Victoria Advocate - Victoria News
High and low notes of 2006
December 29, 2006 - Posted at 12:00 a.m.
As another year comes to a close, we traditionally look back over the past 12 months to recap all the music news and also take a sneak peak at what lies ahead. As I write this article, the news reports are coming in announcing the death of James Brown. He died at the age of 73 of congestive heart failure in Atlanta.
Like Elvis, there will never be another James Brown. He was a pioneer in the birth of blues and rock 'n' roll. As each of the musical icons passes away, I often wonder who will fill their shoes.
A NEW ERA
The year 2006 was good for the music industry, but more and more research supports the fact that CDs will soon fade away and new music will be downloaded rather than purchased in CD format. Look at how many iPods are sold each year and you will see why industry insiders are predicting the end of the compact disc within the next decade.
The price is wrong
Next year, we can expect ticket prices to continue to rise even higher than they did this year. With the Rolling Stones earning a world record of $437 million for their last tour, they can only compete with themselves when they kick off another leg of the tour in 2007.
There are early reports that they will charge $450 per ticket for the premium seats and $100 for the cheap seats. Some people blame the high prices on the promoters, others blame it on the bands, but the true blame lies on us fans who continue to pay these outrageous prices.
I know I spent way too much money this year on concert tickets and plan on being much more selective about the tickets I purchase next year.
overExposed
We saw much more of pop singer Britney Spears than we wanted to this year, so the news of a major tour in 2007 doesn't really excite me that much.
There were several things that didn't surprise me at all this year, like Kid Rock and Pam Anderson filing for divorce after just four months of marriage, or the news that both Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson got arrested for marijuana possession.
I was also shocked that many publications called Bob Dylan's new CD, "Modern Times," the best album of the year. While I admit that he is a musical genius and a songwriter of incredible talent, his singing still reminds me of two cats fighting in an alley.
My nod for favorite album goes to Johnny Cash and his "American V" release. Cash knew it would be his final album and it is a fitting epitaph to his legendary career.
Other Faves
My favorite albums released this year by Texas artists include "Live in Tulsa" by Cross Canadian Ragweed, "It Just Comes Natural" by George Strait, "Snake Farm" by Ray Wylie Hubbard, "Lost Hotel" by Wade Bowen and "Cannonball" by Pat Green.
My favorites by non-Texas artists include "Let Love In" by the Goo Goo Dolls, "Small Town Girl" by Kellie Pickler, "Some Hearts" by Carrie Underwood, "Face the Promise" by Bob Seger, "The Devil You Know" by Todd Snider and "Horseshoes & Hand Grenades" by Trent Summar.
My favorite concert of the year is a tie between Elton John perform at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and catching the Motley Crue/Aerosmith concert in San Antonio. Ironically, all three artists were favorites of mine over 20 years ago and they are still going strong today. Either way, it was a fitting way to end 2006 with a bang and make me look forward to another 12 months of music in 2007.
Happy New Year!
Dale Martin is a music columnist for the Victoria Advocate. Contact him in care of the Advocate, Lifestyle Department, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, Texas 77902 or
dale@martinsmusic.com.
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