Entertainment blogging from The Oklahoman's Brandy McDonnell

Live blog: 2011 American Country Awards

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:

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.

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”

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”

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.

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”

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.

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

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:

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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2011 American Country Award nominees

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

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Live blog: 2011 CMA Awards

7:00: Blake Shelton is getting the proceedings off to a country-rock start performing his cover of the iconic movie theme “Footloose.” Blake’s looking dapper in his all-black look, wielding a guitar while surrounded by a troupe of appropriately action-packed dancers.

7:02: “Footloose” originator Kenny Loggins takes the stage, getting big cheers from the crowd as he joins in on the movie theme he made famous.

7:04: Co-hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley are making their first appearance in this their fourth straight year to preside over the story. And what the heck is Carrie wearing. It looks like there were a few extra yards of white fabric left over from her wedding that they stapled in random places and then attached with a bling belt.

7:05: Brad is cutting right to the jokes, coming out and playing an acoustic riff on Hank Williams Jr.’s “All My Rowdy Friends,” calling himself Brad-cephus and asking “Are you ready for an awards show?” Carrie quickly scolds him and tells him to switch to plan B, singing as he strums a new version of “Family Tradition,” pondering “Hank why do you drink before an interview?” And of course, Bocephus himself shows up behind them. Of course, they’re feigning surprise and then getting Hank Jr. to sing them into their jokes.

7:08: OK, that may have been the most hilarious and wrong thing I’ve ever seen on an award show: Carrie and Brad gave each other Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Ken and Barbie dolls, and Brad squeals, “I can’t wait until after the show, can we play with them now?” And now they’re making the dolls make out as Brad sings “I like it, I love it, I want some more of it.” “Hey do you think these things are anatomically correct?” “Only one way to find out?” They turn around, check and then issue apologies to Faith.

Blake also takes a hit as Brad says he inspired “The Voice” concept: “People have been turning their chairs when Blake sings for years.” Brad also praises Blake for opening the show with the “country classic ‘Footloose.’” Funny because it’s true, folks. It’s an odd choice.

7:10: “Modern Family’s” Eric Stonestreet joins the party but before presenting the first award, he scolds Brad and Carrie for not mentioning Kim Kardashian’s short-lived wedding. Brad, Eric and Carrie begin performing a riff on Randy Travis’ “Forever and Ever Amen,” making fun of Kim, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Blake and Miranda Lambert, Carrie and her hubby Mike Fisher and Brad and his long-suffering wife Kimberly Williams Paisley along the way.

7:12: Now it’s time for the first award, single of the year, and Blake is among the nominees:

(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))

“A Little Bit Stronger”

Sara Evans

Produced by Tony Brown

RCA Nashville

 

“Colder Weather”

Zac Brown Band

Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown

Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records

 

“Don’t You Wanna Stay”

Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson

Produced by Michael Knox

Broken Bow Records

 

*”Honey Bee”

Blake Shelton

Produced by Scott Hendricks

Warner Bros. Nashville

 

“If I Die Young”

The Band Perry

Produced by Paul Worley

Republic Nashville

7:14: Winner: The Band Perry’s breakout mega-hit “If I Die Young.” I doubt it will be the first time the sibling trio is thanking their fans, radio and label head Scott Borchetta.

7:17: Carrie has changed into a much less, um, distinctive but much more attractive short, sparkly golden dress. Brad is thanking her for the Tim doll to complete his set, which includes Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. He’s showing her a standard-size redhaired Barbie, paired with a little blond action figure guy holding a guitar. Like Brad needs to mock anyone for height issues. But it’s a good intro for Keith’s performance of “You Gonna Fly with Me,” and his taking his guitar and soaring ballad onto the lighted runaway out in the crowd. It’s been a pretty energetic show so far.

7:21: This year’s comeback girl Sara Evans is slowing it down, singing her anthemic hit “A Little Bit Stronger” against a blue backdrop and billowing smoke. She looks terrific in her all black pant suit, and she’s accompanied by aerial dancers suspended from long red ropes. Sara is in great voice, and she’s getting big applause at the end of her performance. It’s a warm welcome back for her.

7:28: Carrie is in a sparkly pink dress with a sassy sash at the waist, and she’s reading a copy of Brad’s book “Diary of a Player.” When he asks if she’s read anything interesting, she tosses it over her shoulder and says “nope.” Speaking of sassy, they’re quickly kicking it over to Tishomingo country star and reigning CMA female vocalist Miranda Lambert, who’s belting her new smash single “Baggage Claim.” It’s the lead-off single from her new album “Four the Record,” which I love, love, love. Miranda looks terrific in her slim black pantsuit with the long silver fringe and the silver, bejeweled ginormous belt that covers her whole midriff. I love it when she does her stomping around the stage, hair-tossing dance. Blake is on his feet to cheer on his honey, and I can’t blame him. She’s awesome!

7:32: Kellie Pickler comments to “Twilight” actor Kellan Lutz that “They always give me the cute co-presenter.” “Me, too,” he replies. They’re going to present song of the year. Are the CMAs openminded enough to give it to “Dirt Road Anthem,” or will it go to something a bit more traditional?

Song of the Year

(Award goes to Songwriter(s))

“Colder Weather”

Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, and Coy Bowles

 

“Dirt Road Anthem”

Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford

 

“If I Die Young”

Kimberly Perry

 

“Mean”

Taylor Swift

 

“You and Tequila”

Matraca Berg and Deana Carter

7:34: Winner: Nope, it’s The Band Perry with another win for “If I Die Young.” Kimberly Perry says she believes the song was “always meant to be but I sure was glad have pen and paper in hand when it decided to come down to Earth.” She’s calling her brothers the backbone of the band and effusively thanking their parents.

7:35: Zac Brown Band, who have five nominations tonight, are playing a tribute to their home state with “Georgia on My Mind.” It’s a cover that would do Ray Charles proud, with Gregg Allman contributing on vocals and piano. Allman and Zac Brown sound terrific together, and the crowd is giving that performance a standing ovation. ZBB always give such great performances on these shows.

7:42: Rascal Flatts is taking the stage to perform their latest hit “Easy,” a duet with pop star Natasha Bedingfield, who will be joining them shortly. Love those three-part harmonies these guys make look so easy! Natasha is wearing another, um, unusual dress. The top is just a plain black camisole, but the skirt looks like an enormous magenta towel all bunched up around her. Because terry cloth is an underutilized fabric in formal wear, right? Yes, please turn the camera toward Picher’s own Joe Don Rooney and his big guitar solo and away from the scary dress. I think the performance is pretty good, but I keep waiting for Natasha to turn into Muppet, since her dress is already halfway there.

7:45: Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas of the new ABC fantasy series “Once Upon a Time” are going to present the award for duo of the year. Oklahoma now has a pair in this category, with Thompson Square, which includes Miami native Keifer Thompson. But can he and his wife Shawna overcome the Sugarland powerhouse?

Vocal Duo of the Year

The Civil Wars

Montgomery Gentry

Steel Magnolia

Sugarland

*Thompson Square

7:47: Nope, Sugarland wins for the fifth straight year. Jennifer Nettles tells Gregg Allman that she’s the one who shook his hand on the red carpet, and even though he doesn’t know who she is, “I really like you.” They’re dedicating the award to their fans, whom Kristian Bush says “saved us this year,” and the good people of Indiana, where that horrible accident happened this year at their state fair show.

7:48: Brad points out that there are lots of newcomers in the mix at this year’s awards, and they’re going to showcase a few of them, starting with new outlaw Eric Church, playing “Drink in My Hand.” Eric is going to play Dec. 3 at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, and I got to interview him recently. He was a super nice guy to chat with on the phone, and he’s making the most of this showcase for his raucous country-rock.

7:50: Now Thompson Square is getting the chance to show their stuff. The husband-and-wife duo looks so adorably in love every time I see them perform together. Shawna is in a black dress with a puffy-filmy black shirt and albino peacock earrings and Keifer’s wearing a golden leather jacket and strumming a white guitar as they play their huge breakout hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not.” Good luck to those two in the new artist category, even though they’ve been trying to break through in Nashville for about 15 years now. Oklahoma fans will get to see them live in January when they open for Lady Antebellum at Tulsa’s BOK Center.

7:54: The third newcomer in this three-act showcase is the super-sexy, smooth-voiced crooner Chris Young performing his wonderful family tribute “Voices.” Chris is playing the Diamond Ballroom in OKC in February before embarking on tour with Miranda Lambert, and I’m going to do my best to make that show!

8:00: Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who is nominated for five awards tonight, is perched on a couch strumming her guitar as she croons her earnest ballad “Ours.” She looks cozy in her bright pink sweater and black pants. It’s a sleepy little love song, and you can hear some of her fans shouting “We love you Taylor” in the crowd. It’s a well-written song and a decent but not fantastic vocal performance. She still sounds so much better in concert, but the star-studded crowd likes it: Led by Tim and Faith, they’re giving Taylor a standing O.

8:05: Carrie is wearing a jaunty black hat and a spangly black jacket, as if she might be called upon to break into her feisty hit “Cowboy Casanova” at any moment. But she’s encouraging the crowd “Let’s hear it for Taylor” and then kicking it to Luke Bryan, who is surrounded by a troupe of curvy dancers decked out in short shorts and writhing around chairs as he performs his smash “Country Girl (Shake it for Me).” He quickly grabs his trademark trucker hat so he can get in the spirit of the downhome rowdy hit, jumping up on one of the dancing girl’s chairs, but he sounds a bit breathless while singing. Still, it’s an energetic perforance that gets the crowd up on its feet again. The Georgia boy spikes his hat and toss his arms triumphantly in the air when it’s done.

8:08: The announcer just told us that the musician of the year award was given out before the show to Mac McAnally.

Musician of the Year

Sam Bush – Mandolin

Jerry Douglas – Dobro

Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar

Dann Huff – Guitar

Mac McAnally – Guitar

8:13: Brad comes rushing out in black jeans and black shirt with sparkly silver jacket and white cowboy hat, saying that they’re not quite set up for the next number. And he wonders where’s Carrie since she’s supposed to be out there. A stagehand rolls out Miss Piggy caterwauling “Remind Me,” and Carrie comes out claiming that someone locked her in the dressing room. When Miss Piggy demands that Brad make Carrie leave, the pink-clad songstress tells the porcine diva that she got into show biz because she loved the Muppet so much as a kid. When that seems to soften Miss Piggy’s grudge against Carrie, Brad says “No, it’s you and me Piggy, we go together like bacon and eggs.” Miss Piggy responds by backhanding Brad to the floor, and Carrie comments, “I’ve always wanted to do that.”

Miss Piggy, of course, is promoting her new movie “The Muppets,” which I’ve seen and promise is much funnier than that little awards show interlude. I even got to talk to Miss Piggy, which was awesome!

8:15: Lady A is out to sing their new hit “We Owned the Night,” which is my absolute favorite song from their new album. But the trio usually puts on absolute electric performances, and this one seems a bit subdued.

8:19: ESPN sportscaster and “Good Morning America” correspondent Erin Andrews and 2011 World Series MVP and St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese are going to present album of the year, and I’m rooting for Blake and betting on Brad.

Album of the Year

(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))

*All About Tonight

Blake Shelton

Produced by Scott Hendricks

Warner Bros. Nashville

 

My Kinda Party

Jason Aldean

Produced by Michael Knox

Broken Bow Records

 

Speak Now

Taylor Swift

Produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift

Big Machine Records

This Is Country Music

Brad Paisley

Produced by Frank Rogers

Arista Nashville

 

You Get What You Give

Zac Brown Band

Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown

Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records

8:20: Wow, Jason Aldean wins it for “My Kinda Party,” which has undeniably been a huge album for him. He’s reached superstar status, but Jason still seems a bit stunned when he says “Man what a year” and thanks his wife, daughters, fans, record label and producer. The CMAs really seem to be giving the newcomers room to shine this year.

