Saturday, February 7, 2009

Why can't the music speak for itself?

People magazine is running another country music edition this month and there are two stories that struck my interest. First, a quick reminder of what People magazine is all about. According to Ted Casablanca in a CNN special about four years ago on gossip, People is a publicist’s wet dream. Nothing gets in those pages without it being cleared by a personality’s paid staff. So do you trust People? I tend to not take everything said there literally, nor do I trust that everything written in the pages is accurate. It is what they want you to read and to believe; true about any magazine? Yes, it is.

Another forum that I tend to not take seriously at all is a blog sponsored by a newspaper or a cable network such as CMT. Let’s face facts; the people that blog on CMT are there to promote CMT and those who bring big ratings to CMT are butt kissed. Thus the explanation for a blog that appeared earlier in the week that said that Keith and Nicole appeared to be like everyone else when they were at a local Nashville bar the other evening. Well, no, they aren't like everyone else because you violated their privacy by telling the world you saw them. If that was the goal, then mission accomplished. There is a reason things appear when and how they do.

Back to People and the two stories. First a photo spread of Dierks Bentley and his newborn daughter. It is sweet, it is nice; lots of pictures and a quaint story about the pressure on Bentley because he has the family now and how he is going to work that out. It’s exactly what you see in People and it came out just as he is starting his tour and his new record is released. It was planned and understandable. And Dierks speaks like a normal, down to earth person. The second article is about the young boy who played Keith Urban in the Start a Band video. People sought him out in Nashville. Turns out this acting thing is a career and the kid likes it. However, the article also talks about Keith and that the kid got to meet some woman named Nicole Kidman. Yeah, right. The video was for a Brad Paisley song and there was another boy who played Paisley but that was barely mentioned. Why? Because Keith Urban is the one with the record coming out and he is the one that needs the press. It’s funny but both of these artists are good, both can put out good music. Why the need to use other means to sell records? Well, that's what we expect, isn't it? The music is an afterthought. Too bad, because that is where we may be missing what is really important.

32 comments:

Unknown said...

I still think it's funny the tour is called Escape Together. And for the gullibles out there, I'm not making any bets anytime soon that he will be honest behind it's true meaning.

realitycheck said...

Umyths, you are kidding me right? Bentley has stuff to promote, so does Urban. Why are you not appalled that Bentley allowed for a photospread that included his daughter? With him it's "understandable". If Keith did the same, your blog just might self-implode.

Nicole being mentioned?
"People" will mention any little thing regarding celebs with as huge a star meter as Nicole. As for insisting the boy never met her, you have no clue.


This blog entry is really weak because this type of promotion has been happening for decades. The more ways there are to distribute information the more ways you're going to see promotion for a movie, an album, a product. If you want to have a serious discussion on the topic then let's get real. It hasn't been "only about the music" since tv was invented. Many times the public had no clue what singers looked like until they saw an album cover or saw them in concert.

Chris Bertolini said...

Does anyone else find it remotely "interesting" and perhaps tongue and cheek that his new cd is called "defying gravity"? HA, wonder if granny freeze caught the double meaning there? That was a very cute and clever way (if indeed he was smart enough to come up with it) to acknowledge that is something NK sure does know a hell of a lot about...botox queen that she is! Could it be an attempt on the orb's part to indicate that he is aware that she is phony as well??

don't believe the lies said...

I think the difference between Dierks and Keith is A LOT! Dierks is just a normal guy who married a normal girl. He doesn't live a big extravagent lifestyle. He doesn't pretend to be something he's not. He decided to share his daughter not hide her and try to make people fight to see her like some sort of game. Dierks is a class act. I'm not so sure about Keith these days. Had he not got himself tangled up in Nicoles web I may be thinking differently. Who knows?

Anonymous said...

"Why can't the music speak for itself?"

... and yet you have Nicole's photos all over your blog. :-)

frankie said...

