Robin Meade: Host, Singer, Writer, Shameless Self-Promoter

Robin Meade needs to quit her day job.

Meade, host of Morning Express with Robin Meade on HLN, released her country music album, "Brand New Day," last month. But not without much shameless self-promotion on the very show she hosts.

The dictionary defines  a conflict of interest as "any situation in which an individual or corporation (CNN) is in a position to exploit a professional or official capacity in some way for their (Robin Meade) personal or corporate benefit." Add her picture to the definition, Mr. Webster.

"My intention is not to leave the anchor seat," she said, of course, on air. "That's not why I'm doing this. I love it at HLN (Headline News). I have my heinie in the anchor seat for six hours a day."

Good for you. Forty-six million Americans are out of work  while you use your celebrity status to gain access to the boot-scootin' power brokers in Nashville in order to fatten your bank account. She admits to this. On the network that pays her day job, of course.

"I kept having stories and assignments that would have  me interfacing with people in Nashville," she says, brushing her brunette locks back. "So, one thing led to another. I finally had the guts to ask the lady who produced Lady Antebellum's first album. I said, could you teach me how to write songs? Luckily, she said yes."

Of course. Who would turn down an attractive former Miss America pageant finalist and nationally known TV host who wants to try her hand at singing?

"I surrounded myself with people with wonderful country (music) credibility . "I found a lot of people to drink the Kool-Aid."

People like John Rich, Kix Brooks, American Idol's Bo Bice and a host of others who got tipsy from the same punch bowl.

Meade says her album offers a glimpse into her musical roots and aspirations. “To me, songwriting is a form of  journalism. It is about telling people’s stories, the things that make up their lives," she said.

Really? Last I heard, journalism was the practice of investigating and reporting on events, issues and trends to the masses. The ideal is to inform the citizenry, not profit from them. As if this isn't enough irony, one of the songs on her album is a remake of Don Henley's "Dirty Laundry," a slam at the reporting of salacious stories by media journalists.

If she wants to save face, Robin should donate her earnings from album sales to charity. She has shown avid support for our troops. Maybe she could give free concerts with her new-found talent to benefit families of soldiers serving in the Middle East.

This morning, Meade's shameless self-promotion continued every half-hour on HLN ad nauseum.

Do us all a favor. Get  your high-heeled heinie out of the anchor seat and move to Nashville.