Big Jim,
The 'talent shows' are about building a following for the eventual winner. They will have ready made sales before the CD ever comes out. Those shows have proved how strong CM is in the music market since the listening audience votes on the acts. The last Idol was a perfect example. The last two standing were country. Ever wonder how that must chap the judges, who are Pop and Rock, and they have to sit there and see CM dominate? A couple of the shows have added 'token' CM judges recently, wonder why that was?