8:21: Rocker Grace Potter is joining Kenny Chesney to sing their hit duet “You and Tequila.” Man, they sound amazing together on this song. Kenny is wearing a pair of ragged jeans, but Grace looks like her usual gorgeous diva self in her short white dress with the fringe. They’re both strumming acoustic guitars, and I tell you, I could listen to this all day.

8:31: It wouldn’t be the CMA Awards with Brad Paisley without Little Jimmy Dickens, who is dressed as Justin Bieber in a New York Yankees hat and leather jacket and joking that his new song will be “It Ain’t My Baby, Baby.” So silly.

8:32: But it’s over quickly as Brad and Carrie introduce R&B legend Lionel Richie, who is readying a country duets album called “Tuskegee.” Quartet Little Big Town start off “Deep River Woman” with those wonderful harmonies, and the crowd leaps to their feet for standing O as Lionel takes the stage with a grin and begins crooning with them.

8:34: There’s more big applause as LBT exits the stage and Darius Rucker joins Lionel for “Stuck on You,” which has several famous folks in the crowd singing and smiling along. That’s too smooth Southern voices right there.

8:36: Rascal Flatts returns to the stage to turn up the tempo again, performing “Dancing on the Ceiling” with Richie. Gary LeVox’s high, clear voice contrasts nicely with Lionel’s, and Joe Don really knows how to rock a guitar solo. Oh, what a feeling, indeed. I love Blake in the crowd bobbing his head like a kid; he and I are about the same age and we both grew up with this song. Lionel takes a big bow the Flatts as the crowd lavishes them with applause.

8:44: Brad and two students from the Nashville School for the Arts are performing a lovely rendition of The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” to promote CMA’s charitable partnership with Nashville Public Schools and Chevrolet. He’s letting the students introduce The Band Perry, who aren’t performing “If I Die Young”; instead they’re playing their newest ballad “All Your Life.” Kimberly Perry looks like an old-school diva in a long column of red sequins and her long blond hair swept into a loose updo. Very pretty and elegant. And lots of applause for The Band Perry.

8:50: LeAnn Rimes and Billy Currington are going to give out the award for vocal group of the year. Can the upstart Band Perry beat out Lady A?

Vocal Group of the Year

The Band Perry

Lady Antebellum

Little Big Town

*Rascal Flatts

Zac Brown Band

8:51: Nope, Lady A wins it again. Dave Heywood said, “There’s no way we can be singled out in this group this year.” But they are. They’re thanking their family and friends and fans, and Charles Kelley literally shouts out that he wants to see you when they go out on tour starting Friday. They’ll be at the BOK Center in January, and you have your orders, Lady A fans.

8:52: Folk-rocker Matt Nathanson is joining Sugarland to sing “Run.” He and Jennifer Nettles are actually fairly well matched vocally. It’s my first time to hear this duet, and it’s working better than I anticipated. It’s actually kind of a sexy song, despite Matt’s scraggly goatee.

8:55: We’re finding out that video of the year was handed out before the show, and the prize went to Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter’s “You and Tequila.” It’s hard to argue with that, except for the part about them not actually awarding the award at the awards show.

Music Video of the Year

(Award goes to Artist and Director)

*”Honey Bee”

Blake Shelton

Directed by Trey Fanjoy

 

“If I Die Young”

The Band Perry

Directed by David McClister

 

“Mean”

Taylor Swift

Directed by Declan Whitebloom

 

“Old Alabama”

Brad Paisley featuring Alabama

Directed by Jim Shea

 

“You and Tequila”

Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter

Directed by Shaun Silva

9:01: Brad and Carrie are going to perform their chart-topping duet “Remind Me” for the first time on national TV right now. When I talked to Carrie about working with Brad, she likened him to the big brother she never had. Carrie looks like a true diva in her long strapless black and white gown with the swirling pattern and long slit up the side. It seems like it took them the first verse and chorus to get warmed up, but now she’s belting and he’s working that guitar and it isn’t hard to see why their superstars – and why I’m pretty sure we’ll hear a third duet from them in the not-too-distant future. They’re getting a standing O, Carrie is grinning and Brad is sweeping off his hat.

9:05: Lauren Alaina gives a shoutout to “my girl Carrie” before she and Jake Owen read off the new artist nominees. I’m betting it’s The Band Perry.

New Artist of the Year

The Band Perry

Luke Bryan

Eric Church

*Thompson Square

Chris Young

9:06: Winner: The Band Perry. It was a pretty safe bet with the night they’re having tonight. Kimberly Perry simply thanks the crowd for the past two years and vows to keep working hard on the road and in the studio to keep earning the award.

9:07: Now another new artist is taking the stage, “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery is singing his “Walk in the Country” and then smoothly transitions into recognizing the CMA radio award winners. I’m still amazed at that deep voice of his.

9:13: Album of the year Jason Aldean is crooning the latest single from “My Kinda Party,” the anthemic “Tattoos on This Town.” It just amazes me how his career has totally blown up in the past couple of years. It’s historically been hard for an artist on an indie label to make a mark on the CMAs, but this Georgia Southern rocker just won’t be denied it seems.

9:17: Oscar-winning actress and Nashville’s own Reese Witherspoon, who looks stunning in a short fire-engine red dress, is back home to give the male vocalist award. I hope Blake repeats!

Male Vocalist of the Year

Jason Aldean

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

*Blake Shelton

Keith Urban

9:19: Winner: BLAKE! Woot! He gives Miranda a big hug and kiss before saying, “Y’all are spoiling me … I didn’t really prepare anything because I didn’t think you’d let me get away with this twice.”

9:20: Carrie looks like a tropical princess in her short floral printed dress, and she’s introducing “one of our greatest vocalists,” Martina McBride, who is performing her hopeful cancer anthem “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.” Such a touching song. And I know I probably say this every time, but is Martina McBride just ageless or is just me. She looks so pretty and youthful in her white suit. And the arena has been darkened, and the whole crowd is waving white glow lights. Such a moment to go with this song. I just got goosebumps.

9:29: We’re coming to what is sure to be a highlight of the show: Oklahoma native Vince Gill, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley are going to perform a tribute to Glen Campbell. Kudos to Vince for his fellow Okie shoutout; Vince says “No one sings a Jimmy Webb song like Glen Campbell.” Amen.

Vince is singing “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” while Campbell and his wife watching with smiles from the crowd. Keith, who briefly spoke of Campbell’s global influence, and Brad, who praised Glen for facing Alzheimer’s with grace, are playing guitar. Love watching Glen mouthing the words and Reba looking like she might burst into tears at any moment.

9:31: It’s another Jimmy Webb hit for Campell: Keith Urban is crooning “Wichita Lineman,” and it’s a fine rendition. But I’ll never forget Blake’s performance of this song with Jimmy Webb at the 2007 Oklahoma Centennial celebration. Gotta give Keith props for his great guitar solo, though. So far this tribute is tuneful and tasteful and totally living up to my expectations.

9:33: Brad is taking over with yet another Webb hit for Campbell, “Galveston,” which really suits his voice and gets a double thumbs up from Glen. He’s mouthing the words again, the whole crowd is on its feet, and great old photos of Glen’s career are flashing on the giant video screen. And people I may be crying on the keyboard any moment.

9:34: Awesome! Jimmy Webb is there playing piano along with these great guitar slingers and singers. The Oklahoma songwriter gets introduced just before Campbell and gives Glen a huge hug once he makes the stage. Campbell gives the others hugs, too, before strumming to commercial. It’s great that they did this tribute tonight. Lavish praise to all involved for recognizing a legend before he left us.

9:41: Carrie is looking fabulous in her short black dress with the long silvery fringe, and Brad is on his cell. It seems the Oscars are looking for a host, and he’s going to have their people call the Oscar people. I guess now that Eddie Murphy is out as the Academy Awards host, anything goes. Although I’ll bet Brian Grazer, who just got named the new producer of the Oscars telecast tonight, comes up with something.

Carrie and Brad are introducing Faith Hill for her first CMA Awards performance in five years. She’s singing a fervent plea called “Come Home,” but it seems like she’d rather be doing something more uptempo. Decked out in a silver-adorned black pantsuit and working some big hair, she’s waving her arms and jumping up and down like someone swapped her country-rocker with a piano ballad. After hearing her sing the rollicking “Sunday Night Football” theme for years, that was kind of odd. But the crowd is on its feet and Tim is grinning like mad for his wife.

9:45: Dierks Bentley and “Revenge” star Emily Van Camp are going to present female vocalist. Hoping for two in a row for Miranda!

Female Vocalist of the Year

Sara Evans

*Miranda Lambert

Martina McBride

Taylor Swift

*Carrie Underwood

9:47: Woot for Miranda! “Seriously?” she asks. After having such a big year last year, she says she didn’t expect to win two in a row. She praises her fellow nominees as deserving it as much if not more as she does. She also congratulations her hubby. “It’s gonna be a good night tonight, baby,” she squeals as Blake rubs his hands together and grins a bit maniacally.

I love Miranda’s short, sparkly purply-pink dress, but I thought it was hilarious that she kept pulling at the sleeveless top when she learned about the award. She’s just so real sometimes.

9:50: And we heard that Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson won the vocal event of the year off camera.

Musical Event of the Year

(Award goes to each Artist)

“As She’s Walking Away”

Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson

Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records

 

*”Coal Miner’s Daughter”

Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert

Columbia Records Nashville

 

“Don’t You Wanna Stay”

Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson

Broken Bow Records

 

“Old Alabama”

Brad Paisley featuring Alabama

Arista Nashville

 

“You and Tequila”

Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter

BNA Records

9:52: Carrie now is dressed like she’s going to get kidnapped by a sheik and taken to live in the Arabian desert at any moment – but she’s quickly kicking it to fellow Oklahoma native and newest member of the Country Music Hall of Fame Reba, who will present the entertainer of the year award. Here are the possibles:

Entertainer of the Year

Jason Aldean

Brad Paisley

*Blake Shelton

Taylor Swift

Keith Urban

9:56: Winner: Taylor Swift. After hugging everyone in sight, she takes the stage with her usual enthusiasm and gushes about the camaraderie among artists this year. She’s reading off her arm a list of all the stars who sang with her on her tour this year, including Ronnie Dunn, Kenny Chesney, B.o.B. and Justin Bieber. “You’ve just made my year!” she exclaims.

9:57: Carrie – still dressed like she’s getting ready to join a harem – and Brad thank everyone for watching. “We’ll see you at the Oscars,” Brad says. At least they know how to close a show on time. We’re even seeing a few minutes of highlights to fill time ’til 10 p.m.

That’s the live blog for this year. Thanks for following along. Congratulations to all the winners. It’s gonna be a happy night in the Lambert-Shelton household!

Look for more coverage on the CMA Awards on my blog later tonight and Thursday.

-BAM

 

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It’s CMA Awards Week on BAM’s Blog!

Country music fans get ready: It’s CMA Awards Week here on BAM’s Blog!

Hosted for the fourth straight year by Checotah native Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, the 45th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville, Tenn., from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday on ABC. I’m giving you continuing coverage on the Oklahoma country stars involved and will once again by live blogging the awards show.

On Wednesday, check out my special CMA Awards preview story, which includes Carrie’s thoughts on again working with her co-host and “Remind Me” duet partner Paisley.

Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Thompson Square, Rascal Flatts and Underwood are all nominated for awards and have been invited to join the star-studded lineup of performers for the CMA Awards. Plus, Reba McEntire will be a presenter, and Vince Gill will join Paisley and Keith Urban in playing a tribute to country great Glen Campbell.

Plus, Rascal Flatts will be performing duets with pop star Natasha Bedingfield and R&B legend Lionel Ritchie.

So please join me here on BAM’s Blog as we get ready for the CMA Awards.

-BAM

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Live blog: “The Voice” first season finale

7:00 p.m.: Host Carson Daly is introducing to the stage “four of the most talented voices in America,” and they’re all dressed in formal black for the occasion. After 10 weeks – has it really been that long? It’s gone by so fast – we will find out whether Dia Frampton, Javier Colon, Beverly McClellan or Vicci Martinez will be the first-ever “The Voice.”

7:02: Oklahoma country music star Blake Shelton gives a fist-pump and a big “yes” when Carson announces that Mrs. Shelton, fellow country star Miranda Lambert, will be performing a duet tonight with Dia. Other superstar duet pairings for the finalists tonight: Tulsa native and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder will do a duet with Beverly. Legendary Fleetwood Mac songstress Stevie Nicks will pair with Javier. And Train lead singer Pat Monahan will sing with Vicci.

7:05: Former members of “The Voice” family are in the house, and we’re getting some other members of the NBC family involved with a behind-the-scenes look at the finalists’ recent visit to “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” It’s been a long time since NBC has scored a hit, so expect this Peacock to strut, preen and show off the rest of its feathers a lot tonight.

7:07: Cross promoting aside, “The Tonight Show” bandleader Rickey Minor did make a great observation about “The Voice” finalists: We have a great variety of singers represented tonight. Dia has her unique vocal tone and indie folk-rock vibe; Javier is an R&B crooner with smooth pipes; Beverly is the straight-up rocker with the raw voice to match; and Vicci is the soulful firebrand with what Cee Lo calls her “war dance.” It’s an interesting range of performers (especially when you consider that the “American Idol” finals featured two teenage contemporary country singers. Just saying.)

7:12: After a series of flashbacks and prerecorded interviews, Vicci Martinez from Team Cee Lo becomes the first finalist to do her superstar duet.

She and Pat Monahan are crooning Train’s hit “Drops of Jupiter.” Is it bad form is the finalist upstages the star? Because I like Vicci’s soulful croon much better than Monahan’s nasally whining. I’ve never been a Train fan, and much of it has to do with his grating voice. I don’t think he’d get far in this competition. Plus, I prefer her dynamic stage presence.

7:16: In a video clip from last night’s memorable “Beyond Thunderdome” version of Pat Benatar’s “Love Is a Battlefield,” Vicci comments on how much Cee Lo’s sense of style has rubbed off on her. She’s certainly glitzed it up in her time on the show. I mean, just check out the NBC promo photo taken after the blind auditions.

Carson gives Cee Lo a chance to say a few words about Vicci after her finale performance on “The Voice” stage and he being Cee Lo, he comments on her uniqueness, saying she is the “first Vicci Martinez.”

7:18: Alison Haislip is look very glamorous tonight with her purple dress and dramatic up-do. She’s talking to Javier about “The Voice” experience, and he’s thanking the fans for their support. Always a good idea.

7:22: It’s time to recap Javier’s time on “The Voice.” Coach Adam says “my favorite moment is still the first time I heard him sing,” adding he was astounded at his powerful pipes. The family man, Colon repeats that the hardest part for him on “The Voice” has been to being away from his two young children, adding he knows they will understand someday.

7:23: Great song choice for the Javier Colon-Stevie Nicks’ duet: Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.” It’s a gorgeous ballad, and that’s what Javier does best. Plus, I love hatless Javier showing off his beautiful bald head. Stevie’s legendary voice unfortunately has begun to fray, but she sounds better as she warms up over the course of the song. And her stage presence, well, she still has that in spades. I mean how many women can still rock the fingerless gloves as a fashion statement?

7:27: “The one-and-only Stevie Nicks,” as Carson puts it, gets a standing ovation. “Rock ‘n’ roll royalty.” After all, she is one of the few true legendary rock ‘n’ roll divas.

Adam comments that other than getting married and having his kids, that has to be one of the most amazing thing Javier has ever done. “She’s one of my heroes, I know she’s one of your heroes, now you’re one of my heroes because you sang with her on national television.”

The Maroon 5 frontman also says he told Stevie he wasn’t going to cry on live TV tonight. I’m betting that tough ol’ country boy Blake has to wipe away a few tears when he gives his final praise of Dia, particularly since she’s singing with the wife.

7:32: Carson just keeps saying “we are so close to naming the winner of ‘The Voice.’” I’ve not piled on to Carson-has-no-personality train, but he needs to stop saying that because WE KNOW.

Beverly McClellan says she is the oldest contestant there but maybe the youngest at heart. Coach Christina says that Bev has hurdled the level of greatness.

7:34: Beverly is all spiffed up in a dapper suit, and Ryan is rocking a pair of bright-white jeans and a black shirt. They’re singing OneRepublic’s “Good Life,” and the contrast between her gritty rocker voice and his smooth, high pop star pipes is interesting.

But, really, I wish she wouldn’t insist on doing her head-shaking hooting every. single. song. Still, I have to give her props for doing something really different: a straight-up pop song.

7:37: Christina is again expressing her love for Beverly and thanking her for trusting in her as her coach. Then, Xtina thanks her fellow coaches for trusting in her as she has in them over the course of the show and likens them to the big brothers she never had. Wow, Xtina getting classy. Go her.

7:39: Carson notes that we’re getting ready to hear from “two of the most important women in Blake Shelton’s life.” I’m interested to hear what Miranda and Dia have worked up. One of the reason I’ve rooted for Dia since “Heartless” is that I get a sense of anticipation every time she gets ready to perform. She always comes up with something intriguing.

7:43: “I definitely don’t think I would be here if I had gotten another coach,” Dia says in her recap interview. Blake again praises her for her “vision.”

He also says, “Dia reminds me of my wife Miranda. They’re both mold-breakers. There’s no one else like ‘em.” Wow, high praise. Let’s see what the come up with.

7:44: Wow, Ran is sharing her Grammy-winning, career-altering hit “The House That Built Me” with Dia. She must really love her. Dia starts out strangely raspy on her first verse, but then she kicks those pretty pipes into gear for the chorus, matching very nicely with Mrs. Shelton. Blake already looks like he’s about to cry. Lambert recently recounted in a new interview with me the now-famous story of how this song was first pitched to Blake but he gave it to her after the demo made her cry. (I’ll have that new interview for you guys Friday before Ran’s Saturday concert at Fort Sill, BTW.)

7:48: Dia started a little shaky, but that ended so strong. “It finally hit me watching that … I know now why I get so emotional why I’ve been around you the past few weeks,” Blake says. “You’re family to me now, and I love you. And I’m so proud of you.”

7:52: From the @Team_Blake Twitter feed: “The sound like 2 angels don’t they?” By the end, they certainly did. We’re about to find out if Blake’s girl is “The Voice,” or if the title will go to Javier, Vicci or Bev.

7:54: “In just moments, one of their lives will change forever,” says Carson, recapping the finalists and their teams one more time….

They’re definitely dragging it out …

Here we go …

“The voting was extremely close,” Carson says. “It was so close, in fact, that the top 2 were within only 2 percent of each other. How incredible is that?”

Right now, he’s going to reveal the two artists with most votes in no particular order, I’m betting Dia and Javier.

7:56: Yep! It’s Dia and Javier. So, we’re saying goodbye to Vicci and Bev. Blake Shelton looks sick. I think he’s more nervous than Dia.

7:57: It’s not final results, but Carson points out that Dia was No. 1 on iTunes after show and Javier was No. 1. We’ll see how it comes out in the end …

7:58: And the winner is …

Javier Colon!

7:59: Fireworks blast and confetti rains down as Javier praises his three runners-up and thanks “everyone who believed in me” and, voice cracking, thanks his family.

8:02: After rooting so hard for Dia and Team Blake, I’m disappointed but not heartbroken or even surprised at the result. I had hoped “The Voice’s” cool variation of letting iTunes downloads count as votes – what do you want to bet “Idol” steals that next season? – would help Dia when the day.

With her iTunes track record – along with her previous experience with her band Meg & Dia on Warner Bros. Records and the Vans Warped Tour – I’m sure Universal Republic will snap her up along with Javier. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the label inked all four finalists just to keep another label from doing so.

So, Adam Levine emerges as the victorious coach. Hopefully, the charming quartet of musician-coaches will all be back in the winter when the second season of “The Voice” begins.

-BAM

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Live blog: 2011 CMT Music Awards

7:00 p.m.: As promised we’re starting with Shania Twain and Taylor Swift’s pre-taped parody of “Thelma & Louise.” It’s so great to see Shania back, even if it’s in a cheesy movie spoof, and hearing Kenny Rogers sing “The Gambler” is never a bad thing. I do wish that we could drive Kid Rock off a cliff. OK, that’s a little harsh, but if he could never host this awards show again, that’d be fine with me. Explain to me again the country connection, here, please?

7:04: Kid Rock is opening the show with his usual Kid Rock thing, and Wynonna is performing an intervention. Never been so glad to see one of the Judds, and this from a woman who tried to delete the OWN channel as soon as it appeared on the Cox cable guide. “This ain’t MTV, this is CMT,” she says. Now, she’s shilling her new single for seemingly forever before she finally starts belting and twanging. It’s all just a setup to give Kid Rock time to change into a duded-up cowboy hat, fancy red pants and white button-down shirt. “Hell, yeah, I’m country,” he and Wynonna declare in song. Still not convinced, but at least the Kid is acknowledging the debate.

7:08: Now, here comes something country: Oklahoma country music star is playing his new single “Made in America.” I heard a lot about the song from Toby when I interviewed him last month, so my interest is definitely sparked. It’s a big vocal performance from Toby, who’s now officially the only artist to play the CMT Music Awards every year they’ve been existed. That’s 10 years in a row. I like the pyrotechnics, and I really like the song. Definitely hit potential here.

7:10: Teen girl squeal! Just got the first look at Justin Bieber in the crowd. He’s sitting next to his country collaborators Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney.

7:11: Oh, good grief, here comes Tulsa-bred actor and live wire Gary Busey, along with “Celebrity Apprentice” winner John Rich and Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon. Hope one of them has a tranq gun in case Garey sees some oogres.

They’re going to present the best duo video award. Oklahoma has a dog in this fight with newcomers Thompson Square. Husband-and-wife duo Thompson Square includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson. Here are the nominees:

Duo Video of the Year

• Steel Magnolia – “Last Night Again”

• Sugarland – “Stuck Like Glue”

• The Civil Wars – “Barton Hollow”

• The JaneDear Girls – “Wildflower”

* Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not”

7:14: Winner: Sugarland. Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles are praising the CMT’s as the most fun awards show and praising their fans.

7:15: Speak of the devil. The first up-and-coming band on the Nationwide Insurance side stage is Thompson Square playing their No. 1 “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not.” That song has so grown on me. I’m eager to see what else this edgy country couple comes up with.

7:20: Kid Rock is announcing the five final nominees for the top award, video of the year. The voting will continue until the tail end of the show on CMT.com.

Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party.”

Kenny Chesney, “The Boys of Fall.”

Miranda Lambert, “The House That Built Me.”

Sugarland, “Stuck Like Glue.”

Taylor Swift, “Mine.”

I love hearing the big cheer for Miranda. Go Ran! Of course, Taylor’s fans are in full voice.

