Entertainment blogging from The Oklahoman's Brandy McDonnell

Photo gallery: Oklahomans perform and win on the 2011 CMA Awards

Country music stars Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Thompson Square and Rascal Flatts all were nominated and performed Wednesday night during the 45th Annual CMA Awards. For the second straight year, Shelton and Lambert were named male vocalist and female vocalist of the year.

Plus, Checotah native Carrie Underwood co-hosted the Country Music Association’s soiree with Brad Paisley for the fourth consecutive year. To see photos of her in action, click here.

For more on the CMA Awards, read my live blog by clicking here.

-BAM

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Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert win at the CMA Awards

The reign continues for country music power couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert.

For the second straight year, the Tishomingo residents, who wed in May, were named the Country Music Association’s male vocalist and female vocalist of the year Wednesday night at the 45^th Annual CMA Awards, which aired live on ABC from Nashville, Tenn.

“You’re spoiling me,” said Shelton, who opened the show performing a raucous rendition of the movie theme “Footloose” with ‘80s soundtrack guru Kenny Loggins. “I really didn’t prepare anything to say at all. I really didn’t think you guys’d let me get away with this two times.”

For Lambert, who sang her new smash single “Baggage Claim” during the awards soiree, the female vocalist trophy was an early birthday present. The singer-songwriter turns 28 Thursday.

“Seriously? Thank you so much. I did not expect to get this at all. I had a great year last year, and I’m very, very humbled at this moment to be standing up here in front of these amazing females that are here and deserve it,” she said. “Congrats to my hubby, too. It’s gonna be a good night tonight, baby!”

For Shelton, 2011 has been a breakout year, and he earned five CMA Award nominations, including a shot at entertainer of the year. But Chockie native and new Country Music Hall of Famer Reba McEntire presented the top prize to singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who has topped the charts and sold out arenas since the October 2010 release of her now triple-platinum third album, “Speak Now.”

“I’m so happy right now,” Swift said, thanking the stars who performed with her during shows on her tour, including former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, Usher and Justin Bieber. “You have made my year!”

The CMA Awards paid tribute to established stars while handing out much of the hardware to relative newcomers or emerging artists. Sibling trio The Band Perry received the new artist prize along with song and single of the year for their breakthrough hit “If I Die Young.”

Georgia country-rocker Jason Aldean took home two trophies, album of the year for his smash “My Kinda Party” and musical event for “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” his duet with “American Idol” Kelly Clarkson.

Lady Antebellum and Sugarland continued their runs as vocal group and vocal duo of the year, respectively, while Mac McAnally was again named musician of the year. Country superstar Kenny Chesney and rocker Grace Potter won the music video prize for their duet “You and Tequila.”

Stars with Oklahoma ties not only competed for several awards but also were involved in many other aspects of the show. For the fourth consecutive year, Checotah native Carrie Underwood and fellow superstar Brad Paisley co-hosted the show; they performed their chart-topping love song “Remind Me,” too.

Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, played their hit duet “Easy” with pop star Natasha Bedingfield and collaborated with R&B legend Lionel Richie on his 1986 chart-topper “Dancing on the Ceiling.” Newcomers Thompson Square, the husband-and-wife duo that features Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, played their breakout ballad “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not.”

Oklahoma City-bred singer/guitarist Vince Gill, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Elk City-born songwriter/pianist Jimmy Webb, president of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, took part in the show’s most touching moment: a heartfelt tribute to country legend Glen Campbell, who this year revealed he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Gill and fellow singer/guitarists Paisley and Keith Urban took turns playing “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman” and “Galveston,” three of the iconic hits Webb wrote and Campbell recorded in the late 1960s.

To read my live blog of the CMA Awards, click here.

