Thompson Square, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert and more nominated for American Country Awards
From Monday’s Life section of The Oklahoman. To read my new feature with Kristin Chenoweth, click here.
Thompson Square competing for 7 American Country Awards
Other artists with Oklahoma ties nominated for the second annual ACAs include Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith.
Hot new duo Thompson Square are set to light up the second annual American Country Awards.
The husband-and-wife pair, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, will view for seven commemorative guitars, which are given in lieu of trophies at the ACAs. Other artists with Oklahoma ties nominated include Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith.
The fan-voted awards show will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday on Fox. Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth will co-host the show with country star Trace Adkins, who hosted the inaugural show solo. The ACAs are billed as the only country music awards show that “gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories but also in previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring, encompassing the entire spectrum of country music.”
Thompson Square is nominated for Artist of the Year: New Artist and will compete for overall Single of the Year, Single of the Year: Duo or Group, Single of the Year: New Artist, overall Music Video of the Year, Music Video: Duo, Group or Collaboration and Music Video: New Artist on the strength of their smash “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not.”
Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert’s new all-girl trio Pistol Annies also will contend for the Artist of the Year: New Artist award. As a solo artist, Lambert is nominated for Artist of the Year: Female and Single of the Year: Female for “Heart Like Mine,”
Lambert’s husband and fellow Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton is nominated for Artist of the Year: Male along with overall Music Video of the Year and Music Video: Male for “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking.”
Checotah native Carrie Underwood is nominated for Artist of the Year: Female; Touring Headline Act of the Year; and Single of the Year: Female and Music Video: Female for “Mama’s Song.”
Reba McEntire, who hails from Chockie, also is nominated for Single of the Year: Female and Music Video: Female for “Turn on the Radio.”
Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, will vie for Artist of the Year: Duo or Group; Single of the Year: Duo or Group for “Why Wait”; and Touring Headline Act of the Year.
Norman resident Toby Keith also is nominated for Touring Headline Act of the Year.
Performers for the second ACAs will include Keith, Shelton, Pistol Annies, Thompson Square, Chenoweth, Adkins, Alabama, Scotty McCreery, Eli Young Band and The Band Perry.4
The show also will include appearances by Lambert, Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington, Lauren Alaina, Josh Turner, Jordin Sparks, The Big Show, The JaneDear Girls, Bill Engvall, Larry Mahan and the men of the reality TV show “Pawn Stars.”
Jason Aldean and Zac Brown Band each earned a leading eight nominations for this year’s ACAs.
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UPDATED: Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Thompson Square, Vince Gill, Kings of Leon, Charlie Wilson among Oklahomans nominated for 2012 Grammys
Blake Shelton (AP file)
UPDATED at 4 p.m. Thursday: With a new quote from Vince Gill.
UPDATED at 4 p.m. Friday: A few more nominees with Oklahoma ties have been brought to my attention. I try to get them all the first time, but there’s so darn many talented musicians and producers from our fair state, it can be a bit of a challenge!
A version of this story will appear in Friday’s The Oklahoman.
Oklahomans earn Grammy nominations
Country stars Blake Shelton, Thompson Square, Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill, rockers Kings of Leon and R&B singer Charlie Wilson are among the artists with state ties who will compete for golden gramophones in 2012.
Country stars Blake Shelton, Thompson Square, Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill, rockers Kings of Leon and R&B singer Charlie Wilson are among the recording artists with Oklahoma ties to earn 2012 Grammy Award nominations.
Producer Ryan Tedder and contemporary Christian group Gungor also will be in the running when the 54th Annual Grammy Awards air live from Los Angeles on Feb. 12 on CBS.
Ada native Blake Shelton is nominated for best country album for “Red River Blue” and best country solo performance for the album’s chart-topping first single “Honey Bee.” The Tishomingo resident’s No. 1 hit “God Gave Me You,” written by contemporary Christian singer Dave Barnes, also earned a nod for best country song, an award presented to songwriters.
“It’s one thing to be acknowledged by the Grammy voters for one of your songs, but to have two songs nominated, and the album that their both off of, is an emotional experience. I may never have something like this in my career again and I’m darn well going to enjoy it!” Shelton said in a statement, after colorfully crowing about the nods on his popular Twitter feed.
