UPDATED: Kristin Chenoweth to sing National Anthem before tonight’s OKC Thunder-Dallas Mavericks game
Kristin Chenoweth (AP file)
UPDATED: Kristin Chenoweth absolutely blew the roof off the Chesapeake Energy Arena Thursday night with her performance of the National Anthem! To watch a video of her belting it out before the Thunder game, click here.
Tony- and Emmy-winning actress/singer Kristin Chenoweth, who hails from Broken Arrow, is back in Oklahoma to sing the National Anthem before tonight’s Oklahoma City Thunder basketball game.
The Thunder take on the NBA’s defending champs, the Dallas Mavericks, who also happen to be the team that bumped OKC out of the playoffs last season, at 7 tonight at Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W Reno. For more information, go to www.chesapeakearena.com.
“Just landed in dear OKC. THUND ER UP,” Chenoweth posted on Twitter (@KChenoweth) a few hours ago. “I am excited to see the game. Live. In person.”
A Thunder super-fan and the newest member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Chenoweth can flat-out sing the National Anthem, as you can see in this fan video from her 2010 performance at the New York Yankee’s home opener:
(For a better but not embed-enabled clip of her Yankees performance, click here.)
-BAM
2011 American Country Awards winners
Carrie Underwood (AP file)
The second annual American Country Awards aired tonight live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Fox. To read my live blog of the event, click here.
Winners with Oklahoma ties nominated include Thompson Square, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood and Toby Keith.
Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth co-hosted 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.”
Following is the list of categories, nominees and winners of the American Country Awards, with Oklahoma nominees marked with an *:
ARTISTS
Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean – WINNER
Kenny Chesney
Lady Antebellum
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley – WINNER
*Blake Shelton
Artist of the Year: Female
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
*Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood – WINNER
Artist of the Year: Duo or Group
The Band Perry
Lady Antebellum – WINNER
*Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Eric Church
Eli Young Band
Justin Moore
Jake Owen
Chris Young – WINNER
Artist of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry
Scotty McCreery – WINNER
Jerrod Niemann
*Pistol Annies
*Thompson Square
Album
Album of the Year
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party” – WINNER
Kenny Chesney, “Hemingway’s Whiskey”
Brad Paisley, “This Is Country Music”
Taylor Swift, “Speak Now”
Keith Urban, “Get Closer”
Zac Brown Band, “You Get What You Give”
SINGLES
Single of the Year
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Chris Young, “Voices” – WINNER
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
Single of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party” – WINNER
Luke Bryan, “Someone Else Calling You Baby”
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
Chris Young, “Voices”
Single of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
*Miranda Lambert, “Heart Like Mine”
*Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Taylor Swift, “Mean”
*Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song” – WINNER
Single of the Year: Duo or Group
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
*Rascal Flatts, “Why Wait”
Sugarland, “Stuck Like Glue”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” – WINNER
Zac Brown Band, “Colder Weather”
Single of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Craig Campbell, “Family Man”
The JaneDear Girls, “Wildflower”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” – WINNER
Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay” – WINNER
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, “You and Tequila”
Brad Paisley with Alabama, “Old Alabama”
Zac Brown Band with Jimmy Buffet, “Knee Deep”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
TOURING
Touring Headline Act of the Year
Jason Aldean – WINNER
Kenny Chesney
*Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
*Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
VIDEOS
Music Video of the Year
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Blake Shelton, “Who Are you When I’m Not Looking” – WINNER
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Josh Turner, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”
Music Video: Male
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Blake Shelton, “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” – WINNER
Josh Turner, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”
Keith Urban, “Put You In A Song”
Music Video: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
*Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Ashton Shepherd, “Look It Up”
Taylor Swift, “Back To December”
*Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song” – WINNER
Music Video: Duo, Group or Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay” – WINNER
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Lady Antebellum, “Hello World”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
Music Video: New Artist
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Craig Campbell, “Family Man”
Brett Eldredge, “Raymond”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” – WINNER
Contributing: The Associated Press.
-BAM
Live blog: 2011 American Country Awards
Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth
7:00 p.m.: Co-host Trace Adkins, dressed in his usual all black, is performing one of his past smashes, “Honkatonk Badonkadonk” while a group of female dancers shake theirs around him. Carrie Underwood is singing along in the crowd. “Now for something completely different,” he says as the dancers shimmy offstage and he starts crooning “Just Fishin’.” Now the dancers are back, the electric guitars are rocking again, and Trace is doing “Ladies Love Country Boys.” The ladies end by surrounding him like a harem, while Trace intones “thank you ladies.” It’s an odd little medley, but if this show is anything like last year, that will be par for the course for the still-young ACAs.
