Late Night Musings

Orb's current single's performance a foretelling of his career in the U.S.?

2012-07-25T00:22:00.000-07:00

So...from what I can only assume from the reaction to orb's single on the Billboard Country Chart on the

Country Music News & Chart Discussion forum of orb's chart performance..it ain't doing too well. While orb is apparently tearing it up in Oz...what with his little gig on a tv karaoke game show...he is selling cds of a just released greatest hits cd and will begin his "world" tour early next year to a few more sold out venues...again...in OZ. Over here in the states, his fansie's await the release of his next album. It would seem due to "other" commitments he is once again rushing to get it written and recorded for an end of this year release. Perhaps he will...perhaps he wont. But one interesting note is the performance of his current single, "For You." Predictably, the single has sold VERY mediocre...having sold ONLY about 260k in about 12 weeks. By comparison, kenny chesney's "Come Over" has just sold 500k in only 9 weeks.

And now, it seems orb's current single is struggling to make it into the top 10. Some of the monkeys of the Country Music News & Chart Discussion forum are claiming it is due to the song being a "between-singles single"...and that it is from a Soundtrack album. Yet recall swifty's "soundtrack' songs "Safe & Sound" and "Eyes Open" have both sold a million each. Now naturally, it would be a given that the fansie's would simply consider it an "aberration" that the song doesnt do that well in either sales or on the chart. But now the question becomes..."Is it an aberration?" Or could it be that orb's single is struggling on the Billboard Country Chart because of the recently announced news that the Country Charts would no longer be simply based on "radio adds" or "spins"...but be based on a mixture of radio spins, sales and social media. If it is true, then orb's last bastion of any sort of success in the US will have finally abandoned him.

Apparently, the orb's "World" simply comprises of the U.S. and Oz.

2012-06-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

According to the Brisbane Times, orb is to begin his "World" tour in Oz on Jan 25, 2013 in Brisbane.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/queenslander-urban-kicks-off-world-tour-on-home-soil-20120617-20hpp.html

'Queenslander' Urban kicks off world tour on home soil

"Australian country music star Keith Urban will kick off his 2013 world tour on home soil in January.
Keith Urban: The Story So Far tour will begin over the Australia Day long weekend in Brisbane, Chugg Entertainment and Nine Live announced today.
The Grammy and ARIA winner will stage two shows at Brisbane's Entertainment Centre on January 25 and 26, before heading to Sydney and then Melbourne."

Yes, the orb's "World" has been reduced to the US, Oz and Canada for years now. The article mentions that the orb has toured "to sold out venues across the world, from Australia to Germany, England, Canada and the United states." From what I can see, orb hasn't toured in Germany since 2007...5 years...and hasn't toured in the UK since 2008...4 years ago. Orb's tour last year, 2011 consisted of Oz, the US and Canada. His Escape Together "World" tour in 2009 consisted only of US, Oz and canadian shows. Now purportedly, orb is to release another album later this year...he has a few "county fair and festival" gigs till the end of this year....then he purportedly starts his next "World" tour next year in Jan in Oz.
I also got a kick out of this other achievement orb was able to get..mentioned in this article...

"His Get Closer 2011 World Tour solidified him as one of the music industry's best live performers, while yielding $US15.7 million."

...well, I dont know where this source comes up with that $15mil...as orb tour last year grossed $27mil ...which was still DOWN from his 2009 tour total gross of $42mil! That does NOT signify a "big year" as the article claims. That is DECLINE. This quote also gets a snicker...

"The success of the Get Closer world tour also helped Urban make the list of Music's Top 40 Money Makers in the US. Urban, who is married to actress Nicole Kidman, sits at number 27 on the annual Billboard list, pocketing $US6.6 million ($A6.27 million) in 2011,..."

...yeah...$6.6mil...that IS NOT impressive at all...as I'm sure it is also a decline for orb! So I hope orb is enjoying all this Oz acclaim...it will be all the acclaim he will no doubt get. And I'm sure this upcoming "World" tour will be about as "impressive" as all the rather paltry numbers mentioned in this article! My only question is...when or if...orb's "World" tour happens to make it back to the US...which I believe wont be till mid time next year...no doubt AGAIN a half year after his album MAYBE comes out...will be able to attract that 8,000 per show average he barely managed last year?

