Note: This column is updated on an irregular basis, depending upon reader support through advertiser links.  It is NOT intended to be all inclusive.

The February 18, 2010 edition of The Tennessean contains PETER COOPER's article titled Country stars sign on for 2010 CMA Music Festival. Cooper reports that “Musicians donate their time for the festival, with half of the net proceeds over the past three years going to support Metro Nashville Public Schools... More than $3 million has been raised... with the 2009 festival raising $1,066,632." 

Thus, readers who didn't know before are now informed where half the proceeds are destined.  The question remains (although the answer is obvious, despite it detracting from the other promotional aspects of the blurb),  who gets the other half of the dough?

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During the course of WTVF-TV reporter MARK BELLINGER's February 12, 2010 Channel 5 News at 5 p.m. report  on an elderly scam victim, the woman's personal check, including her phone number, was clearly visible to viewers.

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The piece was clearly intended to focus on Underwood.  And if casual viewers weren't payiing attention they wouldn't realize that the definition of "collaboration" underscores that this was a shared award.  Not only did Randy receive equal honors, he, unlike Carrie, wrote- and had the original hit version- of the song.  CMT's shorthand also failed to acknowledge theat the full name of the award is "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals."  

During another segment of the same program, the 2010 Academy Award nominations were discussed.  It was mentioned that "The Blind Side, starring TIM McGRAW snagged two nominations, including Best Picture."  

But my award for perhaps the saddest segment was the one on ROY ORBISON's posthumously receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Forget, for a moment that Roy, unlike many others similarly honored, had a tenuous connection with Hollywood- at best- CMT not only had to inform its young audience of who Orbison was (identifying his widow, BARBARA and surviving sons, ROY and ALEX,  though not by their names),  but  when it came to recruiting someone with the show biz credentialls to provide affirmation for the Walkway's choice of Roy- a common journalistic practice- the most appropriate celebrity in CMT's judgement was apparently the only one featured: DAN AYKROYD.  (The comedian is probably not the first person who comes to mind when one thinks about celebrities who have either known or been influenced by Orbison.)

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Over the years, veteran WKRN-TV anchor ANNE HOLT has been known to quietly assert herself when the respected broadcast veteran disapproves on decisions made by Channel 2's news directors who often have less news judgment than she (or the average viewer for that matter, though "News 2" has arguably become the best news station in Nashville over the last few years, owing to its emphasis on local news rather than on  the station's media personalities).

So viewers could only speculate, during the February 4, 2010 telecast of Channel 2 News at 5 p.m., as to whether Holt was holding her tongue as she introduced a "News 2 exclusive."  (Needles to say, what follows will explain lack on interest by any other Nashville media outlet in this "story."

Anne's script read: "A country star chose an unususal way to announce she's performing at this year's CMA MusicFest: a phone call to one of her biggest fans.  News 2's BRAD SCHMITT was there for the call you'll only hear on News 2."

Perhaps Holt purposely  freed all viewers, with the exception of country-music fans, to channel surf by providing everything but the name of the country-music star to whom she referrred.  In any event, remaining viewers heard  Schmitt declare with a blend of feigned excitement and a bit of exaggeration: "I think we have found the world's biggest CARRIE UNDERWOOD fan.   She wrote the CMA that she "really, really" wants Carrie Underwood to perform at the 2010 CMA Music Festival, since last year Carrie Underwood was only there to sign authographs."

To this point, the piece is pleasing Underwood's publicist, if no one else.  Where can you buy the kind publicity Carrie is receiving gratis?  Mention of her name three times to this point in a positive,. promotional context on a Nashville TV "newscast"?

Cut to Schmitt standing outside of the 15-year-old girl's home telling viewers he's about to interview the teen inside.

Oh, so this piece is REALLY staged?    In case there's any doubt about that, Brad warns the viewing audience, "My cell phone might ring in the middle of the interview."

This poor, exploited child.  Does anyone know where her parents are?  If so, Brad's not saying.  Rather, he's made his way into the girl's bedroom  (camera crew tagging closely behind, no doubt), which is a shrine to--- guess who?  (No, not Brad...)

Sure enough, Brad's "interview" is interrupted.  Schmitt picks up his cell and advises the fan and viewers "We are now on speakerphone."

The kid appears clueless as the female voice initially refers to Underwood in the third person, brightening immeasurably when Carrie identifies herself and confirms that she will perform at the 2010 CMA MusicFest .  

While there would have been no "story"  had the Country Music Association not received the Underwood fan's email and concluded using Shmitt (and ulttimately Brad's viewers)  would be the perfect way to drum up some publicity for an otherwise rather yawn-filled CMA "announcent" on down the line, there's no indication if the letter was received before or after TAMMY GENOVESE was forced out over the TOM COYNE PR fiasco.  So, while CMA bears its share of the blame for this crass commercialism  (Schmitt to the girl, "I bet I can guess who your favorite country-music artist is- but go ahead and tell me!"),  how much of that blame, if any, Genovese (or STEVE MOORE, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors, shares with WKRN-TV, remains to be determined.  (Never quick on the trigger, the rudderless Country Music Association- at this writing it has a largely-silent interim head honcho- waited until the next day to issue its own news release, perhaps after some decision as to whether an apology- and CMA never apologizes- would be more appropriate.)