2011 American Country Awards winners
Carrie Underwood (AP file)
The second annual American Country Awards aired tonight live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Fox. To read my live blog of the event, click here.
Winners with Oklahoma ties nominated include Thompson Square, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood and Toby Keith.
Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth co-hosted the show with country star Trace Adkins, who hosted the inaugural show solo. The ACAs are billed as the only country music awards show that “gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories but also in previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring, encompassing the entire spectrum of country music and bestowing honors that no other awards show has.”
Following is the list of categories, nominees and winners of the American Country Awards, with Oklahoma nominees marked with an *:
ARTISTS
Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean – WINNER
Kenny Chesney
Lady Antebellum
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley – WINNER
*Blake Shelton
Artist of the Year: Female
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
*Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood – WINNER
Artist of the Year: Duo or Group
The Band Perry
Lady Antebellum – WINNER
*Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Eric Church
Eli Young Band
Justin Moore
Jake Owen
Chris Young – WINNER
Artist of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry
Scotty McCreery – WINNER
Jerrod Niemann
*Pistol Annies
*Thompson Square
Album
Album of the Year
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party” – WINNER
Kenny Chesney, “Hemingway’s Whiskey”
Brad Paisley, “This Is Country Music”
Taylor Swift, “Speak Now”
Keith Urban, “Get Closer”
Zac Brown Band, “You Get What You Give”
SINGLES
Single of the Year
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Chris Young, “Voices” – WINNER
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
Single of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party” – WINNER
Luke Bryan, “Someone Else Calling You Baby”
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
Chris Young, “Voices”
Single of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
*Miranda Lambert, “Heart Like Mine”
*Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Taylor Swift, “Mean”
*Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song” – WINNER
Single of the Year: Duo or Group
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
*Rascal Flatts, “Why Wait”
Sugarland, “Stuck Like Glue”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” – WINNER
Zac Brown Band, “Colder Weather”
Single of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Craig Campbell, “Family Man”
The JaneDear Girls, “Wildflower”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” – WINNER
Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay” – WINNER
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, “You and Tequila”
Brad Paisley with Alabama, “Old Alabama”
Zac Brown Band with Jimmy Buffet, “Knee Deep”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
TOURING
Touring Headline Act of the Year
Jason Aldean – WINNER
Kenny Chesney
*Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
*Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
VIDEOS
Music Video of the Year
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Blake Shelton, “Who Are you When I’m Not Looking” – WINNER
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Josh Turner, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”
Music Video: Male
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Blake Shelton, “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” – WINNER
Josh Turner, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”
Keith Urban, “Put You In A Song”
Music Video: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
*Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Ashton Shepherd, “Look It Up”
Taylor Swift, “Back To December”
*Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song” – WINNER
Music Video: Duo, Group or Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay” – WINNER
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Lady Antebellum, “Hello World”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
Music Video: New Artist
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Craig Campbell, “Family Man”
Brett Eldredge, “Raymond”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” – WINNER
Contributing: The Associated Press.
-BAM
Live blog: 2011 American Country Awards
Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth
7:00 p.m.: Co-host Trace Adkins, dressed in his usual all black, is performing one of his past smashes, “Honkatonk Badonkadonk” while a group of female dancers shake theirs around him. Carrie Underwood is singing along in the crowd. “Now for something completely different,” he says as the dancers shimmy offstage and he starts crooning “Just Fishin’.” Now the dancers are back, the electric guitars are rocking again, and Trace is doing “Ladies Love Country Boys.” The ladies end by surrounding him like a harem, while Trace intones “thank you ladies.” It’s an odd little medley, but if this show is anything like last year, that will be par for the course for the still-young ACAs.
7:05: Trace says he hosted the show last year and thought he did a pretty good job, but the “network people” didn’t feel like he followed the rules or the prompter too well. So they gave him a “co-host” to “keep him in line,” he says, noting that anyone trying to him in line is an opponent because those are fighting words. So 4’11″ Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth comes out with boxing gloves and a robe and starts dancing around him throwing punches. “Watch the below-the-belt stuff,” he says. “I have no choice but to go below the belt,” she says, showing off her slogan on her robe “Four Feet of Fury.” She is having him pull off her gloves so she can get her hands on “country’s sexiest man,” as determined by Country Weekly, and he tells her to stop it.
