In a couple of weeks we’re going to see Justin Timberlake dance and rappers recite indecipherable lyrics to backup tapes as girls scream as instructed by the producers at the MTV Video Music Awards.

You can already see the billboards. There will be an incredible press run-up. The winners will be paraded all over the media. The gig will be presented as the cultural zeitgeist, as where it’s happening. The illusion will be put forth that if you just watch this one show, you’ll know what’s happening in America.

But that isn’t true at all.

If you want to make it in MTVille, first you have to look good. Then you have to sing the song Clive Davis wants you to. Oh, you might get to write a few words, but the song doctors will rule, as will the producer. Sans the auto-tune, sans all the production, you will fall hopelessly flat, sans charisma and talent, you will resemble nothing so much as the high school dropout next door.

But don’t worry. There’s another high school dropout ready to take your place. There’s an endless line of wannabes. Doing whatever it takes to feed the machine. Doubt me? Just watch the damn channel.

You’ll see angst at the VMAs. And references to illegal substances. The aura of Paris and Lindsay will hang in the air. Hell, both will probably appear. It’ll be everything you hate about music, TV and society all wrapped into one. But will it be ACCURATE? Is this really a portrait of America?

Go here: Tim McGraw – Taylor Swift (CMT Awards). You’ll see an evanescent TV star reading canned patter, poorly. Lame jokes as bad as the ones on MTV, just without the risque element. But, as you listen to the girl you don’t know unless you’re addicted to TV, you’ll hear the audience. Not the screaming meemees of MTV, but real live people, reacting.

And then Taylor Swift will take the stage. SOLO!

Nobody on MTV can take the stage solo. They can’t carry a tune, never mind hold the audience. But this also cute teenager singer, she’s playing the guitar, she’s got no vocal effects, she’s performing MUSIC!

Her guitar skills might not be in the league of Mayer, never mind Clapton. But, unlike Madonna, she’s really playing. And she sings better than the Material Girl too.

And the song she sings… She wrote. At least that’s what my e-mail says.

When you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think my favorite song
Some day you’ll turn your radio on
I hope it takes you back to that place
When you think happiness,
I hope you think that little black dress
Think of my head on your chest
An’ my old faded blue jeans
When you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think of me
Oh, think of me
Mmmm

This is young love. This is teenage angst. Not the stories of bullets and bitches on MTV. This is real, not a pose. You fall in love over the summer, for the very first time. Then it’s over. Does he remember you? You remember him.

I heard "Tim McGraw" on the radio today. It made me fire up YouTube and look for a video. But I wasn’t expecting this live awards show rendition.

The show is hokey. But the live reaction, by people actually listening, seems real. Yes, the staged moment with Mr. McGraw at the end might make you wince, But the whole clip, the whole experience, will make you smile.

Melody and hooks are not dead. Nor is authenticity. They’ve just gone a little south, down to Nashville. There are people who want singable songs, that reflect their lives, that they can identify with. Songs that are personable more than blockbusters.

But "Tim McGraw" IS a blockbuster. Because when you nail it, you get a hit.

"NO — I’M WITH THE BAND."

Bob-

Thanks for your expertise, Bob. After all, the Eagles have only been one of the most enduring radio and touring acts for 35 years — and still are — so, what the fuck do they know? Yes, the song they chose to release as their new single, "How Long?" is also about 35 years old, but as you have stated dozens and dozens of times in this space, it’s not about new or trendy — great music spans the ages. YOU testify endlessly that you prefer the older "classic" rock. So, let’s not be hypocritical here. Yes, the song was written by J.D. Souther — same guy who wrote the bulk of "New Kid In Town" which you just praised in your last post. And yes, "How Long?" was on his first solo release in 1972. So, how many people do you think bought that album — or even heard it? The song will now get worldwide exposure, gleaning Mr. Souther some long-overdue consideration.

