Saving Country Music 2016 CMA Awards LIVE Blog
Welcome baseball fans to the Saving Country Music LIVE blog for the 50th Annual CMA Awards! For those few who aren’t watching the Chicago Cubs face the Cleveland Indians in one of the most anticipated Game 7 World Series matchups in the last century—or perhaps are looking for a way to either keep up with the CMA’s without watching, or read a recap after the game, thanks for stopping by. We’ll be raising hell and running down the winners and big events of the evening while trying not to pretend there isn’t an arguably more important event going on simultaneously.
So stretch out those refresh fingers, rosin up your mousing palms, and get ready for some off-speed frivolity and hijinks headed your way. And as always, feel free to step up to the plate and participate yourself below in the comments section.
***50th Annual (2015) CMA Awards Complete Preview***
***2016 CMA Awards Nominees, Picks & Prognostications***
WINNERS:
- Entertainer of the Year – Garth Brooks
- Male Vocalist of the Year – Chris Stapleton
- Female Vocalist of the Year – Carrie Underwood
- Album of the Year – Erich Church’s “Mr. Misunderstood”
- Song of the Year – Lori McKenna’s “Humble and Kind”
- Vocal Duo of the Year – Brothers Osborne
- Vocal Group of the Year – Little Big Town
- New Artist of the Year – Maren Morris
- Musician of the Year – Dan Huff
- Single of the Year – Some song from Thomas Rhett
10:35 – RECAP: Overall, I think we have to tip our hat the the CMA Awards for really trying to take the 50th Anniversary seriously. Yes, the majority of the older performers constituted only about 8 minutes at the very beginning of the presentation, but it was still such a sight to see them all in one place, and on national television, reviving all of those classics, and when the most people were tuning in likely thinking they were going to see Beyonce. Smart trick, CMA’s.
Also, throughout the program they kept coming back to older performers and classic medleys, while giving a full performance to George Strait and Alan Jackson. All classic country fans have ever asked for is a place at the table and equal time. And for once, that was granted. Of course we can expect next year it will go back to the regular format, but perhaps they’ll include a bit more classic country now. I also think the rating might be a bit better than we expect. I was surprised by the amount of interest on social media, and here on the LIVE blog during a difficult night.
But the biggest story is how the CMA’s gave the mother of all snubs to Florida Georgia Line, and Brothers Osborne were genuinely surprised to win. That will be the biggest moment in their career, and shows just what the industry, and country music’s peers think of bands like Florida Georgia Line. Bro-Country is dead, and has been for a while except an errant song or two.
And Chris Stapleton once again has a big night. All that star power he was up against for Male Vocalist, and he still walked away with it, for a second year. And “Fire Away” deserves all the attention it can get, and the Video of the Year win.
10:28 – Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who stopped by tonight, especially with the World Series going on. Thanks to eveyone who commented or just followed along. Thanks to everyone who tweeted, retweeted, liked, shared, etc. Sorry for the outage in the middle. Still not sure what happened there. I’m going to compose some final thoughts, run down the winners, and go watch the end of the World Series. Thanks so much!
10:22 – Not totally surprising that Garth won. The model was set when the award was given to George Strait a few years back for his farewell tour. Don’t want to see Entertainer of the Year completely turn into a touring award, but that is where it is headed. Rest assured, Luke Bryan fans are crying. He was completely shut out, despite being one of the biggest concert draws, except for Garth. Garth has set records, and the CMA’s recognized that. Meanwhile radio loses another notch of relevancy. Has to be one of the best results for true country fans.
10:19 – Garth Brooks comes up on stage to “Man Against Machine.” He thanks a lot of his touring people, because that is what this award is solely predicated upon. “We’re so lucky to be a part of this thing called COUNTRY MUSIC!” Garth says.
10:18 – The CMA for Entertainer of the Year goes to Garth Brooks. Wow.
10:17 – Taylor Swift takes the stage to hand out the award for Entertainer of the Year. Luckily, Kanye West is nowhere in sight.
10:16 – The World Series is tied 6-6 in the 8th. We very well might get done here before the end of the game.
10:13 – Brad Paisley takes the stage at a piano of all things. He hits a few of the keys on the melody of “Today” before picking up the telecaster. On the background, once again we see images of country legends accepting awards from years past. This is what the ACM Awards missed when they celebrated their 50th.
10:12 – For those who care, I am 9 for 10 on my predictions of winners (find the link at the top). The only one I missed was Brothers Osborne for Vocal Duo of the Year.
10:10 – Chris Stapleton winning for Video of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year sets up well for him to get votes for Entertainer of the Year. In such a spread field where anyone could win, you have to like his chances here.
10:09 – So obviously we’re going long here, either by design or accident.
10:09 – “I’d give my time to Dolly if they’d let me,” says Chris Stapleton.
10:07 – The CMA for Male Vocalist of the Year goes to Chris Stapleton!
10:06 – Sharon Stone handing out a country award is about as appropriate as when she uncrossed her legs in ‘Basic Instinct.’
10:05 – Let Dolly speak!
10:03 – Dolly Parton then takes the stage in a long yellow dress to accept her Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement award. Vince Gill helps her on stage. “I would have cried but I didn’t want to mess up my eyelashes. Receiving the Willie Nelson award, it’s a ‘High” achievement for me,” she says. Another Willie pot joke.