7:09: She’s challenging him to a singoff, winner gets to host, loser goes home to Louisiana. She’s bragging that she’s from Oklahoma and challenging him to sing “Oklahoma!” for the first round. “You’re pretty comfortable with those jazz hands you could be on Broadway.” He challenges her to sing “Honkytonk Badonkadonk,” so she throws off her robe to reveal a prodigiously padded rear and sings it in her best opera voice, with some guy dancers. “So it looks like I’m staying.” “This ain’t over yet, Chenoweth.” This is silly but it’s kind of fun too.
7:11: Josh Turner and Jordin Sparks are going to present the first award, which will honor some of country’s top ladies. But first the “American Idol” contender is asking Josh to sing one of his songs. That deep voice is pretty se
Single of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
*Miranda Lambert, “Heart Like Mine”
*Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Taylor Swift, “Mean”
*Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”
xy and all the girls including Jordin are singing along. Of course, we’re not getting all these awards distributed very quickly.
Anyway, they’re gonna present single of the year: female to one of these fine ladies:
Carrie Underwood (AP file)
7:14: Winner: Carrie Underwood for “Mama’s Song.” “First off, I don’t even know what to do about that intro, that was awesome,” the Checotah says as she holds the commemorative guitar, which is given in lieu of a trophy at the ACAs. She’s effusively thanking the country fans for their support. I believe Carrie won 6 or so awards at the first ACAs, so we could see a lot more of her tonight. Of course, since she got her break on Fox’s “American Idol,” she maybe has a bit of a homefield advantage.
The Band Perry (AP file)
7:19: The Band Perry, who were just nominated for the Grammy for best new artist, are performing their latest hit “All Your Life” while the fans in the crowd wave glow sticks. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were able to win that Grammy, they are so hot right now. Kimberly is even rocking a dress with a tulle skirt that looks like it escaped relatively unscathed from 1989.
7:23: Kristin Chenoweth announces that they will be awarding an Artist of the Decade, based on MediaBase’s assessment of the most-played artist of the past 10 years. They’ll be counting down throughout the show the top 10 most-played artists, with the No. 1 getting the prize and performing live. No. 10 is Keith Urban, and No. 9 is Brad Paisley.
Didn’t they give an artist of the decade award on this show last year?
7:25: Comedian Bill Engvall and “Idol” runner-up Lauren Alaina are up to tell us a bit about the Telecaster guitars they’re giving away. Bill and Lauren fumble the hand-off and drop the nice guitar to the floor, but they’re still gonna name the single of the year winner. I think Thompson Square (including Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson) has a great shot here:
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Chris Young, “Voices”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
Chris Young (Photo by Nathan Poppe, The Oklahoman Archive)
7:27: Winner: Chris Young for “Voices,” and he’s treating us to a performance of his winning song, which I absolutely adore. Plus, Keifer and wife Shawna of Thompson Square have 6 more chances tonight to win a guitar.
7:29: As Chris finishes up his performance and begins thanking the usual suspects, the announcer says he’s also been named breakthrough artist of the year. Good for him.
7:35: Two unbelievable things just happened at the ACAs: Garth Brooks, who has released maybe one single this millennium, is No. 8 on that artist of the decade countdown. And Trace just came out carrying Kristin on his chest in a big baby carrying, quipping, “I knew I’d end up carrying you on this show.”
They’re quickly tossing it to rodeo legend Larry Mahan, GAC personality Storme Warren and up-and-coming singer Hunter Hayes. They’re gonna present music video of the year
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Blake Shelton, “Who Are you When I’m Not Looking”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Josh Turner, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”
Blake Shelton
7:39: Winner: Blake Shelton, who also wins music video by a male artist. Blake is saying hi to his dad back home because he’s had a rough couple of weeks, so he’s dedicating the award to his dad and telling him he loves him. Aw.
