Saving Country Music Official 2014 CMA Awards LIVE Blog
Here we go folks, our annual gathering of old souls and independent-minded country fans to collectively commiserate and contemplate what the hell has happened to our fair genre known as country music as the pomp and circumstance of the CMA Awards transpires right before our shocked and disgruntled eyes. Be forewarned that all sense of decorum and courtesy will be tossed aside in lieu of admittedly immature and reactionary snark delivered with little or no governor. This is a night to get small and speak our minds, while at the same time being willing to give credit to any glimmers of true talent or hope.
So get your refresh fingers ready, and feel free to chime in yourself below in the comments.
Also, if you’re wondering why we pay attention to the CMA Awards if we hate them so much, please read the disclaimer at the bottom.
Pot right? Let’s wheel ’em around!
SCM’s 48th Annual CMA Awards Complete Preview
SCM’s 2014 CMA Awards Nominees, Picks, & Prognostications
2014 CMA Award Winners
- Luke Bryan – Entertainer of the Year
- Miranda Lambert – Female Vocalist of the Year
- Blake Shelton – Male Vocalist of the Year
- Little Big Town – Vocal Group of the Year
- Florida Georgia Line – Vocal Duo of the Year
- Miranda Lambert’s “Platinum” – Album of the Year
- Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow” – Song of the Year
- Miranda Lambert’s “Automatic” – Single of the Year
- Brett Eldredge – New Artist of the Year
- Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban “We Were Us” – Vocal Event of the Year
- Dierks Bentley’s “Drunk on a Plane” – Video of the Year
- Mac McAnally – Musician of the Year
- Vince Gill – Irving Waugh Award of Excellence
10:13 – Not as an exciting ending as last year when George Strait won Entertainer of the Year, but the writing was on the wall that Luke Bryan would win, especially after he got shut out in other categories. However there were some minor award victories, including Kacey Musgraves for Song of the Year, and not just because of the message of “Follow Your Arrow,” but because she’s a traditional artist, a female artists, and a songwriter. Also Brandy Clark is now a CMA award winner, which is big. But overall the awards were very same old, same old, and predictable. The CMA is going to have to do something about the Blake/Miranda Male/Female monopoly. It just doesn’t represent the music well, especially for Blake Shelton whose new record was a virtual flop.
What was positive was the overall presentation. Aside from Little Big Town’s neon silliness, most of the performances were sedated and tasteful, even if they weren’t especially entertaining. Carrie Underwood was the highlight as expected, as were Kacey Musgraves and Loretta Lynn. The Vince Gill award was a big surprise, and so was The Band Perry paying tribute to the ailing Glen Campbell. No Bro-Country was possibly the biggest story, aside from maybe Jason Aldean, which shows just how out-of-touch Bro-Country is becoming. Aldean’s performance seemed out of place.
Thanks everyone for reading. More tomorrow on the awards maybe…
10:02 – THANK YOU THANK YOU everyone who stopped by, read, commented, reposted, liked, retweeted, and everything else! I am going to compose some final thoughts, recap the winners, and then we’ll be done. More to come!
9:59 – Doobie Brothers weren’t bad taking it out though. They still got chops.
9:58 – Yeah, we should take our anger over the Luke Bryan Entertainer of the Year Award “To The Streets.” I need a Doobie.
9:56 – Your Saving Country Music alternative Entertainer of the Year is Sturgill Simpson!
9:54 – You don’t know how much it angered the blood to write that last line.
9:53 WINNER: The CMA for Entertainer of the Year goes to Luke Bryan.
9:52 – Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9:51 – CMA’s give Garth Brooks a standing ovation as he comes out to hand out the Entertainer of the Year.
9:47 – Your Saving Country Music alternative Female Vocalist of the Year is Karen Jonas!
9:46 – This is Miranda Lambert’s 5th consecutive CMA for Female Vocalist, EXACTLY like her HUSBAND, Blake Shelton. Go wild conspiracy theorists. It also sets her up for the biggest CMA night ever if she wins Entertainer of the Year.
