Cmt Award Nominations Are Out!

Vote 4 CMT Awards

Video of the Year

Video: "American Ride"
Artist: Toby Keith

Video: "Cowboy Casanova"
Artist: Carrie Underwood

Video: "Need You Now"
Artist: Lady Antebellum

Video: "Out Last Night"
Artist: Kenny Chesney

Video: "'Til Summer Comes Around"
Artist: Keith Urban

Video: "Toes"
Artist: Zac Brown Band

Video: "The Truth"
Artist: Jason Aldean

Video: "Welcome to the Future"
Artist: Brad Paisley

Video: "White Liar"
Artist: Miranda Lambert

Video: "You Belong With Me"
Artist: Taylor Swift


Male Video of the Year

Video: "Alright"
Artist: Darius Rucker

Video: "American Ride"
Artist: Toby Keith

Video: "Out Last Night"
Artist: Kenny Chesney

Video: "People Are Crazy"
Artist: Billy Currington

Video: "Southern Voice"
Artist: Tim McGraw

Video: "'Til Summer Comes Around"
Artist: Keith Urban

Video: "The Truth"
Artist: Jason Aldean

Video: "Welcome to the Future"
Artist: Brad Paisley


Female Video of the Year

Video: "Consider Me Gone"
Artist: Reba McEntire

Video: "Cowboy Casanova"
Artist: Carrie Underwood

Video: "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You"
Artist: Kellie Pickler

Video: "Giddy On Up"
Artist: Laura Bell Bundy

Video: "I Just Call You Mine"
Artist: Martina McBride

Video: "Solitary Thinkin'"
Artist: Lee Ann Womack

Video: "White Liar"
Artist: Miranda Lambert

Video: "You Belong With Me"
Artist: Taylor Swift


Group Video of the Year

Video: "American Honey"
Artist: Lady Antebellum

Video: "Here Comes Goodbye"
Artist: Rascal Flatts

Video: "Highway 20 Ride"
Artist: Zac Brown Band

Video: "How Far Do You Wanna Go?"
Artist: Gloriana

Video: "Need You Now"
Artist: Lady Antebellum

Video: "Rockin' the Beer Gut"
Artist: Trailer Choir

Video: "Summer Nights"
Artist: Rascal Flatts

Video: "Toes"
Artist: Zac Brown Band


Duo Video of the Year

Video: "Address in the Stars"
Artist: Caitlin & Will

Video: "Fight Like a Girl"
Artist: Bomshel

Video: "Indian Summer"
Artist: Brooks & Dunn

Video: "Keep On Lovin' You"
Artist: Steel Magnolia

Video: "Keep You"
Artist: Sugarland

Video: "My Maria (Invitation Only)"
Artist: Brooks & Dunn

Video: "Nightswimming/Joey"
Artist: Sugarland

Video: "Play the Song"
Artist: Joey & Rory


CMT Performance of the Year

Video: "Consider Me Gone (Invitation Only)"
Artist: Reba McEntire

Video: "Heaven (from CMT Crossroads)"
Artist: Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams

Video: "Lookin' for a Good Time (from the 2009 CMT Music Awards)"
Artist: Lady Antebellum

Video: "Love Shack (from the 2009 CMT Music Awards)"
Artist: Sugarland and The B-52s

Video: "Sideways (from the 2009 CMT Music Awards)"
Artist: Dierks Bentley

Video: "Southern Voice (from Invitation Only)"
Artist: Tim McGraw

Video: "Temporary Home (from Invitation Only)"
Artist: Carrie Underwood

Video: "Then (from the 2009 CMT Music Awards)"
Artist: Brad Paisley

Full List

If you are in town for the CMA Festival you might want to attend the awards;

CMT wants you to be part of the action at the 2010 CMT Music Awards. Make plans to be in Nashville on June 9. Tickets go on sale Saturday (April 10), but look for a special pre-sale offer on Wednesday (April 7). The party can't start without the biggest country music fans.

Grammys And Parties

A picture is worth a thousand plus words, Swift drops one of her four Grammys. Not sure if it was the excitement of the night, the weight of the awards, the fact that she needed to catch a quick plane to Australia, or she was getting nervous someone might take them away after the immediate negative reaction to her performance during the show.

She may have won four awards but, the reactions to her less then Grammy worthy performance, to her seemingly fake surprise to winning, and her not to grateful speech for Country Album Of The Year, started rolling in immediately after her performance and the show. Some jockey's who have been riding the Swift train all year were now questioning how good she actually is, and if she really was deserving of any vocal awards. She may have deserved her Album awards but any that pertain to vocals have been in question by many for some time, and now it seems the majority of Grammy viewers are thinking the same. But she did end up on many best dressed lists.