And before you render your verdict and have the band hung at dawn, why don’t you wait and see what the album is like? It’s got 20 songs on it (for the price of a single disc). You might actually like a couple of them. I’ve heard the whole thing and there are several songs that measure up to — or surpass — their best work. They didn’t attempt to sound "now" and "cutting-edge." No lame, cheap production tricks. They wanted to sound like the Eagles — quality songs, great harmonies, leaning heavily on their country roots. But, don’t worry, Bob, there are statements aplenty — some of the most pointed they’ve ever made — and stellar playing. They even employed some Middle Eastern instruments.

Concerning your pronouncements about the technology — the Eagles camp has checked and rechecked all the sites — talked to the people who run them. NO PROBLEMS BOB. Maybe you should take that Tandy back to Radio Shack and get yourself a new one. We are more than thrilled with the single’s reception at Country and AAA radio — check the numbers, Bob. And we are totally satisfied with the amount of attention we have received on our MySpace profile in less than 9 weeks since launch. MySpace.com/eaglesmusic is the #2 search result in Google. Keep checking MySpace and see what happens. Meanwhile, the Eagles feature at Yahoo: 10,337,654 impressions; 182,427 clicks.

So, we’re not Neanderthals, Bob, and neither are our fans. THEY know how and where to find us — which brings up my final point: Do you really think that the Eagles and their manager, Irving Azoff, didn’t try to get the URL "eagles.com?" You have often stated that Azoff is one of the sharpest, most effective guys in the business — so, do you really believe that he didn’t think about the URL? Check it out. The URL eagles.com belongs to a computer company in New Jersey. They’ve owned it since 1997 and their response to numerous inquiries from the Eagles camp: It’s not for sale AT ANY PRICE. You want to call that company and negotiate a reasonable deal for us, Bob? Go for it. Also, you ever heard of an outfit called The Philadelphia Eagles? They don’t own it either. And to keep their lawyers off our asses, we have to make sure that our URLs connect the name Eagles with our trade, i.e. "band" or "music." So, you see, Bob, all this stuff isn’t really quite as simple as you and some of your mean-spirited, knuckle-dragging readers would assume. But the Eagles are just fine, thank you — their "non tech-savvy fans" are obviously finding their way to both eaglesband.com and to the Wal*Mart online sites to pre-order "Long Road Out of Eden." And, somehow, these poor, "non-tech savvy fans” regularly find their way to our sites to purchase Eagles’ concert tickets and merchandise. We don’t need to bribe or intimidate anyone out of an ownership of a URL that includes "Eagles." The album will be released on October 30. Wait and watch.

Larry Solters

What’s the first thing you want to do when you hear a track you like on the radio?

OWN IT!

But "I’m With The Band" just came out TODAY! (And funny how it has as many MySpace plays as the Eagles song that’s been out for days.) And it’s too soon to STEAL IT!

Oh, you can’t buy it either. Hell, iTunes doesn’t even put up tracks that are ALREADY commercially released (just consult our expert, Al Kooper). And, it takes a few days for someone to record the MySpace or homepage stream before it appears P2P, especially if it’s not a monster act.

But I fired up my P2P program anyway. Nada.

And I’m thinking of alternatives. Hype Machine?

And frustrated that I have to keep pushing play on the MySpace page, listening at a volume sure to piss off my neighbors, wanting to own the damn MP3 so I can listen on my iPod, I start reading Little Big Town’s homepage. And that’s where I see the band is giving away the single FOR FREE!

But I click and click and can’t find it. And I’m frustrated.

But then I realized the twenty four hours they’re giving it away starts FRIDAY! Then I realize on the east coast, IT’S ALREADY FRIDAY!

Finally, clickability appears.

Turns out you’ve got to register for the band’s site. What a bunch of bullshit that is. Don’t you think I’ll give you my e-mail address if I want to? But why would I do that, when I can return to your page whenever I desire information, which is why you need constant updates. We PULL information. We don’t want to be spammed. My inbox is cluttered enough.

And they want my MOBILE NUMBER! What, is one of the band members gonna CALL ME?