Seems only an "Archaeologist" will be able to dig up kidman's career.

2012-06-11T15:22:00.000-07:00

It seems I must now become a cinematic "archaeologist"...and try to dig up what remains of kidman's career. For truly it is been BURIED...and it seems rather deeply!
It's been over 3 weeks since kidman's film, "The Paperboy," made it's debut at the Cannes Film Festival specifically looking for a distributor. This film cost $12.5 million. Now it's looking like as has been mentioned Millennium will HAVE to, if they hope to release this film in the US,distribute it all by themselves. That is if director Daniel's cannot himself "dig up" another rube to actually PAY to put this fiasco of a film in theaters. Certainly the recent news coming out about those involved in the "urine stained" film is not very postitive to it's eventual fate. The recent news that Matthew McConaughey is passing on director Lee Daniels next film of course does not bode well for "the Paperboy"...

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Matthew-McConaughey-Play-JFK-Lee-Daniels-Butler-31307.html

"Matthew McConaughey will not play JFK in Lee Daniels' The Butler"

...now of course McConaughey says that the reaction to The Paperboy in Cannes had NO effect on his decision NOT to do Daniels next film. It has also been rumored that kidman may have a role in Daniels' The Butler...we shall see how that rumor turns out!
Now, also in the news is that Daniels is taking the film to Ischia fest...

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-06-08/entertainment/sns-201206081133reedbusivarietynvr1118055232-20120608_1_vampire-hunter-pix-ups

"Ischia fest up Hollywood wattage: pix include 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter'

"Other titles now set for local launches from Ischia include "The Paperboy" with helmer Lee Daniels and producer Avi Lerner set to make the trek;..."

...so I wonder...will ANY of the stars of the film make it to THIS premiere after the debacle of the Cannes premiere!? Now, my last observance onto the possible future of this film...if you go to kidman's own official website...you will find NOT ONE mention...NOT ONE photo of the "The Paperboy!" In fact the last "update" was back on May 9th and it was the posting of the trailer for HBO's "Hemmingway and Gellhorn"...and well all now know what a complete and utter failure that was for HBO...yes...a paltry 500k viewers! It would certainly appear by this "scrubbing" of ANY association with "The Paperboy"...that kidman is "washing her hands" of Daniels' The Paperboy. Just as she did with her previous debacle...."Trespass"...and her past debacle..."The Invasion"....and "The Stepford Wives...and on and on! In fact, it seems kidman is back to her "charity work"...which she ONLY gets to when she has a film to shill. Unfortunately for kidman...the films she had on tap are UNSELLABLE!

The Descent into "Toilet humor"...or in other words...Kidman's career!

2012-06-04T14:15:00.002-07:00

Although I have been pretty much loathing of commenting on ANYTHING that has to do with Nicole Kidman's career for the past year or so...current events only solidify my belief that she her career is over.

The past weeks saw the premiere of not just one, but two of her current "films" at the Cannes Film festival..."The Paperboy" and HBO's "Hemingway and Gellhorn." A sneak peek of "The Paperboy" held on March 22 for "potential buyers and select critics" met with mixed reviews....

http://www.indiewire.com/article/cannes-buyers-attend-sneak-screening-of-the-paperboy-will-it-sell-before-its-thursday-premiere#

CANNES: Buyers React to Sneak Screening of Lee Daniels' Pulpy 'The Paperboy'

"Early reactions suggest the film has more in common with Daniels' "Shadowboxer," an arty action film that left critics' jaws agape, rather than the crowd-pleasing "Precious."

...yet as it's official premiere arrived 2 days later on the 24th...NO buyer for the film manifested itself as a result of the "preview" showing...DESPITE a twitter "claim" that the film got a "10 minute ovation"...which then turned into a "16 minute ovation"...to it's eventual "20 minute ovation. But it wasn't until it's official premiere was the scene that kidman "urinates on co-star Efron's face and chest" was revealed...and of course turned into the "sensation" of the festival. No, more like a "sideshow" of the festival! Sure there was talk for a day or two...but no win for the film or kidman...as the film WAS in competition. Now almost two weeks later...NOT much talk, just the usual "PR BS" being spread on the innertubes...BUT most importantly...STILL NO buyer or distributor!

