Entertainment blogging from The Oklahoman's Brandy McDonnell

It’s Oscars Week on BAM’s Blog!

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards will air live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood at 7 p.m. CST Sunday on ABC.

All this week, I’ll be working to get you ready for the Oscars with special posts, videos, predictions and nominations lists leading up to my live blog of the event Sunday night!

So, stay with me here at BAM’s Blog, film fans, and we’ll get through the end of awards season together!

-BAM

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Live blog: 53rd Annual Grammy Awards

6:58: Full disclosure: I was involved in a fender-bender on the still-icy roads on Friday, and I’m on pain meds for a strained back and whiplash-like symptoms. So if my live blog seems particularly loopy, it’s probably the drugs, though we can’t rule out the crazy state of popular music as the culprit.

7:00: The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards are starting with a tribute to ailing diva Aretha Franklin, so at least the opening clips are destined to sound great. LL Cool J is taking the stage in a cool dark purple suit to introduce the singers who will be paying R-E-S-P-E-C-T to the Queen of Soul: Martina McBride, Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch and Christina Aguilera. Hopefully, the National Anthem isn’t on the bill, or Xtina is in big trouble. Actually, they are starting, naturally, with “A Natural Woman,” although Aguilera is immediately hitting a raw nerve with her crazy vocal acrobatics. Just sing. Please.

7:05: We’re five minutes in, and Xtina has caused her voice to do every gymnastics move in vocal histrionics history. That seems like it should be a record. But she didn’t obviously botch any lyrics, so I guess she has sort of redeemed herself after her forgetful Super Bowl rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Personally, I’m preferring the big-voiced but less flashy performances by Martina, Jennifer, Yolanda and Florence (of Florence and the Machine). They aren’t as heavy on the flourishes as Xtina’s vocal acrobatics, but they sound so much better and seem a more fitting tribute.

7:11: Overall, I’m impressed with this lineup of strong women singers, Christina’s expected oversinging notwithstanding. Very deserved standing ovation. If they formed a vocal supergroup, I’d buy their album. Now, we’re cutting to a live video feed of Aretha. She has clearly lost weight, but she looks pretty feisty in her sparkly white gown.

7:19: The five divas of the Grammys opening are going to present the first Grammy, for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals. Here are the nominees:

“Don’t Stop Believin’”

(Regionals Version)

Glee Cast

“Misery”

Maroon 5

“The Only Exception”

Paramore

“Babyfather”

Sade

“Hey, Soul Sister (Live)”

Train

7:20: Winner: Train. Lead singer Patrick Monahan says he’s freaking out. Me, too. If that’s the way this night is going to go, I’m going to need stronger drugs. Train? Really? I cannot stand that song. But I do like Monahan thanking Justin Bieber for not being a duo or group.

7:23: Again, gonna need stronger drugs. Ricky Martin shows up in skin-tight silver pants to introduce Lady Gaga, who emerges from an alien-looking cockpit to sing her new single “Born This Way.” At least her two-piece pale yellow dress isn’t made of meat or chicken or Moon Pies or any other food item. I’m not usually one to make accusations about one musician of ripping off another one, but “Born This Way” sounds an awful lot like Madonna’s “Express Yourself.” Obviously Lady Gaga – like Madonna – prides herself on reinvention: Does it count as reinvention if you reinvent yourself into what some other star already has been? Just wondering.

7:33: Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton is emphasizing how much he loves the next performer: His fiancee and fellow Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert. She is dedicating her sentimental hit “The House That Built Me” to all the Grammy performers who came before her. Miranda looks lovely in her short silvery dress and loose blond locks, and she really sounds lovely on this Grammy-nominated ballad. Personally, I prefer Miranda’s more fiery material, but I’m just thrilled to see all the well-deserved success she and Blake have experienced in the past year or so. It’s a beautiful, low-key Grammy moment, and her straight-ahead vocals are a great relief after all the wackiness of the first half-hour of tonight’s show. Big smile from Miranda and big round of applause from the crowd. Way to go, Ran!

7:38: Lenny Kravitz takes the stage to introduce Muse’s first Grammy performance. That’s a crazy back-to-back lineup: Miranda Lambert and then Muse. Talk about something for everybody. Anyway, watching Muse rock through “Uprising,” accompanied by a dynamic light show, I’m thinking the British trio should have played the Super Bowl halftime show rather than Black Eyed Peas, who just bored me last Sunday.

7:49: We’re not allowed to have a music-related TV event without Ryan Seacrest, so here he is to introduce Bruno Mars, B.o.B. and Janelle Monae’s group performance. I’m looking forward to this performance because I think Janelle Monae is such an amazing, unique talent. Bruno and B.o.B. are OK, but I would listen to Janelle Monae sing the recipes in a 1950s cookbook because I know she would develop some sort of grand R&B/rock opera out of old recipes for oven-fried chicken and lemon aspic. So far, she’s getting short shrift in this performance, but I’m trying to be patient.

7:53: So, I’m liking Bruno Mars’ old-school soul performance, and the black-and-white effect is really interesting and fun. But I still am waiting to hear Janelle unleash.

7:55: Woo! Go Janelle. She’s rocking her usual pompadour and tuxedo and belting “Cold War” from her album “The ArchAndroid,” which made my top 10 albums of 2010 list. Janelle stage dives, and her pompadour stays perfectly in place. And now she and the guys are getting a standing ovation, and I must agree with the crowd’s enthusiastic assessment.

7:58: Dierks Bentley and Zac Brown are taking the stage to present the best female country vocal performance, and Oklahoma has two contenders in this category:

“Satisfied”

Jewel

*”The House That Built Me”

Miranda Lambert

“Swingin’”

LeAnn Rimes

*”Temporary Home”

Carrie Underwood

“I’d Love To Be Your Last”

Gretchen Wilson

7:59: Winner: Miranda Lambert! Yay! She’s all smiles as she accepts her “first Grammy performance ever, first Grammy ever. Thank you Tom and Allen for writing this song and thank you so much for loving the lyrics to this song because it means the world to me and I know that everyone can relate to it,” she said, thanking songwriters Tom Douglas & Allen Shamblin. I’m so happy for Miranda!

8:05: Eva Longoria has apparently seen “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” because she’s giving us the background on Justin and Usher, complete with a 2007 clip of the Biebs singing for Usher. He’s only 16, does he really warrant such flashbacks? I can see flashback clips for Aretha but not Bieber. Now, Usher and the Bieber are recounting that history with revisions for us one more time. Finally, Bieber starts singing and playing acoustic guitar. I don’t have Bieber fever, but I’d rather hear a performance than jabber about the Bieb’s remarkable musical beginnings. Now, a group of drumming ninjas and firebreathers are taking the stage as Bieber’s performance goes electric. At least, I think that’s what’s happening; I’m on drugs, remember?

8:09: If this performance needed more over-hyped precociousness, it just got it, as Jaden Smith leaped out of the floor to start singing and pseudo-rapping with Biebs. Quick, cut to proud papa and mama Will Smith and Jaden Pinkett-Smith in the crowd! And speaking of father figures, Usher, the mogul who brought you the Biebs, is taking over now. I’m sure all the lights and dancers and sound effects are just going to seem like a oxycodone flashback to me later. Right now, it’s just a sensory assault from the Grammys stage.

8:15: Pauley Perrette of “NCIS” and Paramore are here to present the best rock album Grammy. Here are the options, and I’m betting there’s a bunch of old timers that cancel each other out here:

“Emotion & Commotion”

Jeff Beck

“The Resistance”

Muse

“Backspacer”

Pearl Jam

“Mojo”

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers

“Le Noise”

Neil Young

8:16: Winner: Muse. They’re thanking all the usual suspects, including the fans, in their very British way.

8:20: Selena Gomez and Donnie Wahlberg are going to present the best pop album award, and there’s quite a range here:

“My World 2.0″

Justin Bieber

“I Dreamed A Dream”

Susan Boyle

“The Fame Monster”

Lady Gaga

“Battle Studies”

John Mayer

“Teenage Dream”

Katy Perry

8:22: Winner: Lady Gaga, who has traded her almost normal looking two-piece yellow frock for an S&M suit of armor. My TV just lost sound, so I’m assuming she is testing the censors with her speech. She’s thanking all the usual suspects, and she’s rambling about her dream to be whatever she wanted to be. Now, she’s giving special thinks to Whitney Houston, saying she imagined Whitney singing it as she wrote it because she wasn’t secure enough to imagine herself as a superstar. She’s not secure enough to imagine herself singing a song but she’s secure enough to wear that?

8:25: Live by video from the home office, David Letterman is presenting a special Grammy top 10 list and introducing a special performance by Mumford & Sons, Avett Brothers and Bob Dylan. As a huge acoustic fan, this is one that I’m really looking forward to hearing, and so far, Mumford & Sons are not disappointing but where’s Bob and the Avetts?

8:27: Ooh, the Avetts are dressed up and performing their beautiful “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise.” Love this song and I’m always happy to watch the Avetts play. But when you advertise that stars are going to perform together, I’m thinking they’re actually going to collaborate, not just take turns in an orderly fashion playing their own music. I’m feeling a bit ripped off.

8:30: Ah, here’s Bob Dylan, and all the bands are getting together to perform Dylan’s classic “Maggie’s Farm.” Dylan is sounding a little rough these days, but his mere presence gets a standing o from the crowd.

8:40: Lea Michele of “Glee” and Clay Matthews of Super Bowl winners the Green Bay Packers are introducing Lady Antebellum singing “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” then moving into their hit “American Honey” and their unavoidable smash “Need You Now.” I love listening to this country trio working its great harmonies.

8:44: Miley Cyrus and three of the four Kings of Leon are sharing the stage. Weird. Anyway, they’re presenting best country album, and I’m so rooting for Miranda:

“Up On The Ridge”

Dierks Bentley

“You Get What You Give”

Zac Brown Band

“The Guitar Song”

Jamey Johnson

“Need You Now”

Lady Antebellum

*”Revolution”

Miranda Lambert

8:45: Winner: Lady A. Aww, I was hoping Miranda would get it, but she took it like a champ. She gave a gracious nod and a big smile; she and Lady A are good friends, so I’m sure she’s happy for them. Lady A graciously got their producer Paul Worley up on stage and let him do most of the talking. Nice.

8:46: Jamie Foxx is playing psyche out with the censors as he jokes around about introducing Cee Lo Green, Gwyneth Paltrow and some of the Muppets performing “Forget You,” the toned-down version of Green’s profane hit. Cee Lo Green is getting into the spirit of performing with some Jim Henson’s puppets, sitting at the piano with a spangled cap, bulbous sunglasses and a costume covered in red, blue and yellow feathers. It’s the type of outfit Elton John would have turned down in the ’70s as too flamboyant.

In contrast, Gwyneth, who performed “Forget You” on an episode of “Glee,” is drssed to impress in a slim black body suit, with her multicolored skyscraper heels her only concession to the multi-hued madness on stage. She’s dancing on the piano, and Cee Lo is getting to his feet, too. If Cee Lo Green’s music career slides downhill after “F— You,” he can always get a job on “Sesame Street” as Big Bird’s adopted brother with that outfit.

8:57: Yay, Neil Patrick Harris is taking the stage to naughtily introduce Katy Perry’s performance. Perry recently guest-starred as the latest conquest for NPH’s Barney on the sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.” As usual, Perry is dressed in a cleavage-bearing gown covered in sparkles, and she’s sitting on an old-fashioned swing as she croons “Not Like the Movies.” Apparently, she attended one of the shows on Carrie Underwood’s “Play On Tour,” though Carrie at least swung on her old-fashioned swing. Now, Katy is dancing with a group of Valentine’s Day-theme dancers to “Teenage Dream,” and now they’re showing a shot of Nicole Kidman singing along in the crowd.

I must say, I don’t get the people who hate Katy Perry anymore than I get those who adore her. Her music is so generic and forgettable I have trouble working up any ire or enthusiasm for it. She’s a perfect example of modern-day pop: All flash, little substance. The only reason I even care about her is she guest-starred on HIMYM, which happens to be one of my fave shows.

9:02: John Mayer, Norah Jones and Keith Urban are gathered at center stage playing a smoking rendition of Lifetime Achievement Award winner Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” No backup dancers, no light shows, no huge production, and this is easily one of the best performances of the whole night. It’s all substance and talent, without the flash. What a great tribute to the very worthy Dolly Parton. Bravo.

9:04: John, Keith and Norah are now going to present the song of the year award. Here are the noms:

“Beg Steal Or Borrow”

Ray LaMontagne, songwriter

“F*** You”

Brody Brown, Cee Lo Green,

Ari Levine, Philip Lawrence &

Bruno Mars, songwriters

“The House That Built Me”

Tom Douglas & Allen

Shamblin, songwriters

“Love The Way You Lie”

Alexander Grant, Skylar

Grey & Marshall Mathers,

songwriters

“Need You Now”

Dave Haywood, Josh Kear,

Charles Kelley & Hillary

Scott, songwriters

9:06: Winner: Lady A and Josh Kear for ubiquitous country-pop smash “Need You Now.” I’m surprised that this won the multi-genre song title. Amazing. Hillary is in tears as she thanks everyone and gushes about how the song has turned their world upside down. I suspect Lady A will be even bigger after winning two golden gramophones just during the televised part of the Grammys.

9:12: Seth Rogen is actually wearing a suit for his first visit to the Grammys, and he’s joking about getting high backstage with Miley Cyrus. He’s introducing Rihanna, Dr. Dre and Eminem’s performance. Rihanna’s black and yellow gown is big enough to destroy the Staples Center if angered, but she’s got Adam Levine from Maroon5 singing and playing piano along with her on “Love the Way You Lie,” which hopefully will soothe the savage tulle-beast. Now, the censors are holding down the button for the arrival of fast-rapping Eminem, who has already won two Grammys out of the leading 10 for which he was nominated. Skylar Grey and Dr. Dre are joining them for this bombastic performance, but I’m afraid Eminem’s angry rapper routine is going to cause Rihanna’s dress to go on a rampage. Really, the ladies come across as the real talents in this performance, which gets yet another standing o.

9:20: Jewel, looking lovely in a pale yellow gown, and John Legend, in his slick dark blue suit, are going to present the best new artist Grammy. Will Biebs win it? Personally, I’m hoping for a Florence and the Machine or Mumford & Sons upset.

Justin Bieber

Drake

Florence & The Machine

Mumford & Sons

Esperanza Spalding

9:22: Winner: Esperanza Spalding. Wow. And that wow goes for her win, for her afro and for her tattered yellow gown. She promises to do her best to live up to the honor by making great music.

9:28: Matthew Morrison of “Glee” fame is introducing Neil Portnow, chairman of the Recording Academy, who will be giving the official spiel while Esperanza and high school students from the Grammy Band and Grammy Jazz Ensemble play. It’s an effective way of jazzing up the annual speech about the charitable efforts of the Recording Academy.

9:32: Bring out your dead! Matthew Morrison is now introducing the “in memoriam” montage featuring  Lena Horne, Ronnie James Dio, Teena Marie, Charlie Louvin, Eddie Fisher, Jimmy Dean, Alex Chilton, and many more.

9:35: The montage gives way to the not-quite-dead Mick Jagger, who is paying tribute to the late Solomon Burke “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Soul,” with his first Grammy performance. The crowd is on its feet and grooving along as the Rolling Stone struts and sings “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love,” with Raphael Saadiq on electric guitar. This performance is a lot of fun, and Mick is putting many of these youngsters to shame with his talent and energy. That’s a whole lot better than just the usual montage.

9:47: Kris Kristofferson is grumblingly introducing a performance by MusiCares Person of the Year and “one of the most talented people in the universe,” Barbra Steisand. Babs is crooning her Grammy- and Oscar-winning chestnut “Evergreen.” As with Sir Mick, we’re seeing a veteran performer simply school all these upstarts. I’m not even a big Babs fan, but give this woman a mic and an orchestra and she absolutely warrants the standing O she’s getting.

9:51: Nicki Minaj, sporting a sky-high two-toned afro and a leopard-print dress, and Black Eyed Peas will.i.am are going to present the award for best rap album, and Eminem looks like he might destroy the arena if he doesn’t win …

“The Adventures Of Bobby Ray”

B.o.B

“Thank Me Later”

Drake

“Recovery”

Eminem

“The Blueprint 3″

Jay-Z

“How I Got Over”

The Roots

9:52: Potential crisis averted. Winner: Eminem. He says “This is crazy,” and he’s graciously thanking the usual suspects, with a special shout-out to Rihanna, Dr. Dre and his hometown of Detroit.

