Michael Jackson - So Tragic

The initial shock at losing the King of Pop at age 50 felt reminiscent of losing Elvis Presley -- the King of Rock and Roll -- at the age of 42. The comparisons are many. Both had been at the top of the music world. Both transformed the music world. Both were forced to be recluses due to their popularity. Were their deaths similar?

Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley and Jackson's ex-wife, wrote of how Michaek himself felt he might meet a similar fate. Elvis' death was attributed to a heart attack; Jackson's was cardiac arrest. Yes, young people die every day due to heart conditions, but how big of a role has prescription drugs played?

It's sad thinking the untimely deaths of these icons could have been avoided. Elvis' physician faced criminal prosecution (he was acquitted) and lost his medical license. Anna Nicole Smith's companion, Howard K. Stern, and her physicians, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and Dr. Khristine Eroshevich, are facing charges of conspiring to furnish drugs to Smith (which contributed to her death).

We've heard that Michael Jackson's physician may have been with him at the time of Michael's collapse and is rumored to have injected him with medication an hour prior. There is a good chance toxicology reports will turn up combinations of prescription drugs in Jackson's system -- the probability that they contributed to his cardiac arrest will more than likely be evident.

So the question lingers -- why. Why do these celebrities get hooked on prescription drugs. Why do they abuse them and why are doctors allowed to enable them to continue doing so? Could Jackson's physician end up facing criminal charges?

We lost Elvis, Anna Nicole, and Michael much too early. Sadder still is the fact their deaths left their young children without a parent. It just seems so senseless. So avoidable. So tragic.

Adam Lambert - Superstar

Adam Lambert did not win American Idol. Am I shocked that the best singer did not win America's #1 singing competition? NO! Reality TV is not about the best at anything. It's a popularity contest. American Idol has, for eight years, sought out the best undiscovered singer in the U.S. This year, they didn't get it right!

Never before has a contestant like Adam Lambert performed on the Idol stage. Adam has the look, the persona, the charisma, the showmanship, and the VOICE! There is no question Adam possessed a voice with such range, with such substance, with such heart and soul; and week after week, he sang circles around the competition.

But now, Adam Lambert is a STAR! He proved it every Tuesday night with performances that ran the gamut of musical genres. Adam dared to be different. He brought everything he had to the table. If he was going to win American Idol, he was going to win it HIS way.

Each week, there was that element of surprise with Adam from song choice, wardrobe, style, entrance and, to me, he never disappointed. The judges praised is vocal prowess, because Adam was GREAT each and every week.

Does it matter Adam came in second? Absolutely not! Ask Chris Daughtry if he's still upset he finished 4th in Season 5? I think his sold-out concerts and selling over 5,000,000 copies of his debut album with the band Daughtry answers that question (in fact, it's doubtful that, as the winner, American Idol would have allowed him to record the album as a band).

Let's face it -- the world now knows Adam Lambert. The record contract is a gimme. Fame and fortune is guaranteed because you can't stop talent like that. Adam will sell boatloads of albums. He'll sell a slew of concert tickets. There are so many possibilities awaiting him and he doesn't have to carry that crown "Winner of American Idol" or sing the winner's song a million times over the next year.

I became a fan the second I saw Adam walk into that room in San Francisco and audition with "Bohemian Rapsody" He came full circle ending his stint on American Idol singing with Queen. How ironic!

Adam knows he has the fans. He feels the love. He has the heart and the ambition. And he will never be that struggling actor / singer ever again. Anybody remember the movie "The Idolmaker"? Do you see the similiarities between Caesare and Adam Lambert?

American Idol is just a TV show that's a springboard for bigger and better things for those who are fortunate enough to perform on its stage. Adam Lambert kicked open the door and he's now taking names ......

Your Idol bubble has burst, Adam Lambert. Your journey has just begun. Welcome to Superstardom.

