Tim McGraw Upset on Greatest Hits 3

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Tim McGraw released the following statement on his website:

"I am saddened and disappointed that my label chose to put out another hits album instead of new music," said Tim McGraw. "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."

Curb Records defends their decision saying that McGraw's staff was involved in the process of creating the album, but focused most of their statements on low sales for the release week due to the economic issues of the week rather than detailed discussion on McGraw's major points.

Now. I can easily understand how something like this could happen in Nashville's world of big music labels and corporate management. I've heard of situations like this before with Curb Records. I agree that the concept of the album is an embarrassment.

However, a couple things stick out to me in all of this:

1) Tim McGraw didn't just walk into the store this past Tuesday and poof!... there's a CD on the shelf he didn't know about or have some involvement with. So, why didn't he say something Monday before the release date or the very day he did learn about the 3rd greatest hits release. If he had such a problem with the album, make a lot noise and as early as possible. The fans would support it, if the artist made a good case for them not to buy the CD.

2) This isn't the first time McGraw has had an issue with release dates. His first greatest hits album McGraw didn't want released, yet that album has remained on Billboard's Top Country Catalog Albums chart for 412 weeks.

3) There is discussion that McGraw is ready to leave Curb, but still is under contract. Could this be a way for McGraw to start some internal business friction to help get him released from his contract at Curb early or just public exposure to the wild business country music really is? Curb is probably trying their hardest to have as much material released from him before they don't have a choice in his leaving to ensure their money continues for the longest time possible, whenever he does leave Curb. I don't blame them. I don't blame McGraw for being mad over the release of the album.

4) If Curb's statement is right that his staff was apart of the project, then McGraw's staff has a communication problem that he needs to be sure it is corrected.

5) I'm also wondering if the sale numbers for this album are going to be so low that there is a need for excuses for its lack of performance. We shall see tomorrow when the charts release.

So, as you can see there points and counterpoints for it all. No one will be crowned "right" in the decisions that were made, however, they both still win in the end as the money rolls in from sales.... even if they are "low."