Zac Brown Band won their first Grammy for Best New Artist, and were the first country act to do so in four years since Carrie Underwood. Underwood's traditional duet with Randy Travis on a re-recording of his 1988 No. 1 hit song "I Told You So" won a Grammy for best country collaboration with vocals and proved again that the worth of country music's heritage is lasting and profound.

Also first time winner's Lady Antebellum solidified its stature as the group of the future with their award for duo/group performance, putting a halt to the longtime dominance of Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts and Sugarland. Similarly, Keith Urban, with his win for male country performance.

Carrie Underwood also took part in the biggest event of the night, the Michael Jackson Tribute, with Celin Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Smokey Robinson. They performed MJ's Earth Song, singing along with MJ, Underwood's versatility really shone through, and being chosen was a real testimate to how much she is respected in the industry.

On the evening before the Grammys was the famous Clive Davis Grammy party where the only the cream of the crop were invited. Representing Country were Dierks Bentley, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood. Underwood has become a favorite of Davis, perform for the third year in a row, she sang All The Way with Harry Connick Jr, before singing Cowboy Casanova, which was well received with a standing "O", which made her new fiance Mike Fisher notably proud.

Carrie Underwood And Daughtry's CMA Perfromances Steel Swifts Sweep

They've come and gone, and they were good. Though with every good thing there comes some bad, nothing major just a few awards were undeserving. For now I'll just cover the performaces and the awards recap will follow. The performances for the most part were good, the sound in Somment Centre has never been very good when telecast. We saw Tim Mcgraw return after four years to perform, maybe next year he will be nominated for some.

The show opened with Taylor Swift performing a recycled performance from the AMA's last year. Call my crazy but when you are up for four awards and the big on of the night, and you are opening the show shouldn't you give a fresh performance to your so called peers. She threw a chair from a platform, slid down a pole, sang while on her knees and banging her head around, all the while sounding not so good live, but we have come accustom to that. Ladies and Gents your Entertainer and Female Vocalist of the year. As Faith Hill would say "WHAT"!!! She also performed "Fifteen" up in the grand stands surrounded by a sea of teens who were to my ears delight singing louder then her.

The show quickly recovered with one of the best monologues I've seen since Billy Crystal on the Oscars. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are a great comedic combination of class and whit. The video speaks for it's self. The parodies written by Brad accompanied by Carrie's voice made for the best part of their co-hosting, I think they may have a lock on this job for a while. The videos speak for themselves.



Carrie's Swine Flu parody to tune of LeAnee Rimes "Blue" makes you wish she would cover it.



Standout performers that you should check out included;

Daughtry featuring Vince Gill, I'm not sure if this is an attempt at a cross over or if it is just the title of the song accompanied by Vince that got them on the show "Tennesse", but they were good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAH3uPH9Qo0

Zac Brown Band covering Charlie Daniels "Devil Went Down To Georgia".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcauKlJCwvo

Sugarland, This may be an attempt to match "Stay", regardless they were good, but I don't think it will be as big of a hit but it is nice song, "Keep You".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKF_BwrE_HE

The biggest and most talked about performance came from the co-host Carrie Underwood, with her newly 11th, #1 single "Cowboy Casanova" she stepped out of her comfort zone and put on a show stopping production. It mimicked the video, with Underwood strutting her stuff and showing off her moves, sass and gams. As always the vocals from Underwood were flawless. The following day that performance was all the talk all over the net.



Award summary coming soon, stay tuned.

ABC Is Going Country For Fall

ABC GOES COUNTRY WITH PROGRAMMING AND APPEARANCES LEADING UP TO THE "THE 43rd ANNUAL CMA AWARDS"


ABC, the official broadcast home of "Country Music's Biggest Night," is getting the festivities started early with programming celebrating the best of Country Music leading up to the big gala, "The 43rd Annual CMA Awards." The show will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

From Primetime to Daytime, ABC is going Country! Highlights include:

Tuesday, October 27 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) "Dancing with the Stars Results Show" It's Country Music night at "Dancing" when Taylor Swift, who sold more records in 2008 than any artist in the world, makes a very special appearance on the release date of the Platinum Edition of her "Fearless" album to premiere a brand-new single, "Jump, Then Fall," as well as perform her worldwide chart-topping hit, "Love Story." Taylor, who at 19 is the youngest artist in history to be nominated for the Country Music Association's prestigious Entertainer of the Year Award, is currently nominated for four Country Music Association Awards and 6 American Music Awards.