7:22: CMT performance of the year nominees Martina McBride and Pat Monahan of Train are talking about good and bad collaborations, and we have our first Weiner joke. They’re going to give out the collaborative video award, and I Belieb it’s gonna go to the Flatts and Bieber. Noms:

Collaborative Video of the Year

• Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson – “Don’t You Wanna Stay”

* Justin Bieber featuring Rascal Flatts – “That Should Be Me”

• Kid Rock featuring Sheryl Crow – “Collide”

• Aaron Lewis featuring George Jones and Charlie Daniels – “Country Boy”

* Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow – “Coal Miner’s Daughter”

7:24: Winner: EEEKKKKK! It’s Justin Bieber and Rascal Flatts. Hear the girls squealing, and the crowd is giving them a standing ovation. Bieber is giving it up to the Flatts, his mom, his vocal coach and the fans. This kid could be a country singer. Jay DeMarcus says it was an honor to have Justin bring ‘em the song, Gary LeVox thanks God and their families and the the Biebs for letting them be part of “the haircut the shocked the world,” and Joe Don declares “We got Bieber fever!” So do the CMT’s, apparently.

7:26: Rockers Paramore are introducing another young band, hot country trio The Band Perry. The family band is doing “I Love the Way You Lie,” which I actually prefer to their breakout hit “If I Die Young.” It’s got more life to it, which sort of makes sense.

7:37: Cheryl Hines and Melissa Peterman – “the two funniest women on TV” – are taking the stage, and Melissa is saying “Didn’t I tell you that Nashville is the greatest place in the world?” They’re detailing all the things that make the men manly: hats, belt buckles, etc., and Cheryl adds handcuffs. “I think I had a different night than you,” she quips to Melissa horrified/befuddled look. “I think ya did. I worry about you,” Melissa replies.

Jokes aside, they’re introducing Luke Bryan performing his new single “Country Girl (Shake It for Me).” I didn’t care for it when I heard him play it back in March at the Rascal Flatts OKC show, but I’m digging it more here. It does make ya wanna shake it. Not as much for me as his background dancers, but still, fun. Love Lady Antebellum dancing in their seats, and him killing (metaphorically) the dancers at the end.

7:42: Pittsburgh Steelers receiver and “Dancing With The Stars” victor Hines Ward and Green Bay Packers’ linebacker Clay Matthews are facing off, and Hines is showing a few of his winning dance moves. He is sexy even doing a goofy joking dance move. They’re going to give out the CMT performance of the year award, and as always, I’m rooting for Reba.

CMT Performance of the Year
(musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT)

• Martina McBride and Train – “A Broken Wing” from CMT Crossroads: Train and Martina McBride

* Reba McEntire – “If I Were a Boy” from Unplugged: Reba

• Darius Rucker and Adele – “Need You Now” from 2010 CMT Artists of the Year

• Keith Urban and John Mayer – “Sweet Thing” from CMT Crossroads: John Mayer and Keith Urban

• Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett – “Margaritaville” from CMT Crossroads: Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band

7:44: Winner: ZBB and Buffett. Zac Brown is thanking the absent Jimmy Buffett along with all the Parrotheads in Margaritaville, while fiddler Jimmy De Martini thanks the fans for “accepting us for who we are.”

7:46: “CMT’s Next Superstar” finalists Matt Mason and Steven Clawson are performing Dwight Yoakam’s “Fast as You” on the side stage. The reality TV show’s finale is Friday night; Broken Arrow native/Broadway star/Emmy winner/emerging country artist Kristin Chenoweth is set to perform on the live finale. She has a new country single called “I Want Somebody (Bitch About)” that I’m warming up to; it is so weird to hear her sing country even if she is from Oklahoma.

7:51: Kid Rock is telling us that tonight’s show is going out on the American Armed Forces Network. I love the way the country music awards shows always remember to give it up to the troops.

And get ready for more Bieber fever: This time the pop star has been teamed with comic Ron White to introduce Rascal Flatts’ performance of a song about needing somebody. “Everybody needs someone, and for me, that someone is Justin,” Ron quips. “No, no it’s not,” Justin deadpans.

The Flatts are playing their latest hit “I Won’t Let Go,” which they also performed as part of the star-studded “Oprah Winfrey Show” finale. What a beautiful, touching ballad, and as usual love the harmonies and Joe Don’s guitar.

8:02: I’m telling you, Oscar winner Mary Steenburgen, Reba and Martina McBride ought to start a forever youthful club. I’d be any one of them when I grow up. Mary is noting that there’s a new “Footloose” movie and soundtrack coming out, and duo Big & Rich are going to be on it. They’re starting their performance of “Fake ID” at the legendary Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge down the street and then bringing it into the arena. It’s their first live TV performance in three years, but it doesn’t show. And I like seeing Gretchen Wilson up there belting with them.

BTW, did you know that the original 1980s movie “Footloose” was loosely based on true events that took place in Elmore City, OK. True story.

Big Kenny declares “The boys are back in town.” Also a true story.

8:06: Luke Bryan is back onstage and encouraging everyone to give it up one more time for Big & Rich. Now “simmer down, simmer down,” he says with a grin to the screaming ladies. He’s got a killer smile and super-snug jeans; they’re not gonna stop screaming.

He won the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year Award last year, and he’s gonna give it away this year. Again, Thompson Square represents Oklahoma.

USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year

• Lee Brice – “Love Like Crazy”

• Aaron Lewis – “Country Boy”

• Jerrod Niemann – “Lover, Lover”

• The Band Perry – “If I Die Young”

* Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not”

8:08: And the buckle goes to: The Band Perry, which isn’t a big surprise considering the skyrocketing trajectory of this trio this year. They’re thanking CMT for putting their faces with the song, and they’re thanking the fans “for putting your arms around us,” along with their Big Machine team.

8:10: Kid Rock has dispensed with the fancy Western shirt for a black T, and he’s introducing country-rapper Colt Ford, who is performing “Country Twang” on the side stage. “Why the hell would anyone want to combine rap and country?” the Kid says with a wry smile. “That’ll never work.” OK, so the guy has a sense of humor, I’ll give him that.

8:13: So there’s some interesting tidbits in the commercials: Can’t wait to hear Brad Paisley’s contributions to the “Cars 2″ soundtrack. I have my doubts about that movie, but Pixar bringing back Brad is not one of them. Also, I believe I heard earlier that Oklahoma native Vince Gill and Sting will do an episode of “CMT Crossroads” this summer. Gotta hear that!

8:16: Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth wins the fashion award for the night in her pretty, interesting lacy dress. She’s sharing the stage with towering Jason Aldean, and she’s saying he’s a very handsome man but he wears his hat so darn low. She’s sure the winner of female video of the year is gonna want to look deep into his eyes. He’s showing her they’re baby greens, and she replies “Oh, yeah, girl you could go swimming in there.” She’s so cute and he is the hotness. They’re going to give the award to female vocalist, and Oklahoma has three ladies in this fight:

Female Video of the Year

• Sara Evans – “A Little Bit Stronger”

* Miranda Lambert – “The House That Built Me”

* Reba McEntire – “Turn On the Radio”

• Taylor Swift – “Mine”

* Carrie Underwood – “Undo It”

8:19: Winner: Miranda! Kristin tells us with a big smile, “Miranda couldn’t be with us because she’s on tour in Connecticut. But I’ll make sure she never gets this award. Because I’m gonna keep it.”

8:20: Sugarland notes that country music loves it with gals and guys pair up for vocal duets, and they’re introducing … Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow. I’ll give the Kid a break and just listen as they croon “Collide,” since I think it’s a pretty country(ish)-rock ballad. And now they’re slow-dancing through the closing guitar solo. Awww … Awkward … Sheryl squeezes Kid’s booty at the end. Suspected it was coming; didn’t need to see it.

8:31: We’re getting a look at the video of the year finalists, and I’m just still loving Ran’s “The House That Built Me.” Kid Rock is now all Detroit-ed out in his usual duds. He’s introducing ZBB and noting how much weight their frontman has lost. He says “Somebody get him a bucket of chicken,” but I think he looks quite handsome. It’s “Knee Deep,” another breezy, beachy song from ZBB, with an elaborate seashore set (glad I’m not doing this outloud with that alliteration). It definitely makes me wish I could be sitting on a beach chair by the ocean – heck, by a river somewhere -around this time of day. They’ve got the crowd clapping and daydreaming along. I love ZB pulling on goggles for the big finish. So much fun happening up there.

8:36: On the side stage, The JaneDear Girls are performing their “Shotgun Girl.” I love to see these sassy girls following in Ran’s footsteps.

8:37: Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a recorded segment just gave out the Nationwide Insurance On Your Side Award to country music’s best new live act, as determined by the fans. Nominees were Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Colt Ford, The Band Perry and Josh Thompson.

Winner: The Band Perry.

8:41: Ricky Shroder and Laura Bell Bundy, the co-stars of the upcoming CMT original movie “To the Mat,” are sharing the stage. She’s revealing that he’s won a CMT Music Award for directing the “Whiskey Lullaby” video for Brad Paisley and Allison Krauss. And she’s rattling off a whole list of gut-wrenching things that will have to happen for him to live his fantasy of becoming a country star. After a high-five, he decides to stick to acting/directing.

After all that, they’re gonna give the group video award. I think the odds are nil that Lady A won’t win this.

Group Video of the Year

• Lady Antebellum – “Hello World”

• Little Big Town – “Little White Church”

* Rascal Flatts – “Why Wait”

• The Band Perry – “If I Die Young”

• Zac Brown Band – “Colder Weather”

8:44: Winner: Lady A. With the super-hot trio out of the video of the year, it was pretty much a lock. Hillary Scott says that country music has the best fans, and Charles Kelley reveals what they were going for: “We said we wanted to make a Rascal Flatts video. We wanted to make people cry like every Rascal Flatts video has made me cry.” That gets a laugh from Joe Don and his pretty wife Tiffany Fallon.

8:45: “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina, who are both of the country persuasion, are talking about all the devastation caused by severe weather across the South. Sugarland are donating proceeds from the downloads of a special version of the anthem “Stand Up” to disaster relief, the “Idol” youths tell us.

8:47: Jennifer comes onstage waving a white flag emblazoned with “love” and a peace song, and they’ve got the whole crowd waving smaller versions. I happen to love this song since it features both Jennifer and Kristian prominently on vocals. I adore it when they really sing together.

8:52: I’m reading online that Sugarland reunited the Gilbert family from Joplin, Mo., for the performance. Children Tiffani and Lexi, who shared the stage with duo, hadn’t seen  their parents Amy and Eric since May 22. The kids had been staying with other family members while the parents examined the wreckage left of their house left by the tornado and bought a new home. Sugarland released a live version of “Stand Up,” performed with Little Big Town, called “Stand Up For Tornado Relief.” It is available on iTunes and proceeds go to the Red Cross for tornado relief in Alabama and Joplin. Also love LBT, so sounds like a good song for a good cause.

8:55: Speaking of Little Big Town, here is the quartet introducing – in perfect harmony, naturally – a performance by Aussie hottie Keith Urban. He’s barely started performing “Long Hot Summer,” and he’s already redefining the jean jacket for me. Such a gorgeous guitarist, and he’s got Melissa Peterman clapping along in the crowd.

9:00: Lee Brice is on the side stage performing “Love Like Crazy,” which I’ve really come to enjoy. Nice power ballad.

9:01: And we just heard that the voting is now closed for video of the year. We’ve got 30 minutes left, and lots of people still set to appear. We’ve got Lady A performing, Jason Aldean doing his special duet with Ludacris and Shania making her appearance. Still a lot to pack into this thing.

