Photo gallery: 2009 CMA Awards red carpet
Carrie Underwood smiles on the CMA Awards red carpet. (Associated Press photos)
Several of country music’s biggest stars donned their sparkling best to walk the carpet at Wednesday night’s CMA Awards at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn. Check out these Associated Press photos of some of the music luminaries.
Carrie Underwood wore sparkling silver for the first of her many gowns for the evening.
Duet partners Chris Daughtry and Oklahoma native Vince Gill walked the red carpet together.
Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert went with a long black gown for the red carpet and a short white dress for her performance.
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles picked a black red carpet gown, too.
Oklahoma native Reba McEntire also went with basic black.
Keith Urban and his movie-star wife Nicole Kidman get affectionate on the red carpet.
See more photos after the break.
Photo gallery: Oklahomans at the 2009 CMA Awards
For the second year, Brad Paisley and Checotah native Carrie Underwood co-hosted the CMA Awards at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn. (Associated Press photos)
The Country Music Association’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards took place Wednesday night at Nashville’s Sommet Center. It was a huge night for 19-year-old starlet Taylor Swift, who won four trophies, including entertainer of the year, to the outrage of many country purists and the delights of her legions of fans.
Although Oklahoma’s stars went home winless, they represented our state quite well, with several of them performing and Checotah native Carrie Underwood c0-hosting the show. Check out these Associated Press photos of Okies in action at the CMAs; I’ll put pictures of Underwood’s sexy performance of her new hit “Cowboy Casanova” in the next blog post.
Soon-to-split duo Brooks & Dunn (which features former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, center) asked ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons, right, to join them for their final CMA Awards performance.
Oklahoma native Vince Gill performs “Tennessee Line” with rock band Daughtry.
Reba McEntire performs her latest hit, “Consider Me Gone.”
Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert rocks the show with “White Liar.”
Carrie Underwood does her co-hosting duties.
-BAM
Live-blog: 2009 CMA Awards
CMA Awards co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood
7 p.m.: As previously announced, 19-year-old singer-songwriter sensation Taylor Swift is starting off the show with her new surefire hit “Forever & Always.” The performance started out with an interview and then morphed into a pretty spectacular production. The teen start has skipped out on her usually sparkly, short dress for a sexier black pant-and-top ensemble, which makes her look older.
Taylor Swift (Associated Press photo)
7:05: Overall, I would call Taylor’s performance a solid opener, but co-host Carrie Underwood’s first dress is a showstopper. She took all the sparkles from every dress Taylor has ever owned for that short silvery number. Love co-host Brad Paisley’s first quip of the night, “Wait ’til you see dresses two through 14.” Carrie just shrugs.
7:07: So, Brad’s quip No. 2 was pretty hilarious, too. You expected someone to make a Kayne comment, and who better than to do it than he? He and Carrie start singing a “classic” country song, “Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Kanye,” commenting that country boys have the manners not to interrupt. “That song is just as relevant as the day it was written, which was this morning,” says Brad.
7:08: The musical hits keep coming from Carrie and Brad as they croon that Brooks & Dunn’s “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” becomes final today. “Everyone’s upset except for Sugarland ’cause now they’re home free.” Love it! Plus, Brad’s comment about how he is the prettiest nominee and that “doesn’t just happen” … “plus Keith is pretty cute, too” was fairly hilarious.
7:10: Now, Carrie and Brad are gigging super-couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw for the dueling perfume offerings. And they’re introducing a rocker with a “distinctive scent all his own” – “whiskey and Waffle House” – to present the first award of the evening.
7:11: So, Kid Rock – in case you couldn’t figure it out from the smell jokes – is presenting the award for single of the year. Here are the nominees:
“Chicken Fried”
Zac Brown Band
Produced by Keith Stegall
Atlantic Records
“I Run To You”
Lady Antebellum
Produced by Victoria Shaw and Paul Worley
Capitol Records Nashville
“In Color”
Jamey Johnson
Produced by The Kent Hardly Playboys
Mercury Nashville
“People Are Crazy”
Billy Currington
Produced by Carson Chamberlain and Billy Currington
Mercury Nashville
“Then”
Brad Paisley
Produced by Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois
Arista Nashville
7:13: And the first trophy of the night goes to Lady Antebellum, a personal favorite of mine. Congratulations to them, and kudos to sharing the mike time with their producers, who also share in the award.
7:14: We’re up to the first commercial break, and so far, we’re off to a strong start. I’m curious to see just how much Taylor Swift we see tonight. I heard many country fans comment that the summer CMT Music Awards had just a little too much Taylor, and it’s easy to see why people who aren’t diehard Swift followers would feel that way. Between Taylor’s hot streak and Carrie’s wardrobe changes, it should be interesting.
7:16: Wow, that was fast. Carrie’s already wearing a different outfit, a short red dress with ruffles running down the front. She’s asking Brad to feel her and see if she’s hot, and after a sideways look at wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley, he’s touching her forehead. And they’re doing another musical gag as she applies her best LeAnn Rimes impression to “Swine Flu,” to the tune of “Blue.” It’s cute, and it’s all building up to a gushing intro for the hot country convert Darius Rucker, former frontman of Hootie & the Blowfish who is riding high off three straight No. 1 country singles. He’s strutting through the crowd singing the latest, the breezy “Alright.”
7:21: It’s not my favorite song on his album, but Darius’ honeyed baritone is always welcome. And whether he wins or loses tonight, Darius will perform Friday night at Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino in Tulsa.