Tuesday, November 3 (7:00-9:00 a.m., ET) "Good Morning America" CMA Awards co-host and five-time CMA Award winner and the first country music artist in history to achieve 10 No.-1 singles from their first two albums, Carrie Underwood will be stopping in New York to make an appearance on "Good Morning America." Her highly anticipated new album, "Play On," featuring the current smash single, "Cowboy Casanova," is being released on November 3.

Sunday, November 8 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Country Music sensation Kellie Pickler joins the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" team in Beavercreek, Ohio, to tell James Terpenning, a wheelchair sports champion and mentor to disabled Iraqi War veterans, that he and his family will have their home rebuilt in seven days. Kellie will be the celebrity volunteer for this build and will perform her new song at the family's reveal.

Tuesday, November 10 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) "In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville." ABC News' Robin Roberts sits down wish some of Country Music's hottest stars in this hour-long special. In addition to interviews with legendary artists Loretta Lynn, Vince Gill and Rosanne Cash, Carrie Underwood takes Roberts back to her hometown in Oklahoma where Underwood surprises her former high-school with a very big, musical surprise; Tim McGraw takes Roberts horseback riding on his family farm and opens up about his challenging childhood; and Robin Roberts joins Martina McBride and her family in their Nashville home and also spends time with the country superstar at Blackbird Studios.

Tuesday, November 10 (7:00-9:00 a.m., ET) "Good Morning America" Returning CMA co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will perform live outside the Sommet Center in Nashville. This concert is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, November 10 ABCNEWS.com ABCNEWS.com will feature a special section for "In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville." The section will feature extended interviews with Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw and Martina McBride, as well as additional photos and music. Viewers will be able to log onto ABCNEWS.com and vote for their favorite country song immediately following the special on Tuesday evening. America's favorite country song will be revealed live on "Good Morning America" the following morning.

Country Music's superstars and the industry's elite will gather to recognize and celebrate the best and brightest performers, songwriters, record producers and music video directors on "The 43rd Annual CMA Awards." Some of the performers will include Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, who are hosting the gala for the second time, Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Billy Currington, Vince Gill and Daughtry, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band. Additional artists and presenters will be added to the lineup and announced soon.

Music News Monday

-Dave Matthews will perform with Kenny Chesney on the 43rd annual CMA Awards, event organizers announced Monday (Oct. 19). It marks Matthews' first appearance on the show that will include several previously-announced performers, including Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Billy Currington, Vince Gill and Daughtry, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and the Zac Brown Band. Chesney co-wrote "I'm Alive" with Dean Dillon and Mark Tamburino. The song was first recorded by Willie Nelson, but Chesney and Matthews recorded their version for Chesney's Lucky Old Sun album. It also appears on Chesney's Greatest Hits II and has already climbed to No. 8 on the Billboard country songs chart. CMT News


-Toby Keith and Taylor Swift were honored by their songwriter peers Sunday night (Oct. 18) during the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony.

Keith was named songwriter-artist of the decade for his lengthy string of No. 1 hits. Keith earned NSAI's songwriter artist of the year award in 2003, 2004 and 2006 and was named BMI's songwriter of the year in 2001, 2004 and 2006.

At this year's banquet, Swift received the NSAI's songwriter-artist of the year award for having written hits such as "Love Story" and "Our Song."


-Brad Paisley has teamed with actor Zach Quinto, producer Mark Schwann and writers Neal Dodson and Matt Bomer to create and co-produce a TV show for the CW Network, tentatively titled Nashville. According to a press release, the drama will focus on "an aspiring young female singer destined for stardom and a male songwriter whose career isn't as certain." The show is scheduled to begin airing on the CW network next season. "I'm very excited to portray the country music world of my favorite town, Nashville, by showing the exciting life of musicians, songwriters and performers -- all very talented people," Paisley said. "Look for some of your favorite country music stars to make their acting debuts on the show -- either by playing themselves or as a character in the script. Country songs are like great scripts already, and it's going to be fun to see how some unfold on the show."

Also in Brad TV news, he recently taped a skit for Carrie Underwood's holiday variety special, in which he is a guest.


-Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook are expecting their first child in March.


-Taylor Swift will host Saturday Night Live on Nov. 7 and will also perform during the show. In an interview with The Associated Press, Swift said she's been thinking about comedy ideas based on her life. "There are definitely some hilarious things that have happened to me over the past couple of months that I think will be pretty substantial skits," she said.