Carrie Underwood (AP file)
In the best country solo performance category, Shelton will compete against Checotah native Carrie Underwood, who is nominated for her emotional ballad “Mama’s Song.” The Recording Academy this year consolidated many Grammy categories, so solo country artists are longer separated into male and female competitisons.
Underwood also is featured on legendary crooner Tony Bennett’s “Duets II,” nominated for best traditional pop vocal album.
Hot new duo Thompson Square, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, received its first Grammy nod for best country duo/group performance for its breakthrough hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” which earned songwriters Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy a best country song nomination, too.
“We both could not believe the news of our Grammy nominations,” said Keifer Thompson in a statement. “When our manager told us we really thought he was playing some sort of sick joke on us. We can’t thank the Grammys enough for such a prestigious honor!”
“If I’m asleep please don’t wake me up, ’cause this is a dang good dream!!” added his wife and musical partner, Shawna Thompson.
The best country song competition also includes the latest ballad from Vince Gill, “Threaten Me
Vince Gill (AP file)
with Heaven,” which the Norman-born, Oklahoma City-bred star penned with his wife Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian and Will Owsley. Gill told The Oklahoman earlier this year that his feelings about the love song have morphed since Owsley committed suicide last year.
“We were great friends and palled around together a lot. He was a great guitar player and a great songwriter and a really gifted musician and I learned a lot from him,” Gill told The Oklahoman.
Gill, who already has earned the most Grammys of any male country artist with 20, said in a statement that the nomination will help the song stand as a lasting tribute to Owsley. It is Gill’s 41st Grammy nomination.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled for my late friend Will,” Gill said. “This would have meant the world to him.”
Four-time Grammy winners Kings of Leon, who have ties to Oklahoma City and Talihina, are nominated for best rock album for their fifth studio effort, “Come Around Sundown.” Plus, Stephen C. Mitchell’s rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon,” which opened this year’s deadCenter Film Festival, will contend for best long-form music video.
Charlie Wilson (AP file)
Tulsa native Charlie Wilson, former frontman of the Gap Band, is nominated for best R&B performance for his hit “You Are,” from his 2010 solo album “Just Charlie.” In addition, Wilson, his wife Mahin Wilson and their fellow songwriters Dennis Bettis, Carl M. Days Jr. and Wirlie Morris share a nomination for best R&B song for “You Are.”
“I am so humbled,” Wilson said on Facebook. “Thank you to all my fans for the support and love and sticking with me. I am so happy right now!”
Best known as the frontman for pop band OneRepublic, Tulsa native Ryan Tedder is nominated for non-classical producer of the year for his work on several records, including Beyonce’s “I Was Here,” Jennifer Hudson’s “I Remember Me” and Adele’s “Rumour Has It.”
Since he produced “Rumour Has It,” Tedder shares in the Adele’s nomination for album of the year for her smash “21,” too. (In addition, Tedder co-wrote “Rumour Has It” and another “21″ track, “Turning the Tables,” with Adele.)
Muskogee native Ester Dean also has a share of an album of the year nomination as one of several producers on Rihanna’s “Loud.”
For the second straight year, Christian worship group Gungor, which is fronted by former Tulsan Michael Gungor, is celebrating a nomination for its new album. The group’s 2011 album “Ghosts Upon the Earth” earned a nod in the new best contemporary Christian music album category; Gungor’s 2010 release “Beautiful Things” was nominated last year in the now-eliminated best rock or rap gospel album division.
The 40th anniversary Super Deluxe Edition of Derek and the Dominos well-loved 1970 album “Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs” earned a nomination in the best surround sound album category. The late Carl Radle, a Tulsa native, was the bassist for Derek and the Dominos.
And, Oklahoma City kindie rock duo Sugar Free Allstars are among the various artists featured on “All About Bullies … Big and Small,” nominated for best children’s album. The Allstars collaborated with fellow kindie rocker Secret Agent 23 Skidoo collaborated on the compilation track, “Cooperate.”
Rapper Kanye West garnered a leading seven nominations for the 2012 Grammys.
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Wednesday Video Spotlight: Kelly Clarkson covers Carrie Underwood on VH1′s “Unplugged”
In this Wednesday Video Spotlight, check out Kelly Clarkson performing fellow “American Idol” winner and Checotah native Carrie Underwood’s heartbroken ballad “I Know You Won’t” on “VH1 Unplugged.”