10:02 – Really great performance of “I Will Always Love You.” Two guns up.
10:00 – Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride come out on stage to do “I Will Always Love You.” Reba and Jennifer Nettles, and Kacey Musgraves join in, each singing a part of a the verses. Carrie Underwood takes the the lead on the iconic chorus.
9:58 – Ha! Reba comes out and misses her cue singing “9 to 5” “I saw Dolly and got distracted” she says and starts mid verse. There’s a whole string section on stage backing the band up. Kacey Musgraves comes out in a poofy white dress singing “Here You Come Again.”
9:56 – No doubt Pentatonix has talent, but this Bobby McFerrin stuff feels so gimmicky.
9:55 – Lily Tomlin, who starred beside Dolly Parton in “9 to 5,” comes out to present Dolly with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
9:51 – Great moment for Rhiannon Giddens with Eric Church. He bestowed that same moment to Valerie June a few years ago. Say what you want about him, he does a lot to shine a spotlight on worthy artists.
9:50 – During the unfortunate LIVE Blog outage, Brothers Osborne were named Vocal Duo of the Year. I don’t care what you think about Brothers Osborne, THIS IS MASSIVE. It doesn’t matter who it was, it matters that it WASN’T Florida Georgia Line, especially in a year when they released a record. This is their relevancy slipping away folks! Brothers Osborne shouldn’t have been able to compete with them. It’s a HUGE sign that things are changing.
9:46 – Eric Church comes out to perform his current single “Kill A Word.” The AMAZING Rhiannon Giddens is with him in a red dress. “Words” are imposed on the backdrop.
9:45 – Brad Paisley announces that Dan Huff was the winner of Musician of the Year.
9:43 – The CMA for Female Vocalist of the Year goes to Carrie Underwood, ending Miranda Lambert’s 6 year run.
9:42 – Vince Gill comes out to present Female Vocalist of the Year.
9:40 – Watch the drummer during the Florida Georgia Line performance. This is totally being played to backing track.
9:39 – You know while Florida Georgia Line is performing here, they know they’re goose is cooked after they inexplicably lost to Brothers Osborne. The Nickelback of country music in every way.
9:36 – Sorry folks, absolute catastrophic website failure we’ve been working very hard at solving. Perhaps a malicious attack, perhaps not. Everything appears to be working now. Hopefully it remains that way. My apologies for the inconvenience.
8:57 – The CMA for Vocal Group of the Year goes to Little Big Town.
8:50 – Sorry folks! The website crashed. Thanks for your patience.
8:45 – The CMA for Vocal Duo of the Year goes to Brothers Osborne. This. Is. Huge!
8:42– Give the CMA’s some credit for mixing in performances like this throughout the presentation. It has been a decent mix of new and old, and George Strait and Alan Jackson actually get a FULL 3-minute performance.
8:40 – Alan Jackson takes the stage singing “Remember When” while images of passed on country legends are displayed in the background, and then snippets of older artists accepting CMA awards play as George Strait walks out on stage.
8:35 – We go to commercial with the Oak Ridge Boys singing “Elvira.” We do get a bit of classic country mixed in throughout the presentation. A bit, that is.
8:34 – Brad Paisley drops the nugget that Taylor Swift will show up to present Entertainer of the Year. Aka the Cubs just scored again, but stay tuned. 4 to 1 now in the top of the 5th.
8:33 – Then a bunch of teenagers dressed in black holding candles show up? But the candles aren’t lit. A little awkward. But Lori McKenna is crying again.
8:31– McGraw is performing in black behind a huge screen showing the faces of people behind him. This is a much better presentation than what they tried at the ACM Awards.
8:30 – Tim McGraw comes out to sing Song of the Year “Humble & Kind” that I screwed up and called a Garth Brooks song earlier.
8:28 – Oh, here’s Matthew McConaughey, a.k.a. someone over 45-years-old at this shindig that Florida Georgia Line actually recognizes.
8:26 – Always like to see Miranda on national TV if for no other reason than steel player Spencer Cullum Jr. gets some face time. Who is that guy holding the acoustic guitar in black glasses?
8:25 – Carrie Underwood introduces Miranda Lambert, who starts off “Vice” A Capella.
8:20 – So much for the show opening with Beyonce and the Dixie Chicks. Good bait and switch move by the CMA’s to get folks to tune in early, and stay tuned in until Queen Bea graces us with her presence. Cubs 3, Indians 1 in the bottom of the 4th.
8:19 – Yawn.
8:18 – Really don’t have an opinion on this new Little Big Town song except it’s pretty obvious from the lyrics that Taylor Swift wrote it. It’s just a generic pop breakup song. Looks like the rumor Swift may show up to sing along were unfounded.
8:15 – “We gave it to the fans first,” says Eric Church about “Mr. Misunderstood,” which he sent out to tens of thousands of people in his fan club before it went on sale. Church has said previously Album of the Year is the only award he cares about. In a very weak field, it’s hard to argue with that pick.
8:13 – The CMA for Album of the Year goes to Eric Church for “Mr. Misunderstood.” Well deserved considering the nominees.
