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Excuse me for doggin' you on this one, but if you haven't entered your pet into my new Paw of Fame, well what kind of best friend are you?

Entering is easy, just visit my Paw of Fame promotion page, no hunting or searching for it...you'll see how we tried to make it easier for you to enter to.

If I had opposable thumbs I'd sure do it for you, but I don't so I can't.

Just think of all the love your special pet has shown you. There for you all the time. Never asking for much, maybe a belly rub or a treat, maybe to go outside for some serious business. They've given you a bunch of unconditionable love, so return the love to them.

Best of all, if your pet's pic is voted to be the best by our loyal fans, you'll get some free bucks to spoil your dog with at PetSmart. Now just think how happy your dog would be strolling the aisles at PetSmart looking for a special treat!

On the other hand, think of how they'd be getting their hackles up if they found out you didn't even enter their pic in the Paw of Fame. It'd be a dog-gone shame I'm tellin' ya.

So go to CountryHound's Paw of Fame page and follow the easy instructions for entering your pet, like a good dog. Otherwise you might come up short a nice leather shoe or two.

Now for something more serious... Please remember this during this holiday weekend, and when you are enjoying the dog days of summer... This really stops my tail from wagging. Last month 1,100 dogs were put to death at the Metropolitan Nashville dog pound. More disturbing than that is that the majority of these dogs were not strays. These were people's pets that the owners had to give up because they could not afford to feed them. 1,100 dogs, and that's in just one city. If ever something was a dog-gone shame, this is.

My good friends at CountryHound.com are presently putting together a program to  help these people keep their dogs during this not-so-great economy, and get assistance in purchasing their food. Some Country Music stars are going to participate too.  The program should be up and running very soon, and we thank you in advance for all of the love and support you give, not just to your dog, but all dogs and animals on this planet. 

I saw a sticker on a car the other day (yes I wanted to chase the car but resisted...gotta be a good role model to other dogs out there) that read "wag more bark less" and I thought how true that is.  Then later I received the email at the end of this blog, so I got to thinking, while I was laying around chewing a bone, about how true these things are.  If people could be more like dogs this world would be a better place.  Maybe a little more messy, but definitely more loving.

Anybody that knows me knows that besides being a CountryHound, I'm also a love hound.  I've got a few other nicknames related to some of my bad habits but we won't go into that here. 

You come around me though, and I'm gonna show you some loving.  I'll give you big wet kisses, sniff you from head to toe, and be right by your side.  You may not like the slime my mouth leaves on you, but it just shows you've been loved by Webb. I'll follow you anywhere you go too, cause I just want to be with my friends and doing whatever they're doing. Just being there man, that's where its at.

I took a quick poll from a few dogs running around the neighborhood and they all pretty well felt the same.  Give 'em a place to sleep and adequate food, and they'll show you good, unconditional lovin'.

But I'm curious why humans can't be that way.  Why is there so much hate, unrest, selfishness, war, greed, hunger, unhappiness and evil in the world; and why can't there be more peace and harmony?   Like Big Kenny says, why can't we all just "love everybody".

You know, I'll take fleas, dry dog food,and having to go outside to use the bathroom any day over all the dilemmas my human friends put themselves through.  I ain't got much in the way of material possessions, but I got what  I need.  My tails wagging first thing when I get up every morning.

Maybe that's it.  Maybe if all these humans didn't care so much about what they own, about their material things, their lives would be easier.  Maybe if they took more time to be thankful for what they've got, their lives would be easier.  Maybe if they didn't think their opinion was the only right one; maybe if they'd take a little time to appreciate other's opinions, their lives would be easier.  

Maybe if they quit thinking about all their problems, and started showing more love to those around them, their lives would be easier.  Maybe if they spent more time helping others (like homeless pets especially) and less focusing on themselves, their lives would be easier; and they'd be happier.  That's how us dogs do it, and it works pretty well for the most part.

I realize "every dog has his day", so every day can't be perfect.  But my advice is for you to be more like me and my mutt friends.  Love everybody, human and animal.  Appreciate everybody.  Treat your fellow dogs with respect.  Do what you can to make someone else's day better.  Always be in peace and harmony with one another.  Then you would wag more, and bark less too.  Now check out this great story below, and at the end tell us if you have a good story about someone spreading some love and kindness:

The pictures say it all

After the tornado ( Greensburg, Ks.)

