If you need one more reason to wonder why record companies are so out of touch with reality, you don’t need to look any further than the case of Tim McGraw. Billboard reported today that Tim actually denounced the release of his “Greatest Hits, Volume 3”, and with good reason. Straight from the horse’s mouth…
“I am saddened and disappointed that my label chose to put out another hits album instead of new music,” McGraw said in a statement. “I’ve only had one studio album since my last hits package. It has to be just as confusing to the fans as it is to me. I had no involvement in the creation or presentation of this record. Sure I love the songs and I don’t want to take anything away from all the creative people who were a part of making those records. But the whole concept is an embarrassment to me as an artist.
“In the spirit of an election year, I would simply say to my fans ‘I’m Tim McGraw and I don’t approve their message,'” McGraw concluded.
You’ve got to wonder what Curb Records is thinking. This guy has carried that label on his back for years, and while they have other artists that do alright, no one’s had the consistent hit power that McGraw has shown over the past 15 years. While they’re not exactly destitute, Curb’s next biggest star is Leann Rimes, who is making some great music, but sure isn’t setting the charts on fire recently. Take a look at the roster to see just how fortunate they should be to have Tim McGraw around.
The craziest part of this to me is that McGraw actually has new material, and wanted to release it before Christmas. That would make most labels squeal like pigs at a trough, but apparently Curb felt another Greatest Hit collection, featuring music that goes all the way back into the 90s, would be a better seller. However, it looks like they will probably lose McGraw AND a lot of record sales this Christmas. It’s not like he and Faith need the money at this point, having staged the highest-grossing country tour of all time back in ’06 (a show that I felt was sadly lacking). I smell a Live Nation deal coming on for Tim.
Stumble It!
Pop Music Notes 
I bet you are right about a Live Nation deal. You are sooo right about record companies being out of touch. Tim’s comments seal the deal on that. Usually you get a “greatest hits” to end a contract and not to extend one. Pretty shady.
Yeah, although there’s something a little rotten about the way this shook out. Tim didn’t make his comments until after they knew what the first week’s sales were. I’m starting to think there might have been just a little bit of publicity grabbing here.
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