By multiple requests, Bucky Covington on stage at Turning Stone Resort, 7/27; photo by the very kind Janie, who had one of the best seats in the house. You can enjoy more of her fantastic concert shots here . Thanks again, Janie! Bucky's debut CD is in stores now, and his music video is available for online viewing at CMT.com and Yahoo Music. You can buy Bucky's album at Amazon, Best Buy , iTunes, WalMart Music and Target, hear the full version of his single "A Different World" at CMT and GAC, or enjoy samples of songs from the CD at Bucky's official MySpace. An autographed copy of Bucky Covington can be ordered while supplies last at his official site or via his official fan club.If you enjoy hearing Bucky Covington talk (as well as sing) on your FM radio, you're in for some fun for the next few days! Tonight, Bucky's the spotlight artist on the syndicated Lia show (stop in at Radiotime for a list of stations that carry Lia--times listed are Central), and this weekend, he'll co-host Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton (station finder here). Between these two guest shots, this weekend's upcoming CMT Insider segment on Bucky's visit to Idol Camp (check here for airdates), next month's GAC "Riverfront Concert Series" episode featuring CMA Fest performances and interviews with Bucky, Trent Tomlinson and Sarah Buxton (showtimes and info here), Bucky's modeling gig in the glossy Chevy Country Music Stars Calendar in Country Weekly in October, and the just-announced CMT Music City Madness hosting spot, one thing's clear--Bucky's set to keep a gracefully high profile as summer turns into fall.
Yep, times have changed, y'all. With a solid--and still-climbing--debut hit under his belt, this upcoming group of appearances gives Bucky's new, radio-earned fans a chance to attach a name and a face and a fun personality to a favorite song. For those of us who've been Bucky's fans for a long time, the rising-star media treatment is a very sweet late summer/early autumn bonus.
It's a fun "problem" (if you can call it a problem!) to ponder, but that's exactly what a big hit single does for a talented new artist--it brings a brand new set of people to consider, right along with the devoted fans who've been with him since he first hit the scene. Bucky, his label, and his management are doing a great job of reaching out to the casual country radio listeners who simply like hearing "A Different World" on the radio now, and who'll keep an ear out for his future releases. All of us--casual listeners and passionate Bucky Covington supporters--play a crucial part in Bucky's long-term success, and the delicate issues of timing and promotion are in expert hands.
It's gotta be a tough balancing act for the professionals. Bucky's mentioned before that performers with an Idol background are blessed with a solid fan base before they release a note of music, and that does present a unique set of circumstances. How do you please both the bunch who have been carefully tracking the single since the day it was released to radio in January and the casual group who just heard (and fell in love with) the song last week after hearing it on the radio? As far as the latter listeners are concerned, a "mediabase" might as well be a piece of furniture upon which one places a TV set--hopefully a set that gets more than three channels...The good news is that Bucky's label seems to be managing that balancing act with infinite grace, as his Top Five status clearly indicates. (Nothing succeeds like success!) And yesterday's lively discussion in comments about Bucky's current chart fortunes was a fun way of getting to know where those of us in the "passionate fan" category stand. Opinions vary, and thank heaven they do--it'd be boring if we all thought alike! But one thing's clear--fully supporting whatever song holds the title of "Bucky's current single" is always in fashion. Bucky's team have access to a lot more information than we as fans do when it comes to his actual radio audience, and no doubt their decisions on timing and promotion are based on factors that are kept private for competitive reasons (it's show business, y'all) along with the publicly-available info we're all privy to.
What we bring to the table is keen intelligence, an excellent fan grapevine (Bucky's fans sure know how to get the word out fast), a wonderful willingness to roll up our sleeves and get on the phones and into the ballots and email boxes, and that incredible--and transcendent--pleasure and joy we take in hearing Bucky Covington live out that musical dream. There is no substitute for that. Anyone who's ever taken a stage anywhere knows how amazing that feeling can be--looking out at the faces of people who truly love what you love to do is the sweetest rush in the world.
So while we don't get to make the big, record-company- responsibility decisions, the decisions we do get to make--the decision to pick up the phone and request, the decision to go to a show and cheer and dance and have an fantastic time, the decision to spread the word to our friends about our favorite new country singer--make a vital impact on Bucky's long term career (and our long term opportunities to enjoy him.) No matter what's happening on the charts, we're requesting him, cheering for him, and enjoying the music. Whether it's his first single or his fifty-first, we've got Bucky's back!
And on the charts this morning--well, it's deja vu all over again. "A Different World" starts Thursday at #5 on the Mediabase weighted listings and #6 on the Top 500; and with a superstar on Bucky's heels, every request and vote counts today. (I won't even say it this time--we know what to do! And after the call to the local country station is all done, be sure to give Bucky's video a boost on GAC's Top Twenty Country Countdown, too...)
If you're looking for some live excitement, the Ross County Fair is the place to be tonight; this morning's Chillicothe Gazette has a brief article about the show, which will help raise funds for Rock for Tots. Enjoy Bucky, Don, Hans, Rocky and Shaun and special guest Jonalee White, and help a good cause, too. Tomorrow's Belpre Homecoming concert features a "special guest" in the audience--Kathy of Team Covington will be on hand, and we're looking forward to her impressions of the day! And on Saturday, Bucky's State College, PA show will be covered by a conference call, courtesy of the very kind Hildi and company--we'll have more details for you that afternoon.
Finally (whew!) there's some absolute must-see art at the Bucky Truck Stop at Rawkhands right now--Beesims' "Simpsonized" version of Bucky is sure to put a big smile on your face. Scroll down and enjoy!
More very soon--see you later today, tech willing. Have a beautiful Thursday!
RE to LIA site bio:I wrote the BCO day one about the awkwardness of the non-updated bio and the answer I received was that it was not up to them to correct it as the bio was issued by their management team or the label..and could only change it upon the request of one of those. BF
ReplyDeleteThanks, Buckyflowers...I hope the word got passed along. Bucky has so many brand new listeners and fans coming along on the strength of this current hit; it would be great for them to have some up to date info on the talented guy they're checking out online.
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