9:06: Sheryl Crow is saying that she’s “good, clean, family entertainment.” Apparently, Twitter has been abuzz that when she stood up during her Kid Rock performance that her short skirt revealed her underwear. Co-presenter Sara Evans says “At least you were wearing underwear,” which leads to the “good, clean, family entertainment.”

Sheryl seems to be making up for the gaffe with an ankle-length flowing white dress, and Sara’s short, elegantly draped royal blue frock is a cool contrast.

They’re introducing Lady A’s performance of their new song “Just a Kiss.” It will be on their new album “Own the Night,” due out in September. It’s maybe my favorite of theirs since “Need You Now.”

9:09: Oh, now, this is fun. Charles Kelley is getting on the drums, and the trio is segueing into a bouncy rendition of Prince’s “Kiss.” Please say this mash-up version will be available on iTunes. Dave’s guitar was smoking, and Charles’ and Hillary’s vocals were rock-awesome. Love, love, love. Favorite moment of the show.

9:11: Kid Rock has a drink in hand, and he comments that when someone goes “Woo” it’s a redneck mating call. In response, some classy lady threw red panties at his head. “Hey, take it easy, it’s a country show,” he says. Well, he asked for it.

9:12: Kid is kicking it to Shania Twain, who slips and falls on the entrance ramp on her way out to make her big special appearance. After a wide-eyed look of shock, she gets up and strides coolly back on the stage with an amusing “all right, then.” Way to suck it up, and the crowd is acknowledging with applause. She’s going to give the best male video award, and Oklahoma has two guys in this fight:

Male Video of the Year

• Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party”

• Kenny Chesney – “The Boys of Fall”

* Toby Keith – “Bullets in the Gun”

* Blake Shelton – “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”

• Keith Urban – “Without You”

9:15: Winner: Blake Shelton! Of course, Blake isn’t there because he’s in L.A. shooting the hit TV show “The Voice” (love, love, love). But they get him on a video screen, and he’s thanking all the usual suspects, then adding, “My gosh, I can’t believe Shania Twain gave me an award.”

Go Blake!!

9:21: Good grief, it’s yet another wardrobe change for Kid Rock. He’s setting a steep pace for Carrie Underwood if she co-hosts the CMA Awards again this fall. Of course, her outfits won’t be accessorized with trucker caps and cups of booze. I hope.

Anyway, it’s time for the top award of the night, video of the year. Go Ran!

• Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party”

• Kenny Chesney – “The Boys of Fall”

* Miranda Lambert – “The House That Built Me”

• Sugarland – “Stuck Like Glue”

• Taylor Swift – “Mine”

9:23: Kid says “No way, man, unbelievable,” which is exactly the opposite of what he should be saying since the winner is the young sensation Taylor Swift, who is in Milwaukee, Wisc., on her “Speak Now Tour.” She’s appearing live via video feed and was apparently coming to “Mean” in her set because she’s got her ganjo in hand as she gushes about how excited she is. She is commenting that she “doesn’t know what I ever did to deserve you guys” to her fans, and she’s thanking all the little kids in the video. The feed goes out on us, and Kid asks “ever heard of eBay” before assuring the crowd – which didn’t seem to appreciate that crack – that he will take care of her buckle.

9:24: Kid is kicking it to the big finish, in which Jason Aldean will show off his country-rap skills with his “Dirt Road Anthem.” He’s really handling those rapid-fire lyrics on the country-blues hits. And on the second verse, Ludacris makes a big entrance sporting sunglasses and a party attitude. “History has been made right here,” Ludacris exclaims at the end of the performance. Jason didn’t really need Chris Bridges to rock that song, but it certainly upped the cool factor. And at this point, surely all the country purists have already switched off the set.

9:28: “I’m honored and humbled to be a part of this music that we all love, and that’s country,” Kid comments, looking much more sober than he did at the end of last year’s show. Gotta appreciate the sentiment.

Kid calls on Jason to “Come on, take me to the river.” And Jason’s gonna take us out with his smash “My Kinda Party.” It’s a rollicking big finish for the night.

Well, that’s the end of the annual BAM’s Blog CMT Music Awards live blog. Thank you for following and good night!

-BAM

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Reminder: Follow the BAM’s Blog ACM Awards live blog tonight!

The 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas at 7 p.m. Sunday, on the CBS Television Network. Reba McEntire, who hails from Chockie, and Blake Shelton, an Ada native and Tishomingo resident, will co-host the show.

(Fans of Oklahoma cowboys Cord and Jet McCoy should note that “The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business” will not air tonight because of the ACM Awards. The reality show will return April 10.)

Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Shelton’s fiancée, has seven Academy of Country Music Award nominations, the most of any solo artist. She and Norman resident Toby Keith are nominated along with Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban for the top award, the fan-voted entertainer of the year title.

Voting for entertainer of the year continues and closes during third hour of Sunday’s live broadcast. To vote, go to www.voteACM.com.

Along with all five entertainer nominees, former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, Underwood, Reba, Shelton, Alabama, Dierks Bentley, Sara Evans, Martina McBride and Zac Brown Band with James Taylor have been announced as performers for Sunday’s show.

Shelton, Reba and Checotah native Carrie Underwood also will contend for ACM Awards.

Please follow my live blog of the awards show here at BAM’s Blog starting at 7 tonight!

-BAM

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Live blog: 83rd Annual Academy Awards

7:30 p.m.: We’re opening with a clip montage from the 10 best picture nominees, to the tune of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ rendition of “Hall of the Mountain King,” from “The Social Network.” I’m betting that will absolutely prove a predictor of the best original score winner. Plus, it really works well for all 10 nominees, not just “The Social Network.” We actually have good use of montage to start the movie biz’s biggest night.

7:32: Co-hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco continue the good montage vibe by putting themselves into the best picture nominees, with an “Inception”-themed trip through Alec Baldwin’s dreams in the hopes of discovering Alec’s keys to successful Oscar hosting.

7:34: Morgan Freeman says “Alec likes me to narrate his dreams. He says I have a soothing voice.”

7:35: Anne performs the “Dance of the Brown Duck,” while James Franco frolics in a white unitard. Yikes. Funny, but yikes.

7:36: Alec and Morgan send Anne and James off to host the Oscars. And they’re going to get there in the “Back to the Future” DeLorean. OK, I was with them for awhile there, but they need to get on with it.

7:37: In the nick of time, James and Anne appear onstage. Anne already has changed clothes once, she’s now in a creamy white sleeveless gown with silver sparkles. She is a fashion goddess.

James: “Anne, I must say you look beautiful and hip.” Anne: “You look very appealing to a younger demographic as well.” Nice.

Anne ponders that “it used to be, you get naked, you get nominated. But not anymore,” in correcting James’ assertion that they both are Oscar nominated tonight.

James, who is nominated for “127 Hours,” wonders what he will get if he wins and if his mom will call him “Oscar winner James Franco.” James and Anne are pointing out their moms in the audience, and Anne’s tells her “Stand up straight dear, Mr. Steven Spielberg is here.”

James’ grandma is happy that she got to see “Marky Mark.” Nope, that’s Oscar-nominated producer Mark Wahlberg, James corrects. “It’s a great year for lesbians!” Anne proclaims. OK, can we please get on with it? These opening monologues always go on too long.

7:42: Oscar-winning film “Gone with the Wind” becomes the backdrop as we finally get to the first award of the night and see the ballyhooed “virtual reality” stage. Tom Hanks is there, but he’s not presenting an award. He’s giving us a history lesson about “Titanic.” This isn’t going to make the show shorter, guys.

7:44: Tom Hanks is finally going to present the art direction Oscar. Here are the nominees:

“Alice in Wonderland,” “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1,” “Inception,” “The King’s Speech,” “True Grit.”

7:45: Finally, the first Oscar goes to: “Alice in Wonderland” and Robert Stromberg and Karen O’Hara. Robert puts a funky hat on his Oscar and tells director Tim Burton to “meet me with a saw because half of this is yours.” If funky hats and Johnny Dance doing silly jigs made a good movie, Burton’s “Alice” would win best picture.  Alas, it was Technicolor boredom in decidedly unimpressive 3D.

7:46: Tom is also going to present the cinematography Oscar, and I’m rooting for “True Grit” and Roger Deakins. That film is gorgeous. Here are the potentials:

“Black Swan,” “Inception,” “The King’s Speech,” “The Social Network,” “True Grit.”

7:48: Winner: Wally Pfister for “Inception.” He takes a deep breath to enjoy the moment and then sees the ticking clock. “None of this would have been possible without the vision of my master, Christopher Nolan.” That got huge applause, which makes me think I’m not the only one disappointed that Nolan was left out of the best director hunt.

7:51: James and Anne are back and they’re quickly turning the stage over to “a living legend” Kirk Douglas. He’s getting a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd as he slowly walks to the microphone with the help of a cane. Kirk says that James looks much better out of the cave and then does a double-take and says Anne is gorgeous. “Where were you when I was making pictures?” Kirk asks. Anne is blowing kisses and fanning herself. Kirk is going to present best supporting actress, and I’m rooting for former Tulsan Melissa Leo. Here are the noms, and we’re getting to see a quick clip of each one’s performance:

Amy Adams, “The Fighter”; Helena Bonham Carter, “The King’s Speech”; Melissa Leo, “The Fighter”; Hailee Steinfeld, “True Grit”; Jacki Weaver, “Animal Kingdom.”

7:55: Kirk says, “Here’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for and Hugh Jackman is laughing. Why does everyone in Australia think I’m funny?” Kirk, who is 94, is a bit hard to understand with his post-stroke slur, but he still has a great sense of humor. And he’s torturing these five poor women by making them wait, but they are laughing their heads off. Finally, he is giving the Oscar to … Melissa Leo! She looks totally stunned at the news! Woot!

7:57: Melissa takes Kirk’s hand and courtesies low to him. Kirk holds the Oscar out to her, and says it’s heavy. She asks him to pinch her. “Mine?” she says. Kirk quips, “You’re much better looking than you were in ‘The Fighter.’” “You’re looking pretty good yourself. What are you doing later?” Melissa responds. She says even though people have been saying nice things about her: “Yeah, I am kind of speechless,” she says looking up in the cheap seats. “Golly gee, there’s people up there, too. When I watched Kate do it two years ago, it looked so (expletive) easy.” And she gets the first beep-out of the night, and she covers her mouth and looks chagrined. She is emotionally thanking everyone involved with the movie, the Ward family, her family, the industry, etc. It was long but heartfelt and kudos to the producers for not sounding the “go away” music.

8:01: As Melissa hobbles off sharing Kirk’s cane, James says “F-ing congratulations, Melissa.” Anne adds, “It’s the young and hip Oscars.”

8:02: Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis take the stage and Timberlake has a confession: “I’m Banksy. It felt so good to get that off my chest.” It’s a shame we won’t be seeing the famed graffiti artist tonight. Justin says they can’t present the best animated short film award until he uses “there’s an app” for that and his smartphone to give the stage a “Shrek” backdrop. “Shrek” was the first animated feature to receive the Oscar 10 years ago in that category.

Really, “there’s an app for that”? Sigh. Anyway, here are the animated short hopefuls:

“Day and Night,” “The Gruffalo,” “Let’s Pollute,” “The Lost Thing,” “Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey Diary).”

8:05: Winner: “The Lost Thing.” Before he gives it, Justin says “You know,” and pretends to drag it out, then says, “Never mind.” Kirk has created the running gag of the night. (By the way, my 4-year-old and I are disappointed that “Day and Night” didn’t win.)