9:59: Puff Daddy has gotten braces, and he’s apparently stoned, as he oh-so-slowly introduces Rihanna and Drake performing “What’s My Name.” Rihanna has gone from an extremely big dress to a skimpy Wonder Woman-style costume as she breathily sings along with the leather-jacket-clad Drake. They don’t need to the bonfire in the background; Rihanna is heating this place up all on her own. So far, every guy she has performed with tonight has been reduced to her background vocalist.

10:02: Marc Anthony and JLo are acting like the married couple they are, and they’re being pretty awkward and weird. Next time, save the ad libbing for home and just read the prompter, you two. Here are the record of the year contenders:

“Nothin’ On You”

B.o.B Featuring Bruno Mars

“Love The Way You Lie”

Eminem Featuring Rihanna

“F*** You”

Cee Lo Green

“Empire State Of Mind”

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

“Need You Now”

Lady Antebellum

10:04: Winner: Lady A again. It’s a huge night for country music and for this Southern trio. “We’re so stunned, we started walking the wrong direction,” Hillary admits. She’s noting what a big year it’s been since they performed “Need You Now” on the Grammys stage last year. It’s short, sweet and sincere. That’s what I like in a Grammys acceptance speech.

10:11: Jason Segel takes the stage to introduce Arcade Fire’s first Grammy performance, but before sharing what he’s learned from attending the Grammys: If you make music that sells enough records, you can wear whatever you want. Amen to that! Arcade Fire’s “The Suburbs” was my favorite album of 2010, so naturally, I’m rooting for them to win the award at the Grammys. But their performance of “Month of May” with all its flashing white lights and trick bikers is a bit of an assault on my tired eyeballs. And is that Edmond’s own Mat Hoffman on one of those BMX bikes? Why, yes, I believe it is.

10:22: Babs and Kris are back to present album of the year. Will Lady A continue to dominate? Will Arcade Fire win it? Here are the options:

“The Suburbs”

Arcade Fire

“Recovery”

Eminem

“Need You Now”

Lady Antebellum

“The Fame Monster”

Lady Gaga

“Teenage Dream”

Katy Perry

10:23: Winner: Arcade Fire! Wow, that was so unexpected and so awesome! Barbra and Kris are wishing everyone a goodnight, and Arcade Fire are going to play us out with another song from “The Suburbs,” “Ready to Start,” which suits me down to the ground.

Well, it was a night of a few genuine surprises, a big win for Miranda Lambert and many, many bombastic performances, which were largely outdone by some of the more low-key moments. Arcade Fire scored a huge win on behalf of alternative/indie rock, and Lady A made country music’s night again and again. As the last theatrical chords of “Ready to Start” fade away, the 53rd Grammys are in the record books and I’m off to take more pain meds. Goodnight!!

-BAM

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Live blog: 2011 Golden Globe Awards

7:00: Ricky Gervais has an undisclosed drink in hand and he’s opening with a disappointingly easy target: Charlie Sheen and his recent drunken antics. But now he’s getting onto to some better bull-eyes: He’s clearing up the reason why “The Tourist” got nominated: Apparently the Hollywood Foreign Press Association didn’t just nominate it to hang out with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. “They also accepted bribes.”

He’s also suggesting the best special effects Globe should go to the people who airbrushed the “Sex and the City 2″ poster. Now, he’s taking cracks at Hugh Hefner, Mel Gibson, certain famous Scientologists (yikes!), and the “Lost” finale. We’re less than five minutes in and he’s already been bleeped once, and I think these stars aren’t drunk enough yet for Ricky because most of the jokes got pretty icy responses from the star-studded crowd.

7:05: Scarlett Johansson, wearing tonight’s trend of pale sparkling gowns, is here to give out the first award, for best supporting actor in film. And I bet it’s going to Christian Bale. Here are the nominations:

Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, “The Fighter”; Michael Douglas, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”; Andrew Garfield, “The Social Network”; Jeremy Renner, “The Town”; Geoffrey Rush, “The King’s Speech.”

7:07: Winner: Christian Bale, who is rocking some flowing locks tonight. He acknowledges that he never knew who the HFPA were before now – who does? – but he’s saying he now realizes how wise and perceptive they are. Love it. He’s thinking everyone very graciously but now he will. not. leave. Even the go-away music isn’t deterring him. LL COOL J may have to physically move him out of the way.

7:10: Here come LL COOL J and Julie Bowen to announce the first TV award, best actress in a drama series. Here are the noms:

Actress, Drama: Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”; Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”; Piper Perabo, “Covert Affairs”; Katey Sagal, “Sons of Anarchy”; Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer.”

7:12: Winner: Katey Sagal of “Married With Children” fame comes out of nowhere to win for the FX biker series “Sons of Anarchy.” I did not see that one coming. She’s been around the biz for so long, and it’s great to see how excited she is to win. She’s thanking her husband, Kurt Sutter, who produces the show, saying “I’m so glad you’re the boss of me.” She got the go-away music even faster than Christian Bale, and she’s ignoring it nearly as effectively.

7:17: Julianne Moore, who looks stunning in her red gown with the incredible necklace, and Kevin Spacey are introducing Miss Golden Globe, Joe Mantegna’s daughter Tia, who will be assisting with the awards. Now they’re are presenting best mini-series or TV movie. Here are the options:

Miniseries or Movie: “Carlos,” Sundance Channel; “The Pacific,” HBO; “Pillars of the Earth,” Starz; “Temple Grandin,” HBO; “You Don’t Know Jack,” HBO.

7:20: Winner: “Carlos,” which tells the story of Venezuelan revolutionary Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, who founded a worldwide terrorist organization and raided the 1975 OPEC meeting. The producer representing the show keeps thanking the Academy, so either he doesn’t know the HFPA either or the language barrier is tripping him up. But ignoring the go-away music is universal here tonight. Well, in everyone’s defense it is being applied so inconsistently tonight, you can’t blame the winner.

7:22: Bruce Willis has a big grin and a good nature about getting stung by one of Ricky’s sharper barbs. He just introduced Bruce by listing a series of his less-respected films and then calling him “Ashton Kutcher’s dad.” Bruce is showing a clip from “RED,” which is nominated for the best musical or comedy film, but not before striking back with “Hollywood sometimes provides you with great fortune – Ricky.” Kids, that was a rare case of canned banter being used for good. It’s like sighting a Bengal tiger in the wild, it’s so rare.

7:24: The handsome Garrett Hedlund and cutie Leighton Meester of “Country Strong” are going to present best supporting actor in a TV series prize, right after Leighton subtly adjusts her tangled but cute long gown. Here are the noms:

Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Scott Caan, “Hawaii Five-O”; Chris Colfer, “Glee”; Chris Noth, “The Good Wife”; Eric Stonestreet, “Modern Family”; David Strathairn, “Temple Grandin.”

7:25: Winner: Chris Colfer, who is just shocked and so cute about it. “I think I lost my heart between Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore so if you find that, please give it back.” After thanking all the usual suspects, he’s dedicating his win “to all the amazing kids who watch our show who are told no by bullies and people at school, told they can’t be who they are. Well, screw that kids.” Well said. This may be the start of a huge night for “Glee.”

7:30: Golden Globe winner Michelle Pfeiffer still looks amazing, especially in that dark blue dress that brings out her eyes and flatters her coloring so well. She’s introducing the clip from “Alice in Wonderland,” another nominee for best musical or comedy film. That movie also won the Not-So-Obviously-Worst Movie award from the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle. So obviously, it’s not so obvious that Tim Burton’s “Alice” was disappointing. Apparently, it’s not obvious to the HFPA, whoever that is.

7:32: Ricky is introducing Eva Longoria, who will introduce the president of the mysterious HFPA, joking that he just had to haul the guy off the toilet and pop his teeth in. I don’t think the prez, Phil Berk, appreciated it because he just told Ricky the next time he wanted to qualify one of his movie, “Go to another guy.” He’s congratulating everyone else for being cool, essentially. This may be Ricky’s last stand as Golden Globes host.

7:34: Milla Jovovich, love her silver gown, and Kevin Bacon are going to present another TV award, for best actor in a drama. Here are the options:

Actor, Drama: Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire”; Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”; Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”; Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”; Hugh Laurie, “House.”

Winner: Steve Buscemi gets his first Golden Globe for “Boardwalk Empire.” I love him so much and everyone else seems to as well. He’s thanking Table 114 for being a lot of fun and then putting on his glasses. “I gotta talk fast before that sad music comes on.” “I’m only as good as the people I work with, and I have an amazing cast.” That’s probably why so many people there love him. He’s thanking the usual suspects, and he’s commenting that his 4-year-old nephew left him a voicemail saying “Uncle Steve, wish me luck,” so he’s doing it. And he’s even a good uncle.

7:38: Moving right along, Kevin and Milla are now presenting the best TV drama award, which is probably an indication it’s going to go to “Boardwalk Empire.” Here are the noms:

Series, Drama: “Boardwalk Empire,” HBO; “Dexter,” Showtime; “The Good Wife,” CBS; “Mad Men,” AMC; “The Walking Dead,” AMC.

7:39: Winner: Yep, “Boardwalk Empire.” Exec producer Terence Winter sums it up: “Holy f-ing crap, we just won a Golden Globe.” Mark Wahlberg, another EP of this HBO powerhouse series, laughs when Winter comments “to my friends back home, I can’t believe I’m sharing a table with Al Pacino, either.”

I was rooting for “The Walking Dead,” but to be fair, I have yet to see “Boardwalk Empire.” Need to put that on the Netflix wish list.

7:41: They just showed a clip of Angelina Jolie adjusting Brad Pitt’s collar. Either the HFPA is really obsessed with them, or this is somebody’s way of showing us they are just another couple just like us. Now, they’re really not.

7:44: “The Social Network” star Andrew Garfield is introducing the montage of clips from the film, which is nominated for best drama film. The future “Spider-Man” is getting tangled in the prompter dialogue, and laughing it off charmingly. That was my favorite movie of the year.

7:46: Alec Baldwin and Jennifer Lopez are here to present, and Alec is taking a moment to point out her gorgeous white gown with the sheer and sequined wrap. It really is lovely. They are going to present the best original song prize, and I’m rooting for Oklahoma girl Carrie Underwood. Here are the noms:

Original Song: “Bound to You” (written by Samuel Dixon, Christina Aguilera, Sia Furler), “Burlesque”; “Coming Home” (written by Bob DiPiero, Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey, Troy Verges), “Country Strong”; “I See the Light,” (written by Alan Menken, Glenn Slater), “Tangled”; “There’s a Place for Us” (written by Carrie Underwood, David Hodges, Hillary Lindsey), “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”; “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me,” (written by Diane Warren), “Burlesque.”

7:48: Winner: Aw, it’s Diane Warren for “You Haven’t See the Last of Me.” Darn it. It’s her first win in five nominations, so she seems really surprised and totally flustered. She’s thanking Cher for being “an eternal badass.” She’s dedicating the award to her mom and the late Roni Chasen, her publicist who was murdered last year. She also comments that the first time she was nominated her dad wrote her speech on a napkin and she didn’t win and has since lost the napkin.

I wish Carrie had won, and I’m not a big Diane Warren fan, but it was a disarmingly likeable speech, mostly because she seemed genuinely thrilled and nearly cried.

7:50: Moving right along, Alec and JLo are presenting best original score:

Original Score: Alexandre Desplat, “The King’s Speech”; Danny Elfman, “Alice in Wonderland”; A.R. Rahman, “127 Hours”; Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, “The Social Network”; Hans Zimmer, “Inception.”

I’m disappointed that Daft Punk’s “Tron: Legacy” score is not among them, but I’m rooting for “Social Network.

7:51: Winner: “The Social Network.” Wow, Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor cleans up nice. He looks quite happen in his tux, and he’s speaking on behalf of Ross when he thanks all the usual folks and comments he never imagined a year ago that he would have the chance to score a film.

He and Ross did a great job on “The Social Network,” and I’m stoked to hear what they come up with for “Social Network” director David Fincher’s adaptation of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”

7:56: “True Grit” breakout star Hailee Steinfeld and teen idol Justin Bieber have been paired to present the best animated feature award, which seems a little condescending. But she looks radiant, and he looks like a cutie now that he’s ditched the mongo glasses, and there are some great films competing here. But I think it’s another lock for Pixar:

Animated Film: “Toy Story 3,” “The Illusionist,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Despicable Me,” “Tangled.”

7:57: Hailee and Justin have huge grins as they announce that “Toy Story 3″ is the winner. Director Lee Unkrich asks “Wow, were you two even born when the first ‘Toy Story’ came out?” Lee started trying to just wing it and quickly stuck his foot in his mouth, so he’s breaking out the old index card. Good move. He’s thanking audiences “for coming out in record numbers to support an animated film that beat with a human heart.”

8:00: Ricky is introducing Robert Downey Jr. by his list of films including “Iron Man,” “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” and “Wonder Boys,” and then ponders “Are these porn films?” “But you know him better from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County Jail.” Robert gives Ricky a look and then comments that the tone of tonight’s show has been rather creepy and slightly sinister but good. And he’s adding to it, but telling the five women nominated for the best actress in a comedy or musical that he believes that an actress can’t do her best work until she’s slept with him, and ends a series of randy ramblings about each one with “I’d like to give it to all five of you at once, right here on center stage, in front of my wife and millions of viewers – the award.”

Wow, anyway, here are the options:

Actress, Musical or Comedy: Annette Bening, “The Kids Are All Right”; Julianne Moore, “The Kids Are All Right”; Anne Hathaway, “Love & Other Drugs”; Angelina Jolie, “The Tourist”; Emma Stone, “Easy A.”

8:04: Winner: Annette Bening, who apparently borrowed Bieber’s glasses right after a wombat attacked her hair. She’s being quite effusive in her thanks to co-star Julianne Moore, whom she beat out for the award. After thanking the rest of the cast and crew, along with her kids, she thanks the “winner of the 1962 Golden Globe for most promising actor, my husband Warren Beatty.” I noticed the string ensemble didn’t break out the get-off-the-stage music for her, even though she went on a bit. Maybe they’ve all ditched their bows and decided just to get a drink because these Hollywood types don’t know how to listen when they hear the go-away music.

8:10: Ricky has ditched the jacket and at least part of the snark as he introduces Sylvester Stallone. Maybe he’s just afraid Sly will hit him hard enough to kill him. The “Rocky” star still looks in great shape as he introduces the clip for best drama nominated film “The Fighter.” Great film.

8:12: Geoffrey Rush with jaunty hat and Tilda Swinton in her white blouse and skirt look like they planned their outfits to match. It’s cool. They’re going to present the best actor in a mini-series or TV movie, and I’m guessing if Al Pacino is nominated, he’s taking home the Globe.Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Idris Elba, “Luther”; Ian McShane, “Pillars of the Earth”; Al Pacino, “You Don’t Know Jack”; Dennis Quaid, “The Special Relationship”; Edgar Ramirez, “Carlos.”

8:13: Yep. Al wins, and the crowd gives him a standing O. “It’s such a special thing when an actor gets to portray a real person,” says Pacino, who played Jack Kevorkian in the telefilm. He said it was so interesting and fun to navigate the assisted-suicide advocate’s life. As he thanks the cast and crew, especially producer Barry Levinson, he also gives a nod to Kevorkian. I noticed as he was fretting over forgetting folks there was no go-away music. They wouldn’t dare do that to Al.

8:16: Now, Geoffrey and Tilda are going to present the Globe for best actress in a mini-series. Here are the options, and I’m going to say if Dame Judy is nominated, she’s going to win.

Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Hayley Atwell, “Pillars of the Earth”; Claire Danes, “Temple Grandin”; Judi Dench, “Return to Cranford”; Romola Garai, “Emma”; Jennifer Love Hewitt, “The Client List.”

8:17: I was so wrong. Winner: Claire Danes, who is wearing a gorgeous gown the exact color of Braum’s delicious Sicilian orange sherbet, and she’s nearly in tears because “It’s such an honor to be here tonight with Temple.” After giving a “holla” – literally – to the cast, crew, her family, et al, she takes a moment to pay poignant tribute to Grandin: “She’s still working with incredible zeal and devotion to illuminate mysteries about autism and animal behavior.” In the telefim. Claire plays Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who has become one of the top scientists in the humane livestock handling industry.