8:11 – Usually Carrie Underwood is one of the reprieves of these awards shows, this performance so far has easily been the worst aside from Jason Aldean’s screeching. There’s more kinked hair than in Ronnie Dunn’s dressing room.
8:10 – Carrie Underwood comes out looking like a sadomachochistic 80’s new wave artist. What the hell is this?
8:08 – Thanks to everyone piping up in the comments section. Reading them when I get a free second!
8:06 – Your Saving Country Music alternative New Artist of the Year is Dori Freeman!
8:04 – I always know it’s fall when there’s a nip in the air, and Garth Brooks is repackaging his Greatest Hits into a box set again.
8:02 – Here we go with the rapid-fire medley again. “Mississippi Woman, Louisiana Man,” “Rose Garden,” “Golden Ring,” all get 20 seconds. Good to see Rory Feek get some face time out in the crowd.
8:00 – Garth Brooks is sure looking puffy these days. He’s a red sweater vest and mustache away from becoming the Ken Bone of country music.
7:59 – Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood come singing the classic duet “Jackson,” into Roger Miller’s “Chug A Lug,” and then into Crystal Gayle’s “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”.
7:57 – Barbara Mandrell comes out of retirement to make an appearance, and she looks great!
7:56 – Maren Morris: “Last year I sat in a bar across the street and watched this show.”
7:55 – The CMA for New Artist of the Year goes to Maren Morris.
7:54 – Any irony in Jennifer Garner talking about the poor victims of the hurricanes with about 14 carats of diamonds dangling from her index finger?
7:50 – Pretty bad when the music on the commercials is better than the music on the show #BadCompany
7:49 – I’d give my right nut for that SS on the red carpet.
7:48 – I could get behind Maren Morris easier if she’d lose the whole diva attitude in her movement and inflections. This is a decent song, but I’m not a fan of this rendition. Even the McCrary Sisters and Preservation Hall Band can save it from her attitude. Sorry.
7:45 – Pretty cool to see all the country legends in attendance as well. Ha! Loretta and Crystal get caught snacking when the camera gets to them. Hey, not their fault this thing goes down right at dinnertime.
7:44 – Pretty forgettable performance from Dierks Bentley and Elle King.
7:43 – I appreciate the effort by Dierks on “Different For Girls,” but I just don’t think the hook of this song delivers.
7:40 – Lori McKenna’s win for “Humble & Kind” is the first solo-written song win Song of the Year in five years. She also shared the award last year for “Girl Crush.”
7:36 – Holy shit Jason Aldean is awful here. Make it stop. Who thought this was a good idea?
7:35 – Jason Aldean comes out with Brooks & Dunn, and immediately fucks up the classic country melody of “Brand New Man.”
7:33 – Lori McKenna, a mother of five, is crying. She wrote the song all by herself … Music Row.
7:32 – The CMA for Song of the Year goes to “Humble & Kind” written by Lori McKenna, performed by Tim McGraw. Excellent pick.
7:31 – Garth Brooks is SO jealous he didn’t get to ride on the Peter Pan stirrups during the Kealsea Ballerini performance.
7:28 – Kelsea Ballerini is the worst. So plastic, always smiling. No self-doubt, no humanity. That is what keeps her from being the next Taylor Swift.
7:25 – Your Saving Country Music alternative Single of the Year is “The Dogs” by Justin Wells!
7:22 – Thomas Rhett is wearing a gold band around his bowtie to match ONE gold band around his right shoe. His lack of symmetry is making my OCD go crazy.
7:21 – The CMA Award for Single of the Year goes to Tom Rhett for “Die A Happy Man.”
7:19 – I barely recognized Peyton Manning without him kissing Papa John or schlepping insurance.
7:18 – Worst joke ever: “Don’t drink that or you’ll have to take a Wikileaks.”
7:17 – Huh. A Willie Nelson pot joke.
7:15 – Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood telling canned jokes at the moment. One funny moment is when Brad Paisley says the awards is rigged. Otherwise, you can fast forward the DVR through this portion.
7:14 – So that opening montage constituted all of the official “legends” that were announced as performers. By my watch, none of them got more than 30 seconds. But I will say it was cool to see them all, and for the CMA to put them all on at the start. But don’t worry, Beyonce is waiting in the wings.
7:10 – Alan Jackson performs for about 17 seconds, then everyone comes out singing “Forever and Ever” with Randy Travis standing center stage who finishes the song with an elongated “A-Men!”
7:09 – Apparently Ricky Skaggs went as Ben Franklin for Halloween and didn’t have time to change out of his costume.
7:08 – Clint Black sings “Killin’ Time,” then Ricky Skaggs comes out with a blistering 30 seconds of “Country Boy.”
7:06 – Reba sings the hook of “Fancy” and then the great Dwight Yoakam comes out singing “Gutar, Cadillacs.” At this pace we’ll be through all the legends in the first five minutes. Can’t type quick enough to keep up.
7:05 – Someone should tell Charlie Daniels that Cole Swindell is pro Iran just so we can see Charlie whip his ass on national television without missing a note on the fiddle.