Now, as to the other film that was also premiered at Cannes..."Hemingway and Gellhorn"...that film was hyped by the torrid of "explicit sex scenes" by kidman and Clive Owen. Well, that filmed eventually debuted on HBO on May 28, memorial day at 9:00 PM...the same time as The History Channel's "Hatfields and McCoys!" Well, H&M drew a record 13 million viewers...and H&G? Well that went on to draw a VERY pathetic 500,000 viewers! And that IS bad...even for HBO...which "Made for HBO" films usually drawing at least 1 million viewers! So this film is an unmitigated failure.

So, the results of these two films are not very surprising to me. I had kidman through in the business years ago. She's gone from 100 million dollar budgeted films and $15mil to 17mil paydays....to $10-$15mil budgeted films and $65,000 paydays. She is reduced to getting son's of Bollywood producers...still attending UCLA film school to learn "film making" to finance her film about Grace Kelly. Kidman is like a hooked fish...thrown onto the dry land...and is simply flopping around trying to find the water again. Unfortunately, just as the orb is reduced to the "small pond"of Australian tv...that water for kidman will be mighty difficult to find!

UPDATE:
Late last week I posted over at the E! orb thread the ratings for the HBO broadcast of "Hemingway and Gellhorn" from this webpage...

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2012/05/30/mondays-cable-ratings-hatfields-and-mccoys-heat-celtics-big-for-history-espn-267510/cable_20120528/

...which revealed those ratings for H&G at a dismal 548,000 viewers. Since that number was SO ridiculously low, I was determined to find ANOTHER source...a confirmation. Well, ratings have been VERY scarce for the film. It's almost like there is a CONCERTED effort to IGNORE the numbers! Well, I've just now finally found another source...

http://www.vulture.com/2012/06/game-of-thrones-gets-its-biggest-ratings-yet.html

Game of Thrones Gets Its Biggest Ratings Yet

"Not everything on HBO does Iron Throne–worthy Nielsen numbers. If you haven't seen any ratings stories about last Monday's big HBO original film Hemingway & Gellhorn (the one with Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen), that's because the pay network didn't have much to brag about. Airing on Memorial Day, the film averaged a mere 548,000 viewers in its initial telecast. By comparison, earlier this spring, Game Change drew 2.1 million, HBO's best long-form numbers in 8 years."

As I also mentioned...those are EVEN worse numbers than orb's dismal album sales numbers! But...JUST barely. I take it that will be the first...AND LAST film kidman will star in for HBO! Well, there's always Australian tv...AND the orb already waiting for her...with UNbated breath!

WOW...orb finally appears on singles sales report...and is mediocre!

2012-05-30T15:44:00.001-07:00

Well, it's been quite a while since the orb has been able to appear on a sales report. As is quite apparent, his album petered out sometime last year...and hasnt been seen since. But today, orb's latest single, "For You" which was first released for sale on itunes back on Feb. 17th gets a mention over at Roughstock.com "Digital single" sales...

http://www.roughstock.com/blog/country-chart-news-top-30-digital-singles-the-week-of-may-30-2012

Country Chart News: Top 30 Digital Singles: The Week of May 30, 2012

"Keith Urban’s “For You” rises up the charts to #45 from #54 with roughly to have a 31% sales increase this week with sales now over 106,000. "

...so...orb's latest single has sold "now over 106,000" singles!? REALLY? Realize that the song has been out for 3 and a half months...or 102 weeks. That's an average of ONLY 1,068 singles a week! And also recall that the first week it sold about 15k...so adjusting the average minus that first weeks sales...that's only an average weekly sales of 930 singles a week! That is PATHETIC when compared to sales of carrie underwood's single, "Good Girl." Recall that underwood's single was released to itunes ONLY 3 days AFTER orb's single...and "Good Girl" has now sold 932,000 singles! That's a sales average of 9,137 singles a week. Yes, that's 9 times as many cds sold! So while underwood's single is already nearing Platinum of 1 million...orb IS NOWHERE near even Gold...AND will NEVER be near Gold sales! So there is the proof that orb IS a washed up hasbeen...which I am constantly harping on. No one can sell that weakly...and continue to stay in business. Orb's days as a viable, top tiered elite country "star" are simply numbered...and nothing he can do, concieve or manufacture is gonna change that.