Eli Young Band
7:40: Eli Young Band is on to perform “Crazy Girl,” which has helped elevate them to a whole new level of success. It’s nice to see some Texas country represented here.
7:46: Rascal Flatts is listed as No. 7 on the artist of the decade list. And now Trace is getting some script changes from Kristin, and the wrestler Big Show shows up to make sure her co-host does just what she wants. He’s introducing the men of “Pawn Stars” per her instructions, and they show up holding that broken guitar claiming Bill Engvall tried to sell it to them for $500. They’re reading the canned lead-up to the album of the year noms with varying degrees of painfulness. Here are the noms:
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Kenny Chesney, “Hemingway’s Whiskey”
Brad Paisley, “This Is Country Music”
Taylor Swift, “Speak Now”
Keith Urban, “Get Closer”
Zac Brown Band, “You Get What You Give”
Jason Aldean
7:49: Winner: Jason Aldean, who gets an undamaged guitar. He notes “it’s been a hell of year,” and he’s certainly been on a hot streak. But I think Paisley should have won in this category. Jason notes that he’s proudest this year that more than 1 million fans came out to his shows. He’s coming to OKC in the new year if you want to see him live.
Pistol Annies
7:50: Trace appears in a neck brace, and Kristin, in an extremely low-cut green dress, is apologizing for having the biggest athlete in the world brutally body slam him. “You’re right, this is our show, we can do whatever the hell we want,”as she yanks off the neck brace. “I like your style, Chenoweth, I’m gonna let you be my co-host.” Now that that is settled, they’re introducing the amazing duo of Pistol Annies: Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Angeleena Presley and Ashley Monroe are in matching black outfits as they croon their smoking first single “Hell on Heels.” Love them so much.
7:58: Brooks & Dunn is No. 7 on the artist of the decade countdown, and Tulsa comic Rodney Carrington, who has been playing Vegas and will be playing his annual post-Christmas shows at Firelake Grand in Shawnee soon, is with The JaneDear Girls. They’re going to present the new artist of the year prize. Here are the options:
The Band Perry
Scotty McCreery
Jerrod Niemann
*Pistol Annies
*Thompson Square
Scotty McCreery
8:00: Winner: “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery, whose debut album has already gone gold, is the performing his new single “The Trouble with Girls” to mark his second big win on Fox. Carrie is nodding along as he croons. It’s amazing that a guy that young sounds so grown up; no matter how many times I hear him sing, I’m still kind of startled by it. “Thank y’all so much. It’s my first award, and it’s a dad-gum Telecaster.” He’s thanking the usual suspects, putting his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first, and giving a birthday shout-out to his mom. If he were any sweeter, the kid would be Tim Tebow.
8:08: The duo Love and Theft are revealing No. 5 on the artist of the decade countdown, Alan Jackson, and Kristin Chenoweth is chatting with her fellow Oklahoma girl Carrie Underwood, noting that she’s perfect “just like my girls from Oklahoma.” “Sometimes awards show put people together that go together; this is not o
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
*Rascal Flatts, “Why Wait”
Sugarland, “Stuck Like Glue”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Zac Brown Band, “Colder Weather”
ne of those times.” The Big Show is back, with NASCAR pit reporter Jamie Little, and their chatting about their jobs while the wrestler points out her “Olympic conditioning” in her sleek purple gown.
They’re going to present single of the year by a group. Here are the noms:
Thompson Square
8:12: Winner: Thompson Square, who are performing their winning, breakthrough, Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling ballad. It’s been a ginormous year for this husband-and-wife team. The couple also won best single by a new artist and best video by a new artist. “Thank y’all very much. This is the first we’ve ever won anything, so be patient with us,” Keifer said. He’s thanking God for making it such a blessed year for them.