7:23: Kellie Pickler and Jake Owen are onstage to present the award for song of the year. Here are the nominees:
(Award goes to the songwriters)
“Chicken Fried”
Zac Brown/Wyatt Durrette
“I Told You So”
Randy Travis
“In Color”
Jamey Johnson/Lee Thomas Miller/James Otto
“People Are Crazy”
Bobby Braddock/Troy Jones
“Then”
Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Ashley Gorley
Jamey Johnson
7:24: Winner: Jamey Johnson and Co. for “In Color.” James Otto is quickly thanking his wife because he forgot to last time. Lee Thomas Miller gives a quick shoutout to veterans on Veterans Day and to Fort Hood, since they spent a lot of time while crafting the great song talking about their grandfather.
“I didn’t think y’all would even let me come to something like this,” Johnson comments, thanking everyone for listening to his music. He does a wonderful job with the song, so I’d have to say this was well deserved.
Miranda Lambert
7:26: Carrie is joking that men who cheat on the next performer might regret it, then turning the stage over to “my friend” Miranda Lambert. The Texas native and now Oklahoma resident is belting out her latest single “White Liar” in a short, slinky white dress and tall, butt-kicking boots. I love Miranda, so I’m just going to soak this in.
7:31: The announcer is promising another Taylor Swift performance, along with Tim McGraw’s first CMA performance in four years later on the show. So, there’s another notch on the Taylor count.
7:33: Another commercial break, another dress change for Carrie Underwood. Red seems to be her favorite color tonight. This time, she’s got on a shiny, slinky, short, off-one-shoulder number, and she’s introducing a performance by her co-host Brad Paisley.
Brad Paisley (AP photo)
7:34: Brad’s got his trademark white cowboy hat, T-shirt and jeans combo going, and he’s playing his sparkly blue guitar while crooning his latest hit, “Welcome to the Future.” It’s growing on me, and you gotta love a man who can finesse a guitar solo like that.
7:38: So, it wasn’t my favorite when I first heard it, but “Welcome to the Future” gets better every time I hear, and I love the “Tron”-esque use of the video screens with the “Game Over” at the end.
Zac Brown Band (AP photo)
7:39: Hot up-and-coming band Zac Brown is under a twisty-weird wooden arch and rocking through the Charlie Daniels Band classic “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” The performance is smoking, and I love all the high-speed jamming at the end. But since they’re a new artist nominee, it would be nice to hear one of their original songs, say the infectious “Chicken Fried.” Plus, after seeing OKC fiddle master Kyle Dillingham sing and play this song up close, it’s hard to be too impressed with anyone else’s rendition.
7:43: And the crowd gives Zac Brown Band’s duel with the “Devil” a standing O. As I said, rollicking performance, but I still think they should have done one of their originals.
George Strait
7:47: Brad Paisley jokes that George Strait won the CMA entertainer of the year award for the first time back in ‘89, the same year the Berlin Wall fell and Brad won his first award, employee of the month at Tastee Freeze. “Watch them go wild when I say these two words: George Strait.” And the perpetually handsome “King of Country” is out to sing his latest hit – don’t ask me how many he’s on now – “Twang,” the title track of his new album. (And no, I don’t know how many albums he’s on now, either. I’m sure I can’t count that high.) Anyway, the song certainly lives up to the title, and George, as always, looks and sounds great doing it.
Lady Antebellum (AP photo)
7:51: Now, Brad is introducing a performance by the “fantastic trio” Lady Antebellum, and from the opening bars, we’re going ballad here. Yep, it’s “I Need You Now,” which sounds to me a little like a late Fleetwood Mac song with a country flair and tempo. And that’s by no means a bad thing. They have great harmony. Plus, I love the fake snow falling; very atmospheric.
7:55: Ah, yes, here comes the network nepotism. Patricia Heaton and Neil Flynn, stars of the new show “The Middle,” are out to present an award, and Patricia is just gushing about how the Oscars are lame compared to the CMA Awards, which rock!! Neil, showing off that dry wit he used so well on “Scrubs,” is joking they are there to promote family values and harmony, not their new show. Eventually, they’re going to present the vocal group award, and the question is: Can anyone defeat Rascal Flatts, who has won the past six years?
The nominees:
Eagles
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
* Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
* Oklahoma connection
Lady Antebellum (AP photo)
7:57: Why, yes, Lady Antebellum is on fire tonight. Hillary Scott is gushing her gratitude about getting to do what she loves with her two best pals and then thanking veterans. Charles Kelley is giving props to the other nominees, calling Rasal Flatts an inspiration. And Dave Haywood is thanking the fans. Congratulations to the trio, but it looks like Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, will be going home empty-handed for the first time in many years.
7:58: And now we’re hearing Lady Antebellum’s hit “I Run to You” on some financial company commercial. Between the song and the adorable meerkats, I’m not really paying attention to the actual product.
Carrie Underwood (AP photo)
8:03: Brad Paisley, handsome in his Western cut black suit, is introducing his co-host Carrie Underwood, who now has the No. 1 country song AND album in the nation. She’s surrounded by dancers dressed in sexy black lingerie and slowly rising from a settee to show off her own sultry outfit, a cream white robe construction over a pair of super-short silvery shorts. It’s all to go along with her rocking hit “Cowboy Casanova,” and she’s strutting along with supreme confidence. Besides looking like a male fantasy come to life, Checotah’s favorite daughter is in great voice tonight.