The orb is #1...in Oz...

2012-05-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

So, the aussie innertubes are alight with news that the orb's new "Greatest hits" cd is #1 on the ARIA Country Album chart ...

http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display_country.asp?chart=1F20

...the orb's OTHER "Greatest Hits: 18 kids" cd is currently at #5. This previous greatest hits cd was released in the states 5 years ago and has sold x2 platinum in Oz...so in aussie speak, that's cd sales of 140k. So taking a quick in depth look at those sales...this cd sold on average 538 cds per week for 5 years...or 260 weeks...for that total of 140k. I suppose for Oz that is somehow impressive! Recall..."big fish in little pond." Also showing on this week's ARIA country chart, orb's latest cd, "Get Closer," is currently at #19 and reveals sales of "Gold"...or 35k. Get Closer was released in the states a year and a half ago...or 78 weeks...and has sold an average of 448 cds a week in Oz. So, again...one can assume that orb's #1 album in Oz today probably sold between 448 cds to maybe 538 cds the past week. Clearly, one can also assume that this is OUTSTANDING for someone in orb's sales class. I am most assuredly convinced that things WONT be as OUTSTANDING for him when he decides to release his next album in the states. Orb MAY be able to show a somewhat lessened performance in Oz...and SEEM to be accomplishing something impressive...but in the states it really is chump change. Orb CAN NO longer compete in the US marketplace. I would surely say orb DOES see a promising new future...IN OZ! Which again, as I've maintained before, is what orb was looking to do. Orb is now in a "weight class" more to his speed. Orb can no longer compete with the Heavyweights...so go and compete with some Lightweights! Because...even in Oz...true "Heavyweights" can still out sell the orb. For, swifty's 4 year old album, Fearless, has now sold x5 Platinum...or 350k...which is MORE than twice as many as orb's best showing.

orb reaches 3 mil "likes" on Facebook...barely.

2012-05-18T00:26:00.001-07:00

So, I read at the orb's fawnsite that he has reached the milestone of 3 million "likes" on his facebook page.

http://www.keithurban.net/story/news/keith-reaches-3-million-facebook-fans

"

KEITH REACHES 3 MILLION FACEBOOK FANS"

It's just too bad that NOT EVEN half of those 3mil "fans...by the way, on Facebook it's referred to as "likes"...it's too bad for orb that not even half of them didnt bother to buy his album or any of his singles! I calculate his album after being out for a year and a half now has only sold about 700,000 cds...about 300,000 LESS than his previous album. And clearly NONE of his singles will EVER get near "Gold" in sales...500k. I've long maintained orb is one of the worst perfroming in "new media" promo. A quick check of country acts Facebook pages...orb is near the bottom.

1. Swift- 31mil "likes"

2. Underwood- 7 mil

3. Lady ant- 7mil

4. Aldean-5.7mil

5.Rascal flatts- 4mil

6.Paisley- 4mil

7. Chesney- 4mil

8. Sugarland- 3.7mil

9. Lambert- 3.4mil

10. orb- 3mil

11. Shelton- 2.6mil

Orb only ranks ahead of shelton on the top 11 country acts by 600k. It is NOT irrelevant that both orb and shelton are currently selling about the same amount of cds. Shelton's album is currently selling 687k cds. Orb also no doubt trails in Twitter followers...where he beats only Sugarland and the flatts. Surely this trailing most of the acts in "new media" outlets is part of the orb's problem with sales of his music...but ultimately his bland and superficial personality is the main reason he is faltering. Unfortunately for the orb...that IS NOT something you can buy!