Blake Shelton (AP file)
8:20: Artist of the decade countdown continues with George Strait at No. 4, and with Kristin Chenoweth pretending to be the dummy to Trace’s fake ventriloquist. “How do you like the show so far?” Trace asks. “I’d like it better if I was sitting on Blake Shelton’s lap,” she said in a voice that’s more like a robot. But she can’t because Blake – who got huge cheers earlier when he won his music video honors – is going to croon his latest hit, “God Gave Me You.” Love this Okie, and I’m glad to see he’s finally achieving the level of success he deserves. And Miranda is singing along to the song, which he recorded for her and earned a Grammy nomination for the songwriter, Dave Barnes, to boot. It’s a gorgeous performance, and I love it when we get to see romantic Blake and not just crazy-funny Blake.
8:29: Artist of the decade countdown continues with Kenny Chesney at No. 3. Since I bet my boots that Toby Keith is No. 1, this list is awfully male-dominated. NASCAR star Kyle Busch, who’s giving a shoutout to his smoking hot wife, is going to present the female artist of the year:
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
*Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood (AP file)
8:31: Winner: Carrie Underwood, who also wins music video of the year by a female for “Mama’s Song.” She is thanking her fans, specifically her fan club, and promising an amazing 2012. She also says she loves and misses her hubby Mike, then apologizing because his teammates are gonna make fun of him for that later.
Kristin Chenoweth (AP file)
8:32: Trace says he’s been pretending that he doesn’t want to listen to his co-host but that’s just an act, and he’s introducing her singing her sassy country single “I Didn’t.” She’s letting her Okie accent and full-blown feisty out as she dedicates the song to her ex-boyfriend. No question her voice is amazing, but I think the Broken Arrow native is trying a little too hard with her performance, particularly with the “yee haw.” Of course, the last time I saw her perform “I Didn’t Live,” it was in front of 2,000 people – about a fourth of them relatives or friends and all of them fellow Okies and fans – at her Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame induction in Muskogee. So that could just be my perception based on a show in which she was definitely at home and ease.
Alabama (AP file)
8:39: The artist of the decade countdown is almost over with Tim McGraw getting the No. 2 spot. They’re going to give the Hits Award, which last year went to Alan Jackson, and since ACA male artist Brad Paisley is doing the intro via video, it’s safe to say the winner is going to be Alabama. The legendary band is getting a standing O as they take the stage to play a medley of their hits including “Tennessee River,” “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)” and “Mountain Music” that has everyone in the crowd singing along. It is so amazing to see this band playing their hits, and the crowd is just adoring every minute. Like most of the people there, I grew up with this band’s music. What great players, every one!
8:45: Trace is presenting the Greatest Hits Award to Alabama, saying the first concert he ever attended featured the band, who was “the greatest then and they’re still the greatest now.” He literally takes his hat off to the band, who then figuratively tips their hats to the fans and to the military members who keep Americans free to play and listen to the music of their choice. I notice that one of the band members is wearing a big slogan “We’re Back” on the back of his shirt. Awesome.
8:49: I’m betting that Okie Toby Keith is No. 1 on the artist of the decade countdown, though I may well be wrong. If that’s the case, the list will not have included a single female. If that’s the case, it’s just shameful.
8:51: Miranda Lambert, who is the first country artist to have her first four albums go No. 1, is looking quite sexy in a black dress covered in rectangular golden beads, and she’s going to present the artist of the year award. I’m disappointed that her honey isn’t in the running here, but here are the candidates:
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Lady Antebellum
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band
Jason Aldean
8:53: Winner: Jason Aldean, who comments, “This is getting ridiculous.” Yep, it sure is because that’s not all he’s won. He also gets:
Album and single of the year by a male artist for “My Kinda Party.”
Single and music video of the year by group/duo/collaboration for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson.
That brings his total ACA wins to 6. Wow. What a year.
Toby Keith
8:56: Trace and Kristin (who looks stunning her long golden and black dress) are presenting the artist of the decade honor to … Toby Keith, who comes out to his tune “I Wanna Talk About Me.” “Hell, anybody can have a good decade, right?” TK quips before going on to thank the fans. Before he performs his new smash “Red Solo Cup” for the first time, Stephen Colbert pays tribute to TK as the “pop of Nashville” in a taped message. Love that TK won, and my disappointment that there were ZERO women on the countdown is being drowned in the catchiness of “Red Solo Cup.” Everyone out in the crowd – from the fans to the stars – are holding the plasticware in question, and Toby Keith is so into this song, he just goofed on the lyrics. He is totally selling this ridiculous song! “You’re my friend!”