-BAM

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Live blog: 2011 CMA Awards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))

“A Little Bit Stronger”

Sara Evans

Produced by Tony Brown

RCA Nashville

 

“Colder Weather”

Zac Brown Band

Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown

Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records

 

“Don’t You Wanna Stay”

Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson

Produced by Michael Knox

Broken Bow Records

 

*”Honey Bee”

Blake Shelton

Produced by Scott Hendricks

Warner Bros. Nashville

 

“If I Die Young”

The Band Perry

Produced by Paul Worley

Republic Nashville

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

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

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

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

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

Song of the Year

(Award goes to Songwriter(s))

“Colder Weather”

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

 

“Dirt Road Anthem”

Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford

 

“If I Die Young”

Kimberly Perry

 

“Mean”

Taylor Swift

 

“You and Tequila”

Matraca Berg and Deana Carter

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

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

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

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

Vocal Duo of the Year

The Civil Wars

Montgomery Gentry

Steel Magnolia

Sugarland

*Thompson Square

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Musician of the Year

Sam Bush – Mandolin

Jerry Douglas – Dobro

Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar

Dann Huff – Guitar

Mac McAnally – Guitar

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

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

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

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

Album of the Year

(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))

*All About Tonight

Blake Shelton

Produced by Scott Hendricks

Warner Bros. Nashville

 

My Kinda Party

Jason Aldean

Produced by Michael Knox

Broken Bow Records

 

Speak Now

Taylor Swift

Produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift

Big Machine Records

This Is Country Music

Brad Paisley

Produced by Frank Rogers

Arista Nashville

 

You Get What You Give

Zac Brown Band

Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown

Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vocal Group of the Year

The Band Perry

Lady Antebellum

Little Big Town

*Rascal Flatts

Zac Brown Band

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

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

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

Music Video of the Year

(Award goes to Artist and Director)

*”Honey Bee”

Blake Shelton

Directed by Trey Fanjoy

 

“If I Die Young”

The Band Perry

Directed by David McClister

 

“Mean”

Taylor Swift

Directed by Declan Whitebloom

 

“Old Alabama”

Brad Paisley featuring Alabama

Directed by Jim Shea

 

“You and Tequila”

Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter

Directed by Shaun Silva

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

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

New Artist of the Year

The Band Perry

Luke Bryan

Eric Church

*Thompson Square

Chris Young

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

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

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

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

Male Vocalist of the Year

Jason Aldean

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

*Blake Shelton

Keith Urban

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Female Vocalist of the Year

Sara Evans

*Miranda Lambert

Martina McBride

Taylor Swift

*Carrie Underwood

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

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

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

Musical Event of the Year

(Award goes to each Artist)

“As She’s Walking Away”

Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson

Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records

 

*”Coal Miner’s Daughter”

Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert

Columbia Records Nashville

 

“Don’t You Wanna Stay”

Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson

Broken Bow Records

 

“Old Alabama”

Brad Paisley featuring Alabama

Arista Nashville

 

“You and Tequila”

Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter

BNA Records

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

Entertainer of the Year

Jason Aldean

Brad Paisley

*Blake Shelton

Taylor Swift

Keith Urban

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

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

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

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

-BAM

 

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Carrie Underwood prepares to co-host CMA Awards for the fourth straight year tonight

For the fourth straight year, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley are getting ready to perform a three-hour duet.

No, the Checotah native and her fellow country music superstar aren’t borrowing a page from the Flaming Lips’ warped musical playbook. Instead, Underwood and Paisley are again co-hosting the Country Music Association’s yearly awards show.

“Brad’s great. Brad is the big brother I never had,” Underwood said during a recent visit to her hometown. where she helped build a playground her foundation donated to her old elementary school. “He messes with me and picks on me like a little sister, so we work well together.”

When the 45^th Annual CMA Awards air live from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday (tonight) on ABC, Underwood won’t be the only country luminary with Oklahoma ties hoping to light up the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. , in front of their peers and a national TV audience. Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Thompson Square, Rascal Flatts and Underwood are all nominated for awards and have been invited to join the star-studded lineup of performers.

Shelton, who is in the midst of a breakout year, will compete for five trophies, including the top prize, entertainer of the year. The Ada native tied Paisley, Jason Aldean and Taylor Swift as all received five nominations each and all are nominated in the entertainer of the year category, along with Keith Urban.

