Entertainment blogging from The Oklahoman's Brandy McDonnell

2010 American Country Awards winners

Fox handed out its inaugural American Country Awards in rather convoluted fashion tonight in a show broadcast live at MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Vegas proved lucky for Checotah native Carrie Underwood, who went into the fan-voted ACAs with six nominations and came out perfect, winning six awards, including artist of the year.

Newcomer Easton Corbin and hot trio Lady Antebellum each earned a leading seven nominations. Corbin won three prizes, while Lady A earned four.

Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert and Josh Turner each received five nominations. Turner gained one award. Lambert, who has been on a white-hot streak, experienced a rare shutout, but she got to cheer here fiance and fellow Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton to two awards.

Here is the full winners list. Oklahomans are marked with an *:

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

Male Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
WINNER: Brad Paisley
Keith Urban

Female Artist of the Year
Jewel
*Miranda Lambert
*Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
WINNER: *Carrie Underwood

Lady Antebellum (AP file)

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

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

Touring Artist of the Year
*Brooks & Dunn
*Toby Keith
Martina McBride & Trace Adkins
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
*Rascal Flatts
*George Strait & Reba McEntire
Sugarland
Taylor Swift
WINNER: *Carrie Underwood

ALBUM AWARD
Album of the Year
“Doin’ My Thing,” Luke Bryan
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
*“Revolution,” Miranda Lambert
“Haywire,” Josh Turner
WINNER: *“Play On,” Carrie Underwood

SINGLE AWARDS
Single of the Year
“Do I,” Luke Bryan
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
WINNER: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Gimme That Girl,” Joe Nichols
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner

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

Single of the Year by a Female Artist
*“White Liar,” Miranda Lambert
“Wrong Baby Wrong,” Martina McBride
*“Consider Me Gone,” Reba McEntire
“Didn’t Know How Much I Loved You,” Kellie Pickler
WINNER: *“Cowboy Casanova,” Carrie Underwood

Single of the Year by a Duo or Group
WINNER: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Little White Church,” Little Big Town
*“Unstoppable,” Rascal Flatts
“Keep On Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“Toes,” Zac Brown Band

Single of the Year by a Breakthrough Artist
WINNER: “Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Pray for You,” Jaron and The Long Road To Love
“Lover, Lover,” Jerrod Niemann
“Keep on Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“Beer on the Table,” Josh Thompson

VIDEO AWARDS
Music Video of the Year
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
WINNER: *“Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner
“The Man I Want To Be,” Chris Young

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

Music Video by a Female Artist
*“White Liar,” Miranda Lambert
*“Consider Me Gone,” Reba McEntire
“Didn’t Know How Much I Loved You,” Kellie Pickler
WINNER: *“Cowboy Casanova,” Carrie Underwood
“Work Hard, Play Harder,” Gretchen Wilson

Music Video by a Duo or Group
WINNER: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“American Honey,” Lady Antebellum
“Little White Church,” Little Big Town
“Keep on Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“Highway 20 Ride,” Zac Brown Band

Music Video by a Breakthrough Artist
“Giddy On Up,” Laura Bell Bundy
WINNER: “A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Lover, Lover,” Jerrod Niemann
“Keep on Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“If I Die Young,” The Band Perry

SPECIAL AWARDS
Greatest Hits Award
Alan Jackson

Decade Award
* Rascal Flatts

Video Visionary Award
* Toby Keith

-BAM

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Live blog: First American Country Awards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-BAM

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First American Country Awards to be handed out tonight; follow live blog here

The inaugural American Country Awards will be handed out tonight amid the dazzling neon of the Las Vegas strip, and many of Oklahoma’s brightest stars in the genre are set to do the shining.

The fan-voted American Country Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Vegas at 7 tonight on Fox.

Several country music stars with Oklahoma ties are competing for, performing at or appearing on the first-ever American Country Awards.

Checotah native Carrie Underwood earned six nominations, including artist, female artist and touring artist of the year. Her hit “Cowboy Casanova” is up for top single and music video by a female artist, and her “Play On” is nominated for album of the year.

Miranda Lambert, who lives in Tishomingo, garnered five nominations, including artist, female artist and album of the year for “Revolution.” Her chart-topper “White Liar” got two nods, for best single and music video by a female artist.

Reba McEntire, who hails from Chockie, snared four nominations, including female artist and touring artist of the year for her superstar tour with George Strait. Her hit “Consider Me Gone” is nominated for top single and music video by a female artist.

Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, got nods for duo/group and touring artist of the year, along with top single by a duo/group for the anthem “Unstoppable.”

Lambert’s fiance and fellow Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins share nominations for music video of the year and best video by a male artist for the mini-movie to their No. 1 duet “Hillbilly Bone.”

Recently split duo Brooks & Dunn, which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, received a nomination for touring artist of the year; the pair ended their two-decade musical partnership over the summer with their “Last Rodeo Tour.” Also nominated in the touring artist category is Norman resident Toby Keith.

Newcomer Easton Corbin and hot trio Lady Antebellum each earned a leading seven nominations.

In addition, Keith, Shelton, Rascal Flatts and Reba will perform on the new awards show, along with Corbin, Josh Turner, Steel Magnolia and Uncle Kracker. Adkins will perform and host the show, while Alan Jackson will play the event and receive the Greatest Hits Award.

The inaugural two-hour show also will feature appearances by Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington, music stars Laura Bell Bundy, Jewel, Lady Antebellum and Bret Michaels; rodeo standout Ty Murray; comic/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham; and NASCAR drivers Michael Waltrip and Elliott Sadler.

Fox is billing the American Country Awards as the first country music awards show in which fans vote for the winners in both music and video categories, along with previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring.

Follow my live blog of the American Country Awards starting at 7 tonight here at BAM’s Blog.

-BAM

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Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, other Oklahoma stars to shine at first American Country Awards

From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.

Oklahoma stars to shine at inaugural American Country Awards

The inaugural American Country Awards will be handed out amid the dazzling neon of the Las Vegas strip, but many of Oklahoma’s brightest stars in the genre are set to do the shining.

The fan-voted American Country Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Vegas at 7 p.m. Monday on Fox. Fans can still vote for the top prize, artist of the year, through Saturday at www.theacas.com.

Several country music stars with Oklahoma ties are competing for, performing at or appearing on the first-ever American Country Awards.

Checotah native Carrie Underwood earned six nominations, including artist, female artist and touring artist of the year. Her hit “Cowboy Casanova” is up for top single and music video by a female artist, and her “Play On” is nominated for album of the year.

Miranda Lambert, who lives in Tishomingo, garnered five nominations, including artist, female artist and album of the year for “Revolution.” Her chart-topper “White Liar” got two nods, for best single and music video by a female artist.

Reba McEntire, who hails from Chockie, snared four nominations, including female artist and touring artist of the year for her superstar tour with George Strait. Her hit “Consider Me Gone” is nominated for top single and music video by a female artist.

Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, got nods for duo/group and touring artist of the year, along with top single by a duo/group for the anthem “Unstoppable.”

Lambert’s fiance and fellow Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins share nominations for music video of the year and best video by a male artist for the mini-movie to their No. 1 duet “Hillbilly Bone.”

Recently split duo Brooks & Dunn, which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, received a nomination for touring artist of the year; the pair ended their two-decade musical partnership over the summer with their “Last Rodeo Tour.” Also nominated in the touring artist category is Norman resident Toby Keith.

Newcomer Easton Corbin and hot trio Lady Antebellum each earned a leading seven nominations.

In addition, Keith, Shelton, Rascal Flatts and Reba will perform on the new awards show, along with Corbin, Josh Turner, Steel Magnolia and Uncle Kracker. Adkins will perform and host the show, while Alan Jackson will play the event and receive the Greatest Hits Award.

The inaugural two-hour show also will feature appearances by Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington, music stars Laura Bell Bundy, Jewel, Lady Antebellum and Bret Michaels; rodeo standout Ty Murray; comic/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham; and NASCAR drivers Michael Waltrip and Elliott Sadler.

Fox is billing the American Country Awards as the first country music awards show in which fans vote for the winners in both music and video categories, along with previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring. The genre’s loyal fan base already voted for its favorite music videos for June’s CMT Music Awards, and they got to cast their ballots for the top award, entertainer of the year, at the venerable Academy of Country Music Awards in April.

To find the rationale behind the addition of another country music awards show, people probably need look no further than last month’s 44^th Annual Country Music Association Awards, which emerged as the top-rated entertainment show of the week for ABC.

-BAM

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Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Rodney Carrington to perform on inaugural American Country Awards

Oklahoma star power will shine at next month’s inaugural American Country Awards.