7:05: Trace says he hosted the show last year and thought he did a pretty good job, but the “network people” didn’t feel like he followed the rules or the prompter too well. So they gave him a “co-host” to “keep him in line,” he says, noting that anyone trying to him in line is an opponent because those are fighting words. So 4’11″ Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth comes out with boxing gloves and a robe and starts dancing around him throwing punches. “Watch the below-the-belt stuff,” he says. “I have no choice but to go below the belt,” she says, showing off her slogan on her robe “Four Feet of Fury.” She is having him pull off her gloves so she can get her hands on “country’s sexiest man,” as determined by Country Weekly, and he tells her to stop it.
7:09: She’s challenging him to a singoff, winner gets to host, loser goes home to Louisiana. She’s bragging that she’s from Oklahoma and challenging him to sing “Oklahoma!” for the first round. “You’re pretty comfortable with those jazz hands you could be on Broadway.” He challenges her to sing “Honkytonk Badonkadonk,” so she throws off her robe to reveal a prodigiously padded rear and sings it in her best opera voice, with some guy dancers. “So it looks like I’m staying.” “This ain’t over yet, Chenoweth.” This is silly but it’s kind of fun too.
7:11: Josh Turner and Jordin Sparks are going to present the first award, which will honor some of country’s top ladies. But first the “American Idol” contender is asking Josh to sing one of his songs. That deep voice is pretty se
Single of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
*Miranda Lambert, “Heart Like Mine”
*Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Taylor Swift, “Mean”
*Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”
xy and all the girls including Jordin are singing along. Of course, we’re not getting all these awards distributed very quickly.
Anyway, they’re gonna present single of the year: female to one of these fine ladies:
Carrie Underwood (AP file)
7:14: Winner: Carrie Underwood for “Mama’s Song.” “First off, I don’t even know what to do about that intro, that was awesome,” the Checotah says as she holds the commemorative guitar, which is given in lieu of a trophy at the ACAs. She’s effusively thanking the country fans for their support. I believe Carrie won 6 or so awards at the first ACAs, so we could see a lot more of her tonight. Of course, since she got her break on Fox’s “American Idol,” she maybe has a bit of a homefield advantage.
The Band Perry (AP file)
7:19: The Band Perry, who were just nominated for the Grammy for best new artist, are performing their latest hit “All Your Life” while the fans in the crowd wave glow sticks. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were able to win that Grammy, they are so hot right now. Kimberly is even rocking a dress with a tulle skirt that looks like it escaped relatively unscathed from 1989.
7:23: Kristin Chenoweth announces that they will be awarding an Artist of the Decade, based on MediaBase’s assessment of the most-played artist of the past 10 years. They’ll be counting down throughout the show the top 10 most-played artists, with the No. 1 getting the prize and performing live. No. 10 is Keith Urban, and No. 9 is Brad Paisley.
Didn’t they give an artist of the decade award on this show last year?
7:25: Comedian Bill Engvall and “Idol” runner-up Lauren Alaina are up to tell us a bit about the Telecaster guitars they’re giving away. Bill and Lauren fumble the hand-off and drop the nice guitar to the floor, but they’re still gonna name the single of the year winner. I think Thompson Square (including Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson) has a great shot here:
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Chris Young, “Voices”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
Chris Young (Photo by Nathan Poppe, The Oklahoman Archive)
7:27: Winner: Chris Young for “Voices,” and he’s treating us to a performance of his winning song, which I absolutely adore. Plus, Keifer and wife Shawna of Thompson Square have 6 more chances tonight to win a guitar.
7:29: As Chris finishes up his performance and begins thanking the usual suspects, the announcer says he’s also been named breakthrough artist of the year. Good for him.
7:35: Two unbelievable things just happened at the ACAs: Garth Brooks, who has released maybe one single this millennium, is No. 8 on that artist of the decade countdown. And Trace just came out carrying Kristin on his chest in a big baby carrying, quipping, “I knew I’d end up carrying you on this show.”
They’re quickly tossing it to rodeo legend Larry Mahan, GAC personality Storme Warren and up-and-coming singer Hunter Hayes. They’re gonna present music video of the year
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Blake Shelton, “Who Are you When I’m Not Looking”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Josh Turner, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”
Blake Shelton
7:39: Winner: Blake Shelton, who also wins music video by a male artist. Blake is saying hi to his dad back home because he’s had a rough couple of weeks, so he’s dedicating the award to his dad and telling him he loves him. Aw.
