Things at the AMA Conference didn't really kick off until after 3p today - when registrants were allowed to pick up their credentials, and since my coffee plans had been cancelled - and the other meeting I was trying to schedule for Wednesday (since I knew today would be slower) got pushed back until Friday or later - I had some time to kill before my scheduled lunch (which did not get cancelled or pushed back). So off I went to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Now, perhaps you're about say, "But didn't you just go to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum three months ago?" Why, yes, I did. But NOW they have a Kitty Wells exhibit, which I felt was mandatory to see. And I got to revisit the Williams Family Legacy exhibit, again, so I thought the $16.50 admission (after the AAA discount) was well worth.

Lunch with record promotion and radio people, a stop at the Convention Center to pick up my credentials, and then a nap before heading over to the Marriott where Pam was staying, just in time for free beer and hors d'oeurves at the managers' reception. Since the bartender and Pam are good friends, we wound up staying there way too long, and didn't make it to the Mercy Lounge until after 10pm. The scene we found there indicates that registration for the conference is down, not surprising given the economy and the general state of the music business in general. Also, because there was no official kick-off party, it felt like an odd start to the conference. Rumor is more registrants will be arriving tomorrow. We stuck around to see Kane, Welch, and Kaplin; Marcia Ball, and an unexpected trio who sounded great together: Will Kimbrough, Kim Richey, and Mando Saenz, a grouping which came together after they were asked to do an in-the-round songwriters night together, at which Kim declared, "If I have to do one more in-the-round, I'm going to kill myself," so instead they formed a band.

So with all that said, I'm on a panel tomorrow morning which I think starts way too early (9:30am?! Are you kidding me?!), so I'm off to bed!