8:24: Zac Efron, who looks really grown up in his classy black suit with black tie, is introducing the clip montage for “The Kids Are All Right,” a nominee for best comedy or musical film.

8:25: Ricky is introducing Tina Fey and the “ungrateful” Steve Carell, the star of the U.S. version of “The Office,” the British show Ricky created. Steve shoves away Ricky with a hugely fake laugh and a “It never gets old.” They’re wryly telling us about the best screenplay nominees, which Tina would like us to know they could have written if they’d had time. Here are the options, go Aaron Sorkin!

Screenplay: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy, “127 Hours”; Lisa Cholodenko, Stuart Blumberg, “The Kids Are All Right”; Christopher Nolan, “Inception”; David Seidler, “The King’s Speech”; Aaron Sorkin, “The Social Network.”

8:28: Yay for Aaron Sorkin, who is giving a speech worthy of an award-winning writer. He calls David Fincher a “national treasure.” He’s paying tribute to Mark Zuckerberg, noting that Rooney Mara’s character was wrong about the Facebook founder, and that he turned out to be a great entrepreneur and altruist. And he tells his daughter to look around at all the talented actresses and aspiring to become elite, which “is not a four-letter word. Smart girls have more fun.” I wouldn’t mind seeing a short film made of Sorkin’s speech. I want to be him when I grow up, or at least a 1/16th as talented.

8:30: Chris Hemsworth, who will soon be playing “Thor” (happy dance from me), and Chris Evans, who soon will be Captain America, are presenting the best supporting TV actress award.

Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Hope Davis, “The Special Relationship”; Jane Lynch, “Glee”; Kelly Macdonald, “Broadwalk Empire”; Julia Stiles, “Dexter”; Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family.”

8:32: Gleeks rejoice: Jane Lynch wins and proceeds to give the most hilarious speech of the night. Lauding herself as “falsely humble,” she shares the award with “Glee” writer Ian Brennan, who created her Sue Sylvester character and is responsible for all the deranged and reprehensible things she says. So far, her speech and Sorkin’s are by far the most entertaining of the evening. Mostly, the show has been kind of dull with a few gags that were more appallingly inappropriate than genuinely funny.

8:37: He’s saying that the next presenters are young and thin and lovely to look at “which is just as well because they’re presenting the award for foreign language film, which no one in America cares about.” “Twilight” heartthrob Robert Pattinson looks handsome in his navy suit, and “Tron: Legacy” star Olivia Wilde looks terrific in a sparkly gown that looks like it’s been made out of derezzed programs and is at least as big as The Grid.

Here are the foreign language film options:

“Biutiful,” “The Concert,” “The Edge,” “I Am Love,” “In a Better World.”

8:39: Winner: Denmark’s “In a Better World.” The director, Susanne Bier, thanks people for supporting a film in which “people are talking like they have potatoes down their throats.” That is definitely the most intriguing thing anyone has said here tonight. I’m going to have to go and get that movie so I can see it and try to figure out what the heck she means by that.

8:41: The ever-awesome and beautiful Helen Mirren is showing off the clips of “The King’s Speech,” which is a fab film.

8:42: Blair Underwood and Vanessa Williams have arrived to present the award for best actress in a TV comedy or musical. Blair comments that they provided comedy in a year when it was greatly needed; is there ever a year when we don’t need laughter? Just a thought. Anyway, here are the noms:

Actress, Musical or Comedy: Toni Collette, “The United States of Tara”; Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”; Tina Fey, “30 Rock”; Laura Linney, “The Big C”; Lea Michele, “Glee.”

8:43: Winner: Laura Linney, who couldn’t be there tonight. Anticlimactic.

8:47: A standing ovation greets Jane Fonda, who is there to show the clips for “Burlesque,” which she is presenting on behalf of her friend Cher, who can’t be there because she’s in Vegas doing her standing gig. “Burlesque” is among this year’s controversial nominees for best comedy or musical.

8:48: “White Collar’s” Matt Bomer and “The Big Bang Theory’s” Kaley Cuoco are going to present the award for best actor in a TV comedy or musical, and I’m rooting for BBT’s Jim Parsons.

Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”; Steve Carell, “The Office”; Thomas Jane, “Hung”; Matthew Morrison, “Glee”; Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory.”

8:49: Yay: Jim Parson wins and Kaley is literally jumping up and down. Jim shows why he is so funny when he accidentally calls the writers “my writers,” “how crass. The truth comes out.” Jim hurriedly thanks everyone even though the go-away music makers are surely wasted and totally apathetic by now. He even remembered to say happy birthday to his nephew and apologize for not making his party. Sweet uncle.

8:51: With great drama, Jeremy Irons is introducing the supporting actress in film competitors. Go “The Fighter!”

Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, “The Fighter”; Helena Bonham Carter, “The King’s Speech”; Mila Kunis, “Black Swan”; Amy Adams, “The Fighter”; Jacki Weaver, “Animal Kingdom.”

8:52: Awesome, the winner is Melissa Leo. “All that and kissed by Jeremy Irons, too!” she exclaims. She is gasping for breath and admit she almost didn’t take the role because she didn’t think she was old enough to play Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg’s mother. She thanks them very effusively and gives a shoutout to Amy and then notes “Look who they’re bringing up here tonight, Jane and Annette. Not too shabby.” It really great that Hollywood is recognizing great actresses actually over the age of 30.

8:59: Matt Damon has arrived to present the lifetime achievement award to Robert De Niro, joking that since he doesn’t go to movies much, he only heard about De Niro five years ago when he invited him to be in his movie “The Good Shepherd.” The ever-charming Matt adds some humor to the proceedings when he names some of De Niro’s most famous films but quotes other characters’ dialogue. Looking at this montage of De Niro’s work, the only question is why he hasn’t received this award before now.

9:04: Wisely, Matt doesn’t try to follow that montage with any pithy comments, simply saying “Ladies and gentlemen, Robert De Niro,” allowing them to give a most deserved extended standing O. “Thank you, Matt, and I loved you in ‘The Fighter,’” De Niro quips, them comments that it will be his honor to present Matt his eventual lifetime achievement award. He’s thanking the HFPA for announcing the award two months ago “before you had the chance to review ‘Little Fockers.’ I saw those; it’s OK, we all have our jobs to do.” He’s commenting about the symbiotic relationship between the HFPA and the film industry: They make movies and the HFPA gets their pictures taken with the stars.

He’s tossing out jokes and getting bleeped and mentioning the movies that didn’t make it into the prestigious montage, noting “Most of you would be seeing them for the first time. You didn’t even watch the screeners, did you?” He jokes he’s going to be selling a special DVD box set that includes “Jacknife” in the lobby after he poses for pictures with the remaining members of the HFPA.

If such a thing were possible, I love De Niro even more now. Can he host the rest of the show instead of Ricky, who just isn’t as funny this year as I remember him from last year?

9:14: Megan Fox, dressed in a crazy pale pink gown, gets the thankless job of introducing the clip montage for “The Tourist.” Couldn’t happen to a nicer vixen. I guess Angelina and Johnny couldn’t be bothered even though they’re sitting right there and the HFPA went to all that trouble to nominate them.

9:15: Winner Annette Bening is going to present the best film director award, and I’m betting “The Social Network” continues its streak.

Director: Darren Aronofsky, “Black Swan”; David Fincher, “The Social Network”; Tom Hooper, “The King’s Speech”; Christopher Nolan, “Inception”; David O. Russell, “The Fighter.”

9:16: Winner: David Fincher wins a well-deserved prize for “The Social Network.” He’s joking that like everyone else, he wondered how he would be suited for this film since he generally makes pitch-black films about misanthropes and the occasional serial killer film.” He says he’s loathe to acknowledge all the praise the movie has received for fear he will become addicted but “it’s been very nice.” And well deserved.

9:18: Jimmy Fallon and “Mad Men’s” January Jones, who is apparently wearing the scraps of some other star’s pretty red dress, are presenting the best TV comedy or musical series. I’m rooting for BBT.

Series, Musical or Comedy: “30 Rock,” NBC; “The Big Bang Theory,” CBS; “The Big C,” Showtime; “Glee,” Fox; “Modern Family,” ABC; “Nurse Jackie,” Showtime.

9:20: Winner: “Glee.” Bravo to creator Ian Brennan for thanking public schoolteachers. “You don’t get paid like it but you’re doing the most important work in America.”

9:24: Alicia Keyes looks amazing in a flowing red frock as she sends it to the clip montage from “Black Swan.” Mostly great, trippy film with lots of stellar performances.

9:25: Another lovely lady, Halle Berry, seizes the stage to give the award for best actor in a comedy or musical film. It’s a Johnny Depp vs. Johnny Depp category.

Actor, Musical or Comedy: Johnny Depp, “Alice in Wonderland”; Johnny Depp, “The Tourist”; Paul Giamatti, “Barney’s Version”; Jake Gyllenhaal, “Love and Other Drugs”; Kevin Spacey, “Casino Jack.”

9:26: Winner: The Johnnies cancel each other out, and it goes to Paul Giamatti. The censors immediately hold down the button, so he must have said something naughty. Paul notes he is “a little jacked up because he ate five boxes of Godiva chocolate. I’ve never seen so many Godiva chocolates and Halle Berry.” He’s noting he had three wives – “a trio of hotties” – and got to smoke and drink and get paid for it to make the movie. He’s paying tribute to “the great nation of Canada,” where “Barney’s Version” was filmed. I haven’t had the opportunity to see “Barney’s Version,” and I can’t wait to see it because I love Giamatti.

9:33: Joseph Gordon-Levitt is lavishing deserving praise on his award-worthy blockbuster “Inception.” I loved this film just a teeny-tiny bit less than “The Social Network,” but it is awesome.

9:34: It’s always good to see Jeff Bridges, who is going to present the best actress in a film drama award, and Natalie Portman is a lock.

Actress, Drama: Halle Berry, “Frankie and Alice”; Nicole Kidman, “Rabbit Hole”; Jennifer Lawrence, “Winter’s Bone”; Natalie Portman, “Black Swan”; Michelle Williams, “Blue Valentine.”

9:35: Winner: Natalie, whose little baby bump is elegantly draped with a flowing pale pink gown, who says that the most meaningful part of the post-movie experience is getting to spend time with all these great actors and talents. She’s giving a shoutout to her Grandma Berniece and thanking her fiance, Benjamin Millepied, “Black Swan” choreographer who appears in the film saying he wouldn’t want to sleep with her character. “See, what a great actor. He totally wants to sleep with me,” she jokes before referring to Mila “Sweet Lips” Kunis and praising the rest of the cast.

9:39: Ricky is introducing the next two presenters by describing Tom Hanks in glowing terms and adding “and the other is Tim Allen.” The “Toy Story” stars recall when “Ricky Gervais was a slightly chubby but mostly nice comedian. Neither of which he is now.” They’re going to give out the prize for best comedy or musical film, and there may be five nominees but most of them don’t really count.

Picture, Musical or Comedy: “Alice in Wonderland,” “Burlesque,” “The Kids Are All Right,” “Red,” “The Tourist.”

9:41: Winner: “The Kids Are All Right.” And that producer is reeling off all the usual suspects at lightning speed because apparently the HFPA or NBC is cracking the ol’ whip to get this thing done on time. Loyal readers know my favorite kind of awards show is the one that ends on time, only because those that finish early don’t actually exist. If they ever did, they are now sleeping with the dodo birds.

9:46: Ricky is messing with America’s favorite girl next door as he introduces Sandra Bullock, who looks regal in her pink gown off-the-shoulder gown adorned with sparkles but whose unnaturally dark hair makes her look a bit brassy. She’s going to give the best actor in a film drama award, and all the candidates are so deserving. But I think it’s Colin’s year.

Actor, Drama: Jesse Eisenberg, “The Social Network”; Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech”; James Franco, “127 Hours”; Ryan Gosling, “Blue Valentine”; Mark Wahlberg, “The Fighter.”

9:48: Winner: Hurrah for Colin Firth. He’s wryly thanking the HFPA for giving him “I don’t know if you could call this gentle reassurance, but it’s the only thing keeping me from getting a Harley Davidson right now.” He thanks Geoffrey Rush and director Tom Hooper for forming with him a “triangle of man-love,” and he’s singling out Geoffrey Rush who is now “my true friend and geisha girl.” Another totally surreal but entertaining acceptance speech. Is the HFPA spiking these drinks with lighter fluid?

9:54: I don’t know if he qualifies as the “surprise guest” advertised since he walked the red carpet, but it’s great to see the cancer-free Michael Douglas, who gets a huge standing O. “There’s got to be an easier way to get a standing ovation. Thank you. I’m very, very happy to be here,” he comments. He’s giving the best drama film award; here are the options. I’m rooting for “The Social Network.”

Picture, Drama: “Black Swan,” “The Fighter,” “Inception,” “The King’s Speech,” “The Social Network.”

9:56: He barely gets the envelope open before he makes it official: The winner is “The Social Network.” Lots of hugs are going around, and producer Scott Rudin makes it a point to thank Mark Zuckerberg for allowing them to use his life as a metaphor for today’s world. He then gets onto Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield – “the left brain-right brain combination” of the film – for staying in their seats instead of raiding the stage.

9:59: Ricky Gervais is thanking everyone in the room for being sports. And then adds “Thank you to God for making me an atheist.” Good grief, like we haven’t heard that one before. The camera cuts away before we see if he gets struck by a bolt of lightning. Don’t worry, I doubt he’ll be back next year to host. He just wasn’t as funny this year.

Well, that’s the 2011 Golden Globe Awards. There weren’t too many surprises, except for how flat many of Ricky’s jokes fell, but there were lots of shiny dresses worn and lots of shiny trophies handed out.

It was great to see “The Social Network” so awarded, but it’s a bit scary to think that awards show season is just beginning.

But for now, good night and go see a good movie!

-BAM

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Reminder: Golden Globes live-blog tonight here at BAM’s Blog

Just a friendly reminder: The 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards will be handed out starting at 7 p.m. tonight, and NBC will be airing the glitzy proceedings live from Beverly Hills, Calif.

British comedian Ricky Gervais will be hosting for the second year, and he’s sure to set a lively, irreverent tone for the show.

Through Ricky’s barbs, the canned banter, the windy speeches and, yes, the dreaded awards show montages, I’ll be live-blogging the whole affair starting at 7 p.m. here at BAM’s Blog.

Consider this your invitation to follow along with my live-blog. Don’t worry, it’s not black-tie. Come as you are and join me for the first big show of awards season.

-BAM

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Live blog: First American Country Awards

7:00 p.m.: The inaugural American Country Awards are starting with a skit, in which towering country star Trace Adkins refuses to wear meat chaps (a Lady Gaga joke that Brad Paisley already made at last month’s CMA Awards), declines to ride in a tiny car and looks for “trophy girls” with “Honky Tonk Badonkadonks.” Trace is saying he’s not going to do a monologue, adding “It’s a live show, what are they gonna do, fire me?” He’s introducing his pal Blake Shelton, who won male vocalist at “some other awards show.” That also would be the CMAs.

Again, someone please explain to me what we’re doing back here? Oh, yeah, the CMA’s topped the weekly ratings for ABC and Fox wants a piece of that action. Cheesy skit opening is not the way to make awards show greatness.

7:05: OK, so I’m not sold on the ACA’s but it’s a great opportunity to showcase Oklahoma’s country talent, starting with Blake, who is inviting people who don’t like his Tishomingo lifestyle to “Kiss My Country A–.” His “fiancy” Miranda Lambert is singing along in the crowd. It is totally their year.

7:06: Miranda’s got purple feathers on one shoulder of her gown. Wonder which one of them shot the donor bird.

7:07: Bret Michaels, whose played country music in his time, is taking the stage to be the first presenter at the ACA’s. After the year he has survived, he deserves it. He’s going to give out the breakthrough artist award, which I’m betting will go to The Band Perry or Easton Corbin. Here are the nominees:

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Easton Corbin
Danny Gokey
Jaron and The Long Road To Love
Jerrod Niemann
The Band Perry

7:09: Winner: Easton Corbin wins the first-ever, ever, ever ACA. I thought maybe The Band Perry’s young and enthusiastic fan base might wrangle enough mouse clicks, but no, the neo-traditionalist hitmaker wins it.