Guest Wish List for Season 2 of The Marty Stuart Show

While Season 1 of The Marty Stuart Show is in reruns, I've been thinking about guests for Season 2. My wish list includes

1. Travis Tritt - I'm surprised he was not on Season 1
2. George Jones - George is a "must" guest
3. Loretta Lynn - Ditto for Loretta
4. Randy Travis - We don't get to see Randy enough these days
5. Pam Tillis - Pam is such a great singer
6. Merle Haggard - He's Merle Haggard for gosh sakes
7. Willie Nelson - This is a BIG wish but Willie belongs on the show
8. Ricky Skaggs - Gotta have some great bluegrass
9. Ralph Stanley - Ditto on the bluegrass
10. Rodney Crowell - Would REALLY love to see him on the show
11. Crystal Gayle - We don't see Crystal often enough either
12. Tanya Tucker - She's good enough for the Late Night Jam.
13. Bill Anderson - Incredible singer/songwriter
14. Elizabeth Cook - Fairly unknown, but pure country
15. Carlene Carter - She's BACK!!!
16. John Conlee - Still one of the great voices in country music
17. Hank Wiliams, Jr. - He'd be good.
18. Jeannie Seely - Still has a great voice.
19. Asleep At The Wheel - Gotta have some Texas swing.
20. Patty Loveless - Heavenly voice.
21. Martina McBride - Another great voice.
22. Trisha Yearwood - Strong voice and she could bring Garth.
23. Jack Greene - We still need to see and hear the legends
24. Keith Urban - I think this could actually happen.

Now I'll sit back and see how many of these great country artists actually make an appearance on Season 2.

Later,

Saying Goodbye To Season 1 of The Marty Stuart Show

Last night, Episode 26 aired of The Marty Stuart Show. Hard to believe it's been six months of wonderful entertainment and country music. Welcoming Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives and guests into my living room has been a pleasure. I decided to recap each show for the Marty Stuart Fan Page and my Sundays have been consumed with capturing screenshots, transcribing the shows -- all for those fans who may not get the RFD-TV channel.

While it was a long, slow process, and I became frustrated when things didn't go easily .. it's a proud accomplishment for me. And now I'll get a reprieve until Season 2 begins airing. Oh no ... not another 26 episodes. Starting on Saturday and continuing into Sunday with spending five to six hours working on the show.

But, you know ... I'm really going to miss the work. RFD will air reruns of the show over the summer and all the shows are recorded onto my computer ... so I can enjoy them any time.

But, let's get to the star of the show -- Marty Stuart. What a showcase for Marty and His Fabulous Superlatives. The emails I've received about the show -- all applaud the concept, the guests, the music ..... and how well Marty pulls this off. He is the consummate showman and so comfortable in front of a TV camera. I've been viewing videotapes of Marty 1986 to present -- and he's had it from the very beginning.

The Marty Stuart Show allowed us to enjoy Connie Smith, Leroy Troy, and WSM-AM personality and Grand Ole Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs weekly, plus a special musical guest. My favorite show had to be Wanda Jackson and just how she still HAS it after all these years. The woman still rocks. The show also introduced us to The Quebe Sisters Band. Who had heard of them before? But they are an incredible band of three fiddle-playing and harmony-ridden sisters. I'm a fan.

The SteelDrivers were great -- they've been around forever in other bands and Tammy Rogers tours with Reba (so did Kenny Vaughan's wife Carmella). We had legends: Little Jimmy Dickens and Earl Scruggs. We got to see the best novelty act in the business: The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band. Opry members: Riders In The Sky, Josh Turner, The Del McCoury Band, and Mel Tillis. Great country singers: John Anderson, Charley Pride, and Kathy Mattea. Great showmen: The Kentucky Headhunters, Charlie Daniels, Buck Trent, and The Oak Ridge Boys. The best old time music band: The Old Crow Medicine Show. Current singing sensations: Dierks Bentley, John Rich, and Gretchen Wilson. Great Americana duo: Chris Scruggs and Chuck Mead. Songwriter: Dallas Frazier. Guitar great Duane Eddy. Even Marty's Fabulous Superlatives and Connie and her band The Sundowners had their own spotlight on the shows. Where else could you get this variety of entertainment and witness the cream of the crop of the country music world?

I can only imagine what Season 2 will bring.

While country radio has cast Marty Stuart aside, there is no denying his talent and his love and appreciation for the country music masters. In watching some of these old videotapes, I am able to enjoy Marty with Porter Wagoner, Bill Monroe, Josh Graves, Johnny Cash, Pop Staples, Don Helms, Roy Huskey, Jr. and so many others who are no longer with us. Preserving the music .... preserving the Masters .... that's Marty Stuart.

Later,