STAGECOACH ROCKED

Earlier this year, I wrote about music festivals losing their voices. When Roger Waters headlines Coachella and Metallica headlines Bonnaroo, and Jack Johnson headlines both (and a bunch of other festivals as well), you have to wonder what is the difference between all of these festivals. I just read that Vegoose, which I think the Bonnaroo people put on in Vegas in the fall, announced it won't happen this year.

So, it's cool that Stagecoach - held at the Coachella location and organized by the Coachella folks - did so well in it's second year. It is a country festival that, because it isn't run by Nashville, is inclusive, but still has a voice and a theme. The biggest stars in country were there - Trisha Yearwood, Rascal Flatts, The Judds, Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson. But also artists thought of as "rock and roll" who have influenced country - The Eagles (who I would argue are the single biggest influence - for better or worse - on country music these days) and John Fogerty. Legends who Nashville would rather forget - George Jones and Ralph Stanley. And some of the real outlaws - Shooter Jennings, Cross Canadian Ragweed and even Mike Ness of Social Distortion.

It would be cool to think that Nashville took notice - but they probably didn't.