Orb's plan to become "big fish in a smaller pond" continues

2012-05-06T22:06:00.000-07:00

When I first read that the orb was all set to join the aussie version of "The Voice"...the reason given was that orb desired a hit in his "homeland." Certainly his wanting to find "success" in his homeland WOULD be a direct result of his decline in the US. As I've described the move to OZ tv...orb was hoping to be "a big fish in a little pond" ie: Australia...as opposed to a "small fish in a big pond" ie: America. With ALL orb's prospects in the US dwindling...a much needed change to find customers for his music was a desperate necessity! So, it was with no surprise to stumble on this little tidbit courtesy of monkeyland...

http://www.keithurban.net/story/news/the-story-so-far-a-new-collection-of-hit-songs-released-may-11-in-australia

'THE STORY SO FAR' A NEW COLLECTION OF HIT SONGS RELEASED MAY 11 IN AUSTRALIA

"Keith Urban’s new collection of hits ‘The Story So Far’ will be released on May 11 [in Australia], and features 19 of the most popular songs from the Grammy and ARIA Award winning artist’s albums ‘Get Closer’, ‘Defying Gravity’, ‘Love Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing’ , ‘Be Here’ and ‘Golden Road’."

...which is basically a "greatest hits" release to try and capitalize on the show in oz. I most certainly believe orb wants to find the success in Oz that he was UNABLE to hold onto here in the states. And I relish when the orb's next album comes out. For it will most surely back up my contention that he is losing fan support and will sell even LESS cds. Nothing the orb has done the past 5 years would convine me that he has what it takes...be it songwriting ability...the personality or the wisdom to attract that legion of fans he has lost those past few years. It is clear, orb's view now is in Oz...and NOT in the US. There is NOTHING that having even a massively successful show in OZ can do for him here in the states...no level of quality in music that can bring those fans back. In fact, the past month's "media blitz" in the press shows me...and no doubt the orb...that it is clearly a lost cause. Because, IT IS true...orb is simply a "small fish" here in the states...no matter how many manufactured press stories he tries to throw out there.

Turns out the orb is too "timid" to Rock out.

2012-05-02T21:17:00.000-07:00

A couple of nights ago, I caught Carrie Underwood on David Letterman where she performed her current single, "Good Girl." The song is definately more on the "rock" sounding side than on the country side. Now that would explain why I'm reading on country chart forums that the single seems to be struggling somewhat to get to the top of the country chart. The song though seems to be selling rather briskly...having already sold into the 600k range.
About a year ago, I was speculating that orb MAY go the heavier "rock" sound for his next album...seeing how his last album clearly did not sell very well. He WAS definitely in need of going a different route for his next album. And based on his rather HEAVY list of old "80's hit" covers on his tour last year...from macca to AC/DC to Tom Petty...and his obvious tendency to "lift" riffs and even lyrics from old 70's and 80's songs...I figured he would go that route. Seems that would NOT be the way orb will go. Already the orb has let it out that he intends to rehash his rehab stint from 2006. But also, more so what tips orb's intention was the release of his current single, "For You." Originally recorded for the film "Act of Valor" end credits...the song was definitely NOT a county song...and more of an ode to 80's pop. Well, the song along with the soundtrack to the film was released on itunes back in Feb...AND did not sell very well. I think it only sold about 15,000 it's first week. And surely, those weak sales prompted orb to "re-record" the song and release it officially to radio as his next single. Seeing how orb is a selling DUD...country radio is the ONLY place orb can "buy" himself a #1 song...BUT...before releasing the song to radio...orb, as I mentioned previously, re-recorded the song to give it a more "country" sound...as the original song was more "pop"...and orb clearly needs SOMETHING to succeed! So, the orb is in a bind...and he's obviously TOO timid to try and "rock out" and be "springsteen!" For it is also clear...orb's past attempts at crossover appeal has failed. He will stick to the country chart and desperately try to regain some very lost traction. But of course, I dont think he will find that redemption...NOT even in country...where his fans are already forsaking him and his music. Getting another radio #1 MAY keep him in the news ticker...and on the country websites...BUT it will definitely NOT save his career!