OK, that’s new. He’s not even giving a speech. Instead, Bret is kicking it over to the side stage, where Easton and band are performing his breakout hit “A Little More Country Than That.”

Are the ACAs going to eliminate acceptance speeches in favor of just letting the winners perform? Could it be? If that is the case, then the ACAs just may be the best awards show ever.

7:16: Trace is allowing the trophy girls to pat him down because they saw his full-body scan and decided he needed it. “Take your time and be thorough, ladies. I’m very patriotic. God Bless America.” Silly but funny.

7:17: OK, so good news and bad news: Instead of trophies, the winners get silver Fender guitars, which is fairly awesome. The bad news: Instead of giving speeches, they will be interviewed by Nancy O’Dell. So they are giving speeches at her prompting. Sigh. Easton is thanking the usual suspects, with emphasis on the fans who voted for him. It’s a fine speech but I thought we just might be off the hook. No such luck.

7:19: Lady Antebellum is honoring Rascal Flatts with the Country Group of the Decade prize, which honors the band for a decade of awards and hits. Lady A is introducing the band, which includes guitarist Joe Don Rooney of Picher, to perform a medley of their hits, including “These Days,” “God Bless the Broken Road” and “What Hurts the Most.”

Not a big fan of the medleys. Or of upstart new awards shows giving out decade awards. That doesn’t make much sense. Shouldn’t your show have to be around a decade before it honors a band that’s been around for a decade? OK, shouldn’t it at least be on the air for more than 30 minutes before tossing around phrases like “group of the decade”?

7:27: The crowd gives Rascal Flatts a standing ovation. Joe Don Rooney thanks his parents for supporting his crazy music dream and then takes the honorary Fender Strat away, saying “You’re not a guitar player, give me that.” Jay DeMarcus declares “What a way to start our second decade.” Congratulations to the band on receiving the first ACA Decade Award, even if the show hasn’t even been around an hour yet.

7:42: Trace is reminding everyone to remember the troops and kicking it to a live video feed of Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, where he performed recently on an USO tour. So that’s a nice touch.

Apparently, the National Finals Rodeo has been happening in Las Vegas this week, so it’s a perfect opportunity for nominee Jewel and her “sexy cowboy husband” Ty Murray to give out the top single by a male artist prize. Here are the options:

7:33: Joe Nichols, Jennette McCurdy and Jaron & the Long Road to Love are coming from all over the arena and converging onstage to introduce the Grammy-nominated Band Perry. The trio is going to perform it’s No. 1 country song in the land, “If I Die Young.” I’m sort of warming up to this sibling act, but it will be interesting to see if they have more than just one admittedly well-penned song in them.

7:37: Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham and his puppet Bubba J are coming on for their first live show update. They’re having mike issues. Since Bubba J is my least favorite Jeff Dunham character, I’m not that sorry. I say let’s get Achmed the Dead Terrorist out for the next one. From what I could catch of the glitchy break just now, it seems that Toby Keith is going to be honored as a video visionary.

7:39: I’m really starting to like Carrie Underwood’s “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” song. It makes me want to see the movie, so it’s done its job. Fox is probably going to run that trailer at least 50 more times tonight.

Single of the Year by a Male Artist
“Do I,” Luke Bryan
“Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“That’s How Country Boys Roll,” Billy Currington
“Gimme That Girl,” Joe Nichols
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner

7:45: Winner: Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance.” And here’s the deep-voiced cutie to perform it with his band and a couple of swing dancers. He sounds great. One plus for the ACAs so far is we’re seeing artists that don’t get to play the other country awards show perform. Band Perry only did a snippet of “If I Die Young” at the CMAs, and Josh and Easton are totally new. Rascal Flatts so far are the only performers who usually play these things.

7:52: Nancy says that Josh’s song is the most-played song on country radio this year. Josh is thanking God and his wife, who is home pregnant with his third boy, along with his producers, country radio and the fans. To be specific he thanked country radio for “playing the crap out of this song.” I guess that’s a compliment?

7:55: They’re awkwardly kicking it over to Vegas illusionist Criss Angel, who doesn’t exactly blend, but he’s going to present the Video Visionary Award to someone who is not afraid to take chances, not afraid to poke fun at himself and not afraid to take on controversial topics. Again, it’s another Okie done good: Here comes a medley of Toby Keith’s video highlights, from “As Good As I Once Was,” “Trailerhood,” “I Wanna Talk About Me,” “American Ride,” etc.

Toby’s going to play the song to his latest video “Bullets in the Gun.” I have to say it’s one of my faves of his, and as promised, the cinematic video is playing in the background. And there’s a horn section in the background, too. Huh. Not sure that it goes with the song any more than the Mindfreak goes with this show, but I guess the ACAs are trying to mix it up a bit. Or maybe Toby is. Anyway, the fans in the audience don’t seem to mind the random three-man brass section.

8:00: Toby is thanking his God, the ACAs, his manager and video director Michael Salomon, along with Show Dog-Universal, “my little label back in town.” He’s hoping everyone has fun in Vegas. I still think the whole Fender Strat as trophy concept is cool, and I’m happy for Toby for winning one.

8:05: “We’re running over, shut up,” Trace says. Don’t know if that will work, but it made me laugh. He also notes that he ditched the suit because “this thing seems kinda loose.” He’s now in a leather fringed jacket and black boots and he’s introducing another Okie who “when she hosts, she knows how to behave.” Is is really a good idea to keep referencing other country awards shows?

Anyway, Reba is taking the stage to sing “Turn on the Radio,” and as usual, she can belt it with the best of them. She’s dressed all in black, including some epic knee-high boots. In the audience, Blake and Miranda are singing along, and so is Carrie Underwood. Who doesn’t love this woman?

8:09: Standing O and lots of smiles for Reba. As it should be. Jeff Dunham and Bubba J are back. “This is the best Soul Train Awards ever,” Bubba J declares. “And Reba McEntire is awesome.” Bubba says that when he was talking to Reba backstage, she and her hair looked awful. “Bubba J, you were talking to Carrot Top.” The Carrot doffs his black Stetson, and indeed, his red mop his truly bad. At least he’s a good sport about it.

8:12: Trace is posing with another bevy of beauties, and now he’s kicking it to Uncle Kracker to sing “D— It’s Good to Be Me.” I guess since Kid Rock isn’t here, Uncle K is filling the roll of the pseudo-country, sort-of-Southern-rock performer for the ACAs.

8:14: Wow, they cut that performance way short. It’s a must. They’re more than halfway through and have given out two awards. You know, there are three other country awards shows they could’ve watched and used to model this show.

8:17: Tulsa comic Rodney Carrington is wearing a ginormous sombrero and a fake mustache. He’s cracking jokes about his outfit, but he’s more on the mark with his comments that there are so many country music awards shows because country stars are generally insecure and if they don’t meet for awards every few weeks they just shrivel up and blow away. “And then we’ll be left with nothing but rap and everyone’s tired of that crap.” Rodney’s apparently there not as a sight gag – which is good because that wasn’t that funny – but to introduce Keith Urban performing “Put You in a Song” by satellite from Dallas. This show is already running way long, do we really need to pipe in performances from other locations?

8:22: Jerrod Niemann and Laura Bell Bundy are introducing duo Steel Magnolia to sing “Keep on Loving You.” Again, it’s a good idea for the ACAs to feature performers who don’t usually get a showcase on other awards shows, but you’ve got to give out more than two awards per 90 minutes, especially if you’re aiming for a two-hour show.

8:29: Kaley Cuoco of “Big Bang Theory” is here to introduce the Greatest Hits honoree Alan Jackson using the title of some of his 34 hits. She is repeatedly cracking herself up with the cheesiness of this gimmick. And does Fox have so few hit shows that they’re bringing in network shills from CBS? Sad. Anyway, Alan has taken the stage, which normally would mean an instant improvement of most any country venue, but it’s another medley of “Chasing That Neon Rainbow,” “Daddy Let Me Drive,” “Remember When,” “Good Time,” etc. Again, not a fan of the medley concept.

8:36: At least they are giving some time for Alan to sing “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning.” It would be pretty tacky to cut this one to one line like “Five O’clock Somewhere.” At least they’re being respectful of the subject matter. And to Alan with the deserved standing O, even if he was forced into medley mode. He can barely give his speech for all the cheers. “I’d just like to say I love America and country music has been America’s real music all these years. And I’m proud to have been a part of that for all these years.” Short and sweet.

8:38: Now, Bubba J is wearing a blond wig and claiming he’s Alan Jackson because he looks just like her. He claims to know so much about Alan from Wiki Leaks and he’s oing that weird eye thing. This is not Jeff Dunham’s night, mostly because he’s working with one of his weakest characters.

8:40: Trace says that the director told him in rehearsals that there wasn’t enough time to include this next award, which he happens to be nominated for. “So we had a discussion, and I’m pleased to report he’s recovering nicely.” He then tells Blake Shelton to get up there because they have won for “Hillbilly Bone.” He then says that because they’re running behind on time, he’s going to do the thank yous for Blake, quickly thanking the fans, God, his label, Miranda and himself “although not in that order, because I was last.” He then tells Blake he can thank one person, so a surprised Blake decides to thank “air.” This is just getting plain silly. I think this is the award they’re talking about, but I’m not totally sure:

Music Video by a Male Artist
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Southern Voice,” Tim McGraw
*“Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner
“The Man I Want To Be,” Chris Young

Winner: “Hillbilly Bone.” I think that’s what just happened.

8:45: Lee Ann Womack and a couple of NASCAR guys are presenting best group of the year. Here are the possibles:

Duo/Group Artist of the Year
Lady Antebellum
*Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

8:47: Winner: Apparently, Lady A has won this award along with single of the year, single by a group, music video by a group, and group of the year, all for “Need You Now.” They’re quickly thanking all the usual suspects for their big year. I guess we’re handing out these awards in batches now.

8:48: And now Trace and his harem are rapidly kicking it to the newest superstar Jason Aldean, who is performing “My Kinda Party.” And he’s got his fellow Georgia boy and tourmate Luke Bryan turning this party into a duet. Sounds good. Notice they’re not cutting that one short.

8:50: Just saw a note come up on the screen that they’re handing out artist of the year awards in the next three minutes. Could this show been paced any worse? Honestly, if they wanted to do a country concert special and give out free Fender Strats along the way, people probably would have jumped on board as willingly to that as to another awards show.

8:52: I guess after this is over, I’ll do a little online research to find out who won the ACAs. Yeah, I can’t believe I just typed that, either.

8:55: Reba, fix it please. She’s giving out the artist of the year award to one of these five nominees. Let’s go Miranda!

Artist of the Year
Lady Antebellum
*Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood
Zac Brown Band

8:56: Winner: Carrie Underwood, who looks radiant in the gorgeous red off-one-shoulder gown. Apparently, this is one of six ACAs that the Checotah native is taking home with her. She’s cradling her Strat, and she’s giving a very nice thanks to the fans for supporting the best kind of music in the world. Congratulations to Carrie! Miranda, Blake and Lady A have gotten lots of attention this year, but Carrie has been having a great 2010, too.

8:58: Trace declares “this show ain’t over til I sing” and threatening, um, retribution if they roll the credits while he’s performing “This Ain’t No Love Song.” Cheekily, the producers run a few joking credits, thanking Trace for being such a “cooperative” host and noting that they saw his full-body airport scan and weren’t impressed. They also note that no animals or trophy girls were harmed during this production, though all the country fans who turned into such a poorly planned event definitely were harmed.

9:01: So the credits have actually rolled – yes, while Trace was singing – and the first ACAs are done. Now, I have to go find out who won so I can share that info with you. I think that was the worst awards show ever, but at least it finished pretty much on time. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the ACAs actually made me look forward to the butt-numbing ordeal that is the Oscars. They never finish on time, but at least they don’t resort to such insane measures in order to preserve the 9 o’clock news. Sheesh.

-BAM

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2010 CMA Awards winners

The 44th Annual CMA Awards were broadcast live tonight from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., with country power couple Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton, who live in Tishomingo, dominating with a combined nine wins.

Read my full live blog of the three-hour lovefest by clicking here.

Here is the full list of winners, with those with Oklahoma ties marked with an *:

Entertainer of the Year

Lady Antebellum

*Miranda Lambert

WINNER: Brad Paisley

Keith Urban

Zac Brown Band

Female Vocalist of the Year

WINNER: *Miranda Lambert

Martina McBride

*Reba McEntire

Taylor Swift

*Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year

Dierks Bentley

Brad Paisley

WINNER: *Blake Shelton

George Strait

Keith Urban

Album of the Year

(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))

Need You Now

Lady Antebellum

Produced by Paul Worley and Lady Antebellum

Capitol Records Nashville

*Play On

Carrie Underwood

Produced by Mark Bright and Max Martin

19 Recordings Limited/Arista Nashville

WINNER: *Revolution

Miranda Lambert

Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke

Columbia Nashville

Twang

George Strait

Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait

MCA Nashville

Up On The Ridge

Dierks Bentley

Produced by Jon Randall Stewart

Capitol Records Nashville

Musical Event of the Year

(Award goes to each Artist)

*“Bad Angel”

Dierks Bentley featuring Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson

Capitol Records Nashville

“Can’t You See”

Zac Brown Band featuring Kid Rock

Southern Ground/Atlantic Records

WINNER: *“Hillbilly Bone”

Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins

Reprise Records

“I’m Alive”

Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews

BNA Records

“Till The End”

Alan Jackson with Lee Ann Womack

Arista Nashville

Previously Announced in Nashville:

New Artist of the Year

Luke Bryan

Easton Corbin

Jerrod Niemann

Chris Young

WINNER: Zac Brown Band

Vocal Group of the Year

WINNER: Lady Antebellum

Little Big Town

*Rascal Flatts

The Band Perry

Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year

*Brooks & Dunn

Joey + Rory

Montgomery Gentry

Steel Magnolia

WINNER: Sugarland

Single of the Year

(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))

“A Little More Country Than That”

Easton Corbin

Produced by Carson Chamberlain

Mercury Nashville

*“Hillbilly Bone”

Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins

Produced by Scott Hendricks

Reprise Records

WINNER -“Need You Now”

Lady Antebellum

Produced by Paul Worley and Lady Antebellum

Capitol Records Nashville

*“The House That Built Me”

Miranda Lambert

Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke

Columbia Nashville

*“White Liar”

Miranda Lambert

Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke

Columbia Nashville

Song of the Year

(Award goes to Songwriter(s))

“A Little More Country Than That”

Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress, and Wynn Varble

“Need You Now”

Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Josh Kear

WINNER: “The House That Built Me”

Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin

“Toes”

Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, John Driskell Hopkins, and Shawn Mullins

*“White Liar”

Miranda Lambert and Natalie Hemby

Music Video of the Year

(Award goes to Artist and Director)

*“Hillbilly Bone”

Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins

Directed by Roman White

“Need You Now”

Lady Antebellum

Directed by David McClister

WINNER: *“The House That Built Me”

Miranda Lambert

Directed by Trey Fanjoy

“Water”

Brad Paisley

Directed by Jim Shea

*“White Liar”

Miranda Lambert

Directed by Chris Hicky

Musician of the Year

Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar

Dann Huff – Guitar

Brent Mason – Guitar

WINNER: Mac McAnally – Guitar

Randy Scruggs – Guitar

-BAM

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Live blog: 2010 CMA Awards

7:00: Checotah Carrie Underwood just drove up in all black to match her classic convertible and is opening the show with a feisty rendition of her “Songs Like This.” Love the red heels and love that her co-host Brad Paisley is doing the guitar duties on this opener. These two are pretty much a sure bet for a fun opening, so kudos to the CMAs so far.

7:02: The opener gets a little bigger with entertainer of the year nominee Keith Urban coming out for a little banjo action. So far, you can’t help but like it.

7:03: This may sound geeky but I love the 44th Annual CMA Awards logo with the interlocking 44 forming the M. I’m a font nerd, I suppose.

7:04: Good grief that was fast. Carrie already is on her second outfit. She changed during the intro and now she’s in a short silver dress with a black flowery decoration on one shoulder. The co-hosts, who are in their third year of this, are singing a little ditty to the tune of the “Beverly Hillbillies” theme about Nashville’s flood barely making the news because of the BP oil spill. “Thanks BP,” she says. “You’re welcome,” he replies. “You’re such a dork.” Now, they’re begging for Gwyneth Paltrow’s autograph; the Oscar winner is going to be singing tonight to tie in with her upcoming film “Country Strong.” They’re seguing into riffing on Tim McGraw’s acting career, Dolly Parton’s, um, assets (always a favorite country joke, particularly with Brad’s love of ornery guy humor), and Brett Favre and Tiger Woods’ indiscretions.