Eli Young Band
7:40: Eli Young Band is on to perform “Crazy Girl,” which has helped elevate them to a whole new level of success. It’s nice to see some Texas country represented here.
7:46: Rascal Flatts is listed as No. 7 on the artist of the decade list. And now Trace is getting some script changes from Kristin, and the wrestler Big Show shows up to make sure her co-host does just what she wants. He’s introducing the men of “Pawn Stars” per her instructions, and they show up holding that broken guitar claiming Bill Engvall tried to sell it to them for $500. They’re reading the canned lead-up to the album of the year noms with varying degrees of painfulness. Here are the noms:
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Kenny Chesney, “Hemingway’s Whiskey”
Brad Paisley, “This Is Country Music”
Taylor Swift, “Speak Now”
Keith Urban, “Get Closer”
Zac Brown Band, “You Get What You Give”
Jason Aldean
7:49: Winner: Jason Aldean, who gets an undamaged guitar. He notes “it’s been a hell of year,” and he’s certainly been on a hot streak. But I think Paisley should have won in this category. Jason notes that he’s proudest this year that more than 1 million fans came out to his shows. He’s coming to OKC in the new year if you want to see him live.
Pistol Annies
7:50: Trace appears in a neck brace, and Kristin, in an extremely low-cut green dress, is apologizing for having the biggest athlete in the world brutally body slam him. “You’re right, this is our show, we can do whatever the hell we want,”as she yanks off the neck brace. “I like your style, Chenoweth, I’m gonna let you be my co-host.” Now that that is settled, they’re introducing the amazing duo of Pistol Annies: Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Angeleena Presley and Ashley Monroe are in matching black outfits as they croon their smoking first single “Hell on Heels.” Love them so much.
7:58: Brooks & Dunn is No. 7 on the artist of the decade countdown, and Tulsa comic Rodney Carrington, who has been playing Vegas and will be playing his annual post-Christmas shows at Firelake Grand in Shawnee soon, is with The JaneDear Girls. They’re going to present the new artist of the year prize. Here are the options:
The Band Perry
Scotty McCreery
Jerrod Niemann
*Pistol Annies
*Thompson Square
Scotty McCreery
8:00: Winner: “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery, whose debut album has already gone gold, is the performing his new single “The Trouble with Girls” to mark his second big win on Fox. Carrie is nodding along as he croons. It’s amazing that a guy that young sounds so grown up; no matter how many times I hear him sing, I’m still kind of startled by it. “Thank y’all so much. It’s my first award, and it’s a dad-gum Telecaster.” He’s thanking the usual suspects, putting his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first, and giving a birthday shout-out to his mom. If he were any sweeter, the kid would be Tim Tebow.
8:08: The duo Love and Theft are revealing No. 5 on the artist of the decade countdown, Alan Jackson, and Kristin Chenoweth is chatting with her fellow Oklahoma girl Carrie Underwood, noting that she’s perfect “just like my girls from Oklahoma.” “Sometimes awards show put people together that go together; this is not o
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
*Rascal Flatts, “Why Wait”
Sugarland, “Stuck Like Glue”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Zac Brown Band, “Colder Weather”
ne of those times.” The Big Show is back, with NASCAR pit reporter Jamie Little, and their chatting about their jobs while the wrestler points out her “Olympic conditioning” in her sleek purple gown.
They’re going to present single of the year by a group. Here are the noms:
Thompson Square
8:12: Winner: Thompson Square, who are performing their winning, breakthrough, Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling ballad. It’s been a ginormous year for this husband-and-wife team. The couple also won best single by a new artist and best video by a new artist. “Thank y’all very much. This is the first we’ve ever won anything, so be patient with us,” Keifer said. He’s thanking God for making it such a blessed year for them.
Blake Shelton (AP file)
8:20: Artist of the decade countdown continues with George Strait at No. 4, and with Kristin Chenoweth pretending to be the dummy to Trace’s fake ventriloquist. “How do you like the show so far?” Trace asks. “I’d like it better if I was sitting on Blake Shelton’s lap,” she said in a voice that’s more like a robot. But she can’t because Blake – who got huge cheers earlier when he won his music video honors – is going to croon his latest hit, “God Gave Me You.” Love this Okie, and I’m glad to see he’s finally achieving the level of success he deserves. And Miranda is singing along to the song, which he recorded for her and earned a Grammy nomination for the songwriter, Dave Barnes, to boot. It’s a gorgeous performance, and I love it when we get to see romantic Blake and not just crazy-funny Blake.