I thought the same thing about the title of the new cd - Defying Gravity!!! That really made me laugh!!!!

maclen said...

dontlikethepez said...
"Does anyone else find it remotely "interesting" and perhaps tongue and cheek that his new cd is called "defying gravity"? HA, wonder if granny freeze caught the double meaning there?"

Yeah, I have no doubt that kidman was the complete influence for that title! And perhaps it's a little diss on kidman from the orb on behalf of the fans who feel she is responsible for his sinking success. And yes, it is clearly obvious that People mag is a total celeb brown noser, or is just taking kickbacks from the celeb PR agencies to simply copy and release the agencies press releases verbatim. So I read that the orb will perform at the Grammys...simply in a tribute song for Bo Diddley...since he's only up for an award as best sidekick to an actual grammy nominee...wonder if kidman is still in hiding and will pass up a ride on the magic (red) carpet? Or does she simply ruin the orbs appearence with her overly botoxed and injection enhanced plastic barbie persona?

Choice said...

Don't forget to let Keith know, by voting, that we understand the meaning behind the new album title "Defying Gravity" (A tribute to his wife).
Voting closes soon and results will be sent to Keith's record company to assist with upcoming marketing:
http://nicole-kidman-journey.blogspot.com/

maclen said...

Choice, didnt see the new poll on your blog when I checked for it...
So, kidman did make an appearence at the Grammys... in the audience... she seems to have skipped the red carpet... looking as forehead frozen, bozo hair extensioned and as plastic as ever. And it looks like she's laying off the lip injections...I wonder why!? It must be a total bummer for such a narsissist to be present at an award show she has nothing whatsoever to do with...not that she'll have much more reason to be at the Oscars for that matter. But it does give the NKUsers and People mag reason to jump for joy she was there, I guess. But nothing like failure to open up the densest or reality denying eyes... Defying gravity...indeed....

maclen said...

...ps...

so I read the Grammys are in LA this year...do you think kidman may take time to get a photo op with cruise's adopted kids while she's in town? I mean she is such a photo opportunist with everything else...even her own kid sunrey...or is she just too far gone with them... ignoring them for her career, which is finito...or will she just quietly slink back to tenn?
...oh yeah...Hoosierlady, if your around...dont forget McCartney is performing I saw her standing there on the Grammys...be there or be square!

maclen said...

...wow, the orb looked so...redundant back there backing up al green and timgerlake on "Lets stay together" on the Grammys...wait..the orb has a solo...whoa pretty weak...he must have skipped the sound check! Well, I guess he was desperate for something to do on stage with...whoever. To borrow from Beatle Paul...he is so "Rubber Soul" tonight... or the original title of that song... "Plastic Soul." Orb...stick to pop... '

maclen said...

...update...

martin of Cold play on now...3 noms...isnt he paltrow's hubby? Musician married to an actress can be that successful? Looking at kidman and the hapless orb...who would have "thunk?"

maclen said...

...now the orb, rather amatuerish and clumsily too rapid, introduces underwood...whoa, a hot sassy blonde with legs to kill...orb eat your heart out...

Choice said...

It was VERY nice of Keith to support his wife at the Granny Awards last night. He looked so happy:

http://nicole-kidman-journey.blogspot.com/

PS. Hi Maclen. I my earlier post I was referring to existing Poll which closes soon. I can then send results to NKU to help them understand why Keith would use such a title.

maclen said...

Choice said...
"PS. Hi Maclen. I my earlier post I was referring to existing Poll which closes soon. I can then send results to NKU to help them understand why Keith would use such a title."

oh ok... yeah, "Defying Gravity"...what else could the orb be refering to...

maclen said...

...Grammys update...

Ha! Bo Diddley...featuring the "pop" pickings of the orb...in the shadows of r&b greats bb king and buddy guy...even john mayor out riffed the paltry and weak voiced orb...

Choice said...

I just noticed Keith with his wrist tattoo on stage. Hadn't noticed that before. Wonder if Gran's matching one is on the cheek.

Choice said...