THIS IS SUCH A NEAT STORY 

The story begins with the rescuers finding this poor little guy they named Ralphie. Someone had already taken him under their wing but weren't equipped to adopt; 

Ralphie, scared and starved, joined his rescuers..

I wouldn't think anything could live thru this... but we were wrong. 

This little lady also survived that wreckage.

Here she is just placed in the car - scared, but safe.

and then..they are no longer alone!

Instant friends, they comforted
each other while in the car.

Add two more beagles found after that...

the more, the merrier!

Oh boy, a new traveler to add to the mix...

(Note: the cat coming over the seat needing shelter...)

Now just how is this going to work? (and remember they are all strange to one another )

It's going to work just fine, thank you very much!

Wow! The things we learn from our animal friends...

If only all of mankind could learn such valuable lessons as this. Lessons of instant friendship. Of peace and harmony by way of respect for one another -- no matter one's color or creed.

These animals tell you... 'It's just good to be alive and with others.'

Yes, it surely is..

So...Live, love, laugh.

Did you get a chance to make it to the 2008 CMA Music Festival?  If not, here's what some of this year's attendees had to say about their great experience, and if you did, give us your highlights too!

"best thing about the festival....going to THE FUEL and being in Gretchen Wilson's new video...so neat!!!!can't wait til next year..always an unforgettable time...thanks again. your website was very helpful in planning our extra activites.....thanks, chris"

Chris
Bay Head, N.J.

"This was our first trip to CMA Fest, and it was amazing. We're already planning to come back next year (tickets purchased and hotel reserved). Just about the whole thing was a highlight -- it's great to have so many options for entertainment, and so many excellent artists to see. The heat was a bit much, especially when waiting in line (or sitting without shade at the riverfront stage), but we were happy to finally get some warm weather since it's been around 50 in Seattle lately...

I wrote up a blog with some photos and personal thoughts, but that's probably not really what you're looking for. In any case, it's at http://sharding.org/blog/2008/06/12/cma-fest-2008/"

Sean
Bothell, WA

"CMA Fest was a blast. We had a wonderful time. The weather was hot but the concerts were cool. It was a real treat to meet and greet with the bigger name artists...Alan Jackson, Sara Evans, etc. We are already looking forward to next year!"

Nancy
Murphysboro IL

"My favorite part of the CMA Music Fest was being able to see Dwight Yoakam in Nashville again.. Had a great time."

Johnny
Nashville, TN

"we had a great time at the CMA MusicFest and my husband's band played at the Cadillac Ranch. It was a great experience and my daughter and her boyfriend had a great time too. The concerts were fantastic and just walking the streets and taking in the atmosphere was great."

Lynn
Pittsburgh, PA

"And for the CMA MusicFest was great!! First time there and will love to go again.

We love Luke Byran. Last year we seen him about 4 times in Iowa. And we are also big fans of Jason Brown. We saw him at the Hard Rock Cafe at the CMA MusicFest. And he has done show with Luke in Iowa. Would be nice to see Jason at a big venue.

For the lows it was way to HOT. Coming for Iowa the warmest we had was 78 and then right to the 90's. Man that was hot way to start of the summer.

Thanks again for the t-shirts. And hope to see you around."

Sue
Des Moines, IA

"I loved Music Fest. My wife got a ticket to see Gretchen Wilson, and we both got to see Wynona. We also hung out back behind Titan Stadium and saw a lot of the artist. Would you like to know some of them?

Well we saw Wynona, Danielle Peck, Neal McCoy, Brad Cotter, Jason Matthews, Trace Atkins, Darryl Worrelly, Rodney Atkins(fan club), Luke Bryant, and Jeff Owens to mention a few. Jimmy Wayne and Gretchen Wilson too. At the concerts we stood behind the stadium and Fri. night Billy Ray, Miranda, Jack Ingram, Lady Antebellum came over. On Sat. Craig Morgan, Little Big Town and even Gary Chapman came over. Sunday, Jack Ingram, Phil Stacey, and James Otto came over. The only regrets, and if you can somehow help us I would be eternally grateful, is that Terrie, my wife, wanted to meet Denise Jackson and get her two books signed. As you are aware, I used to teach Special Education there, and I know my way around. I am trying to reach them and see if they would consent to meeting Terrie somewhere to get her books signed. As you are aware we are in Jackson,Tn. What would you suggest , because I love doing things for her to surprise her. K eeps the marriage fresh. I can give you my phone number or whatever you need if you can somehow make this come true. I don't have a way of scanning pics yet but we could make you copies somehow of all that we saw and you can see the fun we had too. Regardless thanks for everything."