8:29: Artist of the decade countdown continues with Kenny Chesney at No. 3. Since I bet my boots that Toby Keith is No. 1, this list is awfully male-dominated. NASCAR star Kyle Busch, who’s giving a shoutout to his smoking hot wife, is going to present the female artist of the year:
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
*Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood (AP file)
8:31: Winner: Carrie Underwood, who also wins music video of the year by a female for “Mama’s Song.” She is thanking her fans, specifically her fan club, and promising an amazing 2012. She also says she loves and misses her hubby Mike, then apologizing because his teammates are gonna make fun of him for that later.
Kristin Chenoweth (AP file)
8:32: Trace says he’s been pretending that he doesn’t want to listen to his co-host but that’s just an act, and he’s introducing her singing her sassy country single “I Didn’t.” She’s letting her Okie accent and full-blown feisty out as she dedicates the song to her ex-boyfriend. No question her voice is amazing, but I think the Broken Arrow native is trying a little too hard with her performance, particularly with the “yee haw.” Of course, the last time I saw her perform “I Didn’t Live,” it was in front of 2,000 people – about a fourth of them relatives or friends and all of them fellow Okies and fans – at her Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame induction in Muskogee. So that could just be my perception based on a show in which she was definitely at home and ease.
Alabama (AP file)
8:39: The artist of the decade countdown is almost over with Tim McGraw getting the No. 2 spot. They’re going to give the Hits Award, which last year went to Alan Jackson, and since ACA male artist Brad Paisley is doing the intro via video, it’s safe to say the winner is going to be Alabama. The legendary band is getting a standing O as they take the stage to play a medley of their hits including “Tennessee River,” “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)” and “Mountain Music” that has everyone in the crowd singing along. It is so amazing to see this band playing their hits, and the crowd is just adoring every minute. Like most of the people there, I grew up with this band’s music. What great players, every one!
8:45: Trace is presenting the Greatest Hits Award to Alabama, saying the first concert he ever attended featured the band, who was “the greatest then and they’re still the greatest now.” He literally takes his hat off to the band, who then figuratively tips their hats to the fans and to the military members who keep Americans free to play and listen to the music of their choice. I notice that one of the band members is wearing a big slogan “We’re Back” on the back of his shirt. Awesome.
8:49: I’m betting that Okie Toby Keith is No. 1 on the artist of the decade countdown, though I may well be wrong. If that’s the case, the list will not have included a single female. If that’s the case, it’s just shameful.
8:51: Miranda Lambert, who is the first country artist to have her first four albums go No. 1, is looking quite sexy in a black dress covered in rectangular golden beads, and she’s going to present the artist of the year award. I’m disappointed that her honey isn’t in the running here, but here are the candidates:
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Lady Antebellum
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band
Jason Aldean
8:53: Winner: Jason Aldean, who comments, “This is getting ridiculous.” Yep, it sure is because that’s not all he’s won. He also gets:
Album and single of the year by a male artist for “My Kinda Party.”
Single and music video of the year by group/duo/collaboration for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson.
That brings his total ACA wins to 6. Wow. What a year.
Toby Keith
8:56: Trace and Kristin (who looks stunning her long golden and black dress) are presenting the artist of the decade honor to … Toby Keith, who comes out to his tune “I Wanna Talk About Me.” “Hell, anybody can have a good decade, right?” TK quips before going on to thank the fans. Before he performs his new smash “Red Solo Cup” for the first time, Stephen Colbert pays tribute to TK as the “pop of Nashville” in a taped message. Love that TK won, and my disappointment that there were ZERO women on the countdown is being drowned in the catchiness of “Red Solo Cup.” Everyone out in the crowd – from the fans to the stars – are holding the plasticware in question, and Toby Keith is so into this song, he just goofed on the lyrics. He is totally selling this ridiculous song! “You’re my friend!”
9:00: all the presenters along with Trace and Kristin join TK on stage to toast and drink from their red Solo cups, with Trace contributing to the lyrics and Kristin pretending to coach one of the guitar players.
It’s a fun way to end the show, and a handy way for Fox to promote that “Red Solo Cup” will be performed on Tuesday’s new episode of its cult favorite show “Glee.”
Thanks for following my live blog tonight. As usual, I’ll have more coverage to come soon. And if you’re drinking from a red Solo cup, please be safe and smart about it!
-BAM
2011 American Country Award nominees
Blake Shelton (AP file)
The second annual American Country Awards are airing from 7 to 9 tonight on Fox, with Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth and Trace Adkins co-hosting. I’ll be live blogging the awards in mere moments.
