Word Of Mouse

A week or two ago, we really had something special here at WQMX. Not only did Sue Wilson and I have a great time on our show all week. But we hosted a Rising Star Showcase for charity at the Tangier in Akron. Always fun when we host a show in Sultans Cabaret. We raised a bunch of money for Project Homeless Connect of Stark County. Felt good to do so.

But the rising star of our show was the real story.

The rising star was a singer named Brantley Gilbert. Gilbert has finally come to Nashville and signed a recording contract. He has been quite a star on the Internet for a while now, but it seems now that the masses are going to learn of him sooner rather than later. It's a new tech world we are living in. This is the latest example of where the traditional world of mouth, works hand in hand with the newer, word of mouse. Thousands clicking on demand to their favorite singer on the web that they learned about from a friend. And watching it over and over.

The 300 or so lucky ticket holders that packed Tangier that night were so wildly enthusiastic it was almost like a Hollywood script. Truth is, we could have sold many more tickets if we had the room. They cheered his every word, song, and move. They came in from all over including some from out of state. Plus, they sang out loud almost every song, most of which have never been on one radio wave anywhere. And when it was over, the young audience didn't want it to be. And they let that be known.

Gilbert has written big songs recently recorded by other Nashville stars, but now he is carving out his own niche. There is lots of great music in Nashville these days. There is no shortage of young talent stepping down off the Greyhound with big dreams and an almost paid for guitar strapped across their backs. Never has been. But Gilbert goes in with a huge following and a running head start that he crafted in our new media age. His connection with his fan base is strong, intense and stunningly real. Seldom do you see such passion from fans over a brand new artist. But he's not new to them.

But after I thought about it for a while, it all started to make sense. These fans are in it with him. They have been there before there was this new beginning. Gilbert is theirs. He looks like them, he sings to them, and they have come to know him before there was a "him." That is rare. The fans know they provided the push that got this thing started from mired in the mud inertia, to locomotive rolling downhill. And the fans are layin' on the horn, as Gilbert mans the throttle. Most get to know stars after they have become stars. But Gilbert's fans have been watching him for a long while now, and cheering his baby step advances. The strides are suddenly longer now, and casting greater shadow.

As Americans, we love the underdog. And until now Brantley Gilbert has been one. Trying to get noticed while others have been singing in the big halls, on TV and radio. All while he waits for his turn. And now it's here. And the celebration begins as "they" have knocked down this wall together. When the front door was closed, they went around to the side porch, and simply let themselves in.

It was palpable in that concert room. Gilbert's fans wanted more as they were unashamed and unabashed in their passion for their new star. Many of us like to say "We were there at the beginning." And that's whats going on here. Yes, the music is great, but the connection transferred from the high speed Internet, to a higher speed real life experience was just as powerful.

It's all starting to click now for Brantley Gilbert. Word of mouth isn't the only way to go anymore.....but word of mouse too.