9:00: all the presenters along with Trace and Kristin join TK on stage to toast and drink from their red Solo cups, with Trace contributing to the lyrics and Kristin pretending to coach one of the guitar players.
It’s a fun way to end the show, and a handy way for Fox to promote that “Red Solo Cup” will be performed on Tuesday’s new episode of its cult favorite show “Glee.”
Thanks for following my live blog tonight. As usual, I’ll have more coverage to come soon. And if you’re drinking from a red Solo cup, please be safe and smart about it!
-BAM
2011 American Country Award nominees
Blake Shelton (AP file)
The second annual American Country Awards are airing from 7 to 9 tonight on Fox, with Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth and Trace Adkins co-hosting. I’ll be live blogging the awards in mere moments.
Artists with Oklahoma ties nominated for the 2011 ACAs include Thompson Square, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith.
The ACAs are billed as the only country music awards show that “gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories but also in previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring, encompassing the entire spectrum of country music and bestowing honors that no other awards show has.”
Following is the list of categories and nominees for the American Country Awards, with Oklahoma nominees marked with an *:
ARTISTS
Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Lady Antebellum
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
*Blake Shelton
Artist of the Year: Female
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
*Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood
Artist of the Year: Duo or Group
The Band Perry
Lady Antebellum
*Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Eric Church
Eli Young Band
Justin Moore
Jake Owen
Chris Young
Artist of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry
Scotty McCreery
Jerrod Niemann
*Pistol Annies
*Thompson Square
Album
Album of the Year
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Kenny Chesney, “Hemingway’s Whiskey”
Brad Paisley, “This Is Country Music”
Taylor Swift, “Speak Now”
Keith Urban, “Get Closer”
Zac Brown Band, “You Get What You Give”
SINGLES
Single of the Year
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Chris Young, “Voices”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
Single of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Luke Bryan, “Someone Else Calling You Baby”
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
Chris Young, “Voices”
Single of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
*Miranda Lambert, “Heart Like Mine”
*Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Taylor Swift, “Mean”
*Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”
Single of the Year: Duo or Group
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
*Rascal Flatts, “Why Wait”
Sugarland, “Stuck Like Glue”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Zac Brown Band, “Colder Weather”
Single of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Craig Campbell, “Family Man”
The JaneDear Girls, “Wildflower”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, “You and Tequila”
Brad Paisley with Alabama, “Old Alabama”
Zac Brown Band with Jimmy Buffet, “Knee Deep”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
TOURING
Touring Headline Act of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
*Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
*Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
VIDEOS
Music Video of the Year
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Blake Shelton, “Who Are you When I’m Not Looking”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Josh Turner, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”
Music Video: Male
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Blake Shelton, “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”
Josh Turner, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”
Keith Urban, “Put You In A Song”
Music Video: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
*Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Ashton Shepherd, “Look It Up”
Taylor Swift, “Back To December”
*Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”
Music Video: Duo, Group or Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Lady Antebellum, “Hello World”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”
Music Video: New Artist
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Craig Campbell, “Family Man”
Brett Eldredge, “Raymond”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want”
*Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss
Thompson Square, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert and more nominated for American Country Awards
From Monday’s Life section of The Oklahoman. To read my new feature with Kristin Chenoweth, click here.
Thompson Square competing for 7 American Country Awards
Other artists with Oklahoma ties nominated for the second annual ACAs include Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith.
Hot new duo Thompson Square are set to light up the second annual American Country Awards.
The husband-and-wife pair, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, will view for seven commemorative guitars, which are given in lieu of trophies at the ACAs. Other artists with Oklahoma ties nominated include Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith.
The fan-voted awards show will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday on Fox. Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth will co-host the show with country star Trace Adkins, who hosted the inaugural show solo. The ACAs are billed as the only country music awards show that “gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories but also in previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring, encompassing the entire spectrum of country music.”