Clarkson also performed several songs from her new album “Stronger” on the show.
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Miss Piggy makes her comeback with “The Muppets”; performs with Vince Gill on Thursday’s “CMA Country Christmas”
Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog appear in a scene from their new movie "The Muppets."
A version of this story appears in Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Miss Piggy makes her comeback with “The Muppets”
The porcine prima donna not only stars in the new movie, she also has been busily promoting the film on “Saturday Night Live,” in InStyle Magazine and on Thursday’s “CMA Country Christmas” concert special, during which she will do a duet with Vince Gill.
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — An invitation to spend the holidays with three-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams is nothing at which to turn up one’s nose, even if one’s nose happens to be a rather prominent snout.
But Miss Piggy graciously declined her co-star’s invite, citing her inhumanly busy schedule.
“Oh, I would, dear, but I have to work. I have to keep promoting this thing. I’m sure I’m gonna be on a plane eating plane food,” Miss Piggy said during a recent press conference in the famed ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
The porcine prima donna, her beau Kermit the Frog and the rest of their comically inclined felt friends are making their comeback with their new movie “The Muppets,” their first cinematic outing since 1999’s “Muppets from Space.” Co-starring Adams and Jason Segel, “The Muppets” earned stellar reviews and $42 million over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday. making it No. 2 on the domestic box-office charts behind only the supernatural juggernaut “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1.”
For a diva whom many undoubtedly believed was in the twilight of her long career, Miss Piggy indeed has become a promotional force, during the past few weeks, singing on “Saturday Night Live” with Segel and the rest of the Muppets, gabbing with Checotah native Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley during the 45th Annual Country Music Association Awards and appearing on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” alongside a rather grabby Mickey Rourke.
“Yeah, I think he was a little friendly, I understand,” said Kermit the Frog, who appeared at the press conference alongside Miss Piggy, Segel, Adams and new Muppet Walter.
Miss Piggy and Vince Gill perform "Baby, It's Cold Outside" during taping of the "CMA Country Christmas" concert special Nov. 10 at Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville, Tenn. "CMA Country Christmas" will air at 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC. (Photo by Donn Jones, Country Music Association)
On Thursday, Miss Piggy and Oklahoma-born and bred country music superstar Vince Gill will perform a duet of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” during the “CMA Country Christmas” concert special, airing at 8 p.m. on ABC.
The superstar swine also did a special photo shoot for November’s InStyle Magazine that featured her wearing custom pieces by six designers, including Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu and Brian Atwood.
“Well, I just want to say I am sorry. “I am sorry about that spread in InStyle. I’m sorry to all the ladies who’ve lost their beaus, their husbands, to moi because people just instantly fall in love with moi when they see me in that spread,” And I just want to apologize,” Miss Piggy said.
The chic spread suits Miss Piggy’s role in “The Muppets.” In the new film, the Muppets reunite — with the help of their devoted fans Gary (Segel), Mary (Adams) and Walter — to raise $10 million to save their old Muppets Studios from the nefarious schemes of evil oil baron Tex Richman (Oscar winner Chris Cooper), who wants to raze the theater and drill for oil under it.
Recruiting Miss Piggy for their fundraising show proves the trickiest task, not only because she and Kermit have such a complicated history but also because she has a tony job as plus-size editor of Vogue Paris, complete with haute couture wardrobe and Emily Blunt (“The Devil Wears Prada”) as her personal secretary.
For the film, Miss Piggy donned a Zac Posen-designed lavender gown, glittery platform stiletto heels from Christian Louboutin and a jacket made of cashmere that cost $300 a yard.
But she didn’t get to strut her stuff in Paris.
“I would’ve loved to have lived in Paris for awhile while shooting this movie, but unfortunately we shot everything on a Hollywood back lot. Except for the car shots; I think they actually took a car to Paris, but they did not take moi,” she said, referring to the film’s hilarious travel-by-map road-trip sequences.
Segel, who also co-wrote and executive produced the film, said Miss Piggy didn’t put away her diva ways on the new project.
“As for Piggy’s part, she wanted it bigger, I’m not gonna lie to you. She wanted a very strange credit sequence where we all would be introduced, and then it would say, ‘And Miss
Hosts Carrie Underwood, who hails from Checotah, and Brad Paisley appear onstage with Miss Piggy during the 45th annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 9. (AP file photo)
Piggy,’ but then that would just stay on throughout the entire movie,” Segel said.