7:09: Well, there’s something you don’t hear every day. Brad is pretending to confuse Lady Antebellum with Lady Gaga and singing a country version of the latter. Wow. That was nearly as weird as her meat suit. Oh, there it is: As Carrie tries to correct him, he asks “Are you at least going to wear your meat suits?”

7:10: Yikes, that last joke might have been a little out of bounds. Brad apologizes that “Modern Family” isn’t on tonight. “We don’t have an adorable middle-aged couple of men – at least not since Brooks & Dunn broke up.” Kix’s grin looked a bit fixed.

7:11: “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” host Ty Pennington, looking slicked-back and handsome in his suit, and LeAnn Rimes are here to promote the Nashville edition of Sunday’s “EMHE” and present the first award of the night, single of the year. Here are the options:

Single of the Year

(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))

“A Little More Country Than That”

Easton Corbin

Produced by Carson Chamberlain

Mercury Nashville

*“Hillbilly Bone”

Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins

Produced by Scott Hendricks

Reprise Records

“Need You Now”

Lady Antebellum

Produced by Paul Worley and Lady Antebellum

Capitol Records Nashville

*“The House That Built Me”

Miranda Lambert

Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke

Columbia Nashville

*“White Liar”

Miranda Lambert

Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke

Columbia Nashville

Will Miranda Lambert, who has a leading nine noms, win her first-ever CMA Award? C’mon, it’s her 27th birthday; she needs a trophy!

7:13: Nope. It’s Lady A’s “Need You Now.” Not really a surprise, but with 2 nominations in the category, Miranda had great odds. Aw, Lady A is letting their producer speak first so he won’t get the evil get-off-the-stage music. Now, the band is thanking God and Charles Kelley is making it a point to thank his brother Josh for making him move to Nashville six years ago. I saw on the black carpet that Josh and wife Katherine Heigl are here for their first CMAs.

7:17: The best-selling country group of the decade, Rascal Flatts, which features Joe Don Rooney of Picher, is taking the stage to perform “Why Wait.” This is the first single off their new album “Nothing Like This,” dropping Tuesday. Love the wedding-theme backdrop with all the 3D dice, diamond rings and poker chips. These guys do some crazy-good harmonizing. But I like it better when Joe Don gets to really rock a guitar solo. Ah, well, there’s sure to be another country music awards show in a couple of weeks. (I’m not even kidding.)

7:21: Kellie Pickler and her two “sexy backup singers” Jerrod Niemann and Luke Bryan, both dressed in sharp black, are her to present song of the year. Come on, Miranda!!

Song of the Year

(Award goes to Songwriter(s))

“A Little More Country Than That”

Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress, and Wynn Varble

“Need You Now”

Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Josh Kear

“The House That Built Me”

Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin

“Toes”

Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, John Driskell Hopkins, and Shawn Mullins

*“White Liar”

Miranda Lambert and Natalie Hemby

7:22: Winner: “The House That Built Me.” Well, it was close. Miranda is thanking the guys for writing such a great song. It’s interesting how the song reflects the real-life circumstances of her childhood. Tom Douglas is wearing his dad’s tuxedo. They’re saying some sweet things, but they get the go-away music. It’s interesting that Miranda’s sweetie originally got the chance to cut the song and passed it to her. It’s also interesting that Miranda just kind of beat herself in that category.

7:24: Carrie is wearing yet another outfit, a pale pink dress with an intricately flowered skirt. Brad points out that it’s Carrie and hubby Mike Fisher’s four-month anniversary. “Four months of celebrity marriage, how do you do it?” Brad asks. She attributes it to love “and the fact that he lives in another country.” In honor of Blake and Miranda’s engagement, they’re singing a little ditty to “Golden Ring” to mock the ring Blake got Miranda. When Carrie comments that it’s actually really big and beautiful, Brad can’t help adding “that’s what she said.” How can anyone this juvenile be so charming? It’s the magic of Paisley.

7:25: So all that was to led up to introducing Blake Shelton, who is on a platform in the middle of the crowd to sing his raucous No. 1 hit “It’s All About Tonight.” The suit doesn’t fit the song, but that is one handsome fella in it, so who cares?

7:33: Carrie tells us that Miranda Lambert is already a winner tonight. That’s good, but hey, CMAs, you want to actual hand out the awards on your awards show? Yeesh. Anyway, she’s rocking a short black dress with silver fringed shirt and rocking her cover of John Prine’s “That’s the Way that the World Goes ‘Round.” I love this song on her album, but it’s honestly not her best performance. It started out a little weak, with the band drowning her out a bit, but she recovered a bit before the end. Love the silver streamers that match her skirt blowing in the wind machine, though. I’m trying to be nice because she’s one of my faves, but I think she must be nervous because she can do better.

7:36: Little Jimmy Dickens is there in a snorkel to serve as an early warning system in case of more Nashville flooding. That early warning will be an adorably shrill scream. There apparently nothing that Little Jimmy won’t do for Brad Paisley, and there’s precious little that Brad won’t do for a laugh. He’s pretending to bask in the glory of Carrie’s introduction of the King of Country Music, George Strait. May I just add that George and Reba are bringing their tour to OKC in January. I. Cannot. Wait! King George is singing his “The Breath You Take,” which reminds me of a downbeat version of Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying.” Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not a fan of this song. Anyway, George always sounds great, so par for the course there.

7:40: Darius Rucker is pondering “How do you follow George Strait?” Well, Darius is going to give out an award, best new artist, the honor he won last year. (BTW, interviewed Darius last week about his upcoming Tulsa tour date. Look for that soon.) If Zac Brown Band doesn’t score this one, I will be shocked.

New Artist of the Year

Luke Bryan

Easton Corbin

Jerrod Niemann

Chris Young

Zac Brown Band

7:42: WINNER: Zac Brown Band. Yep. Zac is thanking their wives, team and everyone who believes in them. The rest of the guys are thanking parents, country radio, etc. Love the ZBB and looking forward to their performance with Alan Jackson. The last couple haven’t really done it for me.

7:47: ZBB is back to perform “As She’s Walking Away,” their sixth No. 1 country hit, which is just remarkable. The Atlanta band just won best new artist, and they’re nominated for entertainer of the year, too. I think I heard on the black carpet that the last time that happened was for Ricky Skaggs. Wow. The performance is good, but Alan Jackson just walked out to big applause and made it 100 times better at least. No slam on ZBB, Alan Jackson makes so many things better, like country music and Christmastime and mustaches. He’s fairly terrific.

7:51: Kenny Chesney is going to perform his ESPN tie-in/ode to football “Boys of Fall,” but not before we see a little gridiron video. It’s not my favorite of his, but his tanness sounds good on this pigskin ballad.

7:55: Just a quick note: Lots of media outlets are reporting that Miranda won song of the year. If you read the awards categories, song of the year goes to the songwriters. Miranda didn’t write “The House That Built Me,” though it mirrors actual events in her childhood. She just went onstage with the songwriters to thank them for the song.

7:57: CMT.com is reporting that Blake, Miranda and Mac McAnally are early winners at the CMAs. Lambert and director Trey Fanjoy won the video of the year win for “The House That Built Me,” which she heard about on the black carpet. Shelton and Adkins shared the honor in the musical event category for “Hillbilly Bone.” So both Blake and Miranda get their first CMA win tonight. McAnally is getting his third straight win as musician of the year. Congratulations to those three fine folks, who don’t get to have their awards moment on this awards show.

8:01: Leighton Meester, one of the stars of the forthcoming film “Country Strong” (I’m going to be typing that at least a dozen more times tonight), is introducing bona fide music star Taylor Swift, who is performing “Back to December,” off her third album “Speak Now,” which has sold more than 1 million copies in just a week. With her blond hair up and that dark red lipstick, she looks much older, at least 21 or 22. Sigh. Our little Taylor’s growing up, and at this point, she’s one of the few sure things in the music biz. Sorry, Taylor haters, it is a fact. She’s sitting at a piano in a long silvery gown while fake snow falls and an orchestra plays. She sounds solid, and it’s a romantic, lovely setup that matches the ballad. BUT we’ve seen Lady A do practically the same thing. And I have to admit that my inner teenager misses her flinging her blond tresses around. Again, could be just me.

8:05: Carrie Underwood, who for some reason has donned a wadded OD green Army blanket, is introducing the dynamic duo of Sugarland to perform “Stuck Like Glue.” Brace yourselves for the controversial reggae interlude. Honestly, it’s not that big a deal, folks. I mean, I know it’s not pure country, but except for King George and maybe Easton Corbin, hardly anything is in this show and genre. It’s not like they’re adding reggae to a Hank Williams song. In spite all the fuss, I have to say their album “Incredible Machine” is growing on me. I was unconvinced at first, but I especially like hearing more of Kristian singing. But this little setup is a bit weird (even for them), with Jennifer Nettles imitating a music-box ballerina/dancer marionette complete with tutu and jerky dance moves. Kristian Bush is rocking a top hat, but his playful taste in headgear is a given at this point. Oh, there goes the tutu, and here comes the reggae. They’re great entertainers and showmen, and this is a fun performance.

8:10: Here comes Sara Evans with fresh (and handsome) faces Chris Young and Easton Corbin. Good to see Sara Evans back even though she’s violating my basic-black-is-boring rule. They’re going to present vocal group. Here are the noms, and I’m betting another Lady A win here.

Vocal Group of the Year

Lady Antebellum

Little Big Town

*Rascal Flatts

The Band Perry

Zac Brown Band

8:12: Yep, Lady A’s big year continues. Sorry, Rascal Flatts. I adore Hillary Scott’s dramatic, long red gown, but that sucker is tight in the back. Love Dave Haywood remembering to not only thank the fans but also complimenting all the other noms. “We love you all and it’s an honor to be in the category with you.” Classy.

8:18: The dreamy and talented Keith Urban returns to the stage. The Aussie has a new album coming out next week, and he’s performing the bouncy new single “Put You in a Song.” Loved the rocking guitar solo, but it was way too short. By the way, Keith and wife Nicole Kidman said on the black carpet that their daughter sang “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” in the studio during Daddy’s recording sessions. Say it with me now: Awww.

8:21: “There is and only ever will be one Reba!” exclaims Carrie (whose sassy white and orange frock is a vast improvement over whatever that green thing was). Reba, who also gets a pass on BAM’s boring-black rule in her trademark sparkling gown, is crooning her cover of Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy.” Is there nothing this woman can’t do? I would happily listen to this fellow Okie sing toothpaste jingles for two hours. I love the way she quietly ratchets up the intensity on this pop ballad. BTW, did I mention that Reba and George are coming to OKC in January?!?

8:26: Just curious: Who decided Kid Rock was a country artist? Was there a committee meeting, an Oscar-style industry campaign, a payoff made somewhere? I’m not trying to put down Kid Rock, but he’s like an obligatory addition to these country awards shows and he’s just not country to me, even by the very broad definition we’re using at this point. But since I just defended Sugarland’s reggae interlude, I can’t protest too much.

8:31: Still love that streaky orange and white gown that Carrie’s rocking. She’s speaking about the dangers of identity theft next to an unusually quiet Brad Paisley, who has his white cowboy hat suspiciously low on his forehead. Of course, that’s actually NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon and this is setup to make fun of the similarities in appearance between the two men. “Everyone knows Brad Paisley lip syncs,” Gordon declares. “Fine, give me the keys to the #48 car and you can stay,” Brad replies. “I drive the 24 car.” “Exactly.” Silly but fun.

8:34: This is the performance I’ve been waiting on: Jason Aldean and “American Idol” Kelly Clarkson are blasting through “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” their passionate duet off his new album. She’s violating the no-basic-black rule, but I’m totally going to let it slide because they sound terrific. I just want to add that it’s a crying shame that Jason has ZERO nominations tonight. Really? You cannot be serious. Hitmakers like him should be praised for staying with the indie labels that brought them to the party. And the duet gets a well-deserved standing O, and I think that’s tears of joy coming from Kelly.

8:36: Little Big Town are showing off their amazing harmonizing skills singing a bit of Taylor’s “You Belong With Me.” Quite honestly, they’re kind of making Taylor sound bad with this little interlude. Why are they not performing on this show again? Because it’s some of the best downright singing we’ve heard all night. But no, they’re just introducing album of the year, and I am rooting so hard for Miranda.

Album of the Year

(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))

Need You Now

Lady Antebellum

Produced by Paul Worley and Lady Antebellum

Capitol Records Nashville

*Play On

Carrie Underwood

Produced by Mark Bright and Max Martin

19 Recordings Limited/Arista Nashville

*Revolution

Miranda Lambert

Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke

Columbia Nashville

Twang

George Strait

Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait

MCA Nashville

Up On The Ridge

Dierks Bentley

Produced by Jon Randall Stewart

Capitol Records Nashville

8:38: WOOT! Miranda’s “Revolution” wins! She’s stomping excitedly in place, sending the fringe on her sassy white dress flying as she hugs Blake. “‘Revolution’ has truly caused a revolution in my life this year,” she declares. “It’s my baby. Thanks for loving it too.” She’s speaking quickly and giving her producers time to speak without worrying about the go-away music, which starts to creep in anyway. I love Miranda, and “Revolution” was on my top 10 albums list last year. This is her first album of the year from the CMAs; she’s won the title twice at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Congrats to her!

8:40: Carrie is introducing “Detroit’s No. 1 cowboy,” and it’s Kid Rock at the piano. See what I mean? How did he get that title? And he’s not staying at that piano for long, I know that. Yep, it’s turning into a rock song, “Born Free,” from his forthcoming album, titled, yes, “Born Free.” The fringe on his jacket – and fringe is definitely in here tonight – is the most country thing about this performance. It’s not a bad rock song, but it barely qualifies as Southern rock let alone country.

8:49: Brad Paisley has promised to debut a new song tonight, and I’m looking forward to it. He’s starting acoustic but switching to electric as he pays tribute to country music with its themes about patriotism, rural living and Jesus. It’s even pulling in some lyrics from several of the big ones like “Amarillo By Morning,” “Stand By Your Man” and “God Bless the USA.” Awesome tribute and great performance. He is an outstanding entertainer, and I get the feeling he’s going to take that award home tonight. Love his guitar solo, but again too short. I want a drawn-out smoking solo! But he’s getting a worthy standing O.

8:54: Reba’s TV daughter Joanna Garcia is coming out with Jeff Gordon. She’s pitching Reba’s upcoming guest spot on her show “Better With You.” Yes, it’s another shameless pitch. Jeff is there to tell about Chevy’s participation in the Wounded Warrior Project. He was not meant to read from a prompter.

Now they’re presenting vocal duo. Will Brooks & Dunn get one last win?

Vocal Duo of the Year

*Brooks & Dunn

Joey + Rory

Montgomery Gentry

Steel Magnolia

Sugarland

8:56: Nope. Sugarland is getting their fourth win the category. Kristin is there with his daddy for the first time, so he’s thanking him. “You were right, play guitar.” Jennifer also is thanking country radio for continuing to grow with them and play their music. Well, sort of, anyway.

8:57: News flash: The CMAs are finally telling us that Miranda won video of the year. Some awards show, huh?

9:01: Dave Haywood is at the piano as Lady A takes the stage for their performance of “Hello World.” It’s not my favorite from their sophomore effort, but Charles sure sounds dreamy crooning about that cute little chocolate-face girl. These guys are just so darn likeable would can’t help but appreciate them. Although I’m not fond of Hillary’s pant suit, which looks like something a green-skinned dancer would wear in Jabba the Hut’s palace. (That was quite possibly the nerdiest sci-fi reference I’ve ever made in a country music live blog.)

9:07: “One of the finest singers on Earth,” as Carrie calls her, is coming” Martina McBride. She is breaking the lackluster hair, boring black and poofy sleeves rules. But she’s going to name the top male vocalist, so here goes. Go Blake!