8:07: The Judds – Naomi and Wynonna – are back together on the CMA Awards stage. “It was 25 years ago tonight that we attended our first awards show, and to our surprise, it was our first award,” Wynonna said. They won the new artist award back then, and they’re showing a clip of Naomi’s, um, enthusiastic acceptance speech. “Gotta love her. If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother,” Wynonna says with an eye roll. They’re going to give the new artist award to one of these guys:
Randy Houser
Jamey Johnson
Jake Owen
Darius Rucker
Zac Brown Band
Darius Rucker (AP photo)
8:09: “Well, come on down Darius Rucker,” drawls Naomi. And Darius looks stunned: “Wow, what a year!” He’s thanking his wife and three kids for sacrificing while he’s on the road working his butt off, and he’s thanking the fans for accepting him. He just keeps getting more exuberant as he cheers country radio for taking a chance on a pop singer from Charleston, S.C. It’s strange to think of the man formerly known as Hootie – of the 16 million sales off their debut ’90s fame – getting best new artist, but there you go. And when I spoke to Darius a few days ago, he was sure Zac Brown had this prize wrapped up, so I know his surprise is authentic. And he is EXCITED!
8:11: Brad Paisley is back to introduce the next performer, but not before making a comment about how hot Carrie’s outfit was for “Cowboy Casanova.” “You should have seen the view Little Jimmy Dickens got backstage,” he quips. “By the way, he’s stable now.” I’m sure the country legend isn’t the only one who had trouble breathing after getting a gander at that get-up.
Vince Gill (The Oklahoman Archive photo)
Daughtry’s Chris Daughtry (AP photo)
8:12: Now it’s time for one of the show most promoted duets, rock band Daughtry and Oklahoma native Vince Gill. They’re here to sing “Tennessee Line,” a collaboration from Daughtry’s new album “Leave This Town.” And I totally adore this song. I’m no big Daughtry fan, but if they released an album of songs like this, I would be all over it. Plus, who doesn’t love Vince? It’s a low-key, very beautiful performance, and they’ve managed to steal the show with just great voices and musicianship, no glitzy stage production. It’s one of my favorite moments so far.
8:16: As you undoubtedly noticed, we had a technical problem with the NewsOK blogs, which meant BAM’s Blog was out of commission for about 45 minutes. My apologies for the inconvenience. I was following along in MS Word until I could get back online. Here’s what happened in the interim:
8:21: Carrie and Brad are back, and this time Carrie is dressed in a long, soft, pale gown with purple flowers decorating it. She’s praising Brad for his video to “Welcome to the Future,” and he’s starting to thank the director and all the others involved. But the aforementioned Little Jimmy Dickens crashes the stage with an “excuse me,” promises to let Brad finish in a minute and then praises Taylor for making the best video of all time. “You go girl,” he exclaims before leaving the stage. While Carrie looks convincingly shocked, Brad ponders what kind of security they have that lets a 4′11″ 88-year-old man in a glitzy suit onstage. It’s a cute moment, and Kanye West deserves all the ribbing they can deliver for his MTV VMAs debacle.
Keith Urban (AP photo)
8:30: Ever-hot star Keith Urban is taking over the stage to sing “’Til Summer Comes Around,” a mournful ode to summer love gone cold. Pretty, but I’m ready to pick up the pace of the show. And he’s finishing up, so cue cut to his movie star wife Nicole Kidman looking lovingly at him. There it is.
Tim McGraw (AP photo)
8:32: Tim McGraw – who once again takes teasing from Brad Paisley for his cologne line, but gets praise from Carrie for having time to be a movie star in addition to a music star – performs “Southern Voice,” the title track from his new album. He’s always a welcome addition to a country awards show in my opinion, and for the curious, his new movie “The Blind Side” is out later this month.
Sugarland (AP photo)
8:36: Carrie’s latest dress is a green frock with a few poofy bows. She pulls it off, but it’s not my fave. She’s introducing the duo Sugarland, who is performing a Veterans Day tribute to the military, and several uniformed servicemen are cheering for it in the audience. Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush always put in great performances, and they’re really delivering on their emotional “Keep You.” But I’m ready for another solid shot of country-rock in this show.
8:40: Randy Houser and GMA co-anchor Robin Roberts are onstage, and they’re showing a clip of Houser’s entertaining breakout video, “Boots On.” Toddler Drake Dixon, the real star of the video, is at the show, decked out in a little suit and sitting next to the lovely Kellie Pickler.
Randy and Robin also introducing the noms for album of the year:
(Award goes to artist and producer)
“American Saturday Night”
Brad Paisley
Produced by Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois
Arista Nashville
“Defying Gravity”
Keith Urban
Produced by Dann Huff and Keith Urban
Capitol Records Nashville
“Fearless”
Taylor Swift
Produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift
Big Machine Records
“Love on the Inside”
Sugarland
Produced by Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush, and Jennifer Nettles
Mercury Nashville
“That Lonesome Song”
Jamey Johnson
Produced by The Kent Hardly Playboys
Mercury Records
8:44: Winner: It’s Taylor’s night, as “Fearless” earns the starlet her first album of the year win. She looks shocked even after all these awards. “This album is my diary … and thank you for saying you like my diary,” says Taylor, who is dressed in a long elegant gown with a white skirt and glittery strapless top.