But, either through ineptitude, or a desire not to be completely heinous, the band doesn’t require a legitimate e-mail address, they don’t e-mail you a code, they don’t require authorization.

So I just made up a name and password. And took the track.

It’s an unprotected MP3. Ripped at 160 kbps.

What a concept, band gives away its new track! Talk about creating excitement! Where were the Eagles when this idea was in the marketplace? Want to create excitement, for a day or weekend? Legendary band GIVES AWAY THEIR MUSIC!

Oops, that’s Prince.

Anyway, it’s just a track. A taste. And, the only people hip enough to know it’s available are FANS! And that’s who you want to satiate, FANS! Fans are going to buy the album ANYWAY! And they’re the ones who will pay SCALPERS to sit up close! Do everything you can to maintain, to strengthen the bond with your fans.

It’s a new era. Don’t play by the old rules. Embrace technology. Now it’s easier than ever to blow up. IF YOU’RE GOOD!

Because if you’re good, people will find you and tell EVERYBODY THEY KNOW ABOUT YOU!

Like me. I haven’t been paid a red cent by the band, their label or anybody involved. I’ve just been writing on and on about Little Big Town because I LOVE THEIR MUSIC!

What a concept!

It’s ridden shotgun with me all over the world. It’s rooted me. It’s kept me happy. We’ve got memories together. Not images on a screen, but the mental movies created when I was walking the streets of Vancouver, doing back exercises on the floor in Vail. We’re TOGETHER!

And to get a fresh hit! Whew!

Like I said, "I’m With The Band" is not legendary. But, it’s got the harmonies, the essence of the Eagles’ "Seven Bridges Road". And I can’t get enough of that sweet honesty.

So go to littlebigtown.com.  And about five inches down the page, in the white box, you’ll see one of two messages, they change. Wait until the words say "Click Here For A Free Download", then CLICK! (Actually, you can click when it says "Little Big Town New Single, I’m With The Band" too…) On the resulting page, click on the bottom box, where it says "Download ‘I’m With The Band’ Single Free".

When you click to download, it’ll ask for your username and password. Use fads@aol.com, the fake one I just entered. As for the password, use "bullshit", because that’s what I think this system is.

Or, you can create your own fake e-mail address.

There are too many hoops here. I’d say to make the single free forever. But this is a step in the right direction. You want people to not only hear your music, but OWN IT! You don’t want them to think it’s only about the money. You want them to BELIEVE YOU’RE THEY’RE FRIEND!

Once again, to save the song on a Mac, click on "Download ‘I’m With The Band’" on the resulting screen after you enter in your username and password WHILE YOU’RE HOLDING DOWN THE CONTROL KEY! From the pop-up menu, choose "Download Linked File". All these steps might seem daunting, but a fan knows them all. Or buys the track ANYWAY!

What kind of crazy fucked up world do we live in where a legendary band is gone from the recorded music scene for eons and comes back with a thirty five year old COVER SONG?

I’m a huge Eagles fan. Bought each album when it came out. You might criticize Don Henley, but when it comes to intelligent lyrics, he wrote the book. Hell, so many of the Eagles’ songs’ lyrics have become part of the vernacular. Life in the fast lane? Desperado? The band made statements. What statement does "How Long" make? That we’re old and tired and we can’t come up with any decent new material? That we no longer ARE desperadoes and we play by the rules of the game? Delivering a radio-friendly track rather than a statement?

Used to be music was about a career. Top Forty tracks were for the wannabes, the singles acts on AM radio. Led Zeppelin? "Stairway To Heaven" was NEVER a single. And it’s the most played, most legendary rock radio song EVER!

We all need something to believe in. And that’s what the acts used to provide. They were more than revenue generators, more than a name on a list of the top Box Office scores, the SoundScan winners. Music was the number one art form, far eclipsing TV, even movies. If you wanted truth, you listened to a record. What do they say, movies done right are larger than life, but rock music done right is LIFE ITSELF?

I remember dropping the needle on "Hotel California". Hearing a song that had no antecedent. "How Long" literally IS an antecedent.