7:05 – The Charley Pride sings a bit of “Kiss An Angel Good Morning.” Yep, 30 second snippets of songs like we were expecting, but still good to see these folks at all, especially at the beginning of the show. Alabama also performs, and Charlie Daniels comes out as a fiddlin’ son-of-a-bitch playing “Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
7:03 – Wow, two classic country performances in a row. Roy Clark comes out with Brad Paisley playing Buck Owens’ “Tiger By The Tail” . Then Carrie Underwood sings 30 seconds of “Stand By Your Man.”
7:02 – Thanks to Sturgill Simpson for making this first performance possible 😉
7:01 – Show starts off with a montage of folks who’ve won in past years accepting awards. Oh and look at this, the very first performance of the night is Vince Gill playing Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried” with Merle’s son Ben Haggard on Telecaster.
7:00 – And here we go!
6:59 – Word from the red carpet is Chase Rice handed his keys to Charley Pride and told him “don’t scratch it, or screw with my stereo settings!” and then promptly vomited his designer drugs into to bowl of Tim McGraw’s plastic hat.
6:58 – For those not clued into the late breaking news today, it was announced Beyonce will be performing tonight, likely in the first 8 minutes, and with The Dixie Chicks. Also uncorroborated rumors that Taylor Swift might make an appearance, possibly with Little Big Town since she just wrote a song for them. So there’s that. And pretty much all the major networks have decided to show reruns tonight instead of compete with the World Series. Could be a rough one for the CMA’s.
6:50 – Cool shot from yesterday’s rehearsals showing us some of the country music legends that will be performing tonight.
6:45 – Just a quick addendum before we get started here. Frankly, I feel a little deflated compared to how I normally feel going into most live blogs with the realization that many will be watching the World Series Game 7 instead of the CMA’s tonight. I don’t blame anyone for making that decision, and if I didn’y run a country music website, I probably would make that decision as well, and I’m not even a huge baseball fan.
Nonetheless, the CMA’s must go on, and I’ve heard from a few folks who’ve said they’re looking forward to following along here while they follow the game. So in that spirit, I will probably be doing just as much describing what’s going on as the usual snark and criticism that the live blogs are known for. Hopefully there will still be plenty of snark and frivolity, but I also want to be mindful of the folks trying to keep up while enjoying the baseball game.
justin casey
November 2, 2016 @ 4:54 pm
watching the directv preshow (there’s nothing else on) and everyone’s dancing the b word like everyone doesn’t already know beyonce’s there
Stephanie G.
November 2, 2016 @ 5:02 pm
Vince Gill to open the show!
ElectricOutcast
November 2, 2016 @ 5:03 pm
Okay who didn’t expect Vince Gill out of the gate?
Meaghan
November 2, 2016 @ 5:05 pm
I’m here, Trig! I wouldn’t leave you hanging. #notabaseballfan
Trigger
November 2, 2016 @ 5:42 pm
Thank Meghan!
Gena R.
November 2, 2016 @ 5:05 pm
Enjoying this medley so far! 🙂
Justin
November 2, 2016 @ 5:05 pm
Thanks for your live blog Trig!
Studley Dudley
November 2, 2016 @ 5:07 pm
I’m back fuckers. Miss me?
Studley Dudley
November 2, 2016 @ 5:10 pm
Get this old shit off the fucking TV. I want new country bitchez.
Justin
November 2, 2016 @ 5:30 pm
At least your boy Tommy Rhett won song of the year! Hooray for the bros! haha
Studley Dudley
November 2, 2016 @ 5:57 pm
His name is THOMAS, not Tommy. But yes, I was happy to see it go to him. Great artist.
Rachel L
November 2, 2016 @ 5:10 pm
What’s so sad right now is the lack of enthusiasm from the audience. Seems like they don’t recognize or care to hear any of these country legends! Even the other performers in the audience seem bored!
ElectricOutcast
November 2, 2016 @ 5:11 pm
Okay that was a good opening
Stephanie
November 2, 2016 @ 5:11 pm
Ugh I can’t even read the live blog because I’m watching the Cubs start off well and then feeling sad that I missed Dwight Yoakam! Damn you CMA scheduler!!
Gena R.
November 2, 2016 @ 5:12 pm
Yay, Randy! 😀
“30 second snippets of songs like we were expecting, but still good to see these folks at all, especially at the beginning of the show.”
Yup; it’s probably all downhill from here, but hearing even just a little bit of each of these classics is enough to give me warm fuzzies.
sbach66
November 2, 2016 @ 5:13 pm
Apparently someone is cutting onions somewhere in my house.
NPC
November 2, 2016 @ 5:13 pm
More country in the first eight minutes of the show than in the past 15 years of country music… more, please!
sweet on stuart
November 2, 2016 @ 5:16 pm
What is so interesting is how many of the current artists that many of us pan and criticize (often rightly so) actually do know these classic artists and their songs. They know what Country is. Makes me see that it really is TPTB of Music Row that are responsible for most of the crap that is pop country. They all must be thinking “What am I doing here?”
Waiting to see if Beyonce comes on soon with the Chicks.
