Comments on: Craig Morgan, Greatest Hits

By: Matt B

Matt B — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:01:48 +0000

Kevin,

That’s probably right but Craig had an opt-out clause (which he obviously exercised).

By: Kevin J. Coyne

Kevin J. Coyne — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:42:20 +0000

If I remember my Music Business classes (it’s getting pretty hazy), the standard contract was usually seven releases including a hits collection (or some other compilation.)

By: Matt B

Matt B — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:04:50 +0000

Blake,

Greatest Hits albums typically do not fulfil contracts but rather are just cash grabs by the label. In this case, it made sense for them to make this compilation. While offering nothing new, it gives fans a real reason to find his ‘early hits’ if Morgan does, in fact, break big like Chesney did after his first hits package.

By: Blake Boldt

Blake Boldt — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:24:13 +0000

The Greatest Hits collection is an interesting concept in country music. In this case, the Greatest Hits set is being released by Craig's previous label, Broken Bow, in order to meet his contract and to earn them a few extra dollars before he's completely departed from the company. A similar thing happened to Trisha Yearwood last fall, where MCA put together her Greatest Hits just weeks before Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love. For the most part, it's a cash grab.

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:18:59 +0000

in a perfect (country) world most often the fourth album of an artist is a “greatest hits” collection because a recording career got off to a great start, resulting in ten to twelve chart-hits, with, preferably, mostly #1 and top ten hits among them. in such a case, a hits-compiliation is a welcome release.

however, craig morgan, at this stage of his career, has just not enough to offer to justify the release of a “greatest hits” record. his hits might have been his personal greatest but in a greater picture are hardly more than ok-efforts by a supporting act.

opry induction and greatest hits album – someone is putting rather big shoes in front of him. let’s hope he’s gonna be able to fill them one day.

By: Leeann Ward

Leeann Ward — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 02:09:19 +0000

Matt, I didn’t even remember any of the songs from that first album as singles. I guess he was off my radar until “Almost Home.”

I will say that I think the thing that saves “Waiting On A Woman” is that sweet twist at the end and I don’t think any malice was meant by it. I’m always late, so maybe it’s my own problem, anyway.:) Bill always has to “wait on” me.

By: Matt B

Matt B — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 02:04:39 +0000

I should correct that they were starting in on the 3rd single when the label closed.

By: Leeann Ward

Leeann Ward — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 02:04:20 +0000

I never found “The World” condescending, but I definitely concede “Little Moments.” I’ve never liked that one either.

Andy Griffith is awesome. Oh, did I already say that?

By: Matt B

Matt B — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:57:29 +0000

Leeann, Atlantic Records closed when Craig was on his 2nd single for the label. He was starting to make inroads with radio. So I think that would’ve worked in the long run. But he did gamble by going to Broken Bow, after all, prior to him, they had hardly any radio success. I’d say Broken Bow owes him a lot of gratitude for signing with them as much as he owes them equally for figuring out how to get him on the radio pretty consistently.

By: Kevin J. Coyne

Kevin J. Coyne — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:53:56 +0000

I don’t think “Waiting on a Woman” is particularly condescending. I actually like that song, though I think it was the video that got me.

I do consider “Little Moments” to be one of the most condescending songs I’ve ever heard, in the same league as “She’s Always Right.” I think “The World” is almost as bad.