Justin and Mila also are going to present the best animated feature award, and I’m thinking “Toy Story 3″ is a lock. Here are the noms:

“How to Train Your Dragon,” “The Illusionist,” “Toy Story 3.”

8:06: Winner: Yep, “Toy Story 3.” Director Lee Unkrich says “I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but thank you to the Academy.” He’s praising Pixar as the best place in the world to make movies – it certainly owns this category – and thanking his grandmother for saying she’d always see him up there. He’s also “thanking audiences all over the world for coming out in record numbers to see a movie about talking toys that hopefully had something very human to say.” Nice of Hollywood to remember the fans.

8:12: Anne is taking us back to 1929 to talk about the first Academy Awards and showing film clips on the virtual stage. Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem take the stage together in their matching white-on-white tuxedos to present the screenplay winners, which were among the awards given at the first Oscars. They’re giving adapted screenplay first. Aaron Sorkin is practically a shoo-in, but here are the possibilities:

Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy, “127 Hours”; Aaron Sorkin, “The Social Network”; Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich, “Toy Story 3”; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, “True Grit”; Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini, “Winter’s Bone.”

8:14: Winner: Aaron Sorkin wins with his first Oscar nomination, and he is sharing the award with Ben Mezrich, who wrote “The Accidental Billionaires,” the book “The Social Network” is based on. Aaron is thanking everyone he wants to and ignoring those go-away strings. Go him. “This movie is going to be a source of pride for me every day of the rest of my life.” He tells daughter Roxy Sorkin that he just won the Oscar so he’s “gonna have to insist on some respect from your guinea pig.” Love the randomness there.

8:17: Now, it’s time for the best original screenplay Oscar, and I’m rooting for “Inception.”

Mike Leigh, “Another Year”; Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson and Keith Dorrington, “The Fighter”; Christopher Nolan, “Inception”; Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg, “The Kids Are All Right”; David Seidler, “The King’s Speech.”

8:18: Winner: “The King’s Speech” gets its first win. It won’t be the last. Seidler finally finds the mic and says “the writer’s speech, how terrifying.” He comments his dad always told him he’d be a late bloomer and he thinks he’s the oldest person to win this award, “a record I’m hoping is broken soon and often.” He’s thanking the Queen for not putting him in the Tower of London for using the “Melissa Leo f-word” and dedicating the award to all the stutterers in the world like him who now have a voice thanks to the Academy.

8:23: Anne has changed clothes again, and she’s wearing a very feminine tux with sparkly high heels and her hair in a bouncy ponytail. She notes that there’s a long tradition of singing at the Oscars and she was going to do a duet but someone bailed on her. She’s not naming names, but she’s singing “On My Own” from “Les Misérables” and saying she’s “On my own because someone is a Hugh Jack-ass.” She’s playfully bashing him in song while Hugh smilingly puts his face in his hands.

8:26: James takes the stage in a hot-pink gown and blond wig in Marilyn Monroe-style drag. He says “The weird thing is I just got a text from Charlie Sheen.”(He may be an easy target, but if someone deserves a bullseye painted on him, it’s Mr. “I’m on a drug and it’s called Charlie Sheen.”)

Anne and James are kicking it over to Helen Mirren and Russell Brand. The dame is speaking in French and the Johnny Depp impersonator is playfully translating it as “My performance as a queen was much more convincing as Colin Firth’s as a king.” They’re going to present the best foreign language film, and I’m rooting for “Biutiful.”

“Biutiful,” Mexico; “Dogtooth,” Greece; “In a Better World,” Denmark; “Incendies,” Canada; “Outside the Law (Hors-la-loi),” Algeria.

8:28: Winner: “In a Better World.” Director Susanne Bier looks lovely in a vivid blue gown, and she’s emotionally thanking all involved with the film and her fellow nominees for their moving films.

8:29: Past best supporting actress winner Reese Witherspoon takes the stage to present the best supporting actor award. Get ready for a Christian Bale speech, but here are the noms:

Christian Bale, “The Fighter”; John Hawkes, “Winter’s Bone”; Jeremy Renner, “The Town”; Mark Ruffalo, “The Kids Are All Right”; Geoffrey Rush, “The King’s Speech.”

8:32: Winner: Christian Bale gets the KO for “The Fighter.” “Bloody hell, wow, what a room full of talented, inspirational people, and what the hell am I doing here with you?” He’s passionately thanking director David O. Russell for making the actors’ work mean something. He’s praising Melissa – “I’m not gonna drop the f-bomb like she did, I’ve done that plenty already” – and his fellow actors. And he’s getting the real Dicky Ekland to stand up and referring us to Dicky’s website. He’s getting teared up as he finally thanks his wife and daughter.

8:39: Anne is wearing a lovely dark gray gown with a silvery, feathery design all over it. She’s says that she and Hugh Jackman made up backstage “so he’s once again the Wolve to my Rine.” Aussies Hugh and Nicole Kidman are giving us a history lesson about sound in the movies, with more clips being projected on the backdrop. Cue an orchestra playing memorable clips of scores from famous movies, with naturally, many of them coming from John Williams’ oeuvre. Now, the orchestra is playing tidbits of the best original score contenders. There are some great pieces here, but I’m betting we get to see the Oscar go to Nine Inch Nails:

“How to Train Your Dragon,” John Powell; “Inception,” Hans Zimmer; “The King’s Speech,” Alexandre Desplat; “127 Hours,” A.R. Rahman; “The Social Network,” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

8:43: The Oscar goes to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for “The Social Network.” It’s their first nomination and win. Trent looks rather handsome in a tux and he asks “Wow, is this really happening?” He says he and Atticus were just happy to be involved in the project and to be in this company is “humbling and flattering beyond words.” I can’t wait to hear what these two come up with for Fincher’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

8:45: “I am 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon away from these next two presenters”: Scarlett Johansson and Matthew McConaughey are going to present the best sound mixing Oscar:

“Inception,” “The King’s Speech,” “Salt,” “The Social Network,” “True Grit.”

8:47: Winner: “Inception,” Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick. As feared, “Inception” is going to get lots of technical awards but won’t be honored at all for its artistic prowess. Tis a shame.

8:48: And now here comes the sound editing award:

“Inception,” “Toy Story 3,” “Tron: Legacy,” “True Grit,” “Unstoppable.”

8:49: The Oscar goes to “Inception’s” Richard King. Again, I’m glad to see the movie getting the wins, but I wish it also could have been given credit for the storytelling, acting, etc. Richard says he owes it “1,000 percent to Chris Nolan.”

8:53: James has changed into a dark gray suit that matches Anne’s gown. They look quite fetching as they introduce past Oscar winner Marisa Tomei in her gorgeous vintage navy gown. She was the hostess for the Academy’s Scientific and Technical Awards, and she’s showing a clip of that soiree. “All right, congratulations nerds,” says James.

8:55: James introduces the only actress to successfully play Queen Elizabeth I, Bob Dylan and Katharine Hepburn, so here comes Cate Blanchett in her strange lavender alien-with-acne gown. She’s presenting the best makeup award:

“Barney’s Version,” “The Way Back,” “The Wolfman.”

8:56: Winner: “The Wolfman,” which is Rick Baker’s seventh Oscar win out of 12 nominations. Dave Elsey also shares the Oscar with him. Cate said, “That’s gross” when she saw “The Wolfman” clip, which I guess is a strong endorsement. Dave says it was always his ambition to lose an Oscar to Rick Baker, but “this is better.”

8:58: Now, Cate presents best costume design:

“Alice in Wonderland,” “I Am Love,” “The King’s Speech,” “The Tempest,” “True Grit.”

8:59: Winner: “Alice in Wonderland.” Colleen Atwood wins her third Oscar, after “Chicago” and “Memoirs of a Geisha.” She looks great in her black gown with her long purple gloves, but reading from the 4-by-6 card is really distracting. Still, I must say she deserves the Oscar, but I’m surprised that it didn’t go to “The King’s Speech.”

9:01: Now we’re getting video with a kind of man-on-the-street series of interviews about people’s favorite cinematic songs, ending with President Obama saying “As Time Goes By”  from “Casablanca”is his fave movie song. Kevin Spacey is singing his favorite film song, “Cheek to Cheek” from “Top Hat,” before introducing the first original song performance: Randy Newman, who has his 20th Oscar nod for “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3.” He’s playing piano and singing while clips from the movie run on the round big screen behind him, and honestly, he sounds just like he does in the movie. Definitely no Auto Tune for Randy.

9:05: Now, it’s time for Alan Menken on piano, with “Chuck” actor Zachary Levin, handsome in a suit with red tie and no jacket, and singer/actress Mandy Moore in a flowing blue gown, singing a clip from “I See the Light,” from the Disney animated film “Tangled.” You know, I was glad to hear they were bringing back the original song performances – and these have been great – but I would have preferred they do the whole songs and spread them out throughout the show. Instead, we’re getting shortened versions of the first two and then a commercial.

9:11: “She’s nominated again tonight, and he made out with my co-host – in a movie,” James quips as Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal take the stage to present the short film Oscars, not only because many great filmmakers (George Lucas is used as an example) get their starts that way, but also because it can help you win the Oscar pool in your social circle. Jake looks very ill at ease but he’s going to help give the documentary short Oscar anyway:

“Killing in the Name,” “Poster Girl,” “Strangers No More,” “Sun Come Up,” “The Warriors of Qiugang.”

9:13: Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon win for “Strangers No More,” and Karen is thanking all the immigrant children involved in the school that is the subject of the film. Here is the short doc’s summary:

In the heart of Tel Aviv, there is an exceptional school where children from 48 different countries and diverse backgrounds come together to learn. Many of the students arrive at Bialik-Rogozin School fleeing poverty, political adversity and even genocide. Here, no child is a stranger. The film follows several students’ struggle to acclimate to life in a new land while slowly opening up to share their stories of hardship and tragedy.

9:15: Now, it’s the live-action short film. Here are the noms:

“The Confession,” “The Crush,” “God of Love,” “Na Wewe,” “Wish 143.”

9:16: “God of Love.” Filmmaker Luke Matheny, who sports one heck of a ‘fro, jokes, “Wow, I should have gotten a haircut,” and then goes on to rapidly thank everyone, including his mother, “who did craft services on the film,” and his composer and love of his life, Sasha Gordon, because “you make my dream come true.” He gets an adoring awww from the crowd.

9:18: James says it was a big year for movie musicals and when Anne tries to contradict him, we get a series of Auto-Tune dialogue remixes for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1,” “Twilight: Eclipse,” and “Toy Story 3.” Hip-hop horrendous. I think I would rather have a “salute to horror films we would never actually let be nominated” clip montage than that rubbish. And someone tell Franco that he’s not on the set of the “Pineapple Express” sequel.

9:19: “There are many great things about this job, and one of them is getting to wear a dress that does this,” Anne says, shaking it so the long silvery fringe on her gown sways crazily. “Sorry, personal moment. The other thing is getting to breathe the same air as this presenter: Oprah Winfrey.” Big applause for Oprah, who is going to present the best documentary award. Maybe Oprah’s Banksy. That would be the awesomeness!

“Exit through the Gift Shop,” “Gasland,” “Inside Job,” “Restrepo,” “Waste Land.”

9:21: Winner: “Inside Job.” I thought this was a great doc, and I predicted the win for Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs. I thought some of the Academy’s older members wouldn’t be won over by “Gift Shop” because they couldn’t be sure whether it was really a documentary.

Charles points out that three years after the financial meltdown that his film chronicles, not one corporate exec has gone to jail. Shocking, isn’t it? Maybe not shocking. Maybe just horrific.