Thompson Square is nominated for Artist of the Year: New Artist and will compete for overall Single of the Year, Single of the Year: Duo or Group, Single of the Year: New Artist, overall Music Video of the Year, Music Video: Duo, Group or Collaboration and Music Video: New Artist on the strength of their smash “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not.”
Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert’s new all-girl trio Pistol Annies also will contend for the Artist of the Year: New Artist award. As a solo artist, Lambert is nominated for Artist of the Year: Female and Single of the Year: Female for “Heart Like Mine,”
Lambert’s husband and fellow Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton is nominated for Artist of the Year: Male along with overall Music Video of the Year and Music Video: Male for “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking.”
Checotah native Carrie Underwood is nominated for Artist of the Year: Female; Touring Headline Act of the Year; and Single of the Year: Female and Music Video: Female for “Mama’s Song.”
Reba McEntire, who hails from Chockie, also is nominated for Single of the Year: Female and Music Video: Female for “Turn on the Radio.”
Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, will vie for Artist of the Year: Duo or Group; Single of the Year: Duo or Group for “Why Wait”; and Touring Headline Act of the Year.
Norman resident Toby Keith also is nominated for Touring Headline Act of the Year.
Performers for the second ACAs will include Keith, Shelton, Pistol Annies, Thompson Square, Chenoweth, Adkins, Alabama, Scotty McCreery, Eli Young Band and The Band Perry.4
The show also will include appearances by Lambert, Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington, Lauren Alaina, Josh Turner, Jordin Sparks, The Big Show, The JaneDear Girls, Bill Engvall, Larry Mahan and the men of the reality TV show “Pawn Stars.”
Jason Aldean and Zac Brown Band each earned a leading eight nominations for this year’s ACAs.
-BAM
Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney share family memories on tonight’s “CMA Country Christmas” special
Vince Gill and Amy Grant appear on "CMA Country Christmas."
Country music’s biggest stars share their family traditions and treasured holiday memories on “CMA Country Christmas,” airing from 8 to 10 tonight on the ABC Television Network.
Hosted for the second year by Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, the special includes performances from “American Idol” runner up Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts (which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher), Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer with special guest Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Keith Urban, and Norman-born and Oklahoma City-bred Vince Gill in a special performance with Miss Piggy.
A highlight of the special is the intimate fireside chats where the artists and their families share their personal traditions from favorite recipes, to least favorite gifts:
Vince Gill and wife Amy Grant talked about their favorite Christmas memories. Gill told a story about his sister mastering the art of opening Christmas gifts before Christmas Day – and re-sealing them. “She was good at acting surprised at what she got,” remarked Gill.
Grant told a story about her mother buying her gerbils one Christmas, only to have them found by the family cat before the big reveal. “We’re sitting around, all fuzzy feeling, then all of a sudden, I’m going, ‘What is that crunching sound under the tree?’ It was my big present – the gerbils.”
Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts talked about special holiday traditions at his home. “We kind of have a tradition now we’re starting. We kind of all have pajamas we wear – all matching.”
Rooney’s wife, Tiffany Fallon added, “Daddy only wears his for, like, 10 or 15 minutes.”
Rooney deadpanned, “When you’re dressed like a candy cane, and you’re a guy, it’s a little uncomfortable.”
Jay DeMarcus, of Rascal Flatts, sat with his wife Allison, and infant daughter Madeline (born Dec. 17, 2010), and talked about the new traditions being started in the DeMarcus home this year. “The greatest gift we got this year was this little, beautiful angel right here,” said DeMarcus, smiling and laughing along with his wife, while his daughter tugged on his shirt. “This is her first interview. As you can tell, she’s doing really well at it.”
Lauren Alaina and her mother Kristy Suddeth chatted on the couch while Alaina talked about how the family home is decorated. “We go all out,” she said. “We’re serious about our Christmas decorations. When they don’t work, we are mad.” Alaina also talked about snooping for Christmas gifts before Christmas Day.