Norman resident Toby Keith, Chockie-born singer Reba McIntire, Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton and country group Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, will play the Dec. 6 awards show, reports the Associated Press. Comedian Rodney Carrington,who lives in Tulsa, also will perform.

Other performers will include Josh Turner, Lady Antebellum, Laura Bell Bundy, Jewel and Bret Michaels.

The fan-voted show will take place Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and be televised on Fox.

Fans can still vote for artist of the year through Dec. 4 on the show’s website, www.theacas.com. The nominees are Checotah native Carrie Underwood, Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and the Zac Brown Band.

Underwood earned six nominations, including artist, female artist and touring artist of the year. Her hit “Cowboy Casanova” is up for top single and music video by a female artist, and her “Play On” is nominated for album of the year. (Look for my new feature on Underwood on Tuesday; she is playing a show Wednesday at the Ford Center.)

Lambert garnered five nominations, including artist, female artist and album of the year for “Revolution.” Her chart-topper “White Liar” got two nods, for best single and music video by a female artist. (Look for my new interview with Lambert on Wednesday; she is performing Thursday at Tulsa’s SpiritBank Event Center and Friday at Thackerville’s WinStar World Casino.)

Reba snared four nominations, including female artist and touring artist of the year for her superstar tour with George Strait. Her hit “Consider Me Gone” is nominated for top single and music video by a female artist.

Rascal Flatts got nods for duo/group and touring artist of the year, along with top single by a duo/group for the anthem “Unstoppable.”

Shelton and Trace Adkins share nominations for music video of the year and best video by a male artist for the mini-movie to their No. 1 duet “Hillbilly Bone.”

Recently split duo Brooks & Dunn, which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, received a nomination for touring artist of the year; the pair ended their two-decade musical partnership over the summer with their “Last Rodeo Tour.” Keith also is nominated in the touring artist category.

Newcomer Easton Corbin and hot trio Lady A each earned a leading seven nominations.

-BAM

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Weekend Warmup for Dec. 25-27, 2009

 

Rodney Carrington

- SHAWNEE — Laugh at Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington at 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday at Firelake Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: 964-7263 or www.firelakegrand.com.

- Hear Aranda with Taddy Porter at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Information: 601-6276 or www.wormydog.com.

- NORMAN – Listen to Aron Holt (of Mama Sweet) and Camille Harp at 10 p.m. Friday at The Deli, 309 White Street. And check out the usual Hosty Solo at 10 p.m. Sunday at The Deli, 309 White Street. Get there early or you’ll have to stand outside. Information: www.thedeli.us.

American Banjo Museum (Photo by Jaconna Aguirre/The Oklahoman Archives)

- Get free admission to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, American Banjo Museum, Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum and Oklahoma City Museum of Art from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday during the Oklahoma City Community Foundation Free Museum Sundays. Information: www.downtownindecember.com.

- Check out the other Downtown in December events and attractions, including the Devon Ice Rink, Chesapeake Snow Tubing at the Brick and Wimgo Holidays on the Canal. Information: www.downtownindecember.com.  

 - TULSA – Hear The Panda Resistance and Stone Trio at 10 p.m. Saturday at The Colony, 28 and Harvard. Information: www.myspace.com/pandaresistanceband.

The Thunder’s Nick Collison (Photo by John Clanton/The Oklahoman Archives)

- Watch the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Charlotte Bobcats at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Ford Center, 100 W Reno. Information: (800) 745-3000 or www.thunder.nba.com.

- NORMAN – Take advantage of free admission at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Saturday-Dec. 30. Information: www.ou.edu/fjjma.

- Create works of art with your child at Drop-In Art from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. This week, families can make paintings based on the works of Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky. Information: www.okcmoa.com.

Boyz II Men

 - THACKERVILLE – Hear Boyz II Men along with Morris Day and the Time at 8 p.m. Saturday at WinStar World Casino. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.

- TULSA – Check out the Johnny Polygon Day After Christmas Party at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Marquee, 222 N Main Street. Information: http://www.myspace.com/themarqueetulsa or www.ticketstorm.com.

- Listen to Tweezer, Bristol Park, Mansion and Euclid Crash at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Conservatory, 8911 N Western. Information: www.conservatoryokc.com.

 - BAM

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Trace Adkins talks music videos, military tributes and more, playing Oklahoma City Saturday

A version of this story appears in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.