9:45: WINNER – The CMA for Female Vocalist of the Year goes to Miranda Lambert
9:44 – Sam Hunt needs to get busy bussing my table and filling my glass.
9:43: Normally I’d make a quip here about how this is the most country thing all night, but it actually isn’t for a change thanks to Musgraves and Loretta.
9:42: Yeah, maybe turn The Doobie Brothers’ mics on Pimples the Engineer boy.
9:40 – Shit, when I heard The Doobies were performing, I thought it was going to be a mashup of Eric Church and Kacey Musgraves. #legalizeoregon
9:38 – Remember for the ACM Awards, Luke Bryan’s peeps bitched when he got locked out. https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/members-of-luke-bryan-camp-mad-over-george-strait-acm-win
9:37 – Yes folks, that means Blake Shelton has now won five CMA Male Vocalist of the Year awards in a row. A deserved shout out to Earl Thomas Conley doesn’t deaden that sting at all. This is also another award many thought Luke Bryan would win, and he gets shut out once again. Expect the bitching from his camp to come out in full force if he doesn’t win Entertainer of the Year.
9:32 – Your Saving Country Music alternative Male Vocalist of the Year is Don Williams!
9:30 WINNER – The CMA for Male Vocalist of the Year goes to Blake Shelton.
9:29: Seriously, no offense to Eric Church, but why can’t we get the reigning Entertainer of the Year by himself in what might be his last CMA performance? He kind of stole the show.
9:27: Seeing Eric Church performing with George Strait is like looking at a really hot woman with a screaming, hairy mole on her cheek.
9:25: Irving Waugh was a veteran broadcaster who was instrumental in gaining national television exposure for country music during the ’50s and ’60s. He died in 2007. Johnny Cash was awarded the Irving Waugh Award in 2003. He was the only other ARTIST to win the award. Other winners include 1987 Frances Preston, 1991 Jo Walker-Meador, and 2009 Walter Miller. It is considered an industry award.
9:22 – Had never even heard of this Irving Waugh award before, but it was very well deserved for Vince Gill.
9:20 – WINNER: Vince Gill is Awarded the CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence, only awarded to one other artist before, Johnny Cash.
9:15 – Looks like Vince Gill may be getting the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. If so, very deserved.
9:14 – Anyone check with Vegas on what the over/under is on how much Little Big Town paid for their Vocal Group of the Year trophy? More, or less than the Opry induction?
9:12 – Too many voices on Miranda’s “Smokin’ & Drinkin'”. This is not working. The song is flat to begin with. Tasteful instrumentation though.
9:11 – Could this Miranda Lambert / Little Big Town mashup start off more monotone?
9:07 – Also, Kacey Musgraves and Loretta Lynn, The Band Perry covering Glen Campbell. I’m telling you folks, still some terrible music out there, but you feel things slowly changing.
9:03 – Notice that there’s pretty much been NO Bro-Country so far? Even Luke Bryan is pulling out his adult contemporary material. Somebody sent out a memo.
9:01 – Your Saving Country Music alternative Vocal Group of the Year is the Turnpike Troubadours!
9:00 – WINNER: The CMA for Vocal Group of the Year goes to Little Big Town.
8:58 – I know some might find it screamy, but damn, I’m breaking out in goosebumps at this Carrie Underwood performance. The best singer right now in country music, period. Very inspiring. Two guns way up.
8:56 – Whoa! Which one of you bastards slipped the LSD in the beef stroganoff I was wolfing down in the commercial break? I’m seeing tracers, dude.
8:55 – Yes, there’s “Something In The Water,” but hopefully the preggo Carrie Underwood doesn’t drop hers when she hits that high note…
8:54 – Biggest awards coming up folks, hang in there!