Faith Hill talked about the big box of peanuts she and her two older brothers received from their mother and father one Christmas. They had to dig through to find money. “I got so upset because she didn’t put any money in my box. I thought, “She gypped me!’” Faith also said her husband, Country star Tim McGraw, dressed up as Santa Claus one Christmas for a benefit show. “It was actually really good,” Hill said. She said the family tradition is to read The Night Before Christmas, to bake, and make reindeer food.
Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town recalled how his siblings would all pile up on mattresses and blankets on the floor in the family’s “little bitty house.” “That is harmony. That is family. That is what Christmas is all about,” Westbrook said.
Martina McBride and her three daughters (Ava 6, Emma 13, and Delaney 16) chatted about their favorite Christmas recipe. “We have a weird salad we make,” McBride said, listing the ingredients as a jar of pimento cheese, a can of pineapple, half a bag of marshmallows, and a carton of Cool Whip, mixed together. “It’s so good!”
Kellie Pickler talked about one of her favorite holidays when she visited American troops in Iraq as part of a USO tour. She said the experience was “life-changing,” visiting with men and women who couldn’t be with their husbands, wives, and children on Christmas. “There are so many things we take for granted,” Pickler said. “We don’t realize it until it’s not there anymore – until that luxury, that freedom, is not there.”
Sugarland’s Kristian Bush recalled how as children, he and his brother slept as close to the Christmas tree as they could on Christmas Eve. “Santa left everything outside,” Bush said.
Nettles talked about the year she and her roommate decided to make candles for Christmas, but narrowly escaped disaster. “It’s quite dangerous actually,” Nettles said. “A lot went into those gifts, and I hope people still have those candles because we almost burned down the whole complex.”
A native Australian, Keith Urban explained how Christmas was always sunny and warm, which is much different from the wintry holiday he now celebrates in the United States. “My memories of Christmas growing up in the Southern hemisphere – it’s the middle of summer down there,” Urban said. “Christmas was always about going to the beach. And my fondest Christmas memory is about getting in the station wagon with my mom, dad, my brother, and me, and going to the beach for the day.”
Urban also talked about the best present he ever received. “Two Christmases ago, my lovely wife [Nicole Kidman] surprised the heck out of me with Waylon Jennings’ Telecaster that was being auctioned off at the beginning of December. Hands down – it’s the best gift I’ve ever had.”
-BAM
Rascal Flatts performs 2 classics for “CMA Country Christmas” special, airing Dec. 1
Rascal Flatts (AP file)
Country group Rascal Flatts, which includes guitarist Joe Don Rooney of Picher, performs two Christmas classics — “White Christmas” and “Mary Did You Know” — during “CMA Country Christmas,” airing from 8 to 10 p.m. next Thursday, Dec. 1 on the ABC Television Network.
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles hosts the two-hour holiday extravaganza with performances from “American Idol” runner up Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer with special guest Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Keith Urban, and Oklahoma Vince Gill in a special duet with Miss Piggy.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Rascal Flatts performs on “Today” show
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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
The newest members of the Grand Ole Opry, superstar country band Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, kicked off a special Thanksgiving week all-star lineup Monday on NBC’s “Today” show as part of the Toyota Concert Series on the plaza in Rockefeller Center.
The band performed its hits “Why Wait” and “Life Is a Highway” and were joined by Natasha Bedingfield on their smash duet single “Easy,” from the Flatts’ 2010 album and Big Machine Records debut, “Nothing Like This.” The single was co-written by Bray native Katrina Elam.
Additional “Today” show performers who performed this Thanksgiving week were,Carole King on Tuesday and Justin Bieber today. “Today” airs from 7 to 11 a.m. weekdays on NBC (KFOR-4 in Oklahoma City).
Rascal Flatts will be on TV again next Wednesday, Dec. 1 when the “CMA Country Christmas” airs on ABC, and they will compete for several prizes at the Monday, Dec. 5 American Country Awards on Fox.
Plus, the band expects to put out a new album in April.