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.
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.”
Following is the list of categories and nominees for the American Country Awards, with Oklahoma nominees marked with an *:
ARTISTS
Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Lady Antebellum
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
*Blake Shelton
Artist of the Year: Female
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
*Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood
Artist of the Year: Duo or Group
The Band Perry
Lady Antebellum
*Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Eric Church
Eli Young Band
Justin Moore
Jake Owen
Chris Young
Artist of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry
Scotty McCreery
Jerrod Niemann
*Pistol Annies
*Thompson Square
Album
Album of the Year
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Kenny Chesney, “Hemingway’s Whiskey”
Brad Paisley, “This Is Country Music”
Taylor Swift, “Speak Now”
Keith Urban, “Get Closer”
Zac Brown Band, “You Get What You Give”
SINGLES
Single of the Year
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Chris Young, “Voices”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
Single of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Luke Bryan, “Someone Else Calling You Baby”
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
Chris Young, “Voices”
Single of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
*Miranda Lambert, “Heart Like Mine”
*Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Taylor Swift, “Mean”
*Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”
Single of the Year: Duo or Group
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
*Rascal Flatts, “Why Wait”
Sugarland, “Stuck Like Glue”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Zac Brown Band, “Colder Weather”
Single of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Craig Campbell, “Family Man”
The JaneDear Girls, “Wildflower”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, “You and Tequila”
Brad Paisley with Alabama, “Old Alabama”
Zac Brown Band with Jimmy Buffet, “Knee Deep”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
TOURING
Touring Headline Act of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
*Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
*Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
VIDEOS
Music Video of the Year
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Blake Shelton, “Who Are you When I’m Not Looking”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Josh Turner, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”
Music Video: Male
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Blake Shelton, “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”
Josh Turner, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”
Keith Urban, “Put You In A Song”
Music Video: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
*Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Ashton Shepherd, “Look It Up”
Taylor Swift, “Back To December”
*Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”
Music Video: Duo, Group or Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Lady Antebellum, “Hello World”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
Music Video: New Artist
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Craig Campbell, “Family Man”
Brett Eldredge, “Raymond”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss
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.
-BAM
Interview: Kristin Chenoweth talks about going country, co-hosting tonight’s American Country Awards
Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth will co-host and perform at the American Country Awards tonight.
From Monday’s Life section of The Oklahoman. Click here to read more about the Oklahoma nominees for the American Country Awards.
Kristin Chenoweth goes country
The Oklahoma-born and bred actress/singer already is a Broadway, TV and movie star, but this year she also released her debut country album. On Monday, she will continue her country crossover when she co-hosts the second annual American Country Awards on Fox.
Although her Tony-winning Broadway performances, Emmy-honored television work and big-screen movie roles have made her famous, Kristin Chenoweth still considers herself just a country girl from Oklahoma.
“I know that some people see me in different things: I’m known for ‘RV,’ ‘West Wing,’ ‘Pushing Daisies,’ Broadway, ‘Wicked,’ it’s kind of always different. But I hope what they learn about me … is, yes, I’m a trained opera singer and, yes, I’ve done Broadway, but country music is also in my heart,” Chenoweth said last month before her Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame induction in Muskogee.
In September, Chenoweth, 43, released her first country album, “Some Lessons Learned,” and on Monday (today), she continue her successful crossover when she co-hosts the second annual American Country Awards, airing live from Las Vegas from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fox. The 4-foot-11-inch-tall classically trained soprano will share hosting duties with 6-foot-6-inch-tall country baritone Trace Adkins, who presided over the show solo in its first year.
“I’ll just let y’all know if he’s clipped his nose hairs,” Chenoweth joked with a smile during the hall of fame press conference.
While the Broken Arrow native turned down an invitation to appear at the 45th Annual Country Music Association Awards to attend her Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame induction, Chenoweth said she was looking forward to co-hosting and performing for the newer Academy of Country Music Awards.
And she won’t be the only Oklahoman featured at the ACAs. Hot new duo Thompson Square, which includes Miami native Keifer Thompson, earned seven ACA nominations. Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith also will vie for the commemorative guitars that are given in lieu of trophies for the fan-voted awards.
In addition, Thompson Square, Shelton, Keith and Lambert’s all-girl trio Pistol Annies will perform on the awards show, which will transport some of Nashville, Tenn.’s top talents to Las Vegas.
“I think one of the reasons I like Nashville so much is that it does remind me of Oklahoma. Having been in New York and L.A. … it’s totally different,” Chenoweth said.