8:47 – Great to see Ashley Monroe get some screen time, but this song does so little for me, and her teaming up with Blake Shelton is about as lame as when your parents showed up on Facebook. What’s up with all of this adult contemporary schlock?
8:42 – Yawn, Paisley. You’re lyrical hook is more flat than a pre-pubescent.
8:40 – Also, the producer of Miranda’s “Platinum” is Frank Liddel, who is the same producer of the new Stoney LaRue album.
8:38 – Miranda Lambert winning Album of the Year is a big development. This means she could have a HUGE night if she pulls off the upset for Entertainer of the Year. She’s already won two CMA’s for songs, and she’s pretty much a shoe-in for Female Vocalist. Also, this is another award Luke Bryan did NOT win. Surprising win for Miranda.
8:35 – WINNER: The CMA for Album of the Year goes to Miranda Lambert’s “Platinum”
8:30 – I think Dierks’ Riser album is tits, but “Drunk On A Plane” is an awful song in my opinion. Where’s a bunch of drunk Ukrainian separatists playing Galaga with a $500 million rocket launcher when you need them?
8:25 – Thanks to everyone leaving comments down below. Some great zings and observations!
8:24 – Let’s be thankful for the little gifts, like Cole Swindell only getting 60 seconds before getting cut off by commercials.
8:22 – Your Saving Country Music alternative Duo of the Year is First Aid Kit!
8:21 – WINNER – The CMA for Vocal Duo of the Year goes to Florida Georgia Line. And water is wet.
8:20 – Brandy Clark getting lots of face time tonight. Good for her.
8:19 – From Rawhide & Velvet on Twitter: “After the show Little Big Town will be outside Bridgestone Arena doing the traffic control.”
8:17 – “Truck Yeah” or truck no, Tim McGraw released on of the better mainstream country records so far this year. Not great, but just solid, unoffensive pop country music. Love the steel lick in this song.
8:14 – Overall though, this has been a pretty understated presentation comparatively. This keeps with the trend that started a couple of years ago. So far, no rap, no fire.
8:11 – But hey Little Big Town’s album cuts are REALLY REALLY good (please).
8:10 – Nobody told all the little glowing drummers boys what would happen if you brought a geiger counter close to their glow-in-the-dark suits. That was a performance to bee seen, not heard for sure.
8:09 – Talk your shit on Ariana Grande all you want, but it was the best $2.99 I ever spent at Taco Bell.
8:07 – Yes, that’s Little Big Town, who we gave a friggin’ Grand Ole Opry induction to in order to pad sales of their new album, and they still could only managed 40K.
8:05 – Better clean those cheeseballs up off stage before Luke Bryan gets up and waxes out on them.
8:02 – Jason ALdean spent $700 to have to rips in his jeans custom choreographed just for the CMA Awards. #lesserknownfacts
8:01 – Shouldn’t this asshole be in LA somewhere feeling up an American Idol castoff?
7:59 – So the “surprise legend” turned out to be Loretta. Would have loved to see Hank3’s reaction if it was Tom Hiddleston aping Hank Williams and singing “Jambalaya” with a Westminster accent. Would have loved to see MY reaction if it turned out to be Shania Twain in leopard skin stretch pants and a Madonna-esque cone bra. I’d be like Bob Knight whipping a chair across the room.
7:56 – Knew Brandy Clark didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning New Artist, but when they started with Brr…, I almost thought it was going to happen. Brantley Gilbert needs to get the damn marbles out of his mouth and quit being such a raging douchewad.
7:54 – WINNER – The CMA for New Artist of the Year goes to Brett Eldredge.
7:52: Kacey Musgraves sings Loretta Lynn’s “You’re Looking At Country” with the backdrop of the Grand Ole Opry barn. Loretta Lynn makes a suprise (somewhat) appearance and makes it a duet! Two guns up!
7:50 – Holy shit, someone is playing country music on the CMA Awards! Security!
7:48: “Follow Your Arrow” was also written by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, meaning Brandy Clark is now a CMA Award winner.