-Carrie Underwood performed Friday evening at the official opening of Singapore's newest shopping mall, ION Orchard.

Her showcase in Singapore was her first public performance in an Asian country, and Underwood said she hopes to be back during her tour next year.

"I would love to (come back here)! It was so much fun," she gushed. "People were singing along with me and I was surprised! I mean, country music I know is not that big outside the US, so coming here and seeing people singing along was a real treat!"

And from the reaction of her audience, this all-American girl is a flavour with a lasting taste.

Taylor Swift CMA Entertainer Nomination? Is It A Joke?

Entertainer of the Year

Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban

Yes your eys are reading correctly and if they are like mine they are confused!! How I wish explanations came with all the nominations, cause there are a few that are questionalble.

I realize that her album has gone 4x platinum and that she is a teenage phenom but really Entertainer of the Year, that does not make her. Let's look at the criteria again;

This award is for the act displaying the greatest competence in all aspects of the entertainment field. Voter should give consideration not only to recorded performance, but also to the in-person performance, staging, public acceptance, attitude, leadership, and overall contribution to the Country Music image. Award to artist.

I'll give her the recorded part because computers help, I'll give her the staging cause she does use a lot of props and runs around head banging to her non-country music (if you like that sort of thing), she even has half of the public acceptance, the half being under the age of 21 (majority).

But she is not good for the Country Music image when she is prancing around putting out pop remixes of her songs, that also does not give any leadership to other artist.
Most of all she can't sing live at all.

Now she has only put on about 30 of her own headlining shows in the eligbility period, which is not a lot compared to others that should have been nominated, can you say Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, or Rascal Flatts!

The CMA members really screwed up the image of this award for this year.

*side note - George Strait should not have been nominated either, despite how good he is, it has become obligatory for him to get the nomination, in this and many categories

CMA Awards Predictions; Entertainer of the Year

CMA Awards Predictions; Entertainer of the Year
This award is for the act displaying the greatest competence in all aspects of the entertainment field. Voter should give consideration not only to recorded performance, but also to the in-person performance, staging, public acceptance, attitude, leadership, and overall contribution to the Country Music image. Award to artist.

Carrie Underwood - When considering this year’s eligibility period runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009, it includes the better half of Carrie's year of touring, the half in which she only headlined, there was no co-headlining with Keith Urban, it just wasn't necessary anymore. She had learned the ropes and was ready to take off running, and that is exactly what she did, as her Carnival Ride tour came to a close she was the top selling country female touring artist of 2008,with fan attendance close to 1.2 million. Even though since finishing her tour she has been pretty much out of the lime light, she was never far away. She won three People's Choice Awards, and won her fourth Grammy, displaying her public acceptance. She also captured the ACM Entertainer of the Year. She continues her constant presence at The Grand Ole Opry. She is also no where near being done breaking records, as per the recorded performance criteria she ended 2008 as the Most Heard Artist on Country Radio. "I Told You So” marked her 10th #1 Single, which made her the first country artist in history ever to achieve 10 #1 singles on the strength of their first two albums. All of the above displays her leadership and overall contribution to the Country Music image. She really has become a true ambassador for Country Music!

But seeing as most people remember the most current part of the eligibility period I can see them overlooking Underwood which they shouldn't, considering most think she was snubbed for the nomination last year. So if this were to be the case I would have to go with Brad Paisley or Sugarland. I have seen both acts and both put on great shows. Besides consistent singles do they have the leadership, and overall contribution to the Country Music image that Underwood possesses? I think not.

Possible Contenders - Kenny Chesney, or Keith Urban.

CMA Awards Predictions; Vocal Duo/Group of the Year

Vocal Duo of the Year
A duo is defined as an act composed of two people, both of whom normally perform together and neither of whom is known primarily as an individual performing artist. This award is based on the musical performance of the duo as a unit, either on records or in person. Award to duo.



Sugarland - They stole the show from Brooks & Dunn, two years ago and it doesn't look like they will be letting up anytime soon. I think Sugarland is just hitting the top of there game and there is more to come from them.

But if there was anyone to put up a real fight it would have to be Montgomery Gentry. They are and have been for some time very consistant hit makers.

Possible Contenders - Joey + Rory, Brooks & Dunn,


Vocal Group of the Year
A group is defined as an act, composed of three (3) or more people, all of whom normally perform together and none of whom is known primarily as an individual performing artist. This award is based on the musical performance of the group as a unit, either on records or in person. Award to group.