‘Shine All Night Tour’ to illuminate city
Trace Adkins, Martina McBride bringing show to Ford Center

Trace Adkins has reached the point in his career where having fun takes priority when it comes to accepting new projects.

Lately, fun opportunities have been lighting up the country music superstar’s life: He starred with his family and real-life soldiers in one music video and rocked with Oklahoma country artist Blake Shelton in another. His Southern attitude and large likeness were turned into a comic book character. And he recently embarked on the co-headlining “Shine All Night Tour” with fellow singing sensation Martina McBride.

The tour will illuminate Oklahoma City’s Ford Center Saturday night. Adkins, a big-voiced baritone towering 6-foot-6-inches tall, and McBride, a 5-foot-2-inch-tall powerhouse soprano, make an intriguing touring team, although they’re not exactly sure how they were matched.

“You know, managers talk to one another and come up with plans and ideas. And then they tell us, and we go, ‘Yeah, that’s a good idea. Let’s do that,’” Adkins said in a phone interview while driving to his Brentwood, Tenn., home.

“I think we have a great deal of respect for one another. I can sing lower than she can, so I got that going for me,” Adkins said in a phone interview while driving to his Brentwood, Tenn., home.

Both singers have singular voices and successful careers dating back to the 1990s. Fans can expect each star to perform a full set of hits against a dynamic production.

“She’s a cool lady, and you know, you’re not gonna find a better singer in this business. There’s not one. So, it’s a treat just to get to hear her sing every night. It’s pretty amazing,” Adkins said.

“Martina, she’s Mom. We go out on the weekends and she’s got her kids with her and it’s a whole family deal out there. So, it’s a lot different from touring with Toby (Keith) this summer and then going out with Martina. It’s a little different vibe.”

Although Adkins has his share of awards, platinum albums and No. 1 hits with “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Ladies Love Country Boys” and “You’re Gonna Miss This,” he has taken the opening slot on the co-headlining tour.

“Martina’s been around. She deserves that; she’s earned that. She’s a big star, man. You know, won female vocalist of the year I don’t know how many times. She’s a big deal, so I don’t have a problem at all going out in front of her.”

Adkins, 47, got to show his family side while making the heartfelt video to his latest hit “All I Ask for Anymore.” The video depicts a military homecoming and features his wife, five daughters, granddaughter and son-in-law, along with members of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and their families.

“Given the subject of the song, I just thought that was appropriate,” he said. “I don’t know how many videos I’ve done, but this day, having all those members of the 101st Airborne and their families there, and my family was there, and we just all spent the day hanging out together. It was just one of the most pleasurable videos that I’ve ever done. It was a very cool experience.”

The song represents the his latest tribute to the troops. Adkins sang his powerful “Til the Last Shot’s Fired” with West Point Glee Club at the April 5 Academy of Country Music Awards and performed song again to close the National Memorial Day Concert at the U.S. Capitol. He made a United Service Organization tour last year to Iraq and Afghanistan.

“It’s just an important issue. There aren’t many more important. We need to support those men and women because they’re on the front lines and protecting us and our freedoms and our way of life. They should be paid the respect that they’re due. And I try to make sure that I do my part and make sure that I do that and remind people to do that.”

The Louisiana native notched another memorable music video experience when he and Shelton put together the uproarious featurette for their duet “Hillbilly Bone.” The raucous country pride theme, available digitally Dec. 22, will be the title track of Shelton’s upcoming record, due out next year.

“Blake’s one of my favorite people in this business. Any time I get to work with him, hang out with him, we always enjoy that and have a lot of fun with it,” Adkins said, adding, “The funniest stuff was cut out, really.”

Adkins, who also plans to release a new album in 2010, ventured into new territory when he became Southern hero Luke McBain for a four-part comic book series. “Luke McBain #1” was released last month through 12 Gauge Comics; copies of the premiere issue are on sale at Adkins’ shows.

The singer, who doesn’t consider himself a comics fan, said the character developed out of a meeting he took with writer David Tischman and publisher Keven Gardner.

“I thought it was flattering, and they ran a couple of scenarios by me and they wanted to get reactions from me, what would I say and do in those situations. And then a couple of months ago, I get a comic book in the mail. I mean, I had pretty much just forgotten about it, you know,” he said with a laugh. “It’s flattering and it’s a little embarrassing, but it’s fun.”