7:44: The Band Perry is usually one of the most underwhelming performers on these things, but this Glen Campbell “Gentle On My Mind” rendition is really refreshing.
7:42: Kacey Musgraves on the Song of the Year win for “Follow Your Arrow” – “Do you know what this means for country music?”
7:40: WINNER: Kacey Musgraves wins Song of the Year for “Follow Your Arrow.”
7:38 : Tim Tebow: “Seriously America. I REALLY need work. Anything.”
7:36: Yes, Keith Urban. The only 47-year-old still adolescently-fascinated with owning a car and mugging down in the back of it. But with those highlights, he doesn’t look a day over 46.
7:34 – WINNER: Mac McAnally won a 7th consecutive Musician of the Year award. But of course that didn’t make the telecast.
7:32 – On the Miranda Lambert win for “Automatic”: Sort of an underwhelming song, but not a bad pick, especially for the more commercially-oriented “Single” instead of “Song” of the year.
7:30 – Don’t worry Florida Georgia Line fans, I’m sure they’ll be back later to shoot lasers out of their assholes!
7:28 – Sorry folks, but I don’t think Florida Georgia Line’s “Dirt” song is terrible. Much better to get this than that “Sun Daze” bullshit. They needs to re-alight the blow holes on their damn guitars though. It’s sending my OCD into overdrive.
7:26 – “Hey Bartender” by Lady Antebellum has got so much nothing. And that one guy looks like he should be a elementary school librarian that really into puppets, not a country star.
7:24 – Care of Rawhide & Velvet:
7:21 – I stand corrected. Apparently the picture I posted below of Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley did not include a homeless woman, but Bonnie Raitt. My apologies to Bonnie.
7:18 – WINNER: The CMA for Single of the Year goes to Miranda Lambert & the songwriters for “Automatic.”
7:17 – Quit being so mean America! I think Steven Tyler makes a very handsome older woman!
7:16 – Arena rocker Steven Tyler, “Country is the new rock and roll.”
7:15 – Now they’re razzing on Taylor Swift, Rene Zellweger, and naked selfies, as they do a grand tour of cliches of the American zeitgest.
7:10 – The opening monologue is pretty flat compared to last year, when they played off all the country music feuds. Ebola was last week.
7:08 – Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood doing a dumb bit about George Strait. Meanwhile millions of Florida Georgia Line fans are wondering who the shit they’re talking about.
7:06 – For the record, I think Meghan Trainor is just fine.
7:04 – What does Miranda Lambert use to make her skin have the sheen of a bowling alley? Asking for a friend…
7:03 – If you’re wondering why Meghan Trainor is performing tonight, she’s a Nashville resident and actually co-wrote two songs on Rascal Flatts’ last album. She also once helped get Flatts’ frontman Gary LeVox’s head unlodged when he got it stuck between two rungs of a Carl’s Jr. jungle gym. The key was slathering LeVox’s head in an industrial-sized jar of Mayonnaise. True story.
7:00 – Here we go!
6:57 – Aww, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley invited an older homeless woman to hang out with them backstage. #caring
6:53 – Some stuff of note from the red carpet. Yes, that is Kacey Musgraves’ hair, and meanwhile Sam Hunt looks like he should be fetching more lime wedges for my fish entreé.
6:50 – One thing we can be guaranteed of is that the opening performance will be the most non-country thing to transpire all night as ABC tries to lure in non-country viewers. Be ready for an unmerciful onslaught of your senses.
6:49 – Some late-breaking intelligence on potential performances: Rumor has it Eric Church will be joining George Strait for his performance, and Loretta Lynn might be performing with Kacey Musgraves, which might be the “surprise legend” ballyhooed to be performing. And in case you missed it, the producer of the CMA’s said, “There’s going to be a surprise guest in one of our performances from one of the biggest legends of country music of all time.”
6:47 – For those drinkers out there, Farce The Music has put together a satirical CMA Awards Drinking Game. It’s satirical because if you actually participated, you’d be in the ICU with alcohol poisoning.
