This is an excellent article – no one could have done it better I’m sure. I would like to point out that it’s mentioned several times that Montage is ‘tiny’. It most certainly isn’t.

Montage may be small compared to a Sony, but it’s mentality is as big if not bigger than that lumbering giant – and as a result of this ‘big label’ mentality, they’ve lost the ability to adapt and be agile in this market. IOW, they want to be a major so badly, they act like one – and where a number of their artist should have been broken years ago, they still sit on the sidelines – waiting.

It’s not for lack of money. The investors are loaded. Not Benny Brown car dealership loaded – I mean LOADED – Coal money loaded. But with an apparent blank check all they’ve seen from their investment are those shiny new offices.

Meanwhile, Broken Bow, and more specifically, Big Machine have broken artist after artist. BBR has had small setbacks (losing the Opry windbag Craig Morgan), but they’ve just opened a sister label and have Randy Owens, and in this market – that’s really something.

Big Machine is ran by a man who, although contractually isn’t any better than the majors (and quite frankly is probably worse for artist) still knows how to break artist and create superstars. And when Scott Borchetta isn’t creating them – he’s signing them. Trisha, Garth, and now Reba join the fold.

Montage? Well, they simply continue to lumber along. They have a great team – but their time to market and ability to make waves in the market are pathetic.

This says nothing of Minnie – who’s always been fantastic and a real sweetheart. I nearly cried when I learned she had gone to Montage (not literally mind you, but I had recently counseled 2 others to simply stay away from that sinking ship). She’s talented (like Rick there’s something better hiding in her music, that I’m afraid won’t see the light of day, but), and I love her older sis (doing well btw, on 1720 with Rissi Palmer and has a new record coming).

Long note to say I hope you’re right and Minnie really gets a go at it. But with the label she’s on, and their lack of any ability to break an artist or make waves in the industry – (and again, not to mention they’ve lost their good will) I’m a skeptic that it will happen for her. Now, or on this label.

But she’s certainly deserving.

(my apologies for the long .02cents! – and last, for those who might read this and think it’s personal with Montage or Allen – who I actually happen to like – or the team there, you should know, it’s never personal)

We may not always agree on stuff but this was a great piece. Nicely done. Oh, and I agree on her talent, it’s a whopper, just like her sister.

Rick,

There are PLENTY of artists on country radio who didn’t succeed on American Idol. Taylor Swift being one. Sugarland being another.

Minnie’s voice and vocal style are interesting but its the quality of the songs that really matter. When Minnie was first mentioned here I listened to her songs on MySpace and wasn’t overly impressed, so hopefully her newer material will be stronger. Its just a shame she’s not matched to a top producer, but Montage is a tiny label and investing a lot in the Road Hammers doesn’t exactly build my confidence level.

The chance of Minnie succeeding on Top 40 country radio these days without having been a contestant on Americal Idol is pretty slim. Maybe she can find a place in the Americana format “ghetto” which is still better than being tossed into the street.

PS – I hope Minnie doesn’t try to put on a fake public persona for media purposes. I personally like the idea of a pretty dork just being herself! (lol)