Kevin Smith
November 2, 2016 @ 5:16 pm
Yeah, thanks Trig.Get those legends done quick so we can get on with the show and see some queen beyhive! (Sarcasm)
sweet on stuart
November 2, 2016 @ 5:39 pm
Honestly, I am not a big Beyonce fan but I am very curious to see what happens. How will they justify it?
I don’t watch awards shows much anymore but I am strangely pulled towards tonight’s show.
ElectricOutcast
November 2, 2016 @ 5:17 pm
Okay who gave them permission to be political?
Justin
November 2, 2016 @ 5:17 pm
Ricky Skaggs’ “Country Boy”…fond memories of when I was 4 years old and my mom listened to it all the time. 🙂
Justin
November 2, 2016 @ 5:18 pm
No DAC?
Warthog
November 2, 2016 @ 5:40 pm
I would love nothing more than to see DAC come out and rip the CMA a new asshole.
NPC
November 2, 2016 @ 5:44 pm
They didn’t tape all the air vents shut and give him the extra $15,000 he requested…
seak05
November 2, 2016 @ 5:22 pm
That open was amazing, and now I don’t even have to care about missing the rest
Zeke
November 2, 2016 @ 5:23 pm
Eric Church was robbed
Doyle Hargraves
November 2, 2016 @ 5:23 pm
My brothers off the stage. Show over!!!!
Rachel L
November 2, 2016 @ 5:23 pm
Thomas Rhett! Seriously what the hell is going on? Notice that he didn’t get much of a reception!
ElectricOutcast
November 2, 2016 @ 5:23 pm
Well that was a downer but can’t win em all
Stephanie G.
November 2, 2016 @ 5:23 pm
Ugh, way to award mediocrity by giving an award to Thomas Rhett.
Gena R.
November 2, 2016 @ 5:25 pm
Yeesh. I was rooting for any other single in that category BUT the Thomas Rhett one! :p
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 2, 2016 @ 5:27 pm
not gonna lie. ‘bra of many colors’ made me smile. then Thomas Shitt won an award.
I swear to God, if Roy Clark wasn’t here I’d be watching Impractical Jokers and googling pictures of weasels.
but Roy Clark was my boyhood hero.
I gotta watch.
I actually just got here. had a friend come over to play Mario Kart and forgot until a bit after 8.
sorry for these comments, I’m using my Nintendo because my computer is being borrowed.
ElectricOutcast
November 2, 2016 @ 5:29 pm
I’M A PICKING!
SR
November 2, 2016 @ 5:33 pm
And I’m a grinnin!
Jake
November 2, 2016 @ 5:28 pm
Meanwhile Brantley Gilbert is standing in the parking lot telling people he has a song on the radio
Trigger
November 2, 2016 @ 5:54 pm
Good one!
NPC
November 2, 2016 @ 5:29 pm
Kelsea Ballerini… RIP 50th CMA Awards: 7:00 p.m.-7:08 p.m.
Farmer83
November 2, 2016 @ 5:29 pm
Kelsey Ballerina imo is a horrible singer!
sbach66
November 2, 2016 @ 5:29 pm
Guess I can stick with the ball game for the rest of the night.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 2, 2016 @ 5:30 pm
saw Jeannie C Riley… then it ended after ten seconds and Good God what is this garbage? that fog machine is going to blow a fuse… hopefully Chase Rice is touching the wires when it goes.
ElectricOutcast
November 2, 2016 @ 5:30 pm
I’ve actually not heard this lady a whole lot but I didn’t find this bad
Orgirl1
November 2, 2016 @ 5:31 pm
I’m watchin the Cmas! Even though the rest of the country is watchin the Cubs. Dug the opening. But Beyonce. W. T. F. Is this true? Uuggghhhh.
Biscuit
November 2, 2016 @ 5:31 pm
This Peter Pan song is about as necessary as all those Pan movies.
Stephanie G.
November 2, 2016 @ 5:31 pm
The acrobatics and dancing aren’t distracting me from Kelsea Ballerini’s pitchiness.
Michael
November 2, 2016 @ 5:31 pm
Whenever I see Kelsea Ballerini I think of the Buffalo Bills because their owner Terry Pegula also owns her record company.
Warthog
November 2, 2016 @ 5:32 pm
What did I miss?
Oh, just the Country part of the CMAs?
Well shit.
Michael
November 2, 2016 @ 5:35 pm
I’d pay to see Ronnie Dunn “accidentally” push Aldean off the stage.
ElectricOutcast
November 2, 2016 @ 5:33 pm
Okay I was rooting for that song or Record Year to win
KathyP
November 2, 2016 @ 5:33 pm
Die a Happy Man? Against Record Year? Oh good grief. Politics.
Gena R.
November 2, 2016 @ 5:34 pm
“The CMA for Song of the Year goes to “Humble & Kind” written by Lori McKenna”
YAY!!!
Gena R.
November 2, 2016 @ 5:37 pm
“…performed by Garth Brooks. Excellent pick.”
I think you mean Tim McGraw?
David
November 2, 2016 @ 5:39 pm
It was performed by Tim Mcgraw not Garth Brooks though. Typo!
Trigger
November 2, 2016 @ 6:23 pm
Sorry, had Garth Brooks on the brain after the Peter Pan highrope routine during the Kelsea Ballerini song.