6:45 – Some awards have already been doled out. This morning on Good Morning America, it was announced Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert won for Musical Event of the Year for “We Were Us,” and Dierks Bentley won Music Video of the Year for “Drunk On A Plane.”
DISCLAIMER: So every year when we engage in this LIVE blog exercise, people complain, “If you hate the CMA Awards so much, why do you watch?!?” Or, “If you really want to save country music, you should be taking about something positive instead of wasting your time with this.” First, understand that the CMA Awards are the single most significant membership drive Saving Country Music engages in every year as hundreds of thousands of people turn on their TV sets, find themselves in abject horror at what they’re seeing, and take to the internet to find like-minded souls. By directly engaging with the CMA Awards—undisputably the most important night on the country music calendar (whether we like it or not)—it creates a place for those disenfranchised country music fans to connect with the independent world and discover the riches of artists and music it has to offer. This is not a theory. It has been proven to be effective year after year.
Saving Country Music’s mission is not to abandon the storied country music institutions like the CMA Awards to the money changers to do with what they wish, but to challenge them by directly engaging with them and offering our dissent. We have seen significant gains in the pursuit to return balance back to country music in the radio format that is currently splitting to represent more older artists. We could see similar successes with the Awards shows in the coming years, but only if we let our voices be heard. And when you see artists like George Strait winning Entertainer of the Year, and songwriters like Brandy Clark being nominated for major awards, you can see inroads being formed, regardless of how awful the Florida Georgia Line’s and Luke Bryan’s of the world are.
If you don’t want to watch the CMA Awards, I completely understand, trust me. I am not promoting the CMA’s, nor am I encouraging people to watch. But as part of the dirty job of running Saving Country Music, I must watch. And if I’m going to watch, I might as well have some fun with it. Because as soon as we stop laughing, that’s when they truly win.
–The Triggerman, savingcountrymusic.com
Dr. Trout
November 5, 2014 @ 7:58 pm
Good to see the beta test for the upcoming Moses movie special effects — parting of the sea
Meaghan
November 5, 2014 @ 8:01 pm
Kimberly’s skirt matches her hair.
Cobra
November 5, 2014 @ 8:02 pm
Not surprises LBT won Vocal Group bit still fucking pissed about it.
Really wish EYB had won.
Megan
November 5, 2014 @ 8:07 pm
Ugghhhh did they just say that LBT is going to play AGAIN w/Carrie? Gross.
Lucy
November 5, 2014 @ 8:02 pm
Kacey Musgraves has big country hair and country sequins. Does she still have the nose piercing? If so, she’s my new style icon.
Dave
November 5, 2014 @ 8:03 pm
Nerd Alert: Just noticed the CMA logo at the top of the blog looks like it’s been copied from Star Trek. Lots of space cadets this year?
Cobra
November 5, 2014 @ 8:04 pm
Even when his song is relatively inoffensive, Luke Bryan stil comes off as a complete douchewad
Warthog
November 5, 2014 @ 8:05 pm
With many nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, we present: Luke Bryan’s Man-Cameltoe
Penny
November 5, 2014 @ 8:06 pm
I’m not ashamed to admit it…I like this Luke Bryan song. It’s one of my favorites off the album.
Cobra
November 5, 2014 @ 8:08 pm
honestly isn’t that bad of a song but even when he is singing a song with not that bad he still comes off like a complete tool
Connie
November 5, 2014 @ 8:06 pm
Where is Hank3?
courtney
November 5, 2014 @ 8:06 pm
lukes getting awfully close to the edge of the stage
Troy Turner
November 5, 2014 @ 8:07 pm
Little Big Town look like they just stepped off of the stage of the musical Starlight Express. All they need is fucking roller skates to complete their outfits.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 6, 2014 @ 7:09 am
love Starlight Express; hands down my favorite musical! Also, it even has better country music than the CMA awards! U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D. is a not-so-subtle Tammy Wynette parody. Jeez, even British playwrights writing rock musicals make better country music than American country musicians….