Mac McAnally
8:46: The announcer says the musician of the year honors were presented earlier in the evening, and the winner was the multitalented guitarist Mac McAnally. Congratulations in passing to him. (Can’t you take a minute to give him more than just a passing recognition in a three-hour show? Sheesh.)
8:47: Speaking of Tim McGraw, movie star, here’s an extended clip of the football drama “The Blind Side,” featuring interview snippets with the real-life folks involved in the based-on-a-true story, along with Sandra Bullock.
Brooks & Dunn (AP photo)
8:51: Carrie notes that two country greats have decided to call it a day at the top of their game. Naturally, she’s referring to Brooks & Dunn. Kix Brooks and former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn are performing for what will apparently be the last time on the CMA Awards, at least as a duo. They’re breaking up next year after their “Last Rodeo Tour,” which is a real shame. But they’re going out in style, playing the raucous “Honky Tonk Stomp” with help from bearded ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons. Now that’s what I’m talking about, fellas! But it only makes me sadder that they’re splitting up.
8:54: And it’s a standing O for Brooks & Dunn. We sure will miss them.
Jamey Johnson
Kid Rock (AP photo)
8:55: Jamey Johnson and Kid Rock are channeling George Jones and Waylon Jennings for an outlaw country duet to Johnson’s “Somewhere Between Jennings and Jones.” They actually sound really good together, though I’m not sure Jamey really needs Kid Rock for it.
8:58: Racer Dale Earnhardt Jr. and singer/dancer/beauty Julianne Hough are together to present a Salute to American Heroes – ie the troops – sponsored by Chevy. They’re showing video clips of racing and country music stars signing a 2010 Camaro that will be auctioned off to benefit of the troops. And now the pretty pair will present vocal duo of the year. Will Brooks & Dunn get a goodbye award? The noms:
Big & Rich
*Brooks & Dunn
Joey + Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
Sugarland (AP photo)
9 p.m.: Nope, Sugarland wins it again. “We don’t usually expect this, but we especially didn’t this year,” Jennifer Nettles said. She’s thanking her people, and now graciously giving Brooks & Dunn, who holds the all-time record for wins in this category. Ronnie and Kix are refusing, but it’s sure nice for her to offer. Kudos to her for the gesture – and her gorgeous black gown.
“Thank you for what you’ve done for us and thank you for what you’ve done for country music,” Nettles says.
9:02: The video of the year winner apparently was announced earlier, too. And the winner was Taylor Swift. You’d think ABC wouldn’t miss another ratings-spike moments featuring Miss Swift, but there you are. Here are the nominees, if you’re more interested than the CMAs:
(Award goes to Artist and Director)
“Boots On”
Randy Houser
Directed by Eric Welch
“Love Story”
Taylor Swift
Directed by Trey Fanjoy
“People Are Crazy”
Billy Currington
Directed by The Brads
“Start a Band”
Brad Paisley (duet with Keith Urban)
Directed by Jim Shea
“Troubadour”
George Strait
Directed by Trey Fanjoy
Taylor Swift (AP photo)
9:07: The show is back from commercial, and Taylor Swift is out on a dais in the middle of an adoring crowd of teenage fans. They’re waving signs and singing along as she croons her hit “Fifteen.” These song gets stuck in my head every time. I love her purple dress and cowboy boots. Very country chic.
9:10: LeAnn Rimes, in a lovely white dress, is introducing the male vocalist candidates, noting their easy on the eyes and “oh, yeah, they sing pretty good, too.”
Here are the noms. Will Brad win it again?
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Darius Rucker
George Strait
Keith Urban
Brad Paisley (AP photo)
9:11 Why, yes, he will. Brad is back at center stage, and he’s getting a standing O. He starts to thank his wife Kim and then says “I accidentally pointed to the wrong woman,” as Darius notes, “That’s my wife.” Kim just has to laugh. He’s thanking all the other pertinent folks, from fans to his agent, and then says “I’ve talked enough.” Well-deserved award.
Jason Aldean
9:17: And we’re back to live. Again, sorry for the technical malfunction. Carrie is introducing rising star Jason Aldean, who has held the No. 1 spot on the country charts for six weeks this year. He’s playing his sly ballad “Big Green Tractor.” Love this handsome Southern rocker.
Martina McBride (AP photo)
9:21: We’ve come to the Country Music Hall of Fame tribute portion of the show, and they’re honoring this year’s inductees: Tulsan Roy Clark, Barbara Mandrell and Charlie McCoy. McCoy is playing harmonica while big-voiced star Martina McBride sings Mandrell’s hit “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool.” Appropriate choice, and you couldn’t ask for a better choice than having Martina sing it – unless you add George Strait and make it a duet. Which they just did. Wow. Great moment, one of those that makes sitting through these shows worth it. And I love Martina’s long purple and black gown.
Country Music Hall of Fame 2009 inductees, from left, Roy Clark, Barbara Mandrell and Charlie McCoy
9:24: Barbara, who looks still-lovely in her glittery off-the-shoulder gown, is getting to come up on stage and thank George, Martina and all the people who inspired her and worked with her over the years. She’s also thanking the fans for their love and enthusiasm. “I may have been country when country wasn’t cool, but it was always cool to me,” she says. She’s also passing on congratulations to Roy and Charlie, and it would have been nice to hear from them, too.
9:28: Boy, it’s good to be back live. Let me just take this opportunity to thank our technical wizards who got the blog back up and running so I could finish out the night. And I’ve just had the chance to check out the comments, and it looks like many of you are hating the level of Taylor Swift involved tonight. I’m not saying she always sings on tune or in key, but I’ve seen her live and she puts on a great high-energy show. And her fans totally adore her, my 13-year-old niece included.
