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It was not the Keith I've seen in front of Kenny or in other situations. Keith Urban today is free. He looks happy, is having fun and confident. His personality and charm and honesty shines.

I was expecting something good and got more than I bargained for.

It is hard to tell people that this very familiar figure is different. In this case, you just have to see him climb into the audience or play the lone piano. This guy is really talented and is finely getting to do what he knew he could do all along. Timing is everything in this business.

I think some of his material is a bit sappy, but I'm a guy. He should change NOTHING. The women swoon and love him. He is a star and a wonderful success story.

I have stated in this column my respect for Kenny's and Brad's shows. Kenny's stadium and Brad's most recent shows were superstar-makers for them ... coming-of-age kind of events. Add Keith Urban now to that list. He is a legitimate headliner and deserves to be. He has to be seen to be fully appreciated. I know he did for me.

This guy ROCKS! I'm not sure if he would be branded Country, but who cares. It was one of the best efforts on a stage I've ever seen. He worked and he won. That huge Keith-o-vision screen. The excellent sound design. This must be boring to read, so let me just say: Go see the show! It was great! And I don't use that G word that often especially lately.

Concerts have been a real Music Row blessing this year. The sales, well, that's another story. It just feels like voodoo economics, but The Eagles are not a Country group (they said that themselves), They are not on a Nashville-based label, so why is this in the Nashville CD sales pot?

I love the Eagles, but it sure feels like it's a cook-the-books thing. That 300,000 figure makes it look like things are jumping. Put in Garth's 100,000 week and ... boom! Sales are down, what, 15% from last year? It depends on what you are counting. When you add the Eagles in with things like that, who knows. The point is simple: What Nashville acts ARE selling music?

The off-the-top-of-the head is easy: Carrie, Flatts and Taylor Swift. Sugarland has done well and the ever-forgotten Tim McGraw has, too! Where is the new talent?

Josh Turner has been okay. But when you get past these names, you begin to go underground. Of course, a few others did some business (Reba), but have any of the newcomers actually hit a chord with hard copy sales or concert bookings? Is there anyone past Taylor Swift that the public is legitimately excited about? I sure don't feel it.

You don't even get a real feeling about what kind of Country the fans want.

You really have to wonder what 2008 is going to be like. Kenny's already sold out one stadium. A few of the festivals are going to be good again. You would think Urban/Underwood will do great. Strait is always solid.

Rascal Flatts will surely do well, and Brooks & Dunn are leaving the country for down under. I just saw the CRS New Faces lineup ... I may fall asleep. (Why is Taylor Swift in a New Faces show?)

It sure feels like a bunch of known artists have run out of gas and many of the new crop never had any gas.

I hope Jessica Simpson is not our Ace in the Hole for 2008. My wish is for Kellie Pickler to get some great material and make it. We need her star power and personality.

Ms Krauss is going out with Led Zeppelin and that's cool. Tim will work and Faith, too, but not together. Reba and Kelly Clarkson is an interesting match up.

I just want to hear some non-"American Idol" person blow me away. Taylor Swift is a star and with her next CD will certify that. Hopefully, Santa will bring some Okie or Texan or Alabamian and drop them off on 16th Ave. We need a new shiny truck and wagon operated by someone with mud on their boots that didn't get there from opening their Rolls at Neiman Marcus.