Male Vocalist of the Year

Dierks Bentley

Brad Paisley

*Blake Shelton

George Strait

Keith Urban

9:09: WOW! Blake actually got it! I think he’s crying. Is he crying? He’s getting emotional anyway. Reba looks like she’s about to cry, and Miranda is smiling wide enough to split her face. “I love you, too, and I mean that,” he says as a random fan shouts their affection. “That’s about 34 years worth of steps for me there, y’all.” Reba and Miranda are among the folks he’s thanking, and he’s also taking time to thank songwriter/producer Bobby Braddock. With the exception of his ornery Twitter feed, he’s a pretty classy Okie. I am just thrilled for him. What a night and year for him and Miranda.

9:10: We’ve introduced every person on this show, but we don’t bother with who might be the newest artist on the roster? The Band Perry is singing their hit “If I Die Young.” But they are there for a reason – to name the CMA radio winners. I’m still undecided about The Band Perry. The song is kind of growing on me, but they still look like they should be throwing a tantrum about San Francisco outlawing Happy Meal toys.

9:17: “You know, after the night Blake and Miranda are having, I think we can expect a baby in nine months,” quipped Brad. That one made me laugh out loud so hard. Best line of the night.

9:18: It’s that time of the awards show: It’s Carrie Underwood big-dress time! This year’s model is a billowing lavender floor-length number with an off-the-shoulder bodice and an approximately quarter-mile-long skirt adorned with lots of sparkles. She’s singing her latest hit “Mama’s Song,” while the video starring her mom Carole and hubby Mike Fisher plays in the background. I liked the a cappella opening of this emotional little song, and of course, Carrie can just plain sing. She’s really making this a shining moment.

9:22: Another great Brad funny: He’s waving his hands at the billows of stage smoke that’s pouring in and says “Very calmly evacuate the building.” Now, he’s praising Dierks Bentley’s bluegrass album “Up on the Ridge,” joking “Bluegrass grows wild in his hometown of Phoenix, Ariz.” I don’t care where he’s fun, Dierks and this album are awesome. He and his band are singing and sawing through the title track. I will come with you tonight where moonlight drifts into my eyes. Yes, I will, Dierks Bentley.

9:31: Here comes an Academy Award-winning actress. Nope, it’s not quite time for Gwyneth. Sissy Spacek, who played Loretta Lynn in “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” and she’s going to introduce Loretta’s 50th anniversary as a recording artist tribute. “She didn’t need an actress to turn her into a great character. She was born one,” great compliment. “Loretta Lynn defines downhome excellence.”And now Miranda and Sheryl Crow are going to pay homage by singing “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Miranda sounds fantastic this time around. Maybe she just wants to do right by Loretta or maybe her earlier nerves are out, but she’s really redeeming her earlier less-than-stellar performance. And Sheryl is doing a lovely job, too. They really sound good together, and here comes the non-surprise but still welcome grand entrance of Loretta herself. She’s got one of her trademark grand gowns on and she’s crooning along with the youngsters. The standing O is very appropriate here, because this is a great moment. Loretta looks really touched, and Reba is getting teary again, too.

9:36: Sissy, who seems to be having a surprisingly tough time with the canned dialogue here, and Loretta are going to present the award for top female vocalist. Okies have three girls in this hunt:

Female Vocalist of the Year

*Miranda Lambert

Martina McBride

*Reba McEntire

Taylor Swift

9:38: She is the golden girl tonight: Miranda. She’s embracing Blake. “I don’t know what’s going on. I told Blake we need to start going to church.” She gets choked up as she thanks Loretta and Reba for paving the way and promises to keep going on for all the women coming up in country music.

9:44: After Gwyneth Paltrow makes her country music debut, Carrie’s going to dance in the Nutcracker! Quick, let Jennifer Nettles grab her tutu, too! Brad’s commenting “Here’s something you don’t see every day: An Oscar-winning actress with a country star. Unless you’re Keith Urban and then you can’t avoid it.” Gwyneth, who is starring in the upcoming film “Country Song,” is singing the title theme, with Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill playing guitar and backing her up. She looks a bit nervous, but she’s got top-notch backup. Unfortunately, somebody’s mike is a bit hot. But she’s pulling off the vocals, and she’s even playing a bit of acoustic guitar to go along with it. I don’t believe I’d give back the Oscar or anything, but she can hold her head up. The audience is giving her a standing O, so that’s a nice gesture.

BTW, you have to hear what legendary songwriter and fellow Oklahoma native Jimmy Webb has to say about Vince. I’ll have that story Friday. Vince is amazing. Next year, let’s get him up front.

9:49: Ooh, ooh, we’re getting a preview of Carrie’s new song for the cinematic sequel “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.” I was hoping to hear a snippet of “There’s a Place for Us,” and, hey, wish granted. I think I like it. It’s ballad Carrie instead of sassy Carrie, which is to be expected, considering the material.

9:53: Tim McGraw is comign out to present the final and top award, entertainer of the year. Could it be Miranda? Maybe Brad? Will we actually finish on time?!

Entertainer of the Year

Lady Antebellum

*Miranda Lambert

Brad Paisley

Keith Urban

Zac Brown Band

9:54: And the winner is … Brad Paisley! Well, I was rooting for ‘Ran, but I can’t help but be happy for Brad. He looks a bit choked up, and his actress wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley is hugging Nicole Kidman. “My hero Little Jimmy Dickens has a saying, if you see a turtle on a fencepost, he had some help getting up there. I feel like a turtle on a fencepost right now.” His voice is breaking as he praises the fans and talks about how his late grandpa wanted him to learn to play guitar because it would get him through hard times. He’s thanking everybody on the planet, even after they start playing the buh-bye music.

If you want to see Brad in person, Okies, he’s playing Tulsa’s BOK Center Nov. 20. And with that dress, Carrie is halfway to her dream of becoming a sugar plum fairy! No, not a fan of that last dress, but I’m a fan of award shows finishing on time!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this live blog of the CMA Awards! Look for the story on the Oklahoma winners, a full list of the victors and photos of the event (yes, even Carrie’s ballet dress) tonight and Thursday. Good night!

-BAM

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Live blog: 2010 CMT Music Awards

7:00 p.m.: Rapper/rocker Kid Rock, who has been known to dabble in country music, is hosting this year’s CMT Music Awards and opening the show with a performance of his signature song “Cowboy.” He’s already been bleeped once, so we’ll see if Kid as the ringleader can challenge Sunday’s MTV Movie Awards for censor-exhausting moments. If memory serves this is the second year for a rapper to help open the show, with T-Pain and Taylor Swift collaborating last year.

7:02: Kid is getting plenty of help country-ing up his opener, with Martina McBride, Kellie Pickler, Trace Adkins, Randy Houser and Zac Brown joining him so far. Now, Jamey Johnson has taken up mike and guitar to add a little “Dukes of Hazzard” theme song interlude. So far, it’s a very bombastic opening, but in my opinion, it can’ t compete with April’s ACM Awards blowout with Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley and rock legend John Fogerty.

7:06: Are you ready for some football? Hank Williams Jr. joins the opening number party in a truly impressive fringed buckskin coat and a Monday Night Football shirt.

7:07: “Does anybody realize how hard it is to get Bocephus out of the house?” Kid Rock asks, telling everybody that the party’s just getting started. And he’s already waving away the Promptr, saying he’s going to ad-lib this part. He’s telling the crowd if there’s any Kanye  West-style behavior here tonight, he and Hank Jr. and maybe even big Trace are going to punch them in the mouth. Sounds like a deal to me.

7:09: Faith Hill and Taylor Swift, wearing vastly different pink gowns, are here to present the first award, group video of the year. Taylor looks glam with her hair all straightened, though I prefer her curls. Anyway, here are the nominees:

*”Here Comes Goodbye” – Rascal Flatts

• “How Far Do You Wanna Go?” – Gloriana

• “Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum

• “Toes” – Zac Brown Band

7:10: The first belt buckle of the night goes to Lady A. They’ve already gotten the first standing O of the night. If recent awards show history plays out tonight, we’ll be seeing this trio hoisting multiple trophies. As Dave Haywood says, “It’s all about the fans tonight,” and since this is a fan-voted show, prepare to bask in lots of gratitude, country music followers.

7:12: Owasso country star and cookbook author Trisha Yearwood notes that Nashville is clearly back in business after weathering last month’s devastating floods. She praises everyone out there who proved why Tennessee is called the Volunteer State, particularly troops from Fort Campbell. On the “blue carpet,” Yearwood talked about how all the stars at tonight’s show decided to skip the usual swag bags in favor of CMT making a $40,000 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee’s BackPack Program, which will help children whose families’ have been affected by the floods. That’s a great deal.

7:17: Kid is carrying a cigar and noting “I know there’s no smoking, I got the memo.” He reveals that he was worried about fitting in until he saw that two stars from MTV’s “Jersey Shore” are here as presenters. “I thought, I’m all right!” he exclaims. It’s hard to argue with that logic.

He’s also revealing the final five nominees for the top award, video of the year. People can vote by text or online up to end of the show. It looks like all three Oklahoma hopefuls are through to the very final round.

* “American Ride” – Toby Keith

* “Cowboy Casanova” – Carrie Underwood

• “Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum

* “White Liar” – Miranda Lambert

• “You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift

7:20: After warning Blake about the wedding drama in Miranda’s video and calling Lady A the “hillbilly Fleetwood Mac,” Kid passes it to an oddball presenter pairing: Kellie Pickler and NFL star Terrell Owen. The currently teamless T.O. says he’s been spending his free time working out and going to karaoke bars. It’s an obvious setup for the former Dallas Cowboy receiver to badly croon “Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.”It’s obvious, but it’s still funny.

They’re there to present the duo video of the year award. Will Brooks & Dunn win one last belt buckle as a pair?

7:23: Why, yes they will. Kix Brooks is accepting on his own, joking that the win was so unexpected that former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn has gone to the bathroom – in New Mexico. “If you think I’m going to bring you this, you’re crazy,” Brooks declares. “It’s just this kind of behavior that makes people think we’re going to break up the duo.” So far, Kix’s speech is more fun than all Kid Rock’s shtick put together.

7:25: Last year’s Nationwide on Your Side award for emerging artists winner Gloriana is introducing the hopefuls for this year’s prize, starting with Chris Young, playing a snippet of his hit “Getting You Home.”

7:27: “Singing Bee” and “Reba” star Melissa Peterman just did a brief backstage interview with Toby Keith, who admitted he was in the bar during the big opening number and therefore missed it. “Any performance you’re looking forward to tonight?” she asked. “Mine,” he answered. She didn’t seem to know what to say to that, but she’s seems a bit flustered tonight.

7:30: “Heroes” star Hayden Panettiere is putting on a bit of a country twang to introduce Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert performing her hit “White Liar.” The video is up for two awards. Miranda has changed out of her flashy silver red carpet dress, which matched so nicely with the big ol’ engagement ring Blake gave her last month, into a sparkly black dress with intricate beading. Still goes well with that gorgeous rock, because, honestly, what wouldn’t?

And cue the obligatory cut to Blake. Awards show cameramen and producers are so predictable.

7:34: Kid Rock is out in the crowd and introducing the “real deal” and “everything country music should be” Zac Brown Band. They’re going to give out the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year, which they won last year. It comes with rights and responsibilities: The right to show it off and the responsibility to keep make videos that can “whoop a– with a belt.” Alrighty. Here are the noms:

• “A Little More Country Than That” – Easton Corbin

• “Do I” – Luke Bryan

• “Giddy On Up” – Laura Bell Bundy

• “Keep On Lovin’ You” – Steel Magnolia

7:36: Winner: Luke Bryan continues the hot streak he started in April at the ACMs. “Thank you so much fans for changing my life. You’re doing it every day,” he says after a few celebratory whoos! He thanks his wife for letting him act like he was married to another woman in the video. He’s so enthusiastic and has such a killer smile you just have to be happy for him.

7:43: Carrie Underwood, who looks radiant in her hot pink frock, is introducing country music star and “Blind Side” actor Tim McGraw. Whether hot or pastel, pink definitely seems to be a favorite color among the ladies at the show. And Carrie just made one of Kid Rock’s wishes come true; the host said in interviews before the show that he was looking forward to seeing the Checotah native’s legs tonight. Hey, he’s just saying what all the guys are thinking.

Tim, who will play Sunday at OKC’s Zoo Amp with special guests Lady A and Love & Theft, is belting his latest hit, “Southern Voice.” It’s been growing on me since I first heard it over the credits of the aforementioned “Blind Side.” Plus, Tim is quite handsome to look at when he’s working the black hat.

7:47: And cue the cut to Faith Hill, who is sitting next to Keith Urban’s wife, Nicole Kidman, whom we’ll see when Keith takes the stage. See how predictable these shows can be?

7:48: Trailer Choir is performing “Shakin’ That Tailgate” on the side stage. The group is one of the artists on Toby Keith’s Show Dog-Universal label.

7:50: Melissa Peterman is backstage again, now with Keith Urban and John Mayer, who will be performing together later in the show. Sorry, Nicole, John says Keith is his date. And Melissa is back to tittering nervously. I love her, but she needs to take a pill or something ’cause she’s making me nervous all the way here in OKC.

7:53: Kid is back to introduce a surprise performance by the “queen of country music” Reba McEntire. Only, surprise, that’s not Reba, that’s “SNL” player Kenan Thompson in a red wig and sparkling green gown singing “Consider Me Gone.” Now, the Oklahoma redhead is taking the stage to confront him, saying she’s heard that he’s been impersonating her on the show. He says he’s embarrassed that they’re wearing the same dress. “But not the same size,” quips Reba. She also tells him he’s too dark to be Reba: “I’m ginger with blond highlights, and you’re a solid auburn” she says of his hair. They’re going to put aside their goofiness for a moment to present the collaborative video buckle. Please let Trace and Blake win, just so I can hear the speech.

• “Best Days of Your Life” – Kellie Pickler featuring Taylor Swift

• “Heaven” from CMT Crossroads: Bryan Adams and Jason Aldean – Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams

* “Hillbilly Bone” – Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins

• “I’m Alive” – Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews

7:57: Wish granted. They’re getting a much-deserved standing O. “Thank you Rebas,” jokes Blake. He quipped on the blue carpet that Trace had been riding his coattails for a year but now he’s thanking him for “being the biggest bada– in country music.” “Proud of my ‘Hillbilly Bone,’” adds the taciturn Trace.

7:59: Lady Antebellum is even harmonizing the intro for Brad Paisley, who is playing his rollicking “American Saturday Night” as huge balloons and confetti rain down on him. Fun performance, with Brad scorching on the guitar, but I’d like to see him do another pool dive to “Water.” Performances are always more fun when the stars have to cheat death by electrocution.

8:05: Melissa is backstage with her two BFFs – Reba and Kenan as Reba. “Let’s hug it up,” she says after her jokes fall flat. “It’s like a Reba sandwich.” I haven’t watched “Saturday Night Live” for awhile, so I’m still just stunned at the idea that Kenan has been impersonating Reba on the show. Wow, that’s some interesting, not to mention color-blind, casting.

8:08: David Spade, Kevin James, Chris Rock and Adam Sandler, the stars of the upcoming movie “Grownups,” are arguing over who is the most country and therefore gets to appear on the CMT Music Awards. Kevin made a sculpture of Garth Brooks out of grits and butter, and Adam bought Willie Nelson’s braid, but David wins because he’s “Joe Dirt.” David and Kid are exchanging witticisms, which mostly consists of Spade making sharp if easy insults and Kid retorting by calling him a “dirt ball.” When Kid tells David he’s supposed to be introducing Jamey Johnson, Spade protests, “You told me it was going to be Carrie Underwood. I didn’t fly in a puddle-jumper from Little Rock to introduce the guy who looks like an extra from ‘Ice Road Truckers.’” Why isn’t “Rules of Engagement” this funny?

Jamey is premiering his new song “Macon” on the show, and he’s got great backing harmonies from Little Big Town happening on this soulful Southern rocker. So well done there.

8:15: Broadway star turned country singer Laura Bell Bundy is singing her song “Giddy On Up” on the Nationwide side stage. She’s doing a weird jig. You’d think a Tony nominee would have better footwork.

8:19: Yikes, it’s a TV horror mashup: Celebrity chef Paula Deen with Snookie and The Situation from MTV’s “Jersey Shore.” The Situation says Paula looks smokin’. “You, too, baby, but who does your hair, Crisco?” Paula quips. Oh. My. Gravy, Paula is feeling The Situation’s “cheese grater” abs. Now, they’re giving her a Jersey nickname: “Mama Hoe Cakes.” Seriously, someone better make this end, or the live blog is off, people.