Lil Dale
November 5, 2014 @ 8:09 pm
I want to say congragulatians to little bigtown for winnin the best groop award. an did any won else see that look the guy from the band parry had on his face? sower grapes. suck it up budy, at leest u lost to the 2nd best band in cuntry music. reely supprised sugar land was not up for the award. an congrads to all the other winers tonite an god bless yall an god bless america!
Troy Turner
November 5, 2014 @ 8:09 pm
Oh God…
Why oh WHY can’t Luke Bryan go drive another jacked-up truck into a lake? Preferably with him in it? He’s god awful. He’s giving me quite the earrape.
Matthew Begay
November 5, 2014 @ 8:12 pm
It brought tears of joy to my eyes to see a couple references to older songs, and that tribute to Glen Campbell, and that performance with Loretta Lynn and the steel guitar being used for more than one note. Just awesome. Everything else besides George Strait and Garth Brooks will be shit.
Megan
November 5, 2014 @ 8:12 pm
This might be Miranda’s worst song ever. Made even worse by LBT joining. At least they took those dresses off though.
Trigger
November 5, 2014 @ 10:16 pm
That was a dreadful performance by Miranda and Little Big Town, and from this biggest winner of the night no less. Bad song choice and arrangement.
Mike
November 6, 2014 @ 2:02 am
The better choice would have been “All That’s Left” with the Time Jumpers. I don’t think the CMA’s are ready for that yet.
Cobra
November 5, 2014 @ 8:13 pm
looks like little big town’s court ordered community service gig is over
or at least they ditched the uniforms
Camie jo
November 11, 2014 @ 7:21 am
Little Big Town’s performance was remininesent of Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk”.
It was dramatic and over the top….but they’ve been paying homage to Fleetwood Mac for years.
It’s now become a forumula, without it….their songs were barely getting radio play.
They’ve found something that works so they’ll have to run it into the ground.
Scott TheCEO
November 5, 2014 @ 8:14 pm
Kacey Musgraves?!! Dude she blows, just because someone is a commercial failure doesn’t mean the have talent!
Trigger
November 5, 2014 @ 10:17 pm
That seems like a reduction of why people champion Kacey Musgraves. Hey, she not perfect, and has some baggage in my opinion. But she’s better than most anything else in the mainstream. And artists like her could open up doors for many others. She already has for Brandy Clark.
Troy Turner
November 5, 2014 @ 8:15 pm
And why does Steven Tyler look like he’s about to undergo gender reassignment in that picture Trigger put up? He looks like he got caught in a fucking hailstorm and no one told his ass its safe to come inside!
ChrisNSC
November 5, 2014 @ 8:15 pm
Is it just me or has popular country music souly become an alcohol advertisement. I feel like I’m watching a joke Saturday Night Live skit commercial.
Rachel L
November 5, 2014 @ 8:19 pm
Congrats to Vince Gill! So far the most touching moment so far!
KathyP
November 5, 2014 @ 8:19 pm
Vince Gills, in his seat, looks like he’s about to cry. Richly deserved.
Tom
November 6, 2014 @ 7:45 am
He deserved to cry? Why, what did he do that was so bad?
KathyP
November 6, 2014 @ 3:01 pm
I should have been more clear. The award is richly deserved.
Troy Turner
November 5, 2014 @ 8:19 pm
Trigger may have declared FGL to be an embarrassment to country music but i nominated Little Big Town to be the worst live performers in country music. And they just HAD to bring Miranda down with them. LBT: take the bottle you’re “day drinking” with and shove up your ass!!
Meaghan
November 5, 2014 @ 8:20 pm
Vince made me a little weepy when he got all choked up!
Dr. Trout
November 5, 2014 @ 8:21 pm
Hail Vince! I just wish they gave a mix of his songs so the younger generation would understand.