I have to agree with Deidre (a Blog reader on NKJ) that Nicole's head looks so big at the Grammy Awards. Good to see her eating more I guess. Keith looks pretty good in comparison:

http://nicole-kidman-journey.blogspot.com/

maclen said...

Choice said...
"I have to agree with Deidre (a Blog reader on NKJ) that Nicole's head looks so big at the Grammy Awards."

There must be something about the countless injections...right into your face...that causes a "giganticness" of the face...I noticed last night a comment over at JJ's about the pics of kidman at the grammy saying how her chin looks bigger... looking at those picks she definately looks to have done something to her cheeks...you dont have as "sandblasted" a look as she does without extensive overhauling...
...so, just a overview of the orbs performance and relevent observations at the grammy's...jsut to complete my series...well underwood, as I already mentioned...came out smoking, (and she wasnt joking)...and also picked up a grammy...chesney, nomintated did not win, but got a showcase song on the show...(jsut having listened to about a min of the orbs latest song...in comparison chesney definately a stronger, more substancial voice..the orb is weak pop and light sugary fluff)... Taylor swift got a showcase song duet...paisley picked up a grammy...as did strait... the orb pulling back up duty on a hastily put together al green song, and he blended perfectly with the other back up pickers...and was the weak link...the "plastic soul" of the very short diddley tribute...not too impressive, but thats what happens when you have such a weak past couple of years...your'e just "hanging" out behind the true show headliners...

notachance said...

"so I read the Grammys are in LA this year"

Um, they're in LA every year.

So nice of everyone to pick apart Keith's playing like they know better or could do better. You are all sitting on your panties-in-a-bunch patting yourself on the back saying "see, I told you she makes him fail". Keith did just fine and was in fine company with those that he performed with.

Not sayin' he didn't pay for his slots, but those other musicians do appreciate him for who HE is and his talents.



Keith did just fine

maclen said...

"so I read the Grammys are in LA this year"

Um, they're in LA every year."

???

...the 45th Grammys in 2003 were held in NYC...madison square garden...which means that there're NOT in LA... EVERY YEAR... to quote another grating worthless kidman defender..."CHECK YOUR FACTS"!!

...PS...I'm so glad those kidman defenders rarely comment anymore...kidman completely crashing and burning in OZ...or more aptly, since dorothy dropped that house on her head...they've been way too humiliated and deflated to bother to defend her...but then failure will do that to the devoted...it makes then question their faith!

maclen said...

..ps..

just to clarify my relevant results of the grammys last night...and just to pile on to the orb suckage...nettles of sugarland also won another grammy for songwriting...for a total of two grammys...and paisly won two total as well...all while the orb simply "fiddled" while his career burned!

maclen said...

...and just because I'm in such a talkitive mood...and just as a treat for the Urban Myths readers and lurkers who do not comment...you know your out there...and are maybe tempted to comment...heres some kidman speak...my specialty...kidman seemed to be in a very "loitering" mood last night...sitting in the audience for over 3 fraken hours! As I've commented before, it must be a mo-fo for her to have such an abundance of time...while the successful actress' such as jolie...pen cruz...winslet...et al...are all so busy still on the awards circuit or still premiering their still successful films at film festivals... well take heart fansies...kidman still has a chance to loiter at the oscars...plastic mask...clownish hair extensions and all...and gaze blankly at the predictibly garrish "bazz-tacular" production piece he may have conjured up for host jackman! But be cheered fansies...jackman already promised not to razz kidman for her failed career if she is in fact loitering in the audience.

Unknown said...

Yes Maclen, it must just kill her that the place she thought she was gracing, is actually gracing HER at this point instead.

Same thing for Keith. If you try to walk out of country, why should country accept you when you come crawling back??

Unknown said...

He should be calling this album 'Thank God, for the Grace' instead.

hoosierlady said...

Same thing for Keith. If you try to walk out of country, why should country accept you when you come crawling back??


Finally, someone hit the nail on the head.

This guy has done everything but hold up a sign that says "I want to be a rock star", but I don't think anyone was buying it, and now, he's left with his country audiance, and he's had to double back and, gosh darn it, he's got to go back on tour and all that! I do not think that is what he had in mind.