ElectricOutcast
November 2, 2016 @ 5:36 pm
“7:31 – Garth Brooks is SO jealous he didn’t get to ride on the Peter Pan stirrups during the Kealsea Ballerini performance.”
Hey don’t pick on my childhood like that, man
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 2, 2016 @ 5:37 pm
Christ Jason Aldean can not sing at all. hearing him with B&D is just painful… he so very clearly is outclassed.
Doyle Hargraves
November 2, 2016 @ 5:38 pm
Same here, I hate the fuckin buzzard
Gena R.
November 2, 2016 @ 5:39 pm
Liked seeing Kix & Ronnie, but yeah, I could only handle the opening chorus before I hit the Mute button. :p
Jamie P.
November 2, 2016 @ 6:21 pm
I actually cranked up the TV volume lol wanted to get the full effect of that awful last note! We laughed so hard
JC Eldredge
November 2, 2016 @ 5:38 pm
Aldean sounds like shit.
corruptedchoirboy
November 2, 2016 @ 6:10 pm
Well, he always looks like he’s taking a shit and he does sound s like shit. So there is a theme……
sbach66
November 2, 2016 @ 5:38 pm
Jason Aldean confirming he’s a talentless hack.
Orgirl1
November 2, 2016 @ 5:38 pm
I’m watchin the Cmas! Even though the rest of the country is watchin the Cubs. Dug the opening. But Beyonce. W. T. F. Is this true? Uuggghhh.
Michael
November 2, 2016 @ 5:42 pm
Still better than Florida Georgia line.
sbach66
November 2, 2016 @ 5:39 pm
“It was my understanding that Autotune would be available.”
NPC
November 2, 2016 @ 5:39 pm
Jason Aldean should have listened closer to that karaoke version of “Brand New Man” he pirated from YouTube…
Orgirl1
November 2, 2016 @ 5:41 pm
YAY!:) Lori Mckenna!!!
Warthog
November 2, 2016 @ 5:45 pm
Not gonna lie, I like some of Elle King’s songs. And I don’t mind “Different for Girls.” I don’t think of it as gender stereotyping as much as using generalizations to describe specific characters in a song. But that’s just my opinion.
witness
November 2, 2016 @ 5:45 pm
Elle King is so underutilized on that song
sweet on stuart
November 2, 2016 @ 5:46 pm
Aldean left me speechless. He is terrible! He should be embarrassed to be performing next to Ronnie.
Unpopular opinion, but I like Dierks no matter what. He doesn’t sound good here. I will go sit in the corner now.
Tanya Tucker looks good as I heard she’s been having health probs.
Henry
November 2, 2016 @ 5:47 pm
Jason Aldean should never be allowed to sing in public. Ever again.
Gena R.
November 2, 2016 @ 5:47 pm
That was “Different for Girls”? Ew. Too bad they couldn’t have just covered the old Joe Jackson song (“What the hell is wrong with you tonight? / I can’t seem to say or do the right thing…”), worked it into a duet or something…
albert
November 3, 2016 @ 1:07 am
Dierk’s IMO may be the most overated vocalist in Countrydom . At lease we all know Aldean can’t sing and don’t expect much from him . DIERK’S CANNOT SING . He sing-talks , has no vibrato and less range . C’mon …he’s only a “star”” cuz he LOOKS like he should be a star.
Stephanie
November 3, 2016 @ 5:32 am
I don’t think he’s overrated. I think everyone knows Dierks is not a talented vocalist. He used to make up for it though. Now not so much.
Golddust
November 2, 2016 @ 5:47 pm
I wonder if Jason’s fans care how weak he is vocally even when the evidence is right in front of them? Brooks & Dunn so on, Jason … not so much …
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 2, 2016 @ 5:48 pm
The tubby chick with the banjo sounds like she took English lessons from the Terminator. can’t understand what she says. oh look Loretta Lynn and Janie Fricke!! I have her autograph!!!!! and all of a sudden I’m at a revival meeting… no, you can’t get a hallelujah from me, unless you bring Roy Clark back out.
I wanted to watch openminded… but all the legends got thirty second slots to make room for Willie Nelson pot jokes.
pissed off.
witness
November 2, 2016 @ 5:49 pm
Elle King is pretty good. She’s more rock than anything though. Exs & Ohs and America’s Sweetheart are her best songs
nascarfan999
November 2, 2016 @ 6:08 pm
Not a fan of their single, but love Elle and Dierks singing Jackson on the Opry (Youtube has the performance). Hard to complain about someone who can actually play the banjo.
Biscuit
November 2, 2016 @ 5:48 pm
The Preservation Jazz Hall Band is like cheese or chocolate, they can make anything taste better.
Michael
November 2, 2016 @ 5:50 pm
Morris has some talent there.
Jamie
November 2, 2016 @ 5:50 pm
It’s another episode of complaining assholes who hate today’s country music. Here’s a novel idea. Stop watching and complaining. Play Alan Jackson on repeat and run your car in the garage with the door closed.
Trigger
November 2, 2016 @ 5:52 pm
Hey, I loved the intro. It was great seeing all those older performers.
sbach66
November 2, 2016 @ 5:58 pm
Trigger: 6+ likes.
Jamie: 0 likes.