Fun has taken precedence for the country star since an inspiring conversation with Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington, his co-star in the hilarious 2007 music video “I Got My Game On.” The comic has reached a place in his career where the only question he asks when presented a new opportunity is “Does it sound like it’ll be fun?”

“It’s not how ‘much money am I gonna make,’ or ‘how much time’s gonna be involved’ or ‘where do I have to go?’ The only question that you need to ask is ‘does it sound like it’s gonna be fun?’ And if the answer to that question is yes, then go do it,” Adkins said.

In concert

“Shine All Night Tour” starring Martina McBride and Trace Adkins

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Ford Center, 100 W Reno.

Information: (800) 745-3000 or www.okfordcenter.com.

-BAM

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New Christmas CDs get the holidays ringing

From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.

State celebs spice Christmas CDs

Comedians Rodney Carrington and Kathy Griffin, groups REO Speedwagon and Sugarland and singers Andrea Bocelli and Sting are among the array of recording artists ringing in the holidays this year with seasonal CDs.

Rodney Carrington, who lives in Tulsa, gets surprisingly serious with “Make It Christmas,” which blends classics such as “Winter Wonderland” with new material like the touching military tribute “Camouflage and Christmas Lights.” But the musically inclined comic spikes the album with a bit of his cheeky humor with “The Presents Under the Tree (Better Be for Me).”

Newcastle singer-songwriter Kylie Morgan, 14, is releasing her album “Christmas with Kylie Morgan” Monday on local label Land Run Records. All proceeds from the rollicking seven-song collection will benefit the American Cancer Society. She plans to release her first non-holiday record next year.

Chockie native Reba McEntire makes a stellar duet partner for Andrea Bocelli on his rendition of “Blue Christmas,” one of the traditional favorites on the Italian tenor’s “My Christmas.” His first holiday album features collaborations with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Mary J. Blige and the Muppets, too.

Sugarland, the country duo of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, also offers their first holiday album, “Gold and Green,” which includes their own Christmas creations like Little Wood Guitar” and “Maybe Baby (New Year’s Day),” alongside old favorites “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Silent Night.”

With “If on a Winter’s Night …,” Sting pays tribute to his favorite season with an enigmatically lovely collection of carols, lullabies and original compositions.

“Mannheim Steamroller Christmas — 25^th Anniversary Collection” provides a two-CD retrospective in honor of Steamroller founder Chip Davis and his holiday mainstay’s silver anniversary.

Power ballad pros REO Speedwagon put a spirited rock twist on “Deck the Halls,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “The First Noel” and more on “Not So Silent Night.”

Bob Clark’s cinematic classic “A Christmas Story” debuted in theaters in 1983, but Carl Zittrer and Paul Zaza’s memorable, previously unreleased score finally makes its way onto CD this year as “A Christmas Story: Music from the Motion Picture.”

Singer-songwriter Neil Diamond delivers originals such as the title track, traditionals like “Joy to the World” and even Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song” on “A Cherry, Cherry Christmas.”

Kathy Griffin roasts Maya Angelou, Justin Timberlake, T.I. and other celebs over her holiday fire with her new comedy album “Suckin’ It for the Holidays,” the rare Christmas CD to earn an explicit content warning.

Blue-eyed soul crooner Michael McDonald celebrates “This Christmas” with an amalgamation of old and new seasonal songs, while The Irish Tenors blend their voices for their “Christmas” album.

Country-pop novelty singer Ray Stevens serves up his first seasonal CD in more than a decade with “Ray Stevens Christmas” and re-releases his twisted 1997 album “Ray Stevens Christmas Through a Different Window.”

The remastered version of the 1963 album “A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector” provides the chance to celebrate with Darlene Love, The Ronettes and The Crystals. The re-release is intended to mark Love’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination; just try to ignore the tawdry taint of Spector’s murder conviction earlier this year.

British songbird Connie Talbot, 9, makes “Holiday Magic,” with her Christmas album, with a portion of the sales supporting the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots 2009 campaign, for which she is ambassador.

Nashville songwriting group The Song Trust, which includes country duo Joey+Rory, enlists youngsters to warble a mix of new and venerable holiday tunes on “Merry Kidsmas.” Part of the proceeds benefit the United Service Organization.

Richie McDonald, former lead singer of country group Lonestar, launches his solo career with the holiday offering “If Every Day Could Be Christmas.”

Contemporary acoustic guitarist Billy McLaughlin and his ensemble SimpleGifts rejoice in “A Small Town Christmas,” with mellow renditions of “Carol of the Bells,” “I Saw Three Ships” and other carols.