Cobra
November 5, 2014 @ 8:21 pm
Congratulations Vince Gill.
Troy Turner
November 5, 2014 @ 8:24 pm
Good for Vince Gill. Very deserving of the award. This may be the turning point for country music, folks.
ChrisNSC
November 5, 2014 @ 8:27 pm
Did you notice Vince started crying when Merle Haggard called him his friend? Very special.
Tim
November 6, 2014 @ 8:39 am
Take note kids… that’s you mainstream/pop/bro country artists.
Vince just won an award that only one other person has won…Johnny Cash. And what does Vince do in his acceptance speech….he talks about the dude the award is named after. He doesn’t say shit about himself, doesn’t even say shit about all those that really helped his career. He recognizes the importance of the award and the man behind it.
Jesus….talk about class and humble. I don’t know that I recall a better acceptance speech.
You think anyone else that won an award last night is even qualified to carry Vince’s guitar case? Or wipe his mic down?
How genuine when he choked up seeing Merle comment on their friendship. I’ve heard Merle say about Vince, “that man has more talent in his pinky than anyone I’ve ever seen.”
Best moment of the show.
Gena R.
November 5, 2014 @ 8:27 pm
Congrats to Vince! 🙂
Megan
November 5, 2014 @ 8:29 pm
Wish they’d stop zooming on George & Eric Church so we can see that background, looks like some kind of tribute montage. Digging this duet though.
Megan
November 5, 2014 @ 8:31 pm
Never mind. I rescind my approval, between his horrible rushing of the song and weird shaky thing at the end.
A.B.
November 5, 2014 @ 8:30 pm
Love that it was Hag that nearly caused Vince to tear up.
Golddust
November 5, 2014 @ 8:32 pm
Sorry, but George Strait should have done that one by himself. What the heck is that bee-bopping around Eric was doing? He obviously knows nothing about what a cowboy is!
Trigger
November 5, 2014 @ 10:21 pm
Agreed. That was a bad mashup, and didn’t flatter either George Strait or Eric Church.
Brandon
November 6, 2014 @ 1:05 pm
They performed the song together several times on the Cowboy Rides Away tour, including the final show that got recorded for the DVD and “live” album. I’m an Eric Church fan and actually enjoyed The Outsiders album, but their performance on the CMAs was a bit off. At least they seemed to be singing live. It seemed to me that Meghan Trainor was lip syncing. I didn’t really think any of the performances were particularly good, except maybe Carrie.
Rachel L
November 5, 2014 @ 8:33 pm
Whose idea was it for George to sing with Eric Church!? Seriously Eric needs to stop with his maniacal attitude. Quit taking attention away from George! It ain’t all about you! You’re lucky to be singing with King George! Tone it down!! And seriously Blake Shelton again?? Well at least it wasn’t Luke Bryan!
ChrisNSC
November 5, 2014 @ 8:33 pm
Great another year of Blake as the “Decider.”
Troy Turner
November 5, 2014 @ 8:33 pm
Fuck…..Blake wins again. I’ll fucking bet that its because his wife has open multiple awards.
Cobra
November 5, 2014 @ 8:38 pm
find small comfort in these six words: at least it wasn’t Luke Bryan
Megan
November 5, 2014 @ 8:34 pm
I liked the dedication to ETC. At least Blake knows where he came from.
Amanda
November 5, 2014 @ 8:34 pm
Stop hating on Eric Church, trigger…..if you got to sing with George I’m sure you’d be screaming too 🙂
Megan
November 5, 2014 @ 8:36 pm
Please. That was not the excitement of OMG I can’t believe I’m performing with a legend that caused that to be so awful.
Amanda
November 5, 2014 @ 8:48 pm
I didn’t ask for your sass. I simply commented on Eric Church “screaming”, not the quality of the performance. Obviously George Strait thinks enough of Eric Church to perform songs with him MULTIPLE times.