“I certainly was not known for country music at all. It’s been opera and musical theater, and I wasn’t sure how the country album would go over. But it’s doing pretty darn good. I’m very proud that they’re accepting it and they understand that it’s my roots. It’s where I came from. I think the musicians (that have come) before me have proven that our state, definitely there’s something in the dirt. I love Nashville, but Oklahoma’s my home.”
Chenoweth actually scored her best-charting album on the cross-genre Billboard 200 with “Some Lessons Learned,” which debuted at No. 50, according to Billboard.com. The actress/singer concurrently bowed at No. 14 on Billboard’s country albums list, marking her first entry on that chart.
Although her four albums have delved into vastly different musical styles, the actress/singer said she has a reason for every song she chooses.
“The first album I did was what people expected of me: ‘30s and ‘40s Broadway, big, orchestral music. And that is definitely part of who I am. The second album was a Christian album, and I had to fight real hard to get it. The third album was a Christmas album, and I had to fight real hard to make sure that we could say Jesus on it. The fourth album is a country album because that’s how I grew up singing,” she said.
“I’m definitely an artist who does a lot of different things. Some view it as sort of a curse; I like to think of it as a blessing. But for me, every single thing I do is about the lyric and the character. A lot of great voices are out there, but it’s about what you have to say. And I get to do it through music and through a character in a film or on television, and that’s what I love the most.”
Along with her foray into country music and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame induction, Chenoweth has racked up many career highlights in 2011. A Tony Award winner for “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and Tony nominee for “Wicked,” she starred in the Broadway revival of “Promises, Promises,” which launched in April 2010 and wrapped up in January 2011.
Already a 2009 Emmy winner for the late, great comedy “Pushing Daisies,” she earned her fourth nomination this year for her guest performance as April Rhodes on Fox’s cult hit show “Glee.” Plus, she has been working on the anticipated new drama series “G.C.B.,” formerly titled “Good Christian Belles” and based on Kim Gatlin’s novel “Good Christian Bitches.” The show is set to premiere in March on ABC.
“(It’s) about five women in the South who grew up in church and how they deal with each other and their demons and humanity,” she said.
Plus, Chenoweth sang this year for Oprah Winfrey, President Barack Obama and the Queen Elizabeth II of England and made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry.
And she has no intention of scaling back her multi-faceted career.
“I will go on tour in the spring, and then in the fall I will probably do another season of the show that you have not seen yet. And then on my next hiatus, I will revive ‘On the Twentieth Century’ on Broadway, which was originated by one of my favorites, Madeline Kahn, and hasn’t been revived since maybe before I was born. I’m excited to get to go back to Broadway; whenever they’ll have me, I’m ready to go. So, I have dates through about 2013 and ’14,” she said, laughing.
“I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”
American Country Awards
The second annual American Country Awards, co-hosted by Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth and Trace Adkins, will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday (today) on Fox. To follow Brandy McDonnell’s live blog of the show, go to BAM’s Blog at blog.newsok.com/bamsblog.
-BAM
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.
Kristin Chenoweth, Wayman Tisdale, members of The Ventures and more inducted into Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
Singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth smiles after signing the oversized Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame guitar at her induction into the hall of fame Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in Muskogee. Chenoweth is from Broken Arrow and attended Oklahoma City University before moving to New York City and beginning a career in in theater, TV, film and music. (Photo by Adam Kemp, The Oklahoman)
A version of this story also appears in Friday’s The Oklahoman.
Kristin Chenoweth joins Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
Along with the Tony- and Emmy-winning singer/actor, the hall’s 2011 class includes the late Wayman Tisdale, members of surf-rock pioneers The Ventures and The Oklahoman’s Gene Triplett.
MUSKOGEE — Wearing a short, silvery dress and a wide smile befitting a Cinderella, Kristin Chenoweth stooped to sign an oversized guitar with the message “I’m just an OKLAHOMA GIRL!”
So far this year, the Emmy- and Tony-winning actress/vocalist has sung for Oprah Winfrey, President Obama and the Queen of England. She added another highlight Thursday night when she was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
“All those other things are amazing. I’d be a liar if I didn’t say singing for the queen and Oprah and presidents and all that is amazing. But when you come back home and you sing for your family and you sing for people who said, ‘You done good,’ that’s where the loyalty and the love is,” Chenoweth told The Oklahoman.
“This is who I am. This is who I am, and I can’t forget it.”