‘Bout all you need to know.
Jamie
November 2, 2016 @ 6:03 pm
I wasn’t doing it for likes. I was serious.
Golddust
November 2, 2016 @ 6:07 pm
Sadly, Jamie, we know.
sbach66
November 2, 2016 @ 6:12 pm
Exactly.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 2, 2016 @ 6:11 pm
If you stop calling it Country Music, I’ll quit complaining about it.
If you stop giving it awards that should have gone to Chris Stapleton, I’ll quit complaining.
If you let Chris Stapleton, Jason Boland, and Dale Watson on the radio, I’ll quit complaining.
Until that time, stop calling Puke Bryan, Sham Hunt, Cole Swindle and Jason Al-I don’t like big words-Dean Country Singers,
Learn about Country Music before you criticize people like me who have played in bands since High School.
And get off my lawn.
Doyle Hargraves
November 2, 2016 @ 6:21 pm
ok now get up off your ass and get the fuck out!!!
Jacob Ware
November 2, 2016 @ 5:50 pm
So what character on Mario kart?
I like it when he’s on the attack. Keep it up.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 2, 2016 @ 6:12 pm
Bowser.
Stephanie G.
November 2, 2016 @ 5:52 pm
Thank goodness Maren Morris got the room going! Everyone at that stage looked like they were having a good time.
sweet on stuart
November 2, 2016 @ 5:52 pm
The twitter page “cmas beyonce” has lots of funny/amusing tweets.
sbach66
November 2, 2016 @ 5:54 pm
If I got stuck on a bridge with Old Dominion, I’d jump the hell off.
Matt
November 2, 2016 @ 5:57 pm
Thanks for bringing me back with “The Dogs”….gritty.
Matt
November 2, 2016 @ 6:13 pm
And Dori Freeman. 2 for 2
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 2, 2016 @ 5:57 pm
I’m not super excited for the New Artist nominees.
but at least Cole Swindle didn’t win.
I’m going to need more potted meat to put up with this meat parade pageantry.
Michael
November 2, 2016 @ 5:59 pm
I was hoping that Margo Price would be nominated but I will take Morris.
Gena R.
November 2, 2016 @ 6:00 pm
Garth & Trisha! 🙂 <3 Another medley of classics…
sbach66
November 2, 2016 @ 6:00 pm
If you don’t like “Chug-a-Lug,” I can’t associate with you.
Warthog
November 2, 2016 @ 6:02 pm
My dad would throw a fit if he knew Garth was singing Conway.
That being said, I applaud the Yearwoods for their performance. I’m not a big fan of Garth myself, but he did good tonight.
Trigger
November 2, 2016 @ 6:39 pm
Cool they decided to perform classics instead of their own material. Stand up decision.
seak05
November 2, 2016 @ 6:02 pm
Following along on twitter, Beyonce’s fans are throwing a shit fit. They all thought they’d just have to watch the open, and now they’re sitting through a country show.
Big Red
November 2, 2016 @ 6:04 pm
Waaah. (Directed at them, not at you, seak.)
seak05
November 2, 2016 @ 6:10 pm
it’s making me laugh
sbach66
November 2, 2016 @ 6:04 pm
That’s a real shame.
Biscuit
November 2, 2016 @ 6:03 pm
Well, the Garth/Trisha medley was pretty good, especially the Conway/Loretta nod.
I subconsciously now feel like I need a 10 cd Garth box from Target.
Michael
November 2, 2016 @ 6:04 pm
Then everything went according to plan.
ElectricOutcast
November 2, 2016 @ 6:03 pm
Wow Lorrie looked like she was about to tear up at that song.
BTW whose loving the extra dose of traditional country?
hoptowntiger94
November 2, 2016 @ 6:04 pm
It was like 8 husbands ago!!
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 2, 2016 @ 6:04 pm
and all of a sudden Barbara Mandrell comes out and this shitship got a lot less shitty.
Garth And Trisha killed it on “Jackson.” great to hear cchug-a-lug too
Garth can sing better than most of his younger contemporaries.
and oh boy Golden Ring!!!!
Garth just keeps impressing me.
too songwriterly for you Aldean?
chug a lug is about underage drinking you narcissistic, egotistical buffoon.
Hey look Bill Anderson!!!!
hahaha good shout Bill! I bet Aldean couldn’t sit through a song like Whiskey Lullaby.
jonnie toughshit
November 2, 2016 @ 6:04 pm
Holy shit
hoptowntiger94
November 2, 2016 @ 6:05 pm
I’m guessing Garth skipped the sound check.
Ryan
November 2, 2016 @ 6:06 pm
Garth and Trisha were fantastic! They both need to hire a personal trainer for their upcoming tour or they are going to be hurting.
sweet on stuart
November 2, 2016 @ 6:06 pm
Medleys don’t bother me. It’s a chance for the younger fans a chance to sample some really good tunes…if they even care. I still love seeing the audience sing along. Garth’s forte is mos def the live stage, rocking out, as it were. He seems uncomfortable and weak voiced doing these songs. Trisha, of course sounds great and loved her voice on Rose Garden.
NPC
November 2, 2016 @ 6:07 pm
Roger Miller?! Keith Whitley?! Crystal Gayle?! What a nice reprieve!