This is important. Because if our heroes capitulate, if they give up the ghost, shrug their shoulders and do what’s expedient, we’ve got nothing to believe in. And I need to believe. I’m a believer.

Last night in Memphis

I tried to listen to rock music today. I needed it to soothe my soul. But all the songs on the ten plus XM rock channels didn’t float my boat, I had to go back to country.

I just heard Lucinda Williams on X Country, "Change The Locks". I don’t love that cut, but you know she means it. That she wasn’t worried about the marketplace, radio, she was singing from the heart. And that’s why she’s got such diehard fans.

And when Lucinda was done, I pushed the button to go to Highway 16. And, once there, I heard something new, but familiar. It was Little Big Town’s NEW SINGLE!

Remember when you heard new music on the radio? When you listened to hear new music on the radio? When radio was the drum?

I got that same rush I got back in the sixties, when Cousin Brucie spun that wax.

When I heard "I’m With The Band" in concert, at first I thought it was a bit pedestrian, another road song. But, the changes and the emotion, they GOT TO ME!

And hearing the song on the radio just now, I felt that bond, between me, the act and the deejay. We’re all in it together. We’re all with the band. We want to put on our outfit, go to the gig and LOSE OURSELVES! We don’t want to see any beer signs, no endorsements. Hell, I ain’t got no endorsements. In the over-commercialized world they’ve removed the soul from the music. It’s just fodder for money. And money never kept you warm at night, money never kept you from committing suicide, money can’t buy you love! But music can do all those things. Music can make your live worthwhile, no matter how financially rich you are, no matter what your circumstances, it’s a cheap drug. But the drug’s got to be pure, or else it doesn’t get you high.

Is "I’m With The Band" legendary? As good as any of the Eagles’ hits? NO! But it’s the next track by a band I’m INTO! I’m a FAN! You’ve heard of fans, HAVEN’T YOU?

A fan is someone who buys all your records and goes to your show, even if you’re no longer the flavor of the moment, even if the machine has passed you by. Radio is not a fan. Budweiser is not a fan. Les Moonves is not a fan. Judy McGrath either. Nor SoundScan. Not even Clive Davis. They’re just business people! The fan is that nameless person who knows your birthday, your spouse’s moniker, even though you’ve never even met them. You’re part of their life. Every decision you make impacts your relationship. So, guard this relationship CLOSELY!

Little Big Town could have covered an EAGLES song. Got it in a movie, maybe as the theme of a TV show. They could have been in "People", "Us", maybe even the "National Enquirer". The members could be seen partying with Paris. Maybe even Nicole. They could take marketing lessons from Pete Wentz. They could be JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE!

What did my father say? Just because everybody else jumps off a bridge, does that mean you should too?

First and foremost, you’re a person. With an identity, a personality. Compromise this at your peril. It’s all you’ve got, after the revolution, when you’re in jail, it’s the only thing that’s going to get you through. Big media tells us it’s all right to dash for cash. That you’re nothing without the marketing monolith. That’s a bunch of HOGWASH! Now, more than ever, the individual has power, he can reach his audience, he can make fans, that’s what the Internet has wrought. Seize this opportunity, don’t blink. Go into the wilderness, don’t play by the rules. The old game is rotten.

You won’t have any trouble finding Little Big Town’s MySpace page. And when you get there, you’ll see that "I’m With The Band" has just about as many plays as "How Long". Is that because the band are good-looking youngsters with barely pubescent airhead followers who have nothing to do but surf all afternoon? No! The band members are pushing forty. Charisma is not their number one asset. That’s music. It always comes down to the music.

The Eagles have got Wal-Mart, and some airplay, but they’re sorely lacking in the music department. "How Long" adds nothing to my life, no insight, it doesn’t deliver what I’m looking for. Who would predict that Don Henley and company would punt so badly.

Let’s just hope the rest of the album is better. Hell, "Hotel California"’s first track was "New Kid In Town". But that was back when you got a year’s worth of airplay, when radio changed cuts every few months, when music ruled the world.