The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame ushered in its 15th class during Thursday’s Annual Induction Ceremony and Concert. Along with Chenoweth, the class of 2011 includes basketball great and popular jazz bassist the late Wayman Tisdale and Rock; Roll Hall of Famers Nokie Edwards and the late Bob Bogle, both members of surf-rock pioneers The Ventures; and Gene Triplett, longtime entertainment editor of The Oklahoman.
The class of 2011 also features the late guitarist/keyboard player Jesse Ed Davis, who performed with Leon Russell, George Harrison and John Lennon; the late composer, lyricist and performer Ralph Blane, who was twice nominated for the best original song Oscar; and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Rising Star Award recipient Cheevers Toppah, a Kiowa/Navajo singer and Grammy nominee.
This is a totally unexpected honor. I don’t play guitar and sing as well as any of these folks here, but I’m just really proud to be here,” said Triplett, who has been at The Oklahoman for 30 years and spent the last decade as entertainment editor, at the press conference before the ceremony.
“This is a great place if you’re gonna write about music and entertainment. This is the place to be. (As you can see) from the fantastic panel up here, Oklahoma is just a really rich breeding ground for great talent … something in the water. Or the dirt, I don’t know.”
“It’s the dirt,” Chenoweth said with a laugh.
Judging from the class of 2011, the Oklahoma dirt provides a fertile breeding ground for musical diversity, with the honorees representing an array of styles, from Broadway show tunes and contemporary jazz to American Indian fusion and rock ‘n’ roll.
Kelly Davis, Davis’ widow, said that friends laughed and asked “Do they surf in Oklahoma?” when they heard that The Ventures were part of the same hall of fame class as her husband.
“I’m from California, and we met in California … but he was a proud Oklahoman, and this is a tremendous honor” Davis said.
Along with Toppah, Davis, who was full-blood Kiowa Comanche, and Edwards, who is Cherokee, represent Oklahoma’s strong American Indian roots.
“To be amongst the greatest musicians to come out of Oklahoma, it’s humbling for me, and to be Native American and represent the state of Oklahoma, it’s one of the greatest awards I’ll ever have,” said Toppah, 28.
Edwards, 76, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 as a member of The Ventures and earlier this year became a Native American Music Awards Hall of Famer.
“This is my third hall of fame I’m in, but I’m very happy to be inducted into the hall of fame here in my home state,” Edwards said, adding he was sorry that his bandmate and fellow inductee Bogle, who died in 2009, was not there to be honored with him.
Bob Spalding, who has played lead and bass guitar with The Ventures since 1981, accepted the induction award and performed on behalf of Bogle his wife and six children, five of whom were in attendance.
Regina Tisdale, Tisdale’s widow, accepted the honor for her husband, who the former University
Regina Tisdale, the wife of former Oklahoma basketball star and jazz musician Wayman Tisdale, signs the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame guitar on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Muskogee. (Photo by Adam Kemp, The Oklahoman)
of Oklahoma All-American basketball player who became a professional jazz bassist after his 12-season career in the NBA. She has accepted many of his posthumous awards since Tisdale died in 2009 at the age of 44 after a long battle with bone cancer.
“We’re very excited to be here. Wayman would’ve absolutely loved it. “Although he was an athlete, if you asked him what his first love was, he’d tell you music. So he’d be all smiles if he was here and he’d be honored to be among these musicians,” she said.
The hall of fame also inducted posthumously Blane, a prolific composer who co-wrote the holiday classic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and the Oscar-nominated standard “The Trolley Song” for the 1944 movie musical “Meet Me in St. Louis.” He earned a second Academy Award nomination for “Pass That Peace Pipe,” from the 1947 musical comedy “Good News.”
“I met Ralph Blane when I was a teenager, and he influenced my life a great deal. And the last 10 or 15 years of his life, we became very close,” said Billie Sue Thompson, who accepted on his behalf.
“I’m probably the luckiest one here because my most famous mentor, Ralph Blane, and my most famous former student, Kristin Chenoweth, are both going to be inducted into the hall of fame tonight,” said Billie Sue Thompson, who accepted on his behalf.
As a teacher at Broken Arrow High School, she nurtured Chenoweth’s natural talent, cast Chenoweth in the title role of “Cinderella” and always knew the tiny blonde with the huge voice would be a superstar.
“Singing has been the greatest love of my life, and it is definitely an extension of my soul and something that God saw fit to give me. I can’t balance my checkbook and I’m not a very good driver, but I do enjoy singing,” Chenoweth said with a grin. “I’m very, very honored to be here tonight.”
More to come
Look for my review, along with photos and video, of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame 2011 Induction Ceremony and Concert on NewsOK.