Media blitz and yet orb's single STILL drops out of TOP 100 country songs on itunes

2012-04-29T20:56:00.001-07:00

So, after media bombing the innertubes news...starting with performing his newly announced single, "For You" on the ACM awards through having a "radio #1" party and having his annual "BENEFIT FOR ORB" where he attempted to bribe his fansiesite members with a free lunch and swag...to a "surprise" announcement that he was invited to join the Opry...all culminating at the actual Opry induction performance...the orb's new single ACTUALLY dropped out of the Top 100 Country downloads at itunes. In fact, MOST of orb's music...aside from the previous single, "You Gonna Fly" which sits at #95 on itunes...DOES NOT appear on ANY of the album or singles sales reports this week. The orb does not register even on the backlog album or singles sales top 200 sales charts.
Now, currently orb is appearing on the The Voice Oz version. And of course aussie websites cover the show...YET orb's sales continue to be VERY weak! I have made the argument before that NO matter what orb does...all the lame family photo ops...all the red carpet and awards show appearances...the manufactured press events...his music IS NOT going to sell. No matter what he does, his sales will continue to fall. And the fact of the matter is...orb does not have anything of interest...he just doesnt have the songwriting talent or the complexity to transcend his bland and dull personality. I simply state that the orb is too superficial and too one dimensional...his music TOO derivative to attract true faithfulness from country music listeners. And so, his sales will continue to fall, his awards recognition will dwindle till he is NOT any longer simply invited to perform on the show to "sell" his latest singles...since they DONT sell, why will they bother to invite him? They want the "marque" country artists...who have MULTIPLE albums and singles on the sales charts...because NOTHING lasts for very long in entertainment without "SUCCESS." With success also comes entertainment. Now, orb fansies like to tout orb's prowess while on tour...but...when it is also clear that his live tours are ALSO falling short of his past success...there will NOT be much they can cheer IF his albums and songs dont sell enough to keep the orb in business!

UPDATE:
So, a quick check of the Top 100 country song downloads on itunes two days later...

http://www.popvortex.com/music/charts/top-country-songs.php

reveals that orb's last song, "You Gonna Fly" has now fallen off the top 100 downloads. Orb now has NO songs on the top 100 Country song downloads. Meanwhile...Carrie Underwood has 13 songs on the top 100 downloads....Aldean has 11 songs on the top 100 downloads...Shelton has 5 songs on the list....Church has 3 songs...lady ant has 3...Lambert has 3....swift has 2... and etc. If all this occurs to orb's music...WHEN he is ALL OVER the innertubes...imagine when he releases his next album.

Orb ‘working feverishly’ to sell LESS albums.

2012-04-15T00:12:00.001-07:00

Keith Urban is ‘working feverishly’ on his next album

“I’m writing at a feverish pace and listening to songs,” says Urban, who also is currently a mentor on the Australian version of The Voice. “It’s crazy. I get emailed songs all the time. When I’m not on the set on The Voice, I’m in my trailer listening to songs and working feverishly on my record." ...”As for when fans can expect it in stores, Urban isn’t saying.

“I feel very blessed to not feel incredibly under a huge deadline to have a record out by a certain time,” he says. “It just needs to be the right record.”

http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2012/04/13/keith-urban-is-working-feverishly-on-his-next-album/

So, I have this theory in regard to the orb's album sales. I call it my "Declination Theory." Going back to orb's release of his 2004 album "Be Here," which eventually sold 4 million cds...every subsequent album he's released has eventually sold only 50% of the previous. His next album release, "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing which was released in 2006, went on to sell only 2 million cds. The fact that he wound up in rehab at about the time to the album's release certainly didn't help! But unfortunately, it set the pattern that basically still persists today. His next album, 2009's Defying Gravity would go on to be certified "Platinum" by the RIAA...BUT for "sales and shipments" of a million. Having followed the sales of the album, the album most certainly ONLY sold about 900,000 copies and the rest were for "shipments" to retail outlets. Which now comes to orb's current album, "Get Closer," released in 2010. Before the first weeks sales of the album were released, I predicted that the album would probably, based on my "Declination Theory," only sell about "500,000 copies...give or take 100,000 either way. Well, based on last reports of the sales of this album, it has probably only sold maybe 700,000 copies. I say probably because the album DOES NOT sell enough to be included on Billboard's Top 200 selling albums each week. So basically, my prediction WAS slightly off...but not by much! It didnt sell 50% LESS copies as per my Declination Theory, it only sold 30% less.
So, when I read that the orb is "working feverishly" on his next album... I am still struck by the futility of his sales history...and that he is doing it to simply to sell LESS cds! Of course he doesn't "feel incredibly under a huge deadline" as to when it is released...NOT having a recording contract will certainly do that! But of course when it DOES come out...ALL the pressure of it underperforming will be on him. Certainly the orb KNOWS what I have plainly highlighted...he sell less and less cds. It is not only true of his albums...but his singles sales have also dropped to pathetic depths. There is just no excitement for orb's music. He is a rather mediocre songwriter. And because of that he simply packs his albums with a boatload of co-writers. So, he can "work feverishly" on this next album...but one thing that he can look forward to is less sales.