9:26: Anne introduces one of the greatest Oscar hosts of all time – “whom I have even more respect for now” – Billy Crystal, who gets a standing O from the crowd. “So, where was I?” Billy jokes. “Some things never change. The producers tell me we’re running a bit long, so here are the nominees for best picture.”

He’s telling us a bit about the first televised Oscars in 1953, when they were hosted by Bob Hope. Hope hosted it 18 times. Billy says, “I hosted it eight times, I was pooped after two.” And he’s sharing his Bob Hope moment: As Billy was hosting the Oscars one year, he says that Hope flipped him off from the audience as soon as the cameras cut away. Now, we’re getting a few scenes from the late Bob Hope in Oscar-hosting mode on the big screens.

9:31: The late Bob Hope just virtually introduced Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. to present the effects Oscars. The “Sherlock Holmes” co-stars are showing doing their shtick and showing off their great chemistry and sense of humor that makes us all love them before giving out the visual effects award. They win the Oscar for most entertaining part of this show, or maybe it’s a tie between them and Kirk Douglas. And now for the visual effects noms:

“Alice in Wonderland,” “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1,” “Hereafter,” “Inception,” “Iron Man 2.”

9:33: Winner: “Inception,” Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley, Pete Bebb and Paul J. Franklin. And congratulations to “Inception” for again proving that the Academy can’t handle sci-fi no matter how imaginative or well-written.

9:34: Now, here are the noms for best film editing:

“Black Swan,” “The Fighter,” “The King’s Speech,” “127 Hours,” “The Social Network.”

9:36: Winner: “The Social Network,” Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall, and they start with a hug. Angus tells his daughter to find something that she really loves to do but notes “the hard part is finding a Fincher.” No joke.

9:41: Anne looks absolutely stunning in that gorgeous red gown, but she’s playing straight man to James Franco. He’s commenting that he’s disgusted by some of the movie titles this year, like “Winter’s Bone,” “Rabbit Hole” and “How to Train Your Dragon.” “I’m so glad you’re the arbiter of good taste on this show,” jokes Anne.

9:42: Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, in her stunning tangerine gown, introduces Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine and A.R. Rahman to perform “If I Rise,” best original song nominee from “127 Hours.” Florence, who looks terrific in her own tangerine-hued dress, is filling in for co-writer/singer Dido, who couldn’t be on the show tonight. Again, I wish we could hear more of these great songs.

9:44: Jennifer introduces fellow Oscar winner and “country music’s newest star,” Gwyneth Paltrow, who is singing “Coming Home” from her drama “Country Strong.” I definitely think we’ll be hearing from Gwyneth in the country genre again.

9:45: Now, Jennifer is going to present the best original song award. Again, here are the noms:

“Coming Home” from “Country Strong,” Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey; “I See the Light” from “Tangled,” Alan Menken and Glenn Slater; “If I Rise” from “127 Hours,” A.R. Rahman, Dido and Rollo Armstrong; “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3,” Randy Newman.

9:46: Winner: Randy Newman and Pixar prove a winning combo again. Randy is on his 20th nomination, and this is his second win. The last time he won was for “If I Didn’t Have You” from Pixar’s “Monsters Inc.” Randy jokes that the Oscar lunch has a “Randy Newman chicken by now.” Randy is just throwing out jokes and thank yous simultaneously and he’s got the crowd laughing at his audacity. Gotta love him. He’s right, though, the percentages indicate he’d have never gotten one of those golden statuettes if he hadn’t done six movies with Pixar.

9:52: Celine Dion is singing “Smile” as the annual in memoriam montage runs honors Pete Postlethwaite, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Culp, Lynn Redgrave, Peter Yates, Susannah York, Irvin Kershner, Dennis Hopper, Tulsa native Blake Edwards and many of the others in Hollywood who died in the past year. Wonder who they left out that people will be freaking out over this year.

9:55: Oscar winner Halle Berry is paying special tribute to the late Lena Horne, the first black woman to sign a contract with a major studio like MGM. Bonus: We get a clip of Horne crooning her signature song, “Stormy Weather.” Man, what a voice.

10:01: Another striking dress for Anne, who looks incredible in a glossy column of rich blue fabric. She’s passing the torch to two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank, who in turn is passing it to last year’s history-making best director winner Kathryn Bigelow. Bigelow will be presenting the award, and this year it’s going back to the guys. Go Fincher!

Darren Aronofsky, “Black Swan”; David O. Russell, “The Fighter”; Tom Hooper, “The King’s Speech”; David Fincher, “The Social Network”; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, “True Grit.”

10:03: Winner: Tom Hooper for “The King’s Speech,” who is lavishing thanks on his fellow nominees along with the actors from his film. He’s acknowledging “the triangle of man-love,” formed by him Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and himself. He’s thanking his mom and dad. He says that he has to thank his mom because she went to play reading for a then-unproduced script called “The King’s Speech.” She called up her son and told him she’d found his next film. “The moral of the story is listen to your mum.”

So, Hooper gives a great, touching speech, but I’m very disappointed that Fincher didn’t win for “The Social Network.” That film was incredible, and Fincher’s direction really made it. Plus, Fincher deserves it for all his previous films like “Fight Club” and “Benjamin Button” that went unheralded. Nothing against Hooper or “The King’s Speech,” but that should have been Fincher’s Oscar.

10:06: Annette Bening is introducing the clip montage from the Governor’s Awards, where actor Eli Wallach, film historian and preservationist Kevin Brownlow and “The Godfather” director-producer Francis Ford Coppola were honored. Now, the men themselves are taking the Oscars stage to an extended standing O. Except for fellow honorary Oscar winner director Jean-Luc Godard, who skipped the whole bit. Can’t blame him if this is all they get.

10:11: James and Anne once again match, with him donning a blue coat and tie to go with that fabulous dress. They’re giving the stage to Jeff Bridges, last year’s best actor winner. According to Oscar tradition, he’s going to present the best actress prize. He’s doing it with lots of warmth and charm to go with the usual clips. Here are the nominees:

Annette Bening, “The Kids Are All Right”; Nicole Kidman, “Rabbit Hole”; Jennifer Lawrence, “Winter’s Bone”; Natalie Portman, “Black Swan”; Michelle Williams, “Blue Valentine.”

10:15: Winner: Natalie Portman, as expected, dances away with the best actress prize. She looks lovely in that plum dress gracefully draping her baby bump, and she gives one of the nicest props I’ve ever heard to her competition: “I truly wish the prize tonight was to get to work with my fellow nominees; I’m so in awe of all of you.”

She is thanking all the usuals, plus Luc Besson, who cast her in her first movie at age 11; Mike Nichols, who directed her in “Closer”; and Darren Aronofsky of “Black Swan.” She’s taking time to thank the unsung heroes like hair and makeup artists and camera operators. She’s also sweetly thanking fiance Benjamin Millepied, who co-starred in and choreographed “Black Swan,” for giving her the most important role yet, presumably as mother to their unborn child.

10:20: Anne jokingly urges us all to take a drink at home as she flubs her intro of last year’s best actress winner Sandra Bullock, who looks radiant in her bright red gown. Sandy is playfully teasing all the best actor nominees as she presents their clips. It’s going to Firth, but here are the possibilities:

Javier Bardem, “Biutiful”; Jeff Bridges, “True Grit”; Jesse Eisenberg, “The Social Network”; Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech”; James Franco, “127 Hours.”

10:25: Winner: Colin Firth, who wins his first Oscar after back-to-back years going head-to-head with Bridges. “I have a feeling my career’s just peaked,” Firth jokes. “I’m afraid I have to warn you I’m experiencing stirrings … that are threatening to form themselves into dance moves, joyous as though they are, they may be problematic if they get to my legs before I leave the stage.” He’s thanking his fellow actors and Hooper, and he has especially effusive thanks for Seidler, who used his own struggles with stuttering to inform the screenplay.

Firth also thanks his wife for putting up with his brief delusions of royalty and then excuses himself to take care of his urge to dance.

10:31: James Franco and Anne Hathaway (in a purple sparkly gown) quickly and enthusiastically pitch it to Steven Spielberg, who will present best picture. The moment of truth: “The King’s Speech” or “The Social Network”? Is there a hint here as Colin Firth’s climatic message from “The King’s Speech” provides the score for the clip montage for all 10 competitors? Here are the possibilities:

“Black Swan,” “The Fighter,” “Inception,” “The Kids Are All Right,” “The King’s Speech,” “127 Hours,” “The Social Network,” “Toy Story 3,” “True Grit,” “Winter’s Bone.”

10:35: The Oscar goes to … “The King’s Speech.”

I’m not surprised, nor am I knocking “The King’s Speech,” but I am disappointed that “The Social Network” was shut out of the top award and best director. I really hoped that “The Social Network” and “The King’s Speech” would at least split those riches.

The producers are thanking all the usual suspects as the final music plays and we go back over to James and Anne. James doesn’t seem to know who just won, but Anne helps him out. They pitch it over to PS 22 Chorus of Staten Island, N.Y., who will again pay tribute to Oscar’s rich cinematic history with a heartwarming rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Basically, it seems to me that the Academy tried to have it both ways this year: Get James Franco and Anne Hathaway to yuk it up to appeal to the younger demographic, but then bog down every award presentation with a history lesson and flashback clips. And then cap it off by going “Over the Rainbow.” Somebody needed to pick a direction for this show, because it’s split personality was a bit wearing.

And now all the night’s winners and the co-hosts take the stage. Look at Melissa Leo singing along and hoisting her long-awaited trophy; that may be my favorite moment of the super-cheesy ending. As Anne and James shout their good-nights and exchange high-fives, the Kodak Theatre crowd rises to its feet and the last of the feeling in mine goes away completely.

Well, that’s the Oscars for another year. Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow – I plan to do the same, once I get past the pins and needles and remember how to walk again.

Thanks for joining me!

-BAM

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Live blog: 2011 Oscars red carpet

5:58 p.m.: The Oscars red carpet is due to begin broadcasting in two minutes, but right now, I’m just seeing KOCO-5 chief meteorologist Rick Mitchell showing the radar of the only thunderstorm in the state in far northern Oklahoma. Rick says they are mindful of the Oscars airing tonight and will keep us ahead of the storm but let us enjoy programming, too. Let’s hope we don’t get too many interruptions – and that the weather behaves itself not just in Oklahoma but in our northern neighbor, Kansas.

6: “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts is wearing of lovely pale pink gown but touting some of the historic moments: the first-ever 90-minute red carpet and the first red-carpet interview with the Oscar hosts. Um, yay. (Sarcasm there.) Right now, we’re just getting introduced to the hosts and seeing behind-the-scenes shots. Let’s get on with it! I’m hoping this isn’t setting the pace for the night.

6:03: The first red-carpet interview is with Oscar-snubbed “Black Swan” actress Mila Kunis, who looks stunning in a lavender gown with a plunging neckline. Tim Gunn asks the first hard-hitting question of the night: Which is harder, walking the red carpet in high heels or dancing ballet in toe shoes? Sheesh.

6:05: Best supporting actress nominee Hailee Steinfeld, 14, is looking incredibly glamorous in her pale and sparkling gown with her dark hair in a formal updo. She is talking about how much her life has changed in the past year. I really hope we see much more from her. She’s an incredible actress. (For the record, this is my first rant of the night about Hailee being nominated in the supporting actress category when her film-carrying turn in the Coen brothers’ “True Grit” clearly belongs in the best actress category. It’s just the games the studios and Academy play.)

6:06: Best actor contender Jesse Eisenberg says “This is like the Super Bowl, but I don’t play football, so this is the closest I’ll ever get.” He’s looking very much the cool cat in his classic black suit, white shirt and black tie. He tells Robin he really doesn’t have a TV, but “I love watching you in person.” Yes, a cool cat indeed.