Along with his entertainer nomination, Shelton, who lives in Tishomingo, will defend his title as reigning CMA male vocalist of the year and contend for album of the year for “All About Tonight” and single of the year for “Honey Bee,” both produced by Clinton native Scott Hendricks. In addition, Shelton, a celebrity coach on the hit reality TV show “The Voice,” is nominated for video of the year for “Honey Bee,” directed by Trey Fanjoy.

“To be honest, I secretly hoped that I’d get this nomination one day, but I never thought I actually would,” Shelton said on his website after he received his first entertainer of the year nomination.

Shelton will open the CMA Awards by performing “Footloose,” which he covered for the recent remake of the 1984 film, and he will be joined by ‘80s soundtrack guru Kenny Loggins, who cut the famous original version of the movie theme.

Lambert, Shelton’s wife and fellow Tishomingo country star, is trying to repeat as the CMA’s female vocalist of the year after winning the prize in 2010. The Texas native, who released her new album “Four the Record” last week, is nominated with country legend Loretta Lynn and rocker Sheryl Crow for musical event of the year for their version of Lynn’s signature song “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

Husband-and-wife duo Thompson Square, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, received their first CMA Award nominations for new artist and vocal duo of the year. After the awards show, the couple will be the musical guest on the late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” which begins at 11 p.m. Wednesday on ABC.

Trio Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, earned a nomination in the vocal group of the year category. The band will play its current hit duet “Easy” with pop star Natasha Bedingfield. Also, Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town and Darius Rucker will perform duets with R&B legend Lionel Richie, who is releasing his anticipated country duets album “Tuskegee” in March.

Along with co-hosting, Underwood and Paisley will perform together their chart-topping duet “Remind Me,” and Paisley will join Oklahoma native Vince Gill and fellow singer/guitarist Urban in playing a tribute to country legend Glen Campbell, who revealed earlier this year that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Plus, Underwood will compete for the sixth time in the female vocalist category. She won the title in 2006, 2007 and 2008, and if the “American Idol” wins again in 2011, it will tie her with fellow nominee Martina McBride and fellow Oklahoma native Reba McEntire, who will be among the show’s presenters this year, for most wins in the category.

Although presiding over the CMA Awards involves a lot of work — and typically includes several speedy wardrobe changes for Underwood — she is excited to do it all again.

“Brad and I have a lot of fun hosting,” she said. “That’s a long show and it just flies by doing that. … We kind of feel like we’re in the driver’s seat.”

Follow along on BAM’s Blog

Hosted by Checotah native Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, the 45th annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville, Tenn., from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday (tonight) on ABC. Follow along with my live posts about the show here at BAM’s Blog: blog.newsok.com/bamsblog.

-BAM

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It’s CMA Awards Week on BAM’s Blog!

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

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

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

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

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

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

-BAM

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Interview: Reba McEntire ready to bring new tour to Tulsa tonight, return to series TV next year

When it comes to the entertainment business, Reba McEntire has been more than just a survivor.

The redheaded firecracker from Chockie just keeps on thriving, from recording more than three dozen albums and earning acclaim on Broadway to starring in a popular TV sitcom and putting on a dynamite stage show.

While her career has become more multi-faceted in the past 35-plus years, the Oklahoma-born and bred superstar, 56, remains at her core a people person. For instance, when it comes to putting on a show like she plans to Friday (today) at Tulsa’s BOK Center, Reba talks about the thrill she gets when she witnesses “people knowing the songs, loving the songs and having a great time.”

“What our job is in the entertainment business is to get people’s minds off their worries, their troubles and to come in and have a wonderful time so they’re rejuvenated. Their batteries are recharged, and they can go back out and face their problems head-on and say, ‘Hey, we’re gonna fix this’ or ‘Hey, I can deal with it’ and then go on with life,” she said in a phone interview from St. John, Newfoundland, during a recent series of Canadian concerts.

“If you have a job you love, it’s really not a job.”