Reba McEntire (AP photo)
9:31: Carrie is introducing “the one, the only, the imcomparable Reba.” “You can’t grow up in Oklahoma like I did and not worship this woman,” according to Carrie, and I would have to agree. Reba looks fab in slim black pants and a sparkly dark blue top, and as always she sounds amazing belting out her latest hit “Consider Me Gone.” (No worries about Reba being on key – ever.) And Carrie looks pretty amazing herself in a long, layered yellow gown. Very retro chic.
Billy Currington
9:35: Billy Currington is crooning his all-too-true song “People Are Crazy,” which nabbed three noms tonight but no awards. Still, great song and he does it well.
9:38: Country traditionalists have something to cheer about, as Lee Ann Womack and Kris Kristofferson, who was honored as a BMI Icon Tuesday night, are onstage to present the female vocalist award. Can Carrie win again? Here are the noms:
*Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
*Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood
Taylor Swift (AP photo)
9:40: Nope, it is still Taylor Swift’s night. It’s her second nomination in the category and first win. “I just got a hug from Kris Kristofferson. I’m good,” she says. She’s thanking Reba McEntire and Faith Hill for being themselves and country radio for taking a chance on her. “And I’d like to thank everyone here tonight for not running up onstage,” she quips.
I’m normally a Taylor supporter, but I have to protest this one. She’s a great songwriter (which is changing but still all-too-rare in Nashville) and charismatic entertainer, with a sparkling personality, but the singing part is definitely her weak point. She can’t compare to the other nominees – especially Reba, Martina and Carrie – in this category. She just can’t. Sorry, this is not a good call, and I’m not just saying that because she beat out three Okies to get the prize.
Kenny Chesney (AP photo)
Dave Matthews (AP photo)
9:46: The much-hyped Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews duet is about to begin. They’re playing one of Kenny “The Tan” Chesney’s easygoing island-country songs, “I’m Alive.” It’s just Kenny sitting on a stool, strumming and singing, and a big cheer goes up from the crowd when Dave takes the seat next to him and starts crooning along. In all, a wonderful low-key performance, which gets a standing ovation from the crowd.
Brad Paisley and Keith Urban (AP photo)
9:49: It’s another one of those presented-earlier-tonight situations for musical event of year, which due to an accounting error in calculating the final nominees ended up with six possibles. The winner is Brad Paisley and Keith Urban’s “Start a Band.” Here are the other nominees:
*“Cowgirls Don’t Cry”
Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire
Arista Nashville
“Down The Road”
Kenny Chesney (with Mac McAnally)
Blue Chair Records, LLC & BNA Records
“Everything But Quits”
Lee Ann Womack (duet with George Strait)
MCA Nashville
*“I Told You So”
Carrie Underwood featuring Randy Travis
19 Recordings/Arista Nashville
“Old Enough”
The Raconteurs featuring Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe
Third Man Records/Warner Bros. Records
“Start a Band”
Brad Paisley (duet with Keith Urban)
It was a very competitive category, and I don’t know if I would have picked “Start a Band” even though I enjoy that duet.
I do know I would have actually presented the award at the awards show. Sigh.
9:53: Superstar couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw are back in black to present the highest honor of the night. Faith was the last solo woman nominated for the award before Taylor Swift. Could that be a hint of what’s to come? Here are the possiblities:
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban
And hear the teenage squeals for Taylor …
Taylor Swift (AP photo)
9:55: Yep, Taylor is the winner. She stands in shock with her mouth open while Kenny comes over to kiss her cheek and give her his congratulations. She’s in tears by the time she makes it to the stage.
“I’ll never forget this moment because in this moment, everything I ever wanted has just happened to me,” she says, while her dad tears up, too.
She’s calling her band up on stage to share in the moment and praising the fans for coming to her shows in homemade shirts. “That’s why I do this.”
“Thank you for this moment. Thank you,” she says. “Every single person in that category let me open up for them … thank you. I love you all.”
9:58: Carrie and Brad are back briefly to close it out. “How about that? Nineteen years old. I can’t even imagine,” Brad says after hugging Taylor.
Carrie, dressed in a short, glittering silver dress with a shawl tossed around her neck, finishes with a little self-recognition: “How were we? We were awesome?”
She will have to settle for that job well done, since the “American Idol,” along with the rest of the Oklahoman stars, were on the receiving end of a rare shutout. Tough night all around for Okies.
10 p.m.: Thanks for following along with my live-blog of the CMA Awards, even though it went down for awhile. I appreciate your patronage, loyal readers. Give me a few moments to file a story, and I’ll get some photos in this blog and post your winners list.
-BAM
Taylor Swift nabs second straight BMI award, has all eyes on her for tonight’s CMA Awards
Taylor Swift at Tuesday night’s BMI Country Awards in Nashville, Tenn. (Associated Press photo)
Taylor Swift won her second straight song of the year award at Tuesday night’s BMI Country Awards.
Swift won for her song “Love Story” – and will compete for four more prizes, including entertainer of the year, at tonight’s CMA Awards.
Also honored at Tuesday’s BMI Awards were Bobby Pinson for songwriter of the year and Sony/ATV Music as publisher of the year, according to the Associated Press.