Rascal Flatts - They have been an "Unstoppable" force for many years now. Many people have mix feelings with them, if they truly belong in country music. There music has really started to all sound the same, regardless they are hits.

Or


Lady Antebellum - Their single did take a while to climb the charts but they did, and they scored their first #1 with "I Run To You". They are very popular with the younger country crowd, and seem to be growing on everyone. They just might be able to take over the throne this year.

Potential Contenders - Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town, or Eli Young Band

CMA Awards Predictions; Album of the Year

Album of the Year
This award is for an album as a whole unit. The album should be judged on all aspects including, but not limited to, artist's performance, musical background, engineering, packaging, design, art, layout, and liner notes. At least 60% of the product in the album must have been first mastered or released domestically during the eligibility period. Award to artist and producer(s).


Brad Paisley "American Saturday Night" - The late arrival of this album could or couldn't work for him, it could be too new which could make it fresh for voters or not known enough. Regardless of the timing this I believe is Brad's best work to date. It displays how he has matured but still holds true to his comedic persona. It has followed suit and debuted at #1 as did it's first single "Then". Definitely an album that will have longevity.

Or


Sugarland "Love On The Inside" - This too shows the growth of the artist, and it really brought Sugarland to that next level. Landing at #2 on the Billboard 100 in and achievement in itself. The album itself in very infectious, I'll admit some of the songs when first heard are like "I can't stand it", then with in a few more listens you want to hear it over and over. Love has many gems on it and is also one of highest selling albums of the eligibility period.

Possible Contenders - Jamey Johnson "That Lonesome Song", Taylor Swift "Fearless", Zac Brown Band “The Foundation”, Toby Keith "That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy", or Keith Urban "Defying Gravity".

Keith Urban to put on Country Concert of the Year

Keith Urban has assembled a slue of top notch acts, including himself, Brad Paisley, Faith Hill and Vince Gill for a concert that will raise money for the Country Music Hall of Fame.

"The All For The Hall" show, is to be held at Nashville’s Sommet Center on Oct. 13, will also feature Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and Taylor Swift with other stars likely to be added. Tickets will be as little as $25 apiece, with most,if not all, of the money to be donated to the Hall of Fame.

Urban said during the official announcement Monday morning at the Hall’s Ford Theater accompanied by Vince Gill, the creator of "All For The Hall". "Right now particularly it’s hard times for a lot of folks in this country — in some cases, some of the hardest they’ve ever known in their generation. So we tried to make this as affordable as we possibly could. We want it full." Urban said.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. CT through Ticketmaster outlets and through the Sommet Center box office.

If you have never visited the Country Music Hall Of Fame, I suggest you do. I went this past June, and it was amazing, the nostalgia, and historic information is intriguing.

My hopes for some additional acts include, Carrie Underwood, Martina Mcbride, Sugarland, and Montogomery Gentry, maybe even throw in some Gloriana for the future of country!

Duo Brooks & "Done", Calling It Quits

The most successful duo in Country Music history has decided to part ways. :( Announced on their Official Website;

To Our Fans:

After 20 years of making music and riding this trail
together, we have agreed as a duo that it's time to call it a day. This ride has
been everything and more than we could ever have dreamed.... We owe it all to
you, the fans. If you hear rumors, don't believe them, it's just time.

read more; http://www.brooks-dunn.com/site.php

Is the success of Sugarland taking its toll on the duo (as their success did to The Judds) or are they truly just done? They will never really be gone, their music will stand the test of time. They have spawned more than forty singles on the country music charts, twenty of which have reached number one (no small feat). Brooks & Dunn also won the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award every year between 1992 and 2006, except for 2000 when Montgomery Gentry took the honor. In addition, Brooks & Dunn won the Entertainer of the Year award in 1996 among countless other industry awards.

What will become of the two afterwards, well we know they were both singer/songwriters before joining forces, but since then Kix Brooks has been the only one to lend his writing hand to other artists, he also hosts American Country Countdown, a nationally syndicated radio program which counts down the Top 40 country singles in the United States. But what about Ronny Dunn???

They will not be leaving right away, they will be releasing one more album "#1's and then some" on September 8th. Then they will bid the fans goodbye on their "The Last Rodeo Tour", in 2010!
Myself I have seen them twice and they put on one great show, no one is sitting. They have the energy and the chemistry and for sure could keep on truckin'. Well 2010 is a long time away and sharing one more tour could very well change their minds. Micheal Jordan and Brett Favre tried to call it quits and they still came back for more, is all I'm saying!!!