Oh, good, they’re going to give the award for CMT Performance of the Year now. Here are the nominees, all of whom are preferable to this nightmare:

* “Consider Me Gone” from Invitation Only: Reba – Reba McEntire

• “Lookin’ for a Good Time” from the 2009 CMT Music Awards – Lady Antebellum

• “Southern Voice” from Invitation Only: Tim McGraw – Tim McGraw

* “Temporary Home” from Invitation Only: Carrie Underwood – Carrie Underwood

• “Then” from the 2009 CMT Music Awards – Brad Paisley

8:23: The buckle goes to Carrie Underwood, so her purse goes to fiance Mike Fisher. Hey, just because he smashes guys against the boards in the hockey rink doesn’t mean he can’t hold his fine lady’s purse.

“This is of course very special to me,”  Carrie says. “This song means so much to me.” She tells the fans “none of us could do what we do without you.”

8:24: Twitter scoundrel Blake Shelton and Laura Bell Bundy have been paired as presenters and they’re getting a bit bawdy. He’s joking he’s “used, er, watched” her sexy video “Giddy On Up” many times, while she quips that his “‘Hillbilly Bone’ is huge.” She comments that he’s got a big event coming up, and he promotes his next Six Pak album coming out Aug. 10, then acknowledges that, yes, he’s going to marry Miranda. And cue the cut to the ring. It’s predictable,  but still, pretty diamond.

For those who don’t follow Blake on Twitter, he’s been using Bundy’s album as another opp to harass PETA, joking that it is so good it makes him commit various abuses against furry critters.

8:27: Anyway, all that was to introduce LeAnn Rimes’ exclusive performance of John Anderson’s classic “Swingin’.” It’s a rather hyperactive rendition of the song, with Rimes and a herd of backup dancers prancing, cartwheeling and hopping. It doesn’t have much of the soul of Anderson’s version, and it reminds me of Bundy’s ACM performance: Rimes is so breathless you can’t even hear how good her voice can be. A missed opportunity to give this show a real musical highlight.

8:32: Melissa is attempting to interview Blake and Trace backstage, which involves singing at them. She jokes that she’s going wherever they’re going after the show; those two look like they can find a party wherever they end up. But I’ve noticed that except for Reba and her impersonator, all of Melissa’s interviewees have been hulking country guys. Maybe she could get her blood pressure to go down a bit if she’d lay off the beefcake backstage.

8:34: Jada Pinkett Smith is introducing “one of my favorite people” and telling everybody that “if you get a little drink in him, he can rap.” Toby Keith, Jada and her hubby Will Smith were all at the Nobel Peace Prize concert last fall, so I guess they bonded then.

Toby is performing his hit “American Ride,” which I quite like, but it starts out with the star way out of sync from the band. It gets a bit better by the first chorus, but it’s definitely NOT one of the Big Dog’s better performances. The show and blue carpet has experienced some technical problems, so maybe there’s a glitch causing this. Or maybe starting out the show in the bar wasn’t the best idea. Or maybe he thought he had enough liquor in him to rap but he’s not quite there yet.

8:39: Kid directs everyone to the Nationwide side stage for some eye and ear candy from duo Steel Magnolia. Nationwide spokesman Dale Earnhardt Jr. announces that Chris Young has won the Nationwide award for emerging artists. Two No. 1 hits in a row, I’d say Chris has earned it.

8:43: In an extremely awkward stagey bit, Melissa bursts in on a party in Kid Rock’s dressing room featuring Paula Deen, Kellie Pickler and John Rich. When Melissa inquires about the stuffed boar in the corner, Kid says “That’s my girlfriend,” adding she doesn’t talk back but just sits there looking pretty. “Excellent choice,” she replies. Again, I’m feeling the awkwardness from several states away. Ick.

8:46: Luke Bryan and NASCAR legend Richard Petty are paired up to introduce the Zac Brown Band. Luke is so excited to be onstage with Petty, he’s running over the racer’s lines, while Petty doesn’t seem too interested in reading the Promptr. With the quality of the writing so far tonight, can’t blame him. But thankfully, the quality of this production just went up, since ZBB is playing their thoughtful song “Free” while the crowd waves little lights. It’s not as much fun as “Toes,” but it’s a strong performance nonetheless.

8:51: Martina McBride, looking ever-youthful in her white frock with gold swirls, is talking about flood relief. Next time, let’s let her sing instead of letting Kid Rock and Melissa Peterman do anything related to the show.

8:55: “Dancing With the Stars” partners Erin Andrews and Maks Chmerkovskiy are going to give the award for male video of the year but not before the Ukrainian dancer talks about how much he enjoyed growing up to the music of Rascal Flattsky. Just think, someone actually got paid to write that, people. Ugh.

Here are the nominees, and despite his less-than-stellar performance tonight, I’m rooting for Toby’s funny bipartisan animated bash-fest.

* “American Ride” – Toby Keith

• “People Are Crazy” – Billy Currington

• “Southern Voice” – Tim McGraw

• “The Truth” – Jason Aldean

• “‘Til Summer Comes Around” – Keith Urban

8:58: Winner: Keith Urban, who is thanking all the usual suspects and sending his love and prayers to all the families in the Gulf “who are going through such an insane time right now.” He says he can’t even find words for the emotions of watching the oil spill disaster play out on TV. Amen to that, Keith.

9:00: “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi is introducing an “‘American Idol’ who has become an American icon,” so it must be Carrie Underwood’s turn to perform. She’s looking sassy in slim black pants and spangly silver shirt with fringed sleeves straight out of the ’80s. But there must be some kind of technical problem out there, because she got off to an out-of-sync start just like Toby. She’s recovered admirably, leading the crowd in a sing-along on all the “nah, nah, nahs” for her new hit “Undo It.” But c’mon, are the sound guys all swilling Jack in Kid Rock’s dressing room? This show is getting ridiculous. You’d think that a live show that is going to hinge largely on performances would make sure they weren’t going to have technical issues with every third one.

9:05: Justin Moore, one of the runners-up for the Nationwide award, is on the side stage drawling his biggest hit, “Small Town USA.”

9:11: LeAnn Rimes, who is apparently continuing the ’80s theme by wearing a teal and pink Ocean Pacific swimsuit, is paired with Luke Wilson, who is from Texas where – yes, he said this – all his exes live. Oh, just give the female video award out already. Here are the noms, and there are three Oklahoma options:

* “Consider Me Gone” – Reba McEntire

* “Cowboy Casanova” – Carrie Underwood

* “White Liar” – Miranda Lambert

• “You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift

9:13: Winner: Miranda Lambert. “My first buckle, this rocks!” she says. “Thanks to the fan, this is awesome.” “One more thing: Let’s just hope my next wedding doesn’t end up like that one,” she jokes.

9:14: Taylor Swift, who isn’t performing this year after providing more than half the entertainment at last year’s CMTs, is introducing Keith Urban and John Mayer for a guitar-tastic duet. They’re playing “Hit the Ground Running,” a song featured on Urban’s “Defying Gravity” album, for the first time on television.  Apparently, someone threw a bucket of ice water on the sound techs because this performance actually is synced up and sounds sort of, you know, professional and stuff. Just as I was getting ready to completely give up hope for this show, Mr. Tabloid Trash Mayer and the Aussie hottie have turned it around with some great musicianship. Imagine that! However, I could have done without the weird electric guitar chest bump at the end.

By the way, I thought the 2009 CMTs featured too much Taylor. But even with Miss Swift’s shaky awards show performance record, I’d rather let her sing the whole 2011 edition than let Kid Rock, these writers and these sound techs anywhere near next year’s ceremony. Just sayin’.

9:21: New neo-traditionalist Easton Corbin is on the side stage playing “A Little More Country Than That.” I’m continually amazed at how much he sounds like George Strait. In a good way.

9:25: Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow have taken the stage. “Watching you host all night, I gotta say you’re a natural,” Sheryl says. A natural what, we’re not sure. He says he started the show happy and now he’s really happy. They’re both surprised he’s still standing. Aren’t we all? Now, just give out the top award so you can continue your obnoxious liver-pickling nonsense elsewhere, Kid.

Here are the noms, and again, three Oklahoma hopefuls:

* “American Ride” – Toby Keith

* “Cowboy Casanova” – Carrie Underwood

• “Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum

* “White Liar” – Miranda Lambert

• “You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift

9:28: Winner: Carrie Underwood gets her second buckle of the night. “WOW! Awesome fans, awesome, awesome, amazing, awesome, awesome,” she exclaims. She’s thanking the usual suspects.

9:29: Kid Rock is going off Promptr again to thank all the country stars for accepting him in Nashville and letting him host the show and be part of their scene. He’s encouraging people to come to Nashville and visit. It’s a surprisingly sincere moment from him, and it slightly redeems the debacle of his hosting job.

9:31: He’s throwing it over to Lady A to play the show to a big finish with “Stars Tonight.” This trio is one of my faves, the sound is actually working, so it’s a fun, crowd-pleasing way to end this rather rocky awards show.

9:34: Cue the confetti cannons as Lady A bids everyone goodnight and puts a feel-good finish on the 2010 CMT Music Awards, which are now mercifully over. Rest well, readers, and look for my post-awards show coverage tonight and Thursday.

-BAM

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Live blog: 2010 ACM Awards

Oklahoma native Reba McEntire is returning tonight to host the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. It’s her 12th time to host the show. (Associated Press file photo)

7 p.m.: Oklahoma girl power already is dominating the ACMs, with Reba McEntire immediately kicking it over to fellow Okies Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, who are belting a high-octane version of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Travelin’ Band,” with Brad Paisley and CCR’s John Fogerty wailing away on dueling guitars. I’m not sure that show openers get any bigger than this, though some country purists may not approve of the country/swamp rock tone.

Charlie Daniels (AP file photo)

7:03: OK, I guess the show opener can get a bit bigger, when you add Charlie Daniels sawing away on his fiddle. It’s good to see him looking, well, fit as a fiddle after his recent health problems. “That’s how you start a television show, son!” he exclaims. And judging from the standing ovation, the celebs are as pumped as I am.

7:05: “Wow, take that Las Vegas,” exclaims Reba. She looks as gorgeous as ever in a sparkling black column, showing off her bare back and claiming that with the push-up bra and all the boning, “there’s more special effects going on here than in ‘Avatar.’” The red-haired spitfire is showing off why she keeps getting the hosting gig with her good-natured jabs at all eight entertainer of the year nominees, along with Tiger Woods, Jesse James and Kirstie Alley. You gotta love Reba. Who can resist this woman?

7:09: Reba says that two of the entertainer nominees are not here tonight: George Strait has a family obligation that has kept him away, and the Zac Brown Band will appear tonight via satellite since they’re on a USO tour in the Middle East. Good for the Atlanta country-rockers.

Cher (AP file photo)

7:10: We’re 10 minutes in and on our second standing O as the crowd pays tribute to the night’s first presenter: Cher. Cher is reminding the crowd of her country creds: Her mom played with “a little band called Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.” She’s introducing Oklahoman Blake Shelton, who will be performing his rowdy No. 1 hit “Hillbilly Bone” with buddy Trace Adkins. This is such a fun show.

7:12: Fun fact for Oklahoma country fans: So far, every moment of this show has somehow involved a star with Okie ties. Take that, lesser 49 states!

Blake Shelton

7:15: “Thank you all so much for giving us this award tonight,” Blake says as the song fades. The duo already won the vocal event of the year award for “Hillbilly Bone.” “I can’t believe he won,” Trace adds. “What the hell do you mean we can’t believe we won?” Blake counters. Trace said on the orange carpet that three rehearsals with Blake in a week had taken a toll on their friendship, but I didn’t realize it was this bad. They need duet partners counseling, stat!

Billy Currington

7:17: We’re going immediately to another rollicking performance, with Billy Currington playing his latest hit, “That’s How Country Boys Roll.” Love the perpetual twinkle in his eye.

Kenny Chesney

7:18: Apparently, the reports that the ACMs would pack 22 performances in three hours wasn’t just hype: We’re immediately going to another toe-tapping country hit. His Tanness Kenny Chesney, star of the upcoming movie “Kenny Chesney’s Summer in 3-D,” is rocking through “Ain’t Back Yet.” Whew!

7:21: We’re getting a reminder that you can still vote for entertainer of the year via text or Web. To vote online, go to www.VoteACM.com.

7:26: Reba claims the ACMs are going green this year – all the scripts are printed on recycled Larry King divorce papers. Tee-hee. Love her. She introducing the “woman who has what any woman wants, including Tim McGraw.” Faith Hill – wearing a elegantly draped bright white frock that I love – is giving the first award, song of the year, and we’ve got Okies competing here.

Song of the Year [Awarded to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

* Cowboy Casanova – Carrie Underwood

Composers: Mike Elizondo, Brett James, Carrie Underwood

Publishers: Brett James, Cornelius Music (ASCAP), Carrie Okie Music (BMI), Rincon Ave Music

(ASCAP), Stage Three Songs (ASCAP)

· Need You Now – Lady Antebellum

Composers: Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott

Publishers: EMI Foray Music (BMI), Darth Buddha (ASCAP), Dwhaywood Music (BMI), Hillary Dawn Publishing (SESAC), Radiobullets Publishing (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI), Year Of The Dog Music (ASCAP)

· People Are Crazy – Billy Currington

Composers: Bobby Braddock, Troy Jones

Publishers: Crozier Music Enterprises, LLC (BMI), Mighty Nice Music (BMI), Sony /ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tiltawhirl Music (BMI)

* White Liar – Miranda Lambert

Composers: Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert

Publishers: Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Sony / ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tiltawhirl Music (BMI)

· You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift

Composers: Liz Rose, Taylor Swift

Publishers: Sony / ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Taylor Swift Music (BMI)

7:29: Winner: Lady Antebellum. The trio is riding a streak as hot as Hillary Scott’s pink gown. They’re excited as they think their fans, songwriter and Charles Kelley sweetly thanks his wife.

Laura Bell Bundy (AP photo)

7:30: Reba says we should get ready to get our socks knocked off: Broadway-star-turned-country-singer Laura Bell Bundy, who played Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde” on Broadway, is performing her country single “Giddy on Up.” She is fusing the Great White Way, Nashville and Vegas with her theatrical performance, frolicking around the stage in a halter top, jeans, fringed chaps, dessert plate-size belt buckle and cowboy boots. It’s hard to judge the quality of her voice because quite frankly she seems surprisingly breathless. I expected an experienced Broadway song-and-dance gal to give a more polished awards show performance. It’s fun and sassy, but she might have done better if she had concentrated more on singing and less on dancing and prancing.

Wayman Tisdale and Toby Keith (Tulsa World Archive photo)

7:39: Reba McEntire is paying tribute to Oklahoma basketball-player-turned-jazz-bassist Wayman Tisdale, who died last year after a long battle with cancer. She now is turning it over to Oklahoman Toby Keith and jazz sax player Dave Koz, who are playing Toby’s emotional memorial to Tisdale, “Cryin’ for Me (Wayman’s Song),” lots of great photos of Wayman’s bright smile on the screens in the background. The performance is this year’s ACM Lifting Lives project, with proceeds from downloads going to the charity Stand Up to Cancer. It’s a great, heartfelt song, and I only like it more now. Great performance, and several of Tisdale’s family members are there, tears streaming down there faces, to witness it. Lovely moment.

7:43: Another standing O for that great performance. Go to iTunes now to download the performance in honor of Wayman and to benefit Stand Up Cancer.

7:44: Reba is reminding us that the Home Depot is presenting the ACM Humanitarian Award later tonight; I heard on the orange carpet before the show that this year’s winner is Montgomery Gentry. She’s also showing a video montage of Zac Band Brown’s USO tour in the Middle East. We’ve apparently reached the charity segment of the show, and if you don’t have a warm-fuzzy feeling, you probably have a chunk of granite where your heart outta be.

7:52: Country singer Joe Nichols and Olympic gold medal skier Lindsey Vonn – who looks fabulous in her vivid orange dress but sounds awkward delivering canned awards show banter – are presenting the single of the year award. Will it be another win for Lady A or will we get an Okie win?

