with shedaisy.

Lynne (Perrysburg) With as pop-tinged as Rascal Flatts seems to be, do you think they're really deserving of the vocal group of the year award? What's your pick?

Brian Dugger: (12:10 P.M. ET ) Hey Lynne: yes, Rascal Flatts is never going to be known as a traditional country group, but they really are a phenomenon in country because they have such drawing power. They just released a new album and it sold more than 200,000 copies in one week. They also have that crossover appeal, drawing in folks from outside of country. And they are tremendously successful at award shows. I think they will win vocal group this year.

DK I only know a few people who listen to the country music, but I know it's the number 1 genre in much of the nation. What's the appeal? Who's listening?

Brian Dugger: (12:14 P.M. ET ) Hey DK. I asked Kenny Chesney this question before, and I think he was about right when he said that most people can relate to country music lyrics. They really are about the everyday person. It’s not just the, I got drunk and lost my dog lyrics anymore. The core audience of country music is that much sought after 25-40-year-old female. Right now, there are a lot of really popular male singers that appeal to this group, like Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, and Alan Jackson.

Deana (Toledo) How come there are so few country acts in Toledo? There's only rock and rap at the Sports Arena.

Brian Dugger: (12:22 P.M. ET ) Hey Deana: I’m not sure why there aren’t more country acts at the Sports Arena, but the Toledo area gets a pretty good mix of country acts. For most country singers, their heaviest tour schedule is during the summer, so you’ll usually find them at the county fairs. I think just about every county fair in the area this year had a country act. For whatever reason, the other venues in town tend to be the Stranahan and Savage Hall. I think acts like Kenny Rogers, Wynonna, and other people who have played at the Stranahan like the classier setting.

Jean (Toledo) Will Brooks & Dunn tour in Toledo when their Greatest Hits collection comes out?

Brian Dugger: (12:27 P.M. ET ) I could be wrong, but I don’t think you’ll see Brooks & Dunn in Toledo this year. There isn’t a great venue for them because they regularly sell out 20,000-seat arenas. However, I think there is a good shot that they might be back at Country Concert in Fort Loramie, Ohio, in July. It’s the 25th anniversary of the event, and the promoters are looking for a star-filled lineup. They’ll probably be making some announcements during the next couple months.

Jill (Fremont) When will Brad Paisley tour in this area? Where is he from originally?

Brian Dugger: (12:32 P.M. ET ) Hey Jill: Brad Paisley, he’s one of my favorites. He’s just a fabulous guitar player. He just announced that there will be a tour next year, although I don’t think he’s announced many of the dates. I do know his first date will be in West Virginia, which is actually where he is from. Since home is so close to Ohio, he usually passes through once or twice a year. I know he will be at Jamboree in the Hills in July, and I’ll bet that he also makes an appearance at Country Concert in Fort Loramie. He should be releasing his upcoming tour schedule in the near future.

Jerry (Sylvania) How much do most country acts make on a tour? Or for one show?

Brian Dugger: (12:42 P.M. ET ) Country artists make almost all of their money from touring. Unless they’ve been around a while, they make very little money from their CDs. On tour, they obviously get an appearance fee, but they also retain almost all of their merchandising revenue. For a major act, they can make about $400,000 to $500,000 a show. Multiply that by 30 to 40 major dates, and it really adds up. The smaller acts that are playing at county fairs every night obviously make significantly less, but it’s still the main source of their income.

Kevin Cesarz: (12:43 P.M. ET ) Brian is working on upcoming features of Reba McEntire and Wynonna for the print edition of The Blade.

Bill (Saline, Mich.) Who will probably win this year's lifetime achievement award at the CMA's?

Brian Dugger: (12:48 P.M. ET ) This is totally a guess on my part, but I think Reba McEntire might be a good choice this year. She’s coming up on 25 years in the business and had a career rebirth of sorts this year with a No. 1 hit, “Somebody.” I’m actually now a voting member of the Country Music Association, but I was not eligible to vote this year. Next year, I’ll probably be able to give you a much better guess.

Kevin Cesarz: (12:54 P.M. ET ) Thanks for chatting today with Brian. See you on Nov. 2 for a special Election Day chat.

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