Dennixx
November 2, 2016 @ 6:10 pm
What part of this Underwood performance is country music?
albert
November 3, 2016 @ 1:13 am
What the hell is it with Carrie ? She’s always trying to slip into this pop-bitch guise and SCREAM songs at people . Damn …we get it Carrie . You’re a good singer . Now just SING a decent song will ya . A country song , if you don’t mind . Why in God’s name would she choose to sing THAT song on a show honouring 50 years of COUNTRY music ??
Golddust
November 2, 2016 @ 6:11 pm
Oh, Carrie, you used to be country. Why? Just why? You’re better than this!
Orgirl1
November 2, 2016 @ 6:18 pm
Agree
ElectricOutcast
November 2, 2016 @ 6:12 pm
“Your Saving Country Music alternative New Artist of the Year is Dori Freeman”
Couldn’t agree more
Orgirl1
November 2, 2016 @ 6:12 pm
Heads up Carrie Underwood, this is lowering my consciousness. When are the Texas Regional Radio Awards going to be live televised. I need to de-toxify my soul after that performance.
Ryan
November 2, 2016 @ 6:13 pm
That Carrie Underwood thing looked like a Vixen video from 1990.
She has such a good, powerful voice, just sing a damn country song
Mike
November 2, 2016 @ 6:14 pm
You’re doing a great service here!
Biscuit
November 2, 2016 @ 6:14 pm
Was that Orianthi on guitar with Carrie?
Did I just hear “The Outlaws” LP get plugged?
ElectricOutcast
November 2, 2016 @ 6:14 pm
Okay I was not expecting that one
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 2, 2016 @ 6:14 pm
Just shared a Kenny Price video to Facebook.
Somebody somewhere can listen to real Country Music while these stupid awards shows go on.
Gotta grab some peach cobbler ice cream to go with my potted meat.
sbach66
November 2, 2016 @ 6:14 pm
I’m OK with this win.
NPC
November 2, 2016 @ 6:15 pm
Eric Church wins Album of the Year! Guess that Saving Country Music advertising paid off for him… 😉
sbach66
November 2, 2016 @ 6:16 pm
Well played.
Orgirl1
November 2, 2016 @ 6:16 pm
YES! Eric CHURCH!:)
Stephanie
November 2, 2016 @ 6:20 pm
Glad to hear it. WEll deservesd. That album won over this Eric Church hater.
Orgirl1
November 2, 2016 @ 10:17 pm
Eric Church is great
hoptowntiger94
November 2, 2016 @ 6:16 pm
I want Carrie Underwood fan to defend THAT!
Gena R.
November 2, 2016 @ 6:18 pm
Probably the worst song I’ve heard from her since the aptly named “Something’ Bad” (with Miranda). :p
Rachel L
November 2, 2016 @ 6:16 pm
Is it me or did Faith Hill actually seemed irritated at the lack of applause when she mentioned Jessi Colter & Waylon Jennings?
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 2, 2016 @ 6:17 pm
Got my peach cobbler ice cream, came back to the living room(got my computer back so no more nintendo yay)
thought I saw Luke Bryan and walked back out again.
RD
November 2, 2016 @ 6:17 pm
“That is what keeps her from being the next Taylor Swift.”
I thought it was the Rocky Marciano chin…
nascarfan999
November 2, 2016 @ 6:18 pm
Who had not just 2 Merle Haggard songs, but 2 different (partial) renditions of Mama Tried during the SAME CMA awards’s broadcast?
Could it be a dream (Country music finally saved) and a nightmare (the Cubs actually winning the World Series) in the same night? Someone watch for a planet destroying meteor before this night is over.
Justin
November 2, 2016 @ 6:19 pm
“I always know it’s fall when there’s a nip in the air, and Garth Brooks is repackaging his Greatest Hits into a box set again.”
Available “exclusively” at Walmart, haha.
ElectricOutcast
November 2, 2016 @ 6:22 pm
Actually it’s Target this time, luckily I’m playing it like a smart shopper and not picking this one up.
Dustin
November 2, 2016 @ 6:28 pm
He actually switched it up this year and went with Target, but it’s the same rehashing as always except this year the cds are separated by themes, Still a money grabbing ploy but that’s to be expected from Garth
ElectricOutcast
November 2, 2016 @ 6:20 pm
They’re going to save Chris Stapleton for the last performance again aren’t they?
NPC
November 2, 2016 @ 6:20 pm
Whoever is doing the set designs for the show needs a raise… the sets look amazing, and it’s awesome how it seamlessly blends into the projected backgrounds!
Trigger
November 2, 2016 @ 9:32 pm
Set was not bad. No pyrotechnics or lasers.
Stephanie
November 2, 2016 @ 6:22 pm
I’m watching the game, but judging by the “country fans” on my Facebook feed complaining that it’s boring, they must be doing something right. Lol
Banjo
November 2, 2016 @ 6:23 pm
God I hope Alan Jackson and George Strait do “Murder on Music Row”. Alan is known to protest quietly!
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 2, 2016 @ 6:26 pm
While I appreciate locking Billy Ray in a room away from decent society… it’s a little too late, he already procreated.