Jeff
Humboldt, TN

Okay, we all know that country music fans are a tough crowd, and very quick to judge.  We look for those who seem "authentic" and also have that certain "star quality" - which, to me, often just means "attractiveness." On a reality television show such as Nashville Star, we're even quicker to dismiss the music.  This time around, though, this stereotypical harshness is beyond deserved.  The whole lot of contestants on this show is considerably less talented than those I've seen on any other reality show.  For those of you who watched Can You Duet, I'm sure you'll agree with me here; there were legitimately great artists on that show (I still lament that the uber-cute and traditional country duo of Joey and Rory didn't capture the title of "America's next great country duo," but I have to hand it to Caitlin and Will for knocking us all out with their vocals).  There is not one contestant who really has captured my attention (save Melissa Lawson, clearly the most talented of the bunch), and I would call almost all of them mediocre at best.  Also depressing is the voting pattern exhibited by viewers. Can someone please explain to me how Melissa could have been up for elimination with those yahoos in Third Town?  How could that twerpy model Justin with the pathetically limp voice and completely vanilla presence have made it through this far?  Come on, America. I know the pickings are slim, but have a little integrity when you cast your votes.  A pretty boy model should NOT be beating a heavier, but better, singer.

If the dearth of talent and charisma among the contestants weren't enough to get you to change the channel, there is another reason to do so: John Rich.  This guy has an ego bigger than Texas, and I can't take one more night of hearing him run his mouth off. The way he got into the annoying, jerky rendition of "Ride a Horse, Save a Cowboy" was nauseating, and his comment about "riding" the contestant was just in poor taste.  Also, having Jewel as a judge on a country show is almost intolerable - does anyone remember her foray into hip hop a few years back? This woman has sold out countless times, jumping from genre to genre so often that frankly, I have no idea who she is as an artist, making it hard for me to take her criticism seriously.

 So that's my Nashville Star rant for you. We'd love to hear how you feel about this contest (that I'll no longer be watching, by the way), so post comments here!

I'm sure no one would argue that reporting Country Music news, or any entertainment news for that matter, is not quite the same as reporting your national, political news.  Delivering the scoop on the hot Country stars as well as the rising twinklers is indeed important, and contributing to a website like CountryHound that does so with journalistic integrity makes me feel proud.  I hope you Country Music fans that visit CountryHound feel as though we are doing a good job in bringing you the news you want to know.

But now, I want to respectfully reach out to a different area of journalism.  I don't have any idea how many of you tune in to Sunday morning political TV, let alone the long-running NBC show, Meet The Press.  If you have watched, you'll know what I am talking about.  If you never have, I hope that you will read this anyway, and after doing so, read more elsewhere.....read more about Tim Russert, the host of Meet The Press since 1991, who died unexpectedly this past Friday. 

Like me, Tim Russert was from Buffalo, NY.  And like me, he was raised by a blue-collar family, attended Catholic schools, and (also like me, I just discovered) Tim went to college in Cleveland, OH.  I have been tuning in to the Sunday morning shows, including Meet The Press, for many, many years now.  I watched interviews with him discussing his two books, Big Russ and Me and The Wisdom of Our Fathers. I knew of where Tim had come from, and I have to admit, knowing we shared the same birthplace did make me like him just a tad more!  :)  But his untimely death, along with the beautiful tributes to him over the last couple of days, have increased my appreciation and respect for Tim Russert, the person, to an insurmountable level. 

It was obvious in this morning's Meet The Press tribute to Tim Russert that this passionate lover of journalism, politics, family, and life made such an impact on so many people.  As sappy as I can be sometimes, I don't usually get choked up about the death of someone I never met, and I had not gotten sad about the death of a journalist since the passing of the beloved Peter Jennings.  But this time is different.  Although Tim Russert was still someone I had never met, I feel like I did know him.  What Tom Brokaw and the other guests discussed in this morning's memorable tribute perhaps showed me why I feel this way.....

Tim Russert was not only unashamed that he came from South Buffalo, he was exhuberantly proud of it.  And he made sure everyone knew it! Through all the years of his life, Tim remained a Buffalo Bills fan, a Buffalo Sabres fan.... That may seem trivial to most of you, but to me, a Buffalonian living near Dallas, TX, well, it meant a lot.  Sometimes during playoff season, I most looked forward to the end of a Meet The Press show, eager to see Tim root on his hometown team on huge national television.  He did that so many times during his tenure as host.  Not many people in that role would do that, as perhaps it would be deemed too unprofessional.  But Tim's passion for the things he loved left no room for doubts about what it might mean, or what could go wrong.  And that was evident in everything else Tim did.