“I saw nothing wrong with that. I did not demand any rewrites. I want to go on the record for that. But that’s probably just because I didn’t really read the script,” she said, as Kermit did a froggy face palm.
“She just said what she wanted,” Segel confirmed.
“What I do, I just show up to set and, you know, people say their lines and I say whatever comes into my head,” Piggy added.
“The rewrites were basically around Piggy’s improvisation,” Kermit added.
“I thought it turned out good, though,” she said.
All’s well that ends well in the case of Piggy and her Kermie, too, who confirmed they are together.
“We are together,” Kermit said.
“We are together. You can’t get back together if you’re already together,” Miss Piggy added.
“Well, you can but we’d have to separate and then come back again. And it’s too hard to get out of the room,” the frog replied.
Although she won’t be spending them with Adams, Miss Piggy made it clear to Kermie that she would like to spend the holidays in much the same fashion as her co-star, who has an 18-month-old daughter, Aviana.
“Children — a wonderful idea,” Piggy said.
“That sounds wonderful,” Kermit said after she kept dropping hints. “We’ll work on that.”
“I hope so,” she replied.
Along with having children together, Piggy had some savvy advice on how to keep a good guy.
“Implanting one of those GPS chips under the skin, that’s a really good way of keeping track of them,” she said.
“In a place that the guy can’t find — or reach!” Kermit added.
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Vince Gill hosting America’s Opry Weekend Thanksgiving Special Wednesday-Sunday
Vince Gill (AP file)
Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill will host the America’s Opry Weekend Thanksgiving Special slated to air on radio Wednesday-Sunday.
The radio program will celebrate Thanksgiving and the beginning of a music-filled holiday season, with the Norman-born, Oklahoma City-bred singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist playing some of the year’s biggest hits about life, home, and thanks.
The America’s Opry Weekend Thanksgiving Special will also contain cuts from Gill’s new release, “Guitar Slinger,” and several of his all-time holiday favorites, including some he’ll be singing with his wife Amy Grant on the couple’s 2011 “Twelve Days of Christmas” tour.
Among the artists and songs included in the Thanksgiving special are Gill’s “Blue Christmas,” Ada native Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You,” Checotah native Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home,” Dierks Bentley’s “Home,” Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” Trade Adkins’ “Million Dollar View” and Brad Paisley’s “Winter Wonderland.”
In celebration of the radio special, opry.com has added a “Guitar Slinger” section to the site featuring an exclusive interview with Gill about the new album and a Guitar Town Sweepstakes offering guitars autographed by the award-winner and a three-day Nashville getaway.
America’s Opry Weekend presents top artists’ performances from the Opry stage each week. The show is serviced by Dial Global and airs on country radio stations across the country and on the Armed Forces Radio Network.
The Grand Ole Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. Celebrating 85 years of entertainment, the Opry can be heard on 650 WSM-AM, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, and opry.com. The syndicated weekly program, America’s Opry Weekend, airs on country radio stations across America and on the Armed Forces Radio Network.
Gill, who also is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, recently taped with British singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Sting an episode of “CMT Crossroads” that will debut at 7 p.m. Thursday on Country Music Television.
Check out Gill and Sting’s recent AP interview by clicking here.
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Carrie Underwood is the first artist confirmed for 2012 CMA Music Festival in Nashville
Checotah native Carrie Underwood performs at the 2010. She will return to perform at the festival in 2012. (CMA photo)
The CMA Music Festival will once again take over the Downtown Nashville campus for four days June 7-10, 2012, and Checotah native Carrie Underwood is the first artist confirmed for the next event.
The five-time Country Music Association Award winner today became the first artist announced as performing on the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during CMA Music Festival. Underwood has sold more than 13 million albums, placed 14 No. 1 singles at the top of the charts, won three CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Awards (2006-08) and co-hosted the CMA Awards for the last four consecutive years. After winning “American Idol” in 2005, she made one of her first public appearances at CMA Music Festival, and has been a strong supporter of the event ever since. Underwood last performed at CMA Music Festival in 2010.
Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Normally we do not announce talent until February, but we wanted to be sure everyone knew that Carrie has already committed to perform at 2012 CMA Music Festival,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer, in a news release. “She continues to be one of our most requested artists, and we knew the fans would want to be aware so they could go ahead and make plans to attend our event.”
The event that USA Today calls “the crown jewel of Country Music festivals” started in 1972 as Fan Fair. More than 40 years later, the legendary festival has become Nashville’s signature music event, which annually attracts thousands of fans from all 50 states and around the globe and has raised millions of dollars for music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools. The event will once again be filmed for an ABC Television special airing later in the summer, shining a national spotlight on both the country music format and Music City USA.
Fans can purchase 2012 CMA Music Festival tickets through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800)-745-3000. Ticket prices are based on the level of seating at LP Field for the Nightly Concerts, and range from $115 to $325 plus handling fees. A limited number of four-day parking passes for LP Field are also available, ranging from $32 to $124 plus handling fees, depending on type of vehicle.
Ticket and parking prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable. Four-day ticket package categories correspond to a different level of seating at LP Field. Children 3 years and younger are admitted free.
Fans can stay in the loop by visiting CMAfest.com, the official website of CMA Music Festival.
CMA Music Festival celebrates the unique relationship between country music artists and their fans in the heart of Music City USA. The artists participate for free, and on their behalf, CMA donates half the net proceeds of the festival to support music education through the Keep the Music Playing program.
To date, more than $4.7 million has been donated to purchase musical instruments and supplies, providing thousands of Metro Nashville Public Schools students with the resources and opportunities they could not have afforded on their own, and giving many of them a strong reason to remain in school. The total also includes an annual endowment gift for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Words & Music program, which assists language arts and music teachers with classroom instruction in the basics of songwriting. CMA will announce their donation from the 2011 CMA Music Festival in early 2012.
Featuring concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more, CMA Music Festival is billed as an unparalleled celebration of America’s music. In 2011, the event drew a record-setting 65,000 fans from all 50 states and 26 nations and, for the second consecutive year, sold out each night at LP Field for the star-packed nightly concerts in advance. According to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, direct visitor spending generated by the Festival totaled more than $30 million. CMA Music Festival is a four-time winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association’s LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010).
CMA Music Festival will once again be filmed for a national television special to air on the ABC Television Network. This is the ninth consecutive year that the event has been filmed for a network television special, a feat no other music festival has achieved. CBS aired the first CMA Music Festival special in 2004, with ABC airing it from 2005 onward.
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Voting closes today for 2nd American Country Awards
Kristin Chenoweth speaks at a press conference before her induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Thursday in Muskogee. (Photo by Adam Kemp, The Oklahoman)
Voting closes today in most categories for the second annual American Country Awards.
Fans can vote for their favorite American Country Awards nominees at www.theacas.com. Voting ends today in every category except for Artist of the Year. Voting in that category closes on Friday, Dec. 2.
The fan-voted awards show will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5 on Fox. Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth, who was inducted Thursday into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, will co-host the show with country star Trace Adkins, who hosted the inaugural show solo.
The ACAs are billed as the only country music awards show that “gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories but also in previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring, encompassing the entire spectrum of country music and bestowing honors that no other awards show has.”
Artists with Oklahoma ties nominated for the 2011 ACAs include Thompson Square, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith.
See the full list of nominees for the second annual American Country Awards after the break.
Photo gallery: Oklahomans perform and win on the 2011 CMA Awards
Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton accepts the male vocalist award at Wednesday night's CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn. (AP photos)
Country music stars Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Thompson Square and Rascal Flatts all were nominated and performed Wednesday night during the 45th Annual CMA Awards. For the second straight year, Shelton and Lambert were named male vocalist and female vocalist of the year.
Plus, Checotah native Carrie Underwood co-hosted the Country Music Association’s soiree with Brad Paisley for the fourth consecutive year. To see photos of her in action, click here.
For more on the CMA Awards, read my live blog by clicking here.
Miranda performs her latest hit "Baggage Claim."
Reba McEntire, who hails from Chockie, appears onstage to present entertainer of the year.
Thompson Square, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, performs their smash "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?"
Natasha Bedingfield and Rascal Flatts (which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney) perform their hit "Easy."
Miranda accepts her female vocalist trophy.