Kris Kristofferson, 73, was lauded as a BMI Icon. Oklahoma native Vince Gill, Willie Nelson and Patti Griffin performed in honor of the songwriter, whose classic hits include “Sunday Mornin’ Come Down” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” Kristofferson cried during Griffin’s rendition of “Help Me Make it Through the Night.”
But tonight, all eyes are sure to be on Swift, the 19-year-old singer-songwriter sensation, whose sophomore album “Fearless” is at No. 3 on the charts after 51 weeks. It has already sold 3 million copies.
Country star Brad Paisley is nominated for a leading seven trophies, but Swift has nominations in four key categories: album, music video, female vocalist and the biggie, entertainer of the year. She’s the youngest ever nominated for the top award and the first solo female act since Faith Hill in 2000.
If she wins, it will put her in the company of icons like Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire, three of the six other female acts to win entertainer of the year. McEntire, who grew up in Chockie, said she voted for Swift.
“I will say I did vote for her,” McEntire told the AP. “The obvious is that she is a female and I do tend to support my female friends and artists in the business, but also because I think she is the one who’s done the most this year — television, touring. She is an extraordinary person and I think she highly deserves it.”
In addition, she can end Carrie Underwood’s streak: Swift is competing with her for female vocalist of the year, an award that Underwood has won three straight years. Two other Oklahomans – McEntire and Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert – also are vying for female vocalist.
“I’d so be lying if I said, ‘Oh, I don’t care,’” Underwood told the AP. “I’m competitive. Of course I want to win. But I’ll completely understand if I don’t. I mean, they have Reba nominated. I mean, like, hello. I would be so happy if she kicked all our butts. That would be so awesome.”
Other interesting races to watch at tonight’s CMA Awards: Will Brooks & Dunn win their two categories as a sort of good-bye gesture. The duo, which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, announced earlier this year that they are parting ways after a 2010 tour. Brooks & Dunn is nominated for duo of the year and musical event with McEntire for “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.”
Also, former Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker is nominated for new artist and male vocalist. He will be looking to join Charley Pride as the only black performer to win male vocalist of the year. But he faces a quartet of superstars: Paisley, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney and George Strait. Win or lose, Rucker will play Friday at Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino in Tulsa.
Follow along with my live-blog of the CMA Awards tonight here on BAM’s Blog.
-BAM
Oklahomans get the chance to shine on tonight’s CMA Awards
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley will co-host the CMA Awards tonight for the second straight year. (Associated Press photo)
From Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Expect Oklahoma stars to shine bright tonight
Oklahoma’s constellation of country music stars will have the chance to shine tonight at the 43rd Annual CMA Awards.
Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert and Rascal Flatts are nominated for awards at the Country Music Association’s yearly industry honors. Several of the state’s stars also will perform on the awards show, which airs live from 7 to 10 tonight on ABC.
For the second year, Underwood and fellow star Brad Paisley will host the CMA Awards, which take place at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn. In addition, both will perform during the broadcast.
“We didn’t know what to expect the first time. We had no idea,” Underwood told the Associated Press. “Things are different from year to year, but the overall layout — we’ve got it down.”
The Checotah native goes into the show with two nominations, for female vocalist of the year, an award she has won the past three years, and for musical event of the year for her version of “I Told You So” featuring Randy Travis. Travis picked up a second nomination for song of the year, for writing “I Told You So,” which was a chart-topper for him in 1988 and a hit this year for the 2005 “American Idol” winner.
If Underwood wins the female vocalist award again, it will tie her with fellow nominees McEntire and Martina McBride for most wins in the category.
Along with her female vocalist nomination, McEntire, who was raised in Chockie, also will compete for the musical event prize for “Cowgirls Don’t Cry,” her duet with Brooks & Dunn.
With her two nominations, McEntire brings her career total to 48, continuing her reign as the female artist with the highest number of nominations in CMA Awards history.
In addition, the redheaded star is set to perform on the show.
Brooks & Dunn, which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, also is nominated for vocal duo of the year, a category they have won a record 14 times. The hitmaking team of Dunn and Kix Brooks, who will perform on the show, announced earlier this year that they are splitting up after their 2010 “The Last Rodeo Tour.”
Lambert, who lives in Tishomingo, joins Underwood and McEntire in competing for the female vocalist award and on the list of performers.
Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, was nominated for vocal group of the year, an award the band has won for the past six years.
Vince Gill, who was born in Norman and raised in Oklahoma City, and rock band Daughtry will play their country-rock collaboration “Tennessee Line,” featured on the band’s new album, “Leave This Town,” during the show.
Gill, who is known for working with artists from many genres, expects some country purists will object to Daughtry’s inclusion in the show but praised the band for writing a great song.
“That’s what television is about is ratings, and I can say this with a straight face, I don’t know that the networks that their greatest concern is the validity of country music in their show,” said Gill in a phone interview “It turns into a pretty big melting pot of occasionally some neat collaborations. If you’ve got an open mind, it’s fine, but some people, they can get pretty cantankerous about it. And there will be people who will say ‘Why is Daughtry on the country music awards?’ … They’re musical people and they have a neat record and I’m a part of it. And that’s why.”
The CMA entertainer of the year nominees are Paisley, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Keith Urban and Taylor Swift. Swift becomes the first solo female artist since Faith Hill in 2000 to be nominated for the CMA’s top award; the last solo woman to win it was Shania Twain in 1999.
Paisley goes into the show with a leading seven nominations, including entertainer, male vocalist and album of the year.