Single Record of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company(s)]

· Need You Now – Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)

Produced by: Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley

· People Are Crazy – Billy Currington (Mercury)

Produced by: Carson Chamberlain, Billy Currington

· Red Light – David Nail (MCA Nashville)

Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke

· Toes – Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)

Produced by: Keith Stegall, Zac Brown

* White Liar – Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)

Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke

Lady Antebellum (AP file photo)

7:54: Winner: Lady A again. Hillary says, “I don’t think this can compare to a gold medal.” Charles Kelley tells the crowd, “We’re living our dream. This is what we’ve waited our whole life for.” Kudos to them to giving their producer a moment at the mike and for thanking the players on their sophomore album.

8 p.m.: The perpetually hot LL COOL J says this is his first country music awards “And I am blown away. I love it. I love it.” He’s introducing a “Fearless” performer who turned her daydreams into songs and has “made her way onto the charts and into our hearts.” Must be time for Taylor Swift to perform, and I’m just hoping we get live-in-concert-level Taylor and not bad-Grammy-performance Taylor.

Taylor Swift

8:02: Taylor is wearing a flowing white gown and singing her anthem “Change” on a sort of platform in the middle of the crowd, and now the dais is soaring her over the audience. She’s pulling one of her favorite tricks, stripping away her dress to reveal a spangly black pantsuit. She’s got the University of California San Diego’s choir the Tritones backing up her and her band, and while not perfect, it’s a much better singing performance than we’ve heard from her in awhile. She ends her performance by diving off the stage and being carted away up the aisle. Definitely an improvement over the Grammys. Like her shows and songs, it’s theatrical, but she’s not getting so hyped up she can’t even sing.

8:07: Julianne Hough – another celeb wearing a flowing bright white dress adorned with silver sparkles, which seems to be the trend of the night so far – is introducing the heir to her current throne: ACM top new artist. We’re hearing a quite performance from each of the noms: Gloriana, Luke Bryan and Joey + Rory before the fan-voted winner is announced. These are some talented noms, but I have a soft spot for Joey + Rory. You gotta love a man who wears overalls anywhere, including an awards show in Vegas, and a big-voiced wife who adores him just as he is.

Luke Bryan

8:10: Winner: Luke Bryan. He looks so incredibly relieved and happy, you have to be happy for him. He’s getting a standing O as he shouts “Woo! Thank you fans. Thank you. It’s impossible for a human to shake more than I am right now.” He’s thanking his wife, producer, label, mama and daddy, hometown, etc. He becomes the first victim of the dreaded awards show go-away-your-time-is-up-music, just as he thanks his brother up in Heaven. Faux pas, ACMs.

Lady Antebellum

8:12: Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum is strumming the opening chords of Lady Antebellum’s third No. 1 hit, “American Honey.” Hillary Scott definitely gets style points. She’s swapped her elegantly pleated hot pink dress for another well-fitted long  gown, this one crimson and black with a flowing skirt. I really love Lady A, and they are just on fire these days. They’re already won two big awards tonight, and they sound so good playing together.

8:18: We haven’t seen Reba in awhile. And she hasn’t done a wardrobe change yet. This show needs a Reba fix.

Rascal Flatts

8:21: Told you it was time for more Reba, and she’s wearing a new gown, this time a silvery-lilac frock with a full skirt. Very pretty with her hair. She’s introducing Rascal Flatts, joking they are singing Toyota’s theme song, “Unstoppable.” It’s their latest power ballad, and as usual, Picher’s Joe Don Rooney is making us proud on guitar. Gary LeVox seems to be having a bit of problem with his earpiece; he’s touched it and sounds just a bit off tempo. Still sounds pretty on, though.

8:24: Actress Kristen Bell is coming out in a short beige dress – just a weird fashion statement, if you ask me – to give out the album of the year award. Can Carrie Underwood or Miranda Lambert stop Lady A’s momentum? Can anyone?

Album of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company(s)]

· American Saturday Night – Brad Paisley (Arista Nashville)

Produced by: Chris DuBois, Frank Rogers

· Lady Antebellum – Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)

Produced by: Victoria Shaw, Paul Worley

* Play On – Carrie Underwood (19/Arista Nashville)

Produced by: Mark Bright

“Quitter,” Produced by Max Martin & Shellback for Maratone Productions and Mark Bright

* Revolution – Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)

Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke

· The Foundation – Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)

Produced by: Keith Stegall, Zac Brown

8:26: Winner: Oh, yeah, Miranda Lambert. I’m not the only one who loves it; the crowd is on its feet. She’s hugging her beau, Blake Shelton, and then making her way up to the stage, where she encourages her producer, Frank Liddell, to come to the stage so he can give his thank yous, too.

“This music is what I do. It’s the only thing I live for, and thanks for loving it. Really, changed my life,” she says before turning the mike over to Liddell. But just as he begins to thank his wife, the go-away music starts, drowning him out. This gets a “really?!” from Miranda and smattering of boos from the crowd, before the announcer quickly declares they’re going to show another video montage from Zac Brown Band’s USO tour. Awkward. Again, faux pas. They are really striking out with the go-away music; really poor timing on someone’s part.

Jason Aldean

8:29: Now that we’ve seen more of ZBB’s USO trip, we’re going to give the show another shot of adrenaline, with Jason Aldean playing “Crazy Town.” It’s been a huge year for this Georgia country-rocker, I’m surprised he’s not riding high on any ACM noms tonight. Just seems wrong. He’s not letting it stop him from rocking the joint.

8:32: We’ve got a commercial now and then performances from Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert coming up. Would not put it past Miranda to give someone a piece of her mind after they done her producer wrong during their acceptance speech.

8:38: Miranda is back, crooning her emotional new single “The House That Built Me.” She’s wearing a short, sassy black dress and long ear dangles, but it’s not one of her foot-stomping, firebrand performances. Instead, it’s a powerful and relatable ode to the house where you grow up. It’s a very pretty song and a look at a different side to Miranda.

8:41: Miranda again has the crowd on its feet and cheering for her as she finishes her really great performance.

Montgomery Gentry

8:42: Now, Lee Ann Rimes – cute short purple dress – is taking over to present the Home Depot Humanitarian Award. Rimes won it last year, and this year, it’s going to duo Montgomery Gentry. And we’ve got another standing O for Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry. “This is definitely a very humbling moment right now, because … there are so many great humanitarians in Nashville and in this industry,” Gentry says with his voice shaking with emotion. Eddie declares “this is the greatest country in the world” before dedicating the award to all the volunteers out there, all the American heroes, their lives and family.

8:45: Lee Ann now is showing – da da dun – a montage. Shudder. It’s a video mash-up of what the country stars have been doing in Vegas this week. So much for what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Jack Ingram

8:46: Jack Ingram and Dierks Bentley are getting the show back on track with their honky-tonk duet “Barbie Doll.” It’s one of those terrific cautionary tales that country does so well, and Jack is helping a whole pack of ladies onto the small stage to dance and singing along. They seem like they’re having a ball.

8:53: Reba McEntire is wishing Carrie Underwood “luck in love” with her man, since the Checotah native is getting ready to get married this summer. I’m telling you, she’s going to have a hard time matching the absolutely gorgeous gown she’s wearing as she croons her heartwrenching hit “Temporary Home.” It’s a long lavender dress, with a huge floor-length skirt and a lovely floral pattern that really looks great with her blond hair and skin tone. It’s a beautiful performance, too, with Carrie’s big voice accompanied by just a violin and cello. It’s another wow moment for the Okie delegation, and that was even before all the petal-like confetti began raining from the sky.

Carrie Underwood (AP file photo)

8:58: As the audience gives yet another standing O, Reba is presenting Carrie with the special ACM Triple-Crown Award, saying that the “American Idol” champ merits it for winning the top new female vocalist, top female vocalist and last year’s entertainer of the year award. Apologizes for not being able to keep it together, wiping away tears as she thanks the fans, God and country music. Congratulations to Carrie. Not only does the award put her in an elite group, as she pointed out, it also has a cut little sparkly pink cowboy hat on top of it.

9 p.m. Eddie Cibrian of “CSI: Miami” – hello, CBS homer – is onstage to present the top vocal group award. I think the winner is a forgone conclusion at this point, but here are the noms anyway:

Top Vocal Group of the Year

• Lady Antebellum

• Little Big Town

• Randy Rogers Band

* Rascal Flatts

• Zac Brown Band

Lady Antebellum (AP file photo)

9:01: Winner: Yep, another trophy for Lady A. “We will never forget this night,” declares Charles Kelley, as Dave Haywood expresses his gratitude for belonging to “the greatest genre in the world.”

Tim McGraw (AP file photo)

9:05: Tim McGraw is giving a wonderful performance of his evocative new song “Still.” But enough of the cutaways to Faith Hill. We’ve seen more of his wife than we have of the actual guy singing the song. Sheesh.

Brad Paisley (Photo by Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman Archives)

9:11: Brad Paisley is playing and singing his fun downhome single “Water.” Cue amazing guitar solo. He’s so awesome, and this is just reminding me of the great show he put on in Oklahoma City earlier this year. Good times. He’s taking a little stroll through crowd now while playing yet another intricate guitar solo. The man has magic fingers, I’m telling you. And he caps it off by giving away his water-blue colored guitar and falling into a pool under the stage. He’s giving a very damp tip of the hat to the screaming crowd. Gotta love it.

9:15: Uh oh, Matthew McConaughey is back at the ACMs and he’s carrying a pair of black boots. He’s telling Carrie Underwood “I brought those boots,” and she’s grinningly taking the stage to receive them. If you’ll remember, last year McConaughey presented the entertainer of the year prize, but before he did, he told a story about how he got lucky by telling girls at a bar that he was George Strait’s personal bootmaker and inviting him back to his hotel room to see George’s boots. After she won entertainer, Carrie joked in her speech, “Matthew, I’d like to see those boots.” She took them with a gleam in her eye as sassy as her short white dress.

Matthew has another funny story: He’s now sharing that he and girlfriend Camila Alves conceived their daughter after last year’s ACMs. “We’re gonna try not to get quite so lucky this year,” he cracks. “Two is enough.”

He’s not just here to tell stories, Matthew is going to present top male vocalist:

Top Male Vocalist of the Year

· Kenny Chesney

· Brad Paisley

· Darius Rucker

· George Strait

· Keith Urban

Brad Paisley (AP file photo)

9:18: Winner: Brad Paisley, who takes the stage smiling and dabbing himself with a towel. The always hilarious Paisley asks Matthew, “Hey can I borrow your shirt? You’re used to going without one. By the way, my wife says hi and she loved playing your wife in ‘We Are Marshall.’ She says I’m a better kisser, but y’all didn’t have any kissing scenes in that movie, so I’m not sure how she knows that. Anyway, I better get through this.” He’s thanking all the usual folks, ending with “my wife, who’s probably mad.” I wonder if Kimberly Williams-Paisley is about to become the queen of the rolling-pin beatdown.

Brooks & Dunn (AP file photo)

9:24: Reba is emotionally and with much fanfare introducing Brooks & Dunn, who are about to do their last ACM performance as a duo. The fans voted, and the winning song is “My Maria.” Great song, but “You’re Gonna Miss Me” would have been more appropriate. The performance starts a little rough, with the sound just sounding plain wonky, which is the danger of no one knowing ’til the last minute what an artist is going to play. Still, former Tulsan is howling out the memorable chorus to “My Maria” beautifully, and the audience is up to dance and sing along. And Ronnie finishes the song on a strong note.

Brooks & Dunn is starting their “Last Rodeo Tour” on Friday, and the tour will be coming to Tulsa’s BOK Center next month.

9:29: Carrie Underwood is back, this time with Randy Travis to present the top vocal duo award. Will Brooks & Dunn get one last trophy?

* Brooks & Dunn

· Joey + Rory

· Montgomery Gentry

· Steel Magnolia

· Sugarland

Brooks & Dunn

9:30: WINNER: While Randy fumbles the intro, Carrie can’t wait to scream out Brooks & Dunn!

“We are currently in therapy with Brett Favre trying to figure out how to waffle on this,” Kix Brooks jokes, after thanking the fans for crowd and fans for an amazing 20 years. Ronnie just gives a simple wave and thank you.

There may have been no suspense and a good deal of sentiment involved, but it definitely was a deserving honor for Brooks & Dunn, who have been just an incredible act. Kudos. And the chairs in the Grand Garden Arena are getting hardly any wear tonight; the audience is spending more time on its feet than in the seats.

Reba (AP file photo)

9:37: Reba has changed again; this time she’ s radiant in a long shimmery pinkish-lavender gown. I’m seeing a lot of lavender and lilac on the ladies tonight. She’s crooning her ballad “I Keep on Lovin’ You” while old photos of country greats like Johnny Cash, George Strait and Kris Kristofferson with their wives show on the giant video screen. Very sweet.

9:41: Josh Duhamel has clearly been taking fashion tips from his wife Fergie: He’s wearing an eye-searingly gaudy silver suit to present the top female vocalist award. Here are the noms, and we’ve got three Okie ladies in it:

Top Female Vocalist of the Year

* Miranda Lambert

* Reba McEntire

• Taylor Swift

* Carrie Underwood

• Lee Ann Womack

Miranda Lambert

9:42: Winner: Miranda Lambert. She actually turns to Blake Shelton and asks, “Did he just say me?” She gets a huge hug from Carrie Underwood, who she prevented from getting four female vocalist trophies in a row, and then takes the stage to declare “You have got to be kidding me.” After a shoutout to her fellow noms – and a dig at the producers who cut her last acceptance speech short – she thanks the Lord for making her life so great.

Keith Urban (AP file photo)

9:48: It’s a cute concept on paper, but not easy on the eyes or stomach: We’re getting the whole handheld, shaky-cam treatment on Keith Urban’s performance of his latest super-peppy love song “I’m In.” Usually looking at the Aussie star is a treat for the eys, but he’s looking a little grainy here. I vote we go with the standard cinematography ideal of making people look good from now on. And again, do we need to cut away to the famous wife every 30 seconds? Is it really that interesting that Nicole Kidman knows the words to her spouse’s next song? Is the editor of Us Weekly holding a gun on the producer and forcing these obvious and annoying cutaways?

9:54: Reba McEntire is dressed in her best color ever, a bright green gown, to announce the entertainer of the year. Here are the eight options, one more time:

• Kenny Chesney

* Toby Keith

• Brad Paisley

• George Strait

• Taylor Swift

* Carrie Underwood

• Keith Urban

• Zac Brown Band

Carrie Underwood (AP file photo)

9:56: Winner: Carrie Underwood for the second straight year! She’s getting a big hug from Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, then dashing up to the stage and rapidly and breathlessly thanking everyone she can thank of, while randomly tossing in asides like “I think I just got makeup all over Brad Paisley. Kim, it was me” and “My phone is buzzing.” She ends her rushed speech by jumping around in circles. That was just adorable. But the excitement is worthwhile: She is the first female to win two ACM entertainer prizes.

Darius Rucker

9:58: Darius Rucker is playing us out of the show with his uplifting anthem “Forever Road.” It’s a big, upbeat and rather appropriate ending to a really fun night. It was particularly exciting for Oklahoma stars and fans, with wins for Carrie, Miranda, Brooks & Dunn and Blake Shelton, plus huge performances from even more Okies. Other states can just writhe in envy.

10: “Great job, Darius!,” Reba says, hugging the sweaty, smiling singer formerly known as Hootie. “We love y’all. Good night!” And it was, Reba. You got that right.

Guys, I’m going to file a story for the paper, add a few photos to this live blog and then post your winners list in a bit. Look for an ACM wrap-up Monday. Good night!

-BAM

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Look for ACM Awards live blog tonight

Lady Antebellum perform at the Grammy Awards in January. (Associated Press file photo)

The 45th Annual ACM Awards will air live from Las Vegas from 7 to 10 tonight on CBS, with Oklahoma native Reba McEntire hosting for the 12th time.

Follow along with my live blog of the show, as I’ll chronicle the winners, speeches, performances and other festivities until Reba tells us it’s over.

Voting for entertainer of the year and top new artist is ongoing at www.VoteACM.com. Checotah native Carrie Underwood and Norman resident Toby Keith are nominated for the entertainer prize, the ACM’s top award.

Other artists with Oklahoma ties who are nominated for awards tonight include McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Brooks & Dunn, Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts.

Trio Lady Antebellum enters the ACM Awards with a leading seven nominations, while 20-year-old superstar Taylor Swift goes in with five nods.

- BAM

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