Tim Russert loved who he was, how he was raised, the life he had lived, and the life he was living.  All he wanted to do was grow up to be a good citizen, a good worker, a good family man......more specifically, a good lawyer, a good husband, a good father.  He was proud to be Irish.  He was proud to be Catholic.  He loved being an Irish Catholic!!  Fostering ethnicity was so important to him.  It was a part of everything Tim did, whether it was in work, family, anything. 

The basic values of integrity and hard work, very often lost in today's world, were never lost in Tim, no matter how much success and celebrity came his way.  Many times he went against the grain, standing up for what he believed in. Tim consistently rooted for the underdog (and not just his Buffalo sports teams). He hired Katie Couric because he believed she would make a great journalist, even when his bosses at the time wanted him to hire someone else....  Tim always made his guests on Meet The Press be accountable for themselves...  Without formal journalistic training, he believed journalism to be one of the most honorable professions one could have, and maybe even the most crucial to the rest of our society.  Journalism is the only access we have to the issues and happenings that concern us, but are too far out of our own reach.  It's obvious to me now how serioulsly he took that belief.  Again, his passion for what he loved, his passion for what he believed in....it can not be praised enough, or its essence accurately described.

I could go on for a long time, and probably already have more than I intended to.  But I feel like I lost part of my family on Friday. I feel like not enough can be said about this man that was so great; there is so much to appreciate in him.  Tim Russert made a very big impact on a lot of people, and I am one of them, someone who only knew him through a television screen. 

Reflecting on his life makes me reflect on my own.  It makes me want to be more as a person, share my enthusiam like he did his... I am proud to be from Buffalo.  I am proud to be a die-hard Sabres fan since I was itty bitty little.  I am proud to have attended Catholic schools from pre-kindergarten through high school.  I am proud to be Polish, and I love to eat pierogies and duck soup and authentic chicken wings available only in Buffalo.  I am proud to have yankee blood and to like snow and cold weather!  I believe it's the underdog that has the real advantage, and I love the glorious feeling that arises when the underdog is victorious! 

"What a Country" it is when a working class kid from Buffalo can rise to such great success, Tim often said. And he accomplished every bit of it by working both tirelessly and passionately.  I can only hope I will do my best in attempting to follow in his footsteps.

MSN.com has a wonderful variety of videos in tribute to Tim Russert.  I encourage you to watch them, and learn more about this man who will be missed in more ways than we can even fathom right now.  Like I said earlier, if you are unfamiliar with Tim Russert, Meet The Press, or political journalism in general, hopefully this will be the start of your interest in all of that.  Had he met you, Tim would have asked you, "What do you know?"

I admit to throwing around the phrase "you are my hero" rather frivolously, mostly as a way of saying "thank you" when someone does something nice that helps me.  Those four words have a more sincere meaning to me now.  I never claimed having a hero before, not a serious one...  There were always many people I deeply respected, for their integrity and passion  -- Bill Moyers, Jimmy Carter, others.  But I think I will claim a true hero now.  A hero, to me, being someone that lives each day with enthusiasm, an unending thirst for knowledge, severe integrity, and a deep, personal, generous love for all the people he met as well as the ones he had hoped to meet......but add to that the part of the hero I understand well, the part of the hero I myself lived...Buffalo, blue-collar, ethnic-Catholic, hometown sports fan, root for the underdog......yeah, put all that together.  Tim Russert is my hero. 

Tim Russert came from where he came from, wore no excuses, sought no fame, and lived a beautiful, successful life.  Regardless of where any of us come from, how we were raised, or where we are now, each of us ought to be proud of who we are, yet remain hungry to always be better, for the good of all of us as a whole.

Since looking adorable isn't quite enough for me to earn my keep around here (I like pricey dog food) they make me go out every once in a while and actually do some work. 

So last week I had mixed emotions about being assigned to cover the 2008 CMA Music Festival.  I love seeing the stars perform, hanging out in the Fun Zone, watching the Dock Dogs make fools of themselves repetitively jumping in that pool, generally checking out the fans, and I've been known to hang out at a honky tonk or two.  But, the heat was really cookin' last week, and if you've never walked on those hot sidewalks without shoes, well you just can't relate.

