The Week You Couldn't Miss Country's Youth Boom

Anyone who's been paying attention knows that country music is on a growth curve right now.

This was the week that it is becoming so obvious that you can't miss it even if you aren't paying much attention.

Donald Trump put on a cowboy hat John Rich brought him and named Rich 2011's Celebrity Apprentice, which got him on the Today show, Regis & Kelly, Access Hollywood and many others as he delivered a huge check and incredible exposure to St. Jude.

Taylor Swift picked up "top Billboard 200 artist." "top country artist," her “Speak Now” was named top country album and Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” received top country song at this week's Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

Tonight, according to Townsquare Media's "Taste Of Country," since Interscope UMG is involved with American Idol both Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina will be releasing singles on Mercury Records tomorrow.

Scotty’s is called "Love You This Big" (chosen with the help of George Strait) and Lauren’s is titled "Like My Mother Does" (picked along former Idol winner Carrie Underwood). They will both be singing them tonight and they will be available on iTunes right after the show.

16-year old Alaina is the best singer and more versatile performer, but I'm voting for Scotty, since he makes America feel good about itself. Singing heartland-focused songs about 9/11 and pickup trucks, he's an avatar for the idea that our younger generation is in step with the older one — that there is no generation gap.

No matter who wins, it's great for country, What a terrific development that with the youngest finale matchup of the show's history is also the countriest.

And, it's only Wednesday of this amazing music week that began on Sunday evening with a wonderful event at the Country Music Hall Of Fame and culminates with at least two potential brand new stars!