6:12: Wow, after all the pale gowns, best supporting actress Amy Adams looks stunning in her sparkling deep purple gown. It really looks great with her blue eyes and red hair, and the dramatic Cartier jewels are gorgeous. But I hate the old-lady neckline. I think that dress goes up to her chin.

6:13: Another wow, Jennifer Lawrence – best actress nominee for “Winter’s Bone” – looks absolutely stunning in her long, unadorned red gown with the just-right scooped neckline. She definitely looks ready to play Mystique in “X-Men: First Class.” She says she’s excited to see Jeff Bridges, whom she quotes all the time, and she claims she’s just there “to have and lose.”

6:15: Kevin Spacey is rooting for his “American Beauty” co-star Annette Bening to win best actress. It’s her fourth Oscar nomination, but I’m betting Natalie Portman wins it.

6:16: Russell Brand in wearing all navy and a new darker ‘do, which makes him look like a Johnny Depp impersonator. His date is his mom, since his sweetie Katy Perry is on tour. Russell will be presenting at the Oscars tonight, and he’s giving a frightening explanation of his upcoming “Arthur” remake. I didn’t want to see that movie before, and now I’m really dreading it. Dudley Moore he ain’t.

6:17: Former Tulsan Melissa Leo looks positively regal in her white and gold floral patterned dress with the high collar and deep V neckline. Tim Gunn is asking her a Facebook-submitted question: She plays a lot of complicated characters, does she ever turn down easier roles? She thinks maybe she just complicates the roles. I loved Melissa in “Frozen River,” for which she earned her first Oscar nod, and in “The Fighter.” So I’m really rooting for her. The question is will her online and trade publication campaign on her own behalf work for or against her.

6:20: We’re getting a preview of the P.S. 22 Chorus, an elementary school chorus from Staten Island, N.Y., who will make a joyous musical appearance at tonight’s Oscars singing “Over the Rainbow.” These talented kids have become deserving YouTube sensations with some very high-profile fans. I’m so glad to see the Academy is bringing music back to the Oscars; we’re going to get full performances of the best original song noms, too.

6:27: Tim Gunn is lavishing praise on presenter and past Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, who looks like she’s wearing a pimply alien skin for a dress. Tim calls her a risk-taker and praises the gown as gorgeous. It’s a pale lavender gown with a pleated long skirt and all kinds of round purple and yellow ornamentation on the shoulders and around the waist. It is a very weird and not very pleasant looking gown. I’m not an expert like Tim Gunn but I’m just not a fan. Of the gown. I think Cate is great.

6:30: Mark Ruffalo looks very classic in his tux, and his wife, Sunrise, also appears very elegant. Mark is nominated for best supporting actor, and he credits his spouse for getting him to take the part in “The Kids Are All Right.”

6:32: Past winner Marisa Tomei always looks great, and her flowing dark blue gown is “staggering,” as Tim puts it. Mr. Gunn and I are in agreement on her vintage gown. She says she was stunned but very flattered to hear that Lady Gaga said she would like Marisa to play her if there was a movie made about her life. I’m not sure that I can see it, but Gaga knows how to pick a great actresses.

6:37: I think we’re seeing a trend color: purple. Scarlett Johansson is dressed in a sleeveless vibrant violet gown done in flowery lace. Love the dress and makeup, but didn’t much care for the tousled bedhead ‘do.

6:41: Matthew McConaughey is wearing a great-looking tux, but even with the classy threads, the man still can’t be troubled to shave. I love men with facial hair but I’m not a fan of scruffy stubble with elegant outfit.

6:42: Annette Bening is all sparkles tonight, with a dark-colored column with a spiderweb of silvery accents. I loved her terrific ear dangles. Warren Beatty says he’s in awe of her because she’s not just an amazing actress, she’s an equally amazing wife and mother. Aw.

6:43: Anne Hathaway is wearing Valentino and is walking the red carpet with Valentino. Love, love, love her sleeveless siren-red gown with the flowery gathers in the skirt. Her hair is lovely and soft, and she is wearing a mint worth of jewels. She looks like a winner to me, I think red is another trendy color here tonight. I adore all the jewel tones.

6:48: Tim Gunn is back “making Oscar history” by interviewing host Anne Hathaway before the show. She is the youngest host ever and one of the few female hosts. She said she took Shirley MacLaine’s advice to work as many wardrobe changes into the show as possible. She is wearing Tiffany jewels and a Valentino Archival gown, and she says she feels like a “princess/movie star/luckiest girl in the world.”

6:49: Mark Wahlberg is talking about how hard it was to get “The Fighter” made and how pleased he is to have such a great response to it. He not only stars in the film, he produced it. It’s a shame he didn’t get a best actor nod. He’s giving Robin her due for predicting the movie would be a success.

6:51: Geoffrey Rush (who is cue-ball bald) and Colin Firth are acknowledging their bromance, with Firth dubbing it a shocking display. “The King’s Speech” has a leading 12 nominations, but Rush says even if it goes home empty handed, he’s glad it touched a chord with viewers and allowed he and Colin for forge a great working relationship. I think it’s pretty much a guarantee that Colin is getting an Oscar this year.

6:52: Reese Witherspoon is wearing a black and white Armani gown with green ear dangles, with a bouncy ponytail that would look great on ’50s cheerleader. She doesn’t remember much about winning her Oscar a few years ago for “Walk the Line,” just that she had too much adrenaline and Jamie Foxx was very sweet to her. And now that she has co-starred with Robert Pattinson in the upcoming “Water for Elephants,” she has to be Team Edward. A “Twilight” reference at an entertainment event. Imagine.

6:54: Personal fave Robert Downey Jr. and his producer wife Susan have stepped up. Susan is wearing earrings Angelina Jolie designed, and Robert is wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and white tie. Susan says that they usually hang out in sweats when they’re not making movies, and Robert sardonically comments that his wife’s earrings are the most exciting part of the evening. He and Jude Law, who just finished filming the forthcoming “Sherlock Holmes” sequel, have been paired as presenters tonight.

6:56: Great trailer for “Source Code,” director Duncan Jones’ followup to “Moon.” It’s in theaters April 1, and I really want to see it.

7:00: Just got a glimpse of Halle Berry’s dress, and I’m not a fan of the raggedy-looking skirt. She is so lovely, and I wish she were wearing a gown that emphasized it.

7:01: Jennifer Hudson looks awesome in her flaming red-orange gown with the dramatic neckline, updo and earrings. She does look so svelte and beautiful these days.

7:02: Natalie Portman is wearing a canny plum gown that neither hides nor emphasizes her baby bump. She called “Black Swan” director Darren Aronofsky “the bee’s knees,” and she feels so lucky to have learned to dance for the movie. She is ready for awards season to be over and to leave the dress-up gowns in the closet. She’s ready for sweats and messy hair. I hope she has her speech ready because I’m betting she wins best actress.

7:03: “Oh, yeah, I am nominated tonight, aren’t I?” James Franco ponders. He’s got a lot on his mind, and he’s got the charm to pull off such a goofy remark. The killer smile helps. He’s praising co-host Anne Hathaway as full of energy and a great performer, and he’s revealing that he has wardrobe changes tonight, too. “Look for the change in suits.” He trails off sort of awkwardly to end the interview. Hopefully, he will be more at ease onstage.

7:05: Tim Gunn is gushing over Justin Timberlake, who took about an hour to get down the carpet. “It’s a long walk on that carpet,” Justin says, adding that it looks more pink than an TV. That prompts Tim to dub him “Justin Timberlake, color theorist.” Justin looks handsome in his classic tux and neatly trimmed facial hair. Maybe he can give Matt McC some tips.

7:07: Sandra Bullock looks so elegant in another of these popular candy-apple red gowns. Love the dramatic neckline and bare back. She is going to present the best actor award and she says she knows how nominee Javier Bardem feels at least – sleep deprived since he has a newborn. Sandra says that since she adopted her baby boy last year, her priorities have changed. She’s back to work but she wants to make sure that she manages her time well because she wants to get back home to him. She always seems like such a classy lady, and life hasn’t been all pretty gowns and golden statuettes for her since she won best actress last year. Good to see her with her head held high.

7:12: “I think it’s just beautiful to be nominated,” says Nicole Kidman, who is wearing a white gown with silvery accents and a sort of giant ribbon wrapped around it. “I like the structure of it,” she says, and it’s got a very unusual line. This is her first nomination since she married Keith Urban, who is holding her hand loyally. He says they have very similar but eclectic taste in music and they picked mellow music for the ride over.

7:14: Gwyneth Paltrow is wearing a gorgeous shimmering, gold column with stunning sparkly earrings. She is singing “Coming Home,” a best original song nominee from “Country Strong.” She says if she could have a dream duet, she would do it with Jay-Z.

7:15: Best supporting actor shoo-in Christian Bale is going with an all-black suit and full beard. He says that Dicky Edlund and Micky Ward, the real-life brothers he and Mark Wahlberg portray in “The Fighter,” are at the Oscars and he saw them having a good time earlier. Christian is glad that “the Fighter” finally got made and pleased that it has captured the attention and imagination of film fans.

7:20: News flash: Most of the stars interviewed on the red carpet are rooting for their own films or co-stars to win tonight. Shocking, I know. At least they’re honest.

7:21: We’re less than 10 minutes away from the start of the actual Academy Awards. Robin has moved the activity inside the Kodak Theatre, and past Oscar host Hugh Jackman is making a playful entrance. He said he is nervous for co-hosts Anne and James, even though he just decided to relax and have fun. He is reiterating his advice to Anne and James: eat a lot. They will need to keep up their energy; this show is three hours long and they are in charge of keeping it running smoothly and sort of on time. If they keep it on time, they will be my favorite hosts ever.

7:24: I love the color and bodice of past winner Halle Berry’s pale gown, but I hate the ragged tulle skirt and neckline adornment. It looks sort of ’80s. She says she loves seeing everyone’s interpretation of glamor; clearly she and I have different interpretations. Of course, she is much more experienced than I in the glamor department. She says she is sending up her love for the late Lena Horne and looking forward to her Broadway debut.

7:26: Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks is the last interview of the red carpet and will present the first award. He recalls as a nominee that when your category comes up the blood rushes to your head and all you can hear is gibberish. “This town makes time for a lot of things but it only shuts down for the Oscars.”

And with those words of wisdom, we’ll end the Oscars red carpet live blog. Please join me in minutes for the Academy Awards live blog right here on BAM’s Blog.

-BAM

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Reminder: Oscars live blog tonight at BAM’s Blog!

Oscars Day is finally here!

Remember, the 83rd Annual Academy Awards will air live at 7:30 p.m. today on ABC (KOCO-5 in Oklahoma City), and you can follow along with live blog here at BAM’s Blog!

The festivities will begin here on the blog and on TV at 6 p.m. with the Oscars red carpet. (That’s the official word on the start times from my Cox Cable TV guide.)

To read my predictions of what will go down tonight at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre, click here. For even more coverage from what’s been Oscars Week here at BAM’s Blog, check out the “Awards shows” category on the right rail of the blog. (Just click on the “Category” tab to drop down the categories list.)

How many gowns with co-host Anne Hathaway wear? Who will give the windiest speech? Can it really be true that the Academy will eliminate unnecessary movie montages like last year’s “salute to horror films that would never get 1,000 miles of Oscar consideration”? Just how long over the three-hour allotted time with the show run?

Please make plans to join me tonight as we get the answers to these questions and finally wrap up the film awards season!

-BAM

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