In desperation, the orb has become a "hoarder" of PR events...

2012-04-10T21:48:00.001-07:00

Surprise! Keith Urban gets a shocker at benefit

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Keith Urban was slyly dropping hints about the surprises he had in store at the All For The Hall benefit concert this week, but little did he know the night's biggest surprise was aimed at him.

Vince Gill and members of Rascal Flatts, The Oak Ridge Boys and Diamond Rio surprised Urban with the announcement he will officially join The Grand Ole Opry later this month, a revelation that clearly took the Australian country star by surprise.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120411/us-music-all-for-the-hall/

So, wasn't it just a perfect "coincidence" that Rascal Flatts, the most recent invitees to the Opry... JUST happened to be on the benefit roster this year! And doesnt it seem to also be a happy coincidence that the last minute press for this "BENEFIT FOR ORB" would be "SURPRISES!" So to add to the orb's TOTALLY fantastic luck...in ONLY the span of 2 days...the orb scheduled his "BENEFIT FOR ORB', proceeds to go to the Hall....and only the day prior, just happened to release a rehashed single to radio, who's proceeds he just announced would go to charity...then he has the "Hall of fame" staff arrange a morning of the "BENEFIT FOR ORB"...a "suprise" breakfast...for 400 hundred of HIS fansiesite members...it comes out this week that the orb participated in a "charity single" organized by Billy Gilman. Now, the night of the "BENEFIT FOR ORB"...orb is "surprised" by an invite to the Opry! Well, that sure smacks of PR whoring to me. The orb "glutony" for press these past two days shows JUST how desperate to try and keep his career viable! BUT...as his soundtrack single for the film Act of Valor...released only about a month ago on itunes has only sold a certain paltry amount shows...this "media mongering" will translate NOT ONE iota to the sales of his cds or singles...or help shore up his faltering concert ticket sales. That is ONE thing I am VERY sure of!!

In desperation, the orb has become a "hoarder" of PR events...

2012-04-10T21:29:00.001-07:00

Surprise! Keith Urban gets a shocker at benefit

They have the technology. They can make him better, stronger...faster.

2012-04-09T21:26:00.001-07:00

So, on the eve of the orb's "BENEFIT FOR ORB" vanity show...apparently the orb wishes all to know that his voice is better than ever!

http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/keith-urban-better-than-ever-after-surgery/story-e6frg30c-1226322501969

Country singer Keith Urban better than ever after surgery

http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/article/Keith-Urban-gets-his-voice-back-3469237.php

Keith Urban gets his voice back

http://tasteofcountry.com/keith-urban-vocal-cord-surgery/

Keith Urban Reaps Major Benefits of Vocal Cord Surgery

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2127302/Keith-Urban-says-voice-undergoing-surgery-vocal-chords.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Keith Urban says he found his voice after undergoing surgery on his vocal chords

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/keith-urban-better-than-ever-after-surgery/story-e6frewyr-1226322276925

Country singer Keith Urban better than ever after surgery

http://blog.chron.com/celebritybuzz/2012/04/keith-urban-im-singing-like-a-younger-man/

Keith Urban: I’m singing like a younger man

...no less than 6 different stories being disseminated on the innertubes on how orb's voice was made stronger, faster...BETTER than it was BEFORE his surgery! Clearly the orb wants all to know that he sounds better than ever! Yeah, clearly the shilling is too over the top to be believed. Just as I mentioned last year when orb was SUPPOSEDLY having throat problems due to a

"bleeding hemorrhage" suffered while on tour...no one seemed to have noticed while the tour was progressing....AND no physical and audio notice of his throat problems were shown in public...UNTIL the orb announced that he NEEDED throat surgery! Not until AFTER that news came out, that orb was "straining" while singing at the CMA's and the CMA xmas special was filmed! So, again, no mention of his fabulous "new powerful voice" during his performance at this recent ACM awards show. A "standing o" for the orb...for his "guitar hero" licks...and his "energy"...but clearly a few critiques of his "pitchy" performance on a few forums on his performance...by a few of his own fans! I see the desperate act of a failing and struggling hasbeen in these pathetic obviously leaked online stories! Successfully selling albums are sold on the strength of the music...the material or the promotion. And the orb is trying to sell his on the back of some simply lame PR gimmicks!