But I lucked out and got a main assignment of covering the nightly concerts at LP Field.  I had a howling good time.  Friday night was probably my favorite because Carrie Underwood (Woof), Faith Hill, and Keith Urban performed along with several others.  

But every night was a treat.  There's still no better value of entertainment for the dollar than attending the CMA Music Festival.  The list of stars goes on and on....Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler, Sara Evans, Craig Morgan, Sugarland, Dwight Yoakam...way too many to mention.  

So I thought I'd give you a short pictorial tour of what impressed me most from the LP Field concerts.  Here's the dogs-eye view of some of the Country Music stars the way I see em:

Sara Evans

Rodney Atkins

Faith Hill

Craig Morgan

Keith Urban

Dwight Yoakam

Jessica Simpson has nothing on Carrie Underwood when it comes to Country Music chops. And with Romo's goofy ears and mediocre looks, Carrie again, (not only in music, brains and talent,) has Simpson beat.

In my head I can imagine the unspoken brawl between the two; not only does Simpson take Carrie's ex-flame, she's moved into her professional stomping grounds as well.

But, I feel bad for Jessica. What does she have left? Her marriage didn't work out, her movie career flopped and her pop career was unexceptional at best. It's as if Jessica just couldn't stand being in the shadow of the Hollywood limelight anymore and scooted over to country, reclaiming her roots as a small-town Texas girl. A small-town Texas girl that didn't know who Robert E. Lee was. (I remember watching that episode of Newlyweds, my mouth hit the floor.)

What I can't wrap my brain around is why Jessica, who's a knock-out with an incredible vocal range, can't sing. The only reason I like her single "Come on Over" is because it doesn't sound anything like her, so maybe she will find a home in Nashville. However her consistency in over singing everything is something that scares me. I will be ready with earplugs when I test out her album in the fall.

Overall Jessica's single is catchy in a Deana Carter, post-"Strawberry Wine" way. I can still hum the song in my head and enjoy it, but by no means am I rushing to iTunes to see if it's available to download.

The bosom blond has been canned by Country Music bloggers, but that isn't surprising. I hardly expected Jess to release something Miranda Lambert-ish-- that would be too good. Simpson sticks to a safe, upbeat, fun single that has debuted with the No. 41 spot on Billboard's Hot Country.

And even though some Nashville radio stations have dared to say she's as good as Carrie, Country Music authority CMT isn't too impressed with Simpson's cross-over release, either.

I must say, I can't decide whose Country album I am looking forward to the least: Diana Degarmo's or Jessica Simpson's. At least I can expect Diana's to have John Rich's nod on it. I will be sampling Jessica's with earplugs and Carrie Underwood on hand to soothe the pain.

The CMA Music Festival is finally here, well almost...close enough I can smell it! I get so excited just thinking about it that I can hardly control my tongue.

So I've been sniffing around in the CountryHound CMA MusicFest Guide, and there's just so much going on in Nashville June 2-8 it makes me run around in circles. Let's just say if you come to the CMA Music Festival events, you're one lucky dog.

I'm gonna try to make it to as many events as possible, but here's some I tracked down I definitely want to catch (and I'm checking out my new WebbCam so you don't have to go hunting all over to find these places):

Here's where most the action takes place, Lower Broad:

Monday June 2
6 PM
One of the best events happens before the festivities officially begin. At The Stage on Broadway they're having the 5th Annual CMA Global Artist Party. Some of the artist playing include Australia's Troy Cassar-Daley, Shea Fisher, and Jasmine Rae; Canada's Jessie Farrell and Johnny Reid; Ireland's The Murphy Band, The Netherlands' Wim van de Vliert and others.

Tuesday June 3
3 PM
The Porter Wagoner Memorial Artists & Anglers Fishing Tournament cranks-up at Percy Priest Lake, but the real fun will be at Bass Pro Shops at 5 PM when they have weigh-ins. There'll be food and entertainment there.

5-8 PM
I'll be back at The Stage for 103 WKDF's Beach Party to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. $75 to get in, but it goes to a good cause, and acts scheduled include Josh Turner, Rodney Atkins, and Darryl Worley. Be a dog gone shame to miss it.

Wednesday June 4
12 PM
City of Hope Softball Tournament - I've been known to shag a few fly balls....well that's stretching it... but I can fetch a grounder. This is a great event for a great cause. The Opry Live and AfterMidNite with Blair Garner teams with numerous Country Music stars and celebrities on each will square off at Greer Stadium.