Follow along with my live-blog of the CMA Awards here on BAM’s Blog.
-BAM
CMA Awards Day on BAM’s Blog
Brooks & Dunn (which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, left) and Reba McEntire are nominated for musical event of the year for their hit “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.” As much as I love the song, am I allowed to cry when Brooks & Dunn part ways next year? (Associated Press photo)
The Country Music Association’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards air from 7 to 10 tonight on ABC. Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts and Vince Gill are among the Oklahomans who are nominated for awards or will perform during the show.
I’ll be bringing you CMA Awards updates and other country music news throughout the day leading up to my live-blog of the big show at 7 p.m. After the show, look for my winners list and analysis of the show.
-BAM
Taylor Swift to open Wednesday night’s CMA Awards
Taylor Swift (Associated Press photo)
The Country Music Association announced today that starlet Taylor Swift wil deliver the opening performance at Wednesday night’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards.
The 43rd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood, will air live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn., from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday on the ABC Television Network. Be sure to follow along with the show during my CMA Awards live-blog here at BAM’s Blog.
“Taylor is the perfect choice as the opening act for the 2009 CMA Awards,” said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer, in a news release. “Her charisma, charm, popularity, and talent will set the stage for an evening you won’t soon forget. We know her fans will want to stay tuned to see what she does next.”
In addition to Swift, performers already announced include Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn (which includes former Tulsa Ronnie Dunn), Kenny Chesney and Dave Mathews, Billy Currington, Oklahoma native Vince Gill and Daughtry, Kid Rock and Jamey Johnson, Lady Antebellum, Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Oklahoma native Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Checotah native Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band.
Awards presenters will include Dale Earnhardt Jr., Neil Flynn, Patricia Heaton, Julianne Hough, Randy Houser, The Judds, Kid Rock, Kris Kristofferson, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes, Robin Roberts, and Lee Ann Womack. Love And Theft will host the Pre-Telecast Awards.
Swift, who won the Horizon Award in 2007, received four nominations this year with entertainer of the year; female vocalist of the year; album of the year for “Fearless”; and music video of the year for “Love Story.” She could receive a second trophy for producing “Fearless” with Nathan Chapman. At age 19, Swift is the youngest artist ever to be nominated for entertainer. Prior to this nomination, Wynonna was the youngest at age 22 when The Judds were first nominated in that category in 1986. Swift is also the first solo female artist to be nominated for entertainer since 2000 when Faith Hill was nominated. The last solo female artist to win the category was Shania Twain in 1999.
-BAM
Jamey Johnson-Kid Rock duet, Martina McBride added to CMA Awards performers’ list
Jamey Johnson
Kid Rock
Martina McBride
The performer lineup for the Country Music Association’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards gets even more star-studded with the announcement that Kid Rock will join four-time nominee Jamey Johnson in their first televised duet.
Kid Rock will also present an award during the evening.
In addition, four-time Female Vocalist of the Year winner Martina McBride will perform.
Nine-time CMA Award winners The Judds, Country Music Hall of Fame member Kris Kristofferson, and six-time CMA Award winner Lee Ann Womack have been added as presenters.
The 43rd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood, will air live from the Sommet Center in Nashville from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday on the ABC Television Network. You can follow along with my live-blog of the show here at BAM’s Blog.
Performers already announced include Oklahomans Brooks & Dunn, which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, Vince Gill, who will perform with rock band Daughtry, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, and Carrie Underwood.
Other performers include Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney and Dave Mathews, Billy Currington, , Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band.
Previously announced presenters include Dale Earnhardt Jr.; stars of ABC’s “The Middle” Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton; Julianne Hough; nominee Randy Houser (for both New Artist and Music Video of the Year for “Boots On”); nominee Jake Owen (New Artist of the Year); Kellie Pickler; LeAnn Rimes; and ABC News’s Robin Roberts, co-anchor of “Good Morning America” and host of the upcoming “Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville” ABC television special (airing Nov. 10). Love And Theft will host the Pre-Telecast Awards.
Johnson is nominated in four categories: New Artist, Album (for his Gold-certified That Lonesome Song), and Single and Song (both for “In Color” which he co-wrote with Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto). He won Song of the Year in 2007 for co-writing the Strait hit “Give It Away” with Bill Anderson and Buddy Cannon.
Kid Rock was nominated along with Sheryl Crow in 2003 for Vocal Event of the Year for their song “Picture.” The artist, who has sold more than 25 million albums, performed on the CMA Awards last year and at 2009 CMA Music Festival in June. His most recent album is the three-times-Platinum-certified Rock N Roll Jesus.
McBride is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, an Award she has received four times (1999, 2002-2004), tying her with Reba McEntire for the most wins in that category. The singer/songwriter/producer also won Music Video of the Year in 1994 for “Independence Day.” McBride, whose current album is Shine, has sold more than 18 million albums.
-BAM
Carrie Underwood writes more on new album “Play On”
A version of this story appears in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Carrie Underwood’s got the write stuff for new album
Underwood co-wrote seven of 13 titles on her New album, ‘Play On’
Between the No. 1 hits and the TV appearances, the magazine covers and the red carpet fashions, music fans can be forgiven for forgetting that country superstar Carrie Underwood was once an aspiring journalist.
But the credits for her new album “Play On” serve as a pointed reminder that the Oklahoma native was sharpening her pen long before she won “American Idol” in 2005.