He's a rock and roll wanna be if there ever was one, and it ain't gonna happen.

I wonder how much Nicole paid for that photo op with Sir Paul.

hoosierlady said...

audience. You spell that word:

a-u-d-i-e-n-c-e

Choice said...

Hi Hoosierlady
Sir Paul doesn't look too impressed next to her. He would have said "Ok Nic, I will stand in the shot if you stop making movies".

maclen said...

Lisa said...
"Yes Maclen, it must just kill her that the place she thought she was gracing, is actually gracing HER at this point instead."

Certainly, Lisa, kidman at a music event...she is just a JAFO...(interested parties google J-A-f-O, ie; Movie: Blue Thunder)...and is basically a "dunsel"...(interested parties just google "captain dunsel" ie; Star Trek: TOS, episode "The Ultimate Computer)...and again, she was just loitering...


Hoosierlady said...
"This guy has done everything but hold up a sign that says "I want to be a rock star", but I don't think anyone was buying it..."

...surely, the orb playing on the hastily formed soulful Al Green song and then on the R&B diddley tribute I'm sure left any potential new fans scratching their heads at what he is...and he certainly aint bluesy or soulful...he's more the "whip up a catchy and insignificant commericial jingle" for teen acne products or the Gap clothing line. ... which I recall he did, (goggle it baby..google it!) And dont doubt that the devoted orb-sters are right now overly sensitive to the orb's current state of mediocrity.

maclen said...

And I do agree with lainey...

http://laineygossip.com/Nicole_Kidman_and_Keith_Urban_at_Grammy_Awards_2009.aspx?CatID=0&CelID=0

"Grammy Granny!

"Ummmm…yeah.
So when I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that our Nashville gossips had observed that she’d had some new work put in, you all were like – nah…she looks the same!
Really?
Because this is Nicole Kidman’s face at the Grammy’s.
The same? Sure."

It is highly probable she had cheek implants...a tune up...reinstalled in her months old break in tennessee after the flop of the oz film. That would explain the early photo ops in tenn... their was a few days of them recall...and then POOF...MIA for weeks. For as you may or may not know...

http://www.kufacialplasticsurgery.com/html/implants.html

"Patients can expect swelling and bruising in the affected areas for about a week; Dr. Kriet will prescribe medication to lessen any discomfort. A follow-up visit is made approximately five days after surgery so Dr. Kriet can remove any stitches and monitor the healing process.'

...and surely in "prep" for the shoot of the italian "barbie" in Rome a few weeks ago... kidman's idea of "prep" for a movie is becoming an "outpatient"...rather than bothering to read the script or even train in emoting in a convincing way...oh yeah, and a large row of "medium to longish" wigs...and a rack of multicolored hair extensions...orange...grey..greyer...greyest

maclen said...

...ps...

oh yes...I forgot about her chin...if you look at a 2 month old pic of her here on dec 13...

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/84034882/DDP

and then look at a pic of her last night on the Grammys here...

http://laineygossip.com/pics/grammy%20kidman%202%2009feb09%20gx.jpg

...her chin is alot "pointier"and "longer"...therefore, her face also looks far more "slender" because it is. Cheeks... AND chin implants. Look at that pic of her and the orb... her face is twice as long as the orbs! Her reaction to the failure of her career is more facial procedures! She now offically has "wicked witch of the east" chin... So they can rebuild her..they can make her longer...slender... and "pointier"... but no one is gonna notice that, right? When they show her nest movie and her face is 100 feet longer than the rest of the cast's, there will be talk...well there will be here...promise...

don't believe the lies said...

Her forehead was looking exceptionally huge Grammy night. It's obvious that the woman can't go without that extra "help." She should look at Jennifer Aniston who turns 40 this week. Has Jen had work done? Idk, probably but she looks natural still and her face moves. She doesn't look like a zombie. She can also look at Christie Brinkley...who looks AMAZING and is well into her 50's!