2 PM
CMA Music Festival Kick Off Parade - I like watching them Chevy trucks and Vettes cruising down Broad. Plus my boy Luke Bryan will be throttling along in a Carl Black Chevroley truck giving out CountryHound hand fans. Dog.

3 PM
Well the party doesn't end when the parade does, its time for the CMA Block Party...best part about this and the parade...its FREE. The CMA's willing to throw you a bone every once in a while. The events take place around Sommet Center at 5th & Broad.

10 PM
You know I like to stay up late and howl at the moon. That's why I like Marty Stuart's 7th Annual Late Night Jam. You got Marty himself playing, the Charlie Daniels Band, John Rich & Friends, Kathy Mattea ( give her a yelp out for working to save the environment), Old Crow Medicine Show, SteelDrivers, and more.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday June 5-8
This is when the full-event schedule kicks in, so you won't have to hunt far to find something fun to do.

There's daily concerts going on at the ChevyTM Plaza, excellent entertainment at the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park,
Fan Fair (where you can lap-up all the autographs and celeb photo opps you want) at the convention center, the Chevy TM Sports Zone is open, and the Fun Zone.

Then at night tails will be wagging and paws thumping at the VAULTTM Concert Stages at LP Field. This is where they bring out the big dogs. And if you're a creature of the night like me, check out the CMA Music Festival After Hours starting at 11 PM at several downtown clubs.

My personal favorites besides the above are the Music City Rising Star Youth Vocal Competition, K9s In Flight, and Dock Dogs.

Some other events that make me lick my lips are:

• Thursday afternoon at 1:30 there's the CMA Celebrity Close Up presented by GAC at The Ryman.

• Saturday from 11 AM - 5 PM is the CMA Music Festival BBQ Championship. Yum.

• Sunday morning at 11:30 the second annual Ride For A Cure to benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation.

Whew, what a week! I'm sure I'll be dog-tired when its all over, but who can sit when all this fun's going on? Hope you make it to the CMA Music Festival too! But if you can't, then check CountryHound's daily updates for a peek at all the fun and excitement.

And if you want to take in some other sites in Nashville during CMA Music Festival Week, there's street performers: Tootsies: Lots of tourists crossing streets:

A few days later, a blogger for the L.A. Times put readers to a vote: Whether Kenny Chesney should return his Entertainer of the Year Award.

Seriously? Seriously.

The blog also called Chesney a hypocrite, because he had banners on the Web asking fans to go vote for him as Entertainer of the Year.

Other media outlets picked up negative press, with headlines like: "Is Kenny Chesney Digging A Deeper Hole?" and "Kenney Chesney Will Be Using His Award As A Door Stop."

Spinning, spinning, spinning, spinning. It's unbelievable. It's dazzling. Makes you wonder: Does the media stop to see the other side of the coin anymore? Do they read the entire story? Did they read all of Chesney's comments (there were many) before the splashy headlines were dry?

Here's the other side(s) of that coin. As for calling Chesney out as a hypocrite, well, a few quick web searches would tell any fledgling blogger that all five Entertainer of the Year nominees had a promotion directing fans to vote for them. One nominee (Rascal Flatts) had a free MP3 download for a day.

Did reporters not stop and think about the music industry as a business? Did it escape them that a record label would never ignore the chance to promote their artist for an award that would inevitable increase the artist's exposure and record sales of that artist? Even if Chesney wanted to, not asking fans to vote was probably not an option.

And all of this—to promote, not to promote—is entirely Chesney's point. Taking the ACM's highest honor and having fans vote on it would be like determining the Oscar's Best Picture award via an online poll. It shouldn't be a popularity contest. It should be determined by peers. A more appropriate choice might have been to have a new award designated to be determined by fans.

More to the point, Chesney is entitled to his opinion. And how stalwart is this guy? He doesn't agree with the voting process for the award. He wins the award, via the process he doesn't agree with, and still stands up and tells everyone he doesn't agree with it. That, my fellow Country Hounds, is conviction.

Meanwhile Chesney has written a love letter this week to his fans. Do they buy it? Duh. We're talking about a man who, during the opening song of his summer tour, got his foot caught between a lift and the stage. He freed himself, stood up and began to sing.

Isn't that what makes a star?

Well I'd have to say it did make me wimper to read about Cou