...so as I was saying...

2012-04-09T14:38:00.001-07:00

Urban donates royalties to Navy SEAL fund

Monday, April 9, 2012 – Keith Urban announced today that all artist and publishing royalties from For You, a song written for the movie "Act of Valor," will be donated to the Navy SEAL Foundation.

The foundation supports SEAL families and their parent commands by easing financial burdens, establishing support networks, and funding command sponsored activities.

Urban debuted the song from the movie's soundtrack last week at the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. For You, co-written with Monty Powell and played during the closing credits of the film, will be released today. It will be the follow up to You Gonna Fly, Urban's third consecutive number one (Without You and Long Hot Summer) from his latest CD "Get Closer."

http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=6288

So, the orb has just re-released a song that was released to itunes back in Feb to radio stations. And on top of that, he is also "donating" all proceeds to the Navy Seal Foundation. Well, considering that the soundtrack version released last Feb has MAYBE sold somewhere in the neighborhood of only 30k to 50k...and again, that is only a VERY rough estimation since the song DOES NOT appear in any published digital download lists...I would say that is a very "INEXPENSIVE" amount to give up for a little good publicity! Also, the song is released on the eve of his "BENEFIT FOR ORB" show..or as it is mischaracterized...the "All for the Hall" benefit show. This is a little "vanity show" to showcase that orb is a HUGE supporter of the Hall...MANY years AFTER the "All for the Hall" true benefits that Vince Gill has been organizing for the past few years...YEARS before orb ever considered it as a perfect opportunity for him to "co-opt" the show as a centerpiece for himself! But as has been the case of the "BENEFITS FOR ORB" the previous 2 years they were held...this rather cynical endeaver on orb's part has seen diminishing returns and results. The first show in 2009 was an instant sellout...with a stellar lineup...that raised $500k. A year later...the show WAS NOT a sellout the day of the show...and it then only raised $450k. This year...I haven't seen the usual buzz for the show...I havent noticed if it is or not a sell out yet. I simply believe that the due to orb's exploitive behavior, he has diminished the charity AND apparently the enthusiasm for fans to show up and pay the obviously outrageous scalped ticket prices for this thing. So, the results will soon be revealed. As I've most certainly believe, this little vanity show for the orb HAS NOT helped his career. And clearly, this show will also be of no valuable help to him.

...And so here I am...

2012-04-09T11:10:00.001-07:00

"One of the leading theories concerning what orbs are and the one that I lean towards the most is that they are not the spirit at all. The orb is the energy being transferred from a source (ie. powerlines, heat energy, batteries, people, etc) to the spirit so they can manifest."

In the past 5 or 6 years I began to comment on blogs on the "innertubes"...regarding the clearly faltering career of lalaland actress Nicole Kidman...and then the clearly faltering career of her luckless lackey, country crooner, Keith Urban...I never really had a desire to begin my own online blog. But as I mentioned...here I am. The reason I had no desire to start a blog is I didnt want the hassle of trying to "maintain" the blog. But lately, I began to simply look at it, not as a some glitzy, flashing circus needing to flash down viewers or commenters... but as simply a "personal journal." Somewhere I can put my instant thoughts and observances on how I believe that keith Urban...OR...as I will from now on refer to as "the orb"...is just as assuredly grinding his music career to the ground...just as kidman has clearly ground her career into the ground. I will put those thoughts...and opinions...and observances as they used to say...paper to pen...to being published. And in this case, it will simply be spilled onto the innertubes! So this place will be no frills, mostly uncompromising and probably infuriating to fans of the orb! The comments section will be open. But dont bother if you simply want to tell me that I am just "jealous" of the orb....or that "he doesn't even know you exist!"...I will most likely just ignore you anyways. So try to be slightly more substantive and offer something a little more challenging. For I believe I WILL be offering more than simply my opinion.