Whether or not she considers it a job, Reba has been incredibly successful at what she does. Her albums have sold more than 56 million copies worldwide, notched 64 Top 10 hits and scored 35 No. 1 singles. Her reign of No. 1 hits spans four decades, prompting Billboard, Country Aircheck and Mediabase to recognize her as the biggest female hit-maker in country music history. She is one of only four people to be honored with a National Artistic Achievement Award by the U.S. Congress.

Just this year, the singer/songwriter/actress/fashion designer was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in May and received the Career Achievement Award at September’s Academy of Country Music Honors. When the Southeastern Oklahoma State University graduate talks about those accolades, again, it’s the people Reba recalls.

“I love the honors. I think it’s very sweet that they chose me,” she said. “The best part of it is going to the ceremonies and … Taylor Swift gets up and she says, ‘Well, I didn’t go to college, but I have had the best time doing the singing and working in this industry and touring the world and getting to see everybody.’ And I got up to accept my award and I said, ‘Well, I did go to college, but my favorite college was getting to be out there on tour with Tom T. (Hall) and the Gatlin Brothers and the Oak Ridge Boys.’ And it was just so much fun.

“Then when we did the Hall of Fame, for Dolly Parton to be there. Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Kelly Clarkson, Susie (McEntire-Eaton), my little sister. Vince Gill helping me get into the Hall of Fame. That’s what makes it so special. The award is great, but to have my friends and my colleagues — my competition throughout all these years but my best friends — be there for me, and my family, that’s what was so special.”

Although the honors have made 2011 a red-letter year for Reba, her favorite part has been what didn’t happen after her father, rodeo legend Clark McEntire, suffered a major stroke. When the Country Music Hall of Fame’s 2011 class was announced in March, she missed it because she was at his side.

“He’s doing really well. Susie told me … that Daddy’s up walking without the walker. So he’s doing better than he was before he had his stroke in January. So, man, he’s just a tough cookie,” she said.

“You know, we planned Daddy’s funeral. We had the songs picked out to sing at the funeral, we were talking about where we were burying him. He’s a tough cowboy and God wasn’t ready for him to come home yet.”

She added, “For us to have him and have these great talks with him, and he is going back way into like the ‘30s and ‘40s in his mind and that’s real vivid for him. He’s telling us stories we never heard before. He’s telling us how he got the Y-O brand that he uses on his cattle, how he got the old paint horse that Everett Shaw from Stonewall, Oklahoma, sold to him … and those stories are just coming out so fast. And it’s this time that we get to spend with Daddy that is the most precious, and we thank the Lord every day for this time we’re getting with him.”

Family visits haven’t been the only events that have drawn Reba back in the past year. In January, Reba and fellow country superstar George Strait brought their blockbuster co-headlining tour to Oklahoma City for a sold-out show. In May, she and Blake Shelton, who also hails from Southeastern Oklahoma, played two packed concerts in Durant to generate funds for tornado relief efforts in the tiny town of Tushka. The benefit shows raised $500,000 and earned a Do Something Award nomination.

But Friday’s show will be part of her headlining “All the Women I Am Tour” in support of her 2010 album of the same name. It is her first completely redesigned tour in a decade.

“This show is going to be totally different from anything we’ve done in awhile. Because I did Broadway in 2001 and did the ‘Reba’ TV show for six years ending in December of 2006, we never put a new tour together with new staging, new lighting, new costumes. So this is all brand-new. And we’re touring with The Band Perry, Steel Magnolia, Edens Edge, and I’ve never gotten to tour with them before,” Reba said.

“I’m really excited to come back to Oklahoma for my Okie friends and family to see the new tour, the new show … and I hope they enjoy the show as much as we’re gonna be enjoying putting it on.”

After the tour ends its U.S. run later this month, Reba will just keep on thriving. In February, she will travel to Europe for a short series of dates, and in March, she will film the pilot for her new sitcom, “Malibu Country,” about a newly divorced single mom who sets out to build a new life for her three children in California. If everything goes well, she will be shooting her new show next August, and she is ecstatic about the chance to return to series television, mostly because she was never ready to leave in the first place.