-BAM
Rascal Flatts appearing this morning on “Today” show
The newest members of the Grand Ole Opry, superstar country band Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, will kick-off a special Thanksgiving week all-star lineup this morning on NBC’s “Today” show as part of the Toyota Concert Series on the plaza in Rockefeller Center.
The band will perform on the morning show today and will be joined by Natasha Bedingfield on their smash duet single “Easy,” from the Flatts’ 2010 album and Big Machine Records debut, “Nothing Like This.”
Additional “Today” show performers scheduled for this Thanksgiving week include Carole King on Tuesday and Justin Bieber on Wednesday.
“Today” airs from 7 to 11 a.m. weekdays on NBC (KFOR-4 in Oklahoma City).
-BAM
CD review: “The Best of Rascal Flatts LIVE”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Country
Rascal Flatts “The Best of Rascal Flatts LIVE” (Lyric Street Records/Hollywood Records)
“The Best of Rascal Flatts LIVE” serves as a sort of musical time capsule chronicling the superstar country band’s first decade together.
The live album features 10 tracks drawn primarily from the group’s first six albums; the Flatts’ three top 10 hits from their 2010 effort “Nothing Like This” are conspicuously absent.
That’s because for their first 10 years together, the band, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, recorded on Disney Music Group’s Lyric Street Records. When Lyric Street shuttered in 2010, Rascal Flatts moved on to Scott Borchetta’s powerhouse Big Machine Records. Hollywood Records, another Disney imprint, is releasing “The Best of Rascal Flatts LIVE.”
The playlist may be a bit dated, but fans who have fond recollections of one or more of the band’s renowned concerts will probably enjoy reliving those memories with the live album. It opens with the perky party song “Bob That Head,” offers a fervent rendition of the group’s signature song “God Bless the Broken Road” and shows off the Flatts’ trademark tight vocal harmonies on “Still Feels Good.”
Rooney, lead vocalist Gary LeVox and bassist Jay DeMarcus pay earnest tribute to their fans with “Here’s to You,” then get the crowd belting along with the inspirational anthem “Stand” and the heartbroken ballad “These Days.” They close the album with their smash cover of Tom Cochrane’s “Life Is a Highway,” and for an encore, they roll through a couple of classic rock standards — Boston’s “Foreplay/Long Time” and The Edgar Winter Group’s “Free Ride” — in a medley that showcases Rooney’s strong guitar skills.
Running just shy of 45 minutes, “The Best of Rascal Flatts LIVE” clocks in at less than half the length of the band’s usual set. The compilation also has been cobbled together from different concerts — LeVox gives shout-outs to Georgia, California and Florida on various tracks — so it isn’t as cohesive as a live effort taken from a single show.
Still, “The Best of Rascal Flatts LIVE” does a reasonable job channeling the dynamic energy the band creates in concert.
— BAM
Rascal Flatts, Amy Grant, Vince Gill and Miss Piggy perform on “CMA Country Christmas,” airing Dec. 1
Rascal Flatts (AP file)
Country music’s biggest stars as well as cross-genre musical innovators come together to celebrate the holidays on “CMA Country Christmas,” which taped in front of a live audience Thursday night at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
The special, hosted for the second time by Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, will air from 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 on the ABC Television Network. The program will repeat from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.
Vince Gill (AP file)
Artists who planned to perform and celebrate the season with songs and stories include Rascal Flatts (which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney), “American Idol” runner-up Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer, Sugarland, Keith Urban, and Oklahoma native Vince Gill in a special performance with Miss Piggy.
“This special is a holiday gift, wrapped in outstanding performances and tied with a ribbon of favorite family traditions,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer, in a news release. “Everything you love most about the holidays can be found in ‘CMA Country Christmas.’”
In 2010, the first “CMA Country Christmas” drew an average audience of 7.3 million viewers in its first airing on November 30, topping original competition on NBC and Fox by wide margins. It improved its time period for ABC over the same night in 2009 by a million viewers (7.3 vs. 6.3 million).
The special re-aired a second time on December 22, 2010, reaching 4.25 million viewers. With its combined airings, “CMA Country Christmas” was seen by more than 11.5 million viewers in 2010.
-BAM