-BAM
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inducting Kristin Chenoweth, Wayman Tisdale, Gene Triplett and more tonight
Kristin Chenoweth
MUSKOGEE – The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame 2011 class of inductees will be inducted tonight and include Emmy and Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth; the late Jesse Ed Davis, who played with Leon Russell, Jackson Browne, George Harrison and John Lennon; the late jazz musician Wayman Tisdale; The Oklahoman entertainment writer Gene Triplett; the late composer, lyricist and performer Ralph Blane; Nokie Edwards and the late Bob Bogle, both of The Ventures; and multiple Grammy nominee and past Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Rising Star Award winner Cheevers Toppah.
The induction ceremony and concert will be at at the Muskogee Civic Center, 425 Boston Street.
“We are thrilled to have such a prestigious group of inductees this year,” said Andrea Chancellor, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Board president, in a news release. “This slate of nominees serves as a tribute to Oklahomans who are contributing and have enhanced our lives with music, leaving their legacy on the world stage.”
The 2011 class of inductees will join a growing list of prominent musicians, composers and performers who have entertained generations, including past inductees Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Jean Shepard, Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Ronnie Dunn, David Gates, The All American Rejects, Leona Mitchell and dozens of others. The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inducted its first members in 1997.
Read more about the 2011 Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductees after the break.
Kristin Chenoweth, Wayman Tisdale, Gene Triplett and more to be inducted Thursday into Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
Kristin Chenoweth
From Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Kristin Chenoweth, the late Wayman Tisdale and Gene Triplett to be inducted Thursday into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
Column: Other honorees include The Ventures guitarists Nokie Edwards and the late Bob Bogle, the late guitarist/keyboard player Jesse Ed Davis, the late composer, lyricist and performer Ralph Blane and Kiowa/Navajo singer Cheevers Toppah.
MUSKOGEE — The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame will usher a particularly talented group into its ranks during its annual Induction Ceremony and Concert Thursday night.
And I’m not just saying that because the class of 2011 happens to include my boss.
Our own Gene Triplett, longtime entertainment editor for The Oklahoman, and a stellar group
Gene Triplett (The Oklahoman Archives)
of performers will become Thursday the newest members of the respected Muskogee-based institution. For most of the class of 2011, their hall of fame induction will join a long list of honors they have received in the course of their illustrious careers.
Along with Gene, this year’s inductees include Emmy- and Tony-winning actress/singer Kristin Chenoweth, basketball great and popular jazz bassist the late Wayman Tisdale and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Nokie Edwards and the late Bob Bogle, both members of The Ventures.
Also among the class of 2011 are the late guitarist/keyboard player Jesse Ed Davis, who performed with Leon Russell, Jackson Browne, George Harrison and John Lennon; the late composer, lyricist and performer Ralph Blane, who wrote the holiday classic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Trolley Song” from the musical “Meet Me in St. Louis”; and Kiowa/Navajo singer Cheevers Toppah, a multiple Grammy nominee and past winner of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Rising Star Award.
They will join a growing list of prominent musicians, writers and entertainers whose talents have been born, bred and fostered in our fair state. Past inductees include Wanda Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Leon Russell, Jean Shepard, Charlie Christian, Ronnie Dunn, David Gates, Roger Miller, Roy Clark, The All American Rejects, Leona Mitchell and many more.
Wayman Tisdale
Founded in 1995 to recognize the state’s rich and profound influence on the world’s music culture, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum ushered in its first inductees in 1997.
Along with the formal induction, Thursday’s event will include a concert showcasing the class of 2011. Chenoweth, Edwards and Toppah will perform at the show at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Muskogee Civic Center, 425 S Boston Ave.
In addition, the Wayman Tisdale Band and guests will pay their musical respects to Tisdale, who died in 2009 after a long battle with bone cancer. John Trudell and the Russell Saunkeah Band will perform a tribute to Davis, who died in 1988 after overdosing on heroin.
While my part won’t be particularly tuneful by comparison — hopefully at least some of my paragraphs will have a pleasing kind of cadence — I’ll be covering the event in honor of my boss, in appreciation for his tireless efforts to spotlight the state’s concert scene, showcase homegrown musical talents and inform you, the reader, about opportunities to enjoy great music.
Congratulations, Gene.
Going on
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Concert
With: Inductees Kristin Chenoweth, Nokie Edwards and Cheevers Toppah, plus the Wayman Tisdale Band and guests and John Trudell and the Russell Saunkeah Band.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday.
Where: Muskogee Civic Center, 425 S Boston Ave.
Information: www.omhof.com.
-BAM