“I got a lot of practice writing in general, especially in college. You know, in high school I wrote for the school paper, in college I wrote for the school paper, and was always busy writing stories,” she said in a September press conference at her Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame induction in Muskogee.
Underwood, 26, co-wrote seven of the 13 songs on “Play On,” her third album. She helped pen four tracks on her second record, 2007’s “Carnival Ride,” and one on her 2005 debut “Some Hearts.”
“This one, I had a lot more time to do a lot more writing, and I feel like I’m a lot more comfortable in myself as a writer. That just happens — the more you do it, the better, the easier it gets, I suppose,” said Underwood, who received her mass communications degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah almost a year after she won the reality TV singing contest.
“Play On,” released Tuesday, has been one of the fall’s most anticipated country albums — for good reason. Since winning the fourth season of “Idol,” Underwood has sold more than 10 million records, notched 10 No. 1 hits from her first two albums and won four Grammy Awards, as well as myriad other industry accolades. On Nov. 11, she will co-host and compete for two honors at the Country Music Association’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards.
While she is best known for belting out feisty breakup songs, uplifting anthems and soaring ballads, Underwood is demonstrating a knack for helping craft her hits. Three songs she co-wrote for “Carnival Ride” — “So Small,” “All-American Girl” and “Last Name” — topped the country charts.
For “Play On,” she set out to stretch her songwriting skills.
“I kind of branched out and wrote with a lot of people that I’ve never even met before — people that weren’t even necessarily involved in country music,” she said. “We’d take like me and a good friend of mine who I’d written with before who is a staple in country music and then kind of bring another element to it, which was a lot of fun.”
For instance, she penned “Cowboy Casanova” with respected Nashville songsmith Brett James, who also co-wrote her Grammy-winning hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” and hip-hop writer/producer Mike Elizondo, known for his work with Dr. Dre, Eminem and 50 Cent. The saucy lead-off single zipped into the top five in just seven weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
“This is probably the fifth song I’ve written with Carrie and she’s just delightful. She’s a fantastic person, she’s a fantastic singer, obviously an amazing singer, and she’s a really, really great songwriter,” said James, who grew up in Oklahoma City and Cordell.
The songstress also wrote with rockers Raine Maida of My Lady Peace on the lovely ballad “Unapologize” and Zac Maloy, former frontman of Oklahoma City band The Nixons, on the spiritual tearjerker “Temporary Home.”
“I had to be a fan,” she said of Maloy. “I was like, ‘I saw you when I was in high school.’ So, it was a lot of fun for me to work with him.”
Underwood, who counts fellow Oklahoman Garth Brooks as one of her idols, remains unapologetic for making rock- and pop-flavored country music.
“Right now in country music is a great time for a lot of different kinds of country music,” she said. “If you turn on the radio you can find something you like, whether you like things that are more kind of contemporary country, or you find more things that are traditional country or more kind of rock-influenced.”
But she acknowledged her mix-and-match approach to choosing songwriting partners didn’t always work.
“Sometimes we’d get things that were like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is new and fresh and awesome,’ and sometimes it was like, ‘Whoa — what have we done?’ she said. “Most of those you’ll probably never hear — that’s why they were ‘whoa, what have we done moments.’ But it was a great learning experience.”
Among the collaborations that didn’t make it onto the album were songs she co-wrote with fellow Oklahoma native and Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill.
“It was still an investment in somebody you like, and a neat kid who’s got her head on straight. And you just root for her,” said Gill, who sings on her new track “Look at Me.”
“She’s all things good.”
Contributing: Assistant Entertainment Editor George Lang.
-BAM
CD review: Carrie Underwood, “Play On”
A version of this review appears in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Country
Carrie Underwood “Play On” (19 Recordings Limited/Arista Nashville)
Contemporary country star Carrie Underwood stretches her strong soprano, her songwriting skills and musical boundaries on her third album, “Play On.”
The Checotah native co-wrote seven of the 13 songs, ranging from “What Can I Say,” a twangy heartbreaker with country brother act Sons of Sylvia, to the anthemic title track, which could well be next season’s “American Idol” farewell theme. The album’s sonic diversity reveals the 2005 “American Idol” winner’s willingness to grow and experiment.
The record opens with her latest hit, “Cowboy Casanova,” a feisty country-rocker about a “snake with blue eyes” lothario. She co-wrote the cautionary tale with successful country songsmith and fellow Okie Brett James (who also co-wrote her Grammy-winning hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel”) and hip-hop writer/producer Mike Elizondo, who has worked with Dr. Dre, Eminem and 50 Cent.
She keeps rocking with “Undo It,” a catchy kiss-off with a stuttering chorus and strutting groove that she penned with “Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi and hard-rock producer Marti Frederiksen. Her woman-wronged sass takes a more distinctly country turn on “Songs Like This.”
Underwood, 26, gets sentimental with songs like the spiritual weeper “Temporary Home,” which she co-wrote with Zac Maloy, former frontman for Oklahoma City band The Nixons, and the earnest ballad “Mama’s Song,” her other DioGuardi/ Frederiksen collaboration. And if “Change” comes across as a too syrupy bit of idealism, her youth and philanthropy (including a recent donation of musical instruments to Checotah schools) can probably earn her a pass.
The crossover hitmaker often takes her lumps from the Nashville establishment for her pop-flavored music, but she spotlights her country side on the beautifully sad “Someday When I Stop Loving You” and the slow-dancer “Look at Me,” featuring Oklahoma star Vince Gill on vocals.
- BAM