Thompson Square, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, arrives at the CMA Awards.
Blake and Miranda arrive at the awards show.
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Photo gallery: Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley co-host the 2011 CMA Awards
Checotah native Carrie Underwood, Miss Piggy and Brad Paisley appear onstage during Wednesday night's CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn. (AP photos)
For the fourth straight year, Checotah native Carrie Underwood and fellow superstar Brad Paisley co-hosted the Country Music Association’s annual awards show.
Check out these photos from the co-hosts in action during the 45th Annual CMA Awards Wednesday night in Nashville, Tenn.
For more on the CMA Awards, read my live blog by clicking here.
Brad, "Modern Family" actor Eric Stonestreet and Carrie sing a funny little ditty.
Carrie and Brad introduce Keith Urban's performance on the CMA Awards.
Brad and Carrie perform their hit duet "Remind Me."
Carrie went through several costume changes.
Brad and Carrie play with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Ken and Barbie dolls.
Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert win at the CMA Awards
Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton (AP file)
A version of this story will appear in Thursday’s The Oklahoman.
Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert win at the CMA Awards
The Tishomingo country stars, who wed in May, were named the Country Music Association’s male vocalist and female vocalist of the year Wednesday night.
The reign continues for country music power couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert.
For the second straight year, the Tishomingo residents, who wed in May, were named the Country Music Association’s male vocalist and female vocalist of the year Wednesday night at the 45th Annual CMA Awards, which aired live on ABC from Nashville, Tenn.
“You’re spoiling me,” said Shelton, who opened the show performing a raucous rendition of the movie theme “Footloose” with ‘80s soundtrack guru Kenny Loggins. “I really didn’t prepare anything to say at all. I really didn’t think you guys’d let me get away with this two times.”
For Lambert, who sang her new smash single “Baggage Claim” during the awards soiree, the female vocalist trophy was an early birthday present. The singer-songwriter turns 28 Thursday.
“Seriously? Thank you so much. I did not expect to get this at all. I had a great year last year, and I’m very, very humbled at this moment to be standing up here in front of these amazing females that are here and deserve it,” she said. “Congrats to my hubby, too. It’s gonna be a good night tonight, baby!”
For Shelton, 2011 has been a breakout year, and he earned five CMA Award nominations, including a shot at entertainer of the year. But Chockie native and new Country Music Hall of Famer Reba McEntire presented the top prize to singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who has topped the charts and sold out arenas since the October 2010 release of her now triple-platinum third album, “Speak Now.”
“I’m so happy right now,” Swift said, thanking the stars who performed with her during shows on her tour, including former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, Usher and Justin Bieber. “You have made my year!”
The CMA Awards paid tribute to established stars while handing out much of the hardware to relative newcomers or emerging artists. Sibling trio The Band Perry received the new artist prize along with song and single of the year for their breakthrough hit “If I Die Young.”
Georgia country-rocker Jason Aldean took home two trophies, album of the year for his smash “My Kinda Party” and musical event for “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” his duet with “American Idol” Kelly Clarkson.
Lady Antebellum and Sugarland continued their runs as vocal group and vocal duo of the year, respectively, while Mac McAnally was again named musician of the year. Country superstar Kenny Chesney and rocker Grace Potter won the music video prize for their duet “You and Tequila.”
Stars with Oklahoma ties not only competed for several awards but also were involved in many other aspects of the show. For the fourth consecutive year, Checotah native Carrie Underwood and fellow superstar Brad Paisley co-hosted the show; they performed their chart-topping love song “Remind Me,” too.
Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, played their hit duet “Easy” with pop star Natasha Bedingfield and collaborated with R&B legend Lionel Richie on his 1986 chart-topper “Dancing on the Ceiling.” Newcomers Thompson Square, the husband-and-wife duo that features Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, played their breakout ballad “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not.”
Oklahoma City-bred singer/guitarist Vince Gill, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Elk City-born songwriter/pianist Jimmy Webb, president of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, took part in the show’s most touching moment: a heartfelt tribute to country legend Glen Campbell, who this year revealed he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Gill and fellow singer/guitarists Paisley and Keith Urban took turns playing “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman” and “Galveston,” three of the iconic hits Webb wrote and Campbell recorded in the late 1960s.
To read my live blog of the CMA Awards, click here.
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