“I was not ready to leave, absolutely not. We had lots more stories to tell on the ‘Reba’ show; we were devastated. We were the No. 1 sitcom on that network (The WB, which became The CW during the show’s run). And then we went into syndication with Lifetime, and I think more people have seen us on Lifetime than they did before when we were shooting. So it has had second and third life,” she said.

“I mean, when I sing ‘I’m a Survivor’ on our (live) show, the crowd goes nuts because they do love the ‘Reba’ TV show. And I thank them for that. … It was just a great experience for all of us.”

She is excited about the prospect of leading a new TV ensemble.

“That’s the most fun thing in the world. It’s just like playtime. You learn your lines and you get together and you do funny things. It’s great entertainment for us: We get to be funny, we get to bring joy into people’s lives, we get to put smiles on their faces. Again, take ‘em away from maybe the problems of their everyday life. (They) get to sit down for 30 minutes and laugh a little bit. That’s what I love about it.”

In concert

Reba McEntire’s “All the Women I Am Tour”

With: The Band Perry, Steel Magnolia and Edens Edge.

When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 Friday.

Where: BOK Center, 200 S Denver, Tulsa.

Information: (866) 726-5287 or www.bokcenter.com.

-BAM

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Reba McEntire, Lauren Alaina, Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington and more to present at CMA Awards

Six-time Country Music Association Award winner and Oklahoma native Reba McEntire, “American Idol” runner-up Lauren Alaina, 2005 CMA Horizon Award winner Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and  and 1997 CMA Horizon Award winner LeAnn Rimes are the first artists and celebrities to be announced as presenters on “The 45th Annual CMA Awards.”

Singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson will perform his new single “Run” with the previously-announced Sugarland. Nathanson and Sugarland co-wrote “Run” and toured together earlier this year. The song is found on his Modern Love album, which also features his Billboard Hot AC Top 15 single “Faster.”

Singer/actress Laura Bell Bundy will host the Pre-Telecast Award Ceremony, where she will present Awards to the winners in three CMA Awards categories as well as to all of the recipients of the CMA Broadcast Awards. The winners of these awards will be acknowledged during the television broadcast.

The 45th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Checotah native Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers for include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration “You and Tequila;” Vince Gill, Paisley, and Urban performing a tribute to Glen Campbell; Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet “Easy;” Lionel Richie performing select duets with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker; Blake Shelton joined by Kenny Loggins on “Footloose”; and co-hosts Paisley and Underwood in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song “Remind Me.”

-BAM

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Reba McEntire to host NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony Dec. 2 in Las Vegas

Oklahoma-born and bred entertainment superstar Reba McEntire will serve as the host for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony on Dec. 2 at Wynn Las Vegas.

The ceremony honors the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and other drivers who finished in the top 10 of the final series standings.Increasingly, it has become a full-fledged entertainment experience with appearances by major celebrities.

Reba, who will bring her “All the Women I Am Tour” Friday to Tulsa’s BOK Center, indeed qualifies as “major.”

Her Facebook page has nearly 2.5 million “likes” and here’s why:

· 34 albums that have sold more than 56 million copies worldwide, with 64 Top 10 hits and 35 No. 1 singles

· Her reign of No. 1 hits spans four decades and Billboard, Country Aircheck and Mediabase recognized her as the biggest female hit-maker in Country music history

· 15 American Music Awards, 13 Academy of Country Music Awards (in addition to Career Achievement honors), nine People’s Choice Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards and two Grammy Awards as well as induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame

· Her television sitcom “Reba,” which ran from 2001-07, was the No. 1 sitcom for six consecutive years on two networks

· A Broadway appearance in “Annie Get Your Gun” that garnered a Drama Critics Award

· Reba is one of only four people to be honored with a National Artistic Achievement Award by the United States Congress

· The touring industry’s leading trade outlets – Pollstar and Billboard’s Boxscore – have named Reba the No. 1 female country touring artist, selling a combined total of more than 9 million tickets

In addition to her hosting duties, Reba will perform during the ceremony her hit “Turn on the Radio” from her 2010 album “All the Women I Am,” on the Valory Music Co. Other special segments involving Reba also are planned for the season-ending celebration, which will be broadcast by SPEED, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and MRN Radio at 8 p.m. Dec. 2 from the Wynn’s LaFite Ballroom.

