Stormy Speaks

Stormy Weather is opry.com's exclusive columnist. A veteran, though self-described "young and trendy music industry insider," Stormy takes readers along as she moves gracefully within Nashville’s elite inner circles and shares her own first-hand observations, take-no-prisoners opinions and juicy commentary on the movers and shakers inside Music City's illustrious entertainment industry. Read it from Stormy like you won't read it anywhere else.

Stormy Remarks on Garth Brooks Comeback, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood's TV Shows, CMA Music Awards, and more!  

Friends in Las Vegas—Music City has been abuzz of late amid speculation that Garth Brooks might be making a comeback. With confirmation that he’s going to entertain at Steve Wynn’s Sin City resort, speculation had been replaced by anticipation. It’s the greatest addition to the strip since the early bird special and the 99-cent shrimp cocktail. This is major news. No elaborate sets, not flying machines, no marathon aerobic activity this time. Well, he is 47 years old, so, like the rest of us, he’s not the youthful whipper snapper who rolled into Nashville as part of the infamous Class of 1989. Stormy cannot wait for the Vegas show. Bettie Lou, on the other hand, is somewhat reluctant because she said the last place she’d be caught dead is a casino. Here’s betting she makes the trip.

Country Stars Get Extensions—No, Stormy isn’t talking about hairpieces and weaves. It appears the recession hasn’t affected ticket sales for Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift. Both just announced that their current 2009 tours will continue into 2010. What a bonus! Brad just added 19 dates beginning Jan. 7 in San Antonio and wrapping up March 6 in Charleston, S.C. Current touring acts Miranda Lambert and Justin Moore get to keep their opening slots on the tour. Taylor Swift takes her Fearless 2010 into the New Year, kicking things off on Feb. 4 in Australia. All in all, she and her hair will headline 37 shows in 29 cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Mr. Paisley, I’m Ready for My Close-up!—Word on the street is that singer/songwriter/guitar player extraordinaire Brad Paisley is creating a new show for the CW network. This should be Stormy’s big break. The press release did say that the new show will be a drama. Hellooooo! That’s Stormy’s middle name. (Actually, Stormy’s middle name is not nearly that exciting, but she’s not ready to reveal it just yet. Of course, the downside to fame would be some tabloid reporter ratting Stormy out, but she’ll deal with that when the time comes.) Now, back to her blossoming television career. “Nashville” is the name of the new show, and Stormy is all things Music City. Finally, the planets have aligned, and this could be Stormy’s big break.

Don’t Change that Channel—In addition to the stellar lineup set to grace the stage at the CMA Awards, some of our country music friends have some pretty snazzy television appearances in the offing. Taylor Swift is hosting “Saturday Night Live” on Nov. 7. Could someone please make sure Kanye West doesn’t slip into the studio? Just one month later on Dec. 7, Miss Carrie Underwood will host a two-hour variety special on Fox with special guests Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, and fellow “American Idol” alum David Cook. Supposedly, Miss Underwood will be performing holiday tunes and songs from her new CD PLAY ON. Oh, Stormy is disappointed by that news. Stormy wants to hear holiday tunes, and lots of them, while she snuggles up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate.

Unfortunately, Stormy got dragged into the “balloon boy” media frenzy, but Stormy’s concerns are not about pending criminal charges or whether or not this was all a hoax. The real crime facing the Heene family is just who is cutting that Falcon child’s hair? Has anyone noticed that child’s hair? Did he have scissors during that respite he took in the family attic? Who cares if that child wasn’t in that balloon; it the jagged edges of his hairline that are criminal. Stormy advocates less time in the backyard science lab and perhaps a trip or two to SuperCuts. Speaking of which, Stormy’s roots are showing; gotta run!