John Cowan, who was lead vocalist of New Grass Revival, puts his roots-music touch on “What Child Is This,” God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain” for his record “Comfort & Joy.”

Jazz pianist Chris Dawson shows off his fleet fingers on “Stridin’ Through Christmas,” which interprets classics like “Jingle Bells,” “Let It Snow” and “Jolly Old St. Nicholas.”

And even lawyers should have the chance at a merry Christmas. New York litigator/singer/songwriter Lawrence Savell, performing as The LawTunes, files his latest holiday music-comedy novelty CD, “Season’s Briefings.”

-BAM

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BAM Column: Miranda Lambert, Flaming Lips, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith releasing fall CDs

Miranda Lambert

From Tuesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.

Fall offers must-have new music

For Oklahoma music fans, fall holds the promise of fantastic new offerings.

The year has already seen the release of big-time albums from Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stardeath and White Dwarfs, Samantha Crain, Rodney Carrington and St. Vincent, all artists with state ties. Even the late Woody Guthrie had a four-disc box set, “My Dusty Road,” released last month.

But even more major records from Okies are still to come this autumn, starting today.

If the title is any indication, firebrand Miranda Lambert will keep on rebelling against the country music establishment with her third album, “Revolution,” which drops today. The Tishomingo singer-songwriter already has notched one stunning brokenhearted ballad, “Dead Flowers,” from the new record.

Toby Keith

Norman star Toby Keith has raised eyebrows and raced up the charts with “American Ride,” the title track of his new album, due out Oct. 6. Last week, the single reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Songs chart. Riding the momentum of the politically charged video, the song has become his most buzz-worthy track since the 2001 hit “Courtesy of the Red, White And Blue.”

Also on Oct. 6, country band Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, will offer new bonus content on a limited edition re-release of its “Greatest Hits Vol. 1.”

Flaming Lips

Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips will deliver something new on Oct. 13: their first-ever double-album, “Embryonic.” The Lips performed “Convinced of the Hex” recently on “The Colbert Report” and debuted last week the video for “I Can Be a Frog.” If these tracks are any indication, we can expect many surreal delights from the Lips’ latest project.

Carrie Underwood

And recent Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductee Carrie Underwood is sure to delight her legion fans with the Nov. 3 release of her hotly anticipated third album “Play On.” The Checotah native put out the first single, “Cowboy Casanova,” as a digital track last week, and it took only 24 hours for the sassy cautionary tale to crack iTunes’ top five list.  

The fall is still young, so we may see more Oklahoma artists adding to the list of autumn’s must-have albums. Hopefully, state music lovers have been saving their pennies.

-BAM

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Rodney Carrington plans to follow “Loco” album with Christmas record

Tulsa comic Rodney Carrington plans to follow up his successful comedy album “El Nino Loco” with a non-comedic Christmas record, according to a Billboard.com story.

“El Nino Loco” is No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Comedy Albums chart for the second straight week, according to the story. Carrington said the album provided ”a way to write novelty songs that could potentially get played on the radio and also make music videos.”

“El Nino Loco” was produced by fellow Oklahoman Toby Keith and Steve Dorff. Carrington and Keith co-wrote and co-starred in the 2008 action-comedy film “Beer for My Horses,” and they teamed up again for the funny video to Carrington’s “If I’m the Only One.” The video also stars Jennifer Aspen and Nick Searcy, both from Carrington’s 2004 ABC sitcom “Rodney.”

“El Nino Loco” is Carrington’s eighth album. He has sold 2.2 million records, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

According to the Billboard.com story, the new album includes less blue humor than his previous records.

“I think different as I get older,” Carrington, 40, told the trade publication. ”I’ve done ‘Letter to My Penis’ and ‘I Think I’m Dancing With a Man.’ How many songs can you write about your d–k? At some point you realize you’re 40 and you have teenagers now. I don’t think that way anymore. That’s what they think about.”

The comedian’s next album will be a departure from his usual funny business. In August, he plans to release a Christmas CD with holiday standards like “O Holy Night” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

“It ain’t got a funny song on it,” he said in the interview. “It’s a big-band, Frank Sinatra-type Christmas record; something I’ve always wanted to do.”

“The Christmas record is as serious as I’m going to get,” he added. “I’m still touring, still telling jokes, still doing my thing.”

-BAM

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