“Since we moved the awards ceremony to Las Vegas, we’ve really increased our focus on the entertainment value for those in attendance and our fans watching and listening at home,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France in a news release. “Having Reba at our show reflects that; she is unbelievably popular, with wide-reaching mainstream appeal. And of course, we also like the fact that she’s a fan of auto racing.”

Reba’s son Shelby Blackstock competes in GRAND-AM Road Racing competition and she attended several of his events this year. She also performed “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America” prior to this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Brickyard 400 Presented By BigMachineRecords.com.

“I’m delighted to be hosting the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards this year,” Reba said in the release. “Country music and NASCAR have shared fans for many years so I’ll feel right at home. My family and I have gotten to meet so many nice people in the racing industry this year with my youngest son, Shelby, being one of the competitors. We appreciate so much the super hospitality.”

Look for my new interview with Reba Friday, just in time for her Tulsa show.

-BAM

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Wednesday Video Spotlight: Behind the scenes of Reba McEntire’s fall fashion photo shoot for Dillard’s

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Oklahoma-born and bred country music superstar Reba McEntire’s recent photo shoot for her fall line at Dillard’s.

I recently had the chance to talk to Reba about the “tough-sexy” style she brings to her clothing, shoe, luggage and home decor lines. To check out my feature on Reba’s style, click here.

The multi-talented entertainer said she brought that same “tough-sexy” style to the design for her new “All the Women I Am Tour,” coming Friday to Tulsa’s BOK Center.

I’ll bring you more from my interview with Reba just in time for the show. Look for my new feature on the Chockie native Friday here at BAM’s Blog, on NewsOK and in The Oklahoman.

-BAM

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Video: Edens Edge “Amen”

Check out the debut music video from Edens Edge, a talented trio of country musicians from Arkansas. Along with Steel Magnolia and The Band Perry, the group is opening for Oklahoma-born and bred superstar Reba McEntire on her “All the Women I Am Tour,” coming Friday to Tulsa’s BOK Center.

In a recent phone interview, Reba had high praise for the trio’s lively first single, “Amen.”

“Their song ‘Amen’ is great. They’re doing wonderfully well, and they’re cute as a button and very sweet and very talented,” Reba said.

When they made the video for “Amen,” they recruited several relatives to appear in it with them.

“That was an amazing experience for us, making the video. We actually were able to have our friends and family come in and be a part of the video,” said Cherrill Green (harmony vocals, mandolin, banjo and guitar) in a recent phone interview with all three members of Edens Edge.

“If you watch it, Hannah’s dog Lily is in it, her brother and sister-in-law and her mom and my sister and nephew and my best friend, which is my roommate now, they were all there. And a lot of our friends from Nashville are in it, so there are cameos of all our friends and family. So it was a big reunion, and they got to take in the experience with us of our first, bright-eyed video. It was so much fun, we had a blast, and Roman White, the director, was just amazing to work with. He was great of just making you feel comfortable and getting you into the role.”

After Reba’s tour wraps later this month, Edens Edge will join Lady Antebellum’s “We Own the Night” trek. Over the summer, they played on Brad Paisley’s H2O II Tour and opened Tim McGraw’s show at Oklahoma City’s Zoo Amphitheatre.

“That was an amazing day for us. You know, on the Brad Paisley tour, we got to play on what was called the Water Stage, which was kind of a stage that was out in the middle of the amphitheater but not the main stage,” said Dean Berner (harmony vocals, guitar and dobro).

“But then getting the experience of getting to play the Tim McGraw show and being on the main stage opening before Luke Bryan played was just incredible for us. Because it was a packed house and it was a hot, hot day, but the crowd was there from the first moment of our show really with us. So it really gave us a glimpse of what it’s like to play that kind of a stage.”

To read more of my interview with Edens Edge, click here. For more information on Friday’s show, go to www.bokcenter.com.

-BAM

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