Trigger
November 5, 2014 @ 10:23 pm
In my opinion, Eric Church deserved his own spot. Let him do his thing and make a case for his own music. The mashup didn’t flatter either artist, and it has nothing to do with hate for Eric. If anything, Eric should be mad too.
Jacob
November 6, 2014 @ 1:55 am
It honestly wouldn’t have surprised me if Mr. Strait asked Eric Church to sing with him. Throughout the cowboy rides away tour, many artists toured with King George and all performed songs with him which was then even made into a CD with the collaborations. I’ve seen videos of all of these collaborative performances and, to my eye, it seems as though the relationship between strait and church is different than the others. There’s a real since of respect. Speculating here for a minute, Strait was going to have his slot and decided to perform one of those collaborations and asked Church have church the opportunity to sing with him. Church did even just say recently that his favorite album to win CMA album of the year (a question that they asked everyone nominated for the award this year) was Strait’s “troubadour” and added that it had his “favorite song” on it. This recent comment paired with their seeming on stage respect could’ve made for a logical pairing. Wouldn’t really have made much sense for George to just go on stage and sing cowboys like us considering it’s not a new single. With no collaboration, it is out of place. Now, as to why Eric Church did not get to perform and promote his new single “talladega”, I have no clue. He possibly gave up that opportunity to perform that song in order to play live at the CMA’s with one of his Heros. Could’ve quite possibly been his last opportunity to sing with him which he is quoting as saying is his most memorable moment.
Could be a biased response considering I’m a huge Eric Church fan, but I’m also a big George Strait fan and a big country music fan, so seeing them perform such a good song together was very special to me.
Tim
November 6, 2014 @ 8:48 am
I can’t fully endorse Church because he doesn’t let the music breathe. He always has to do something to put the focus on him. And even his most diehard fans have to agree….enough with the f-ing sunglasses dude!!! Your not Hank Jr. and you’re not blind. And your shitty excuse for them about lights on stage is B.S. cause you wear them EVERYWHERE.
I think Church has Jamey Johnson like talent, but he just can’t get out of his own way and trust the music. There is some self-confidence lacking somewhere.
Great song Strait and he did. I would have loved to see a couple others up there with them…i.e. Jamey. Jamey and George crushed “The Eagle” on the Livin for a Song album.
Cobra
November 5, 2014 @ 8:34 pm
small favors again: at least Luke Bryan didn’t win
KathyP
November 5, 2014 @ 8:35 pm
Trisha Yearwood in that black dress! Best dressed of the night. Outstanding.
Lil Dale
November 5, 2014 @ 8:35 pm
I tell ya wut. that thomas rett is purty good. Im gonna hafta chek out sum of his songs. a lot like a yung garth may be. aww well hell I dont no.
Courtney
November 5, 2014 @ 8:36 pm
Trig, I disagree with you on eric church. he sang back up for George strait and looked like he was a little starstruck. just my opinion
Cobra
November 5, 2014 @ 8:40 pm
I agree I thought Eric Church was relatively solid aside from the jumping around thing
Tim
November 6, 2014 @ 9:06 am
I think Eric is star struck by Eric.
Him and George have a friendship, and I’m sure Eric respects the heck out of George, but when someone gives themselves their own nickname and has to keep reminding everyone he is fighting the system….come on…even his diehard fans have to see through the B.S.
Penny
November 5, 2014 @ 8:38 pm
They didn’t say “Doobie brothers with Jennifer Nettles, Hunter Hayes and Hilary Scott” right? No. Just no.
Megan
November 5, 2014 @ 8:42 pm
Wait, Hunter Hayes can play guitar? This isn’t the worst part of the night, that’s for sure. Jennifer Nettles has a totally underrated voice.
Warthog
November 5, 2014 @ 8:46 pm
Is Hunter Hayes even old enough to know who the hell the Doobie Bros. are?
Warthog
November 5, 2014 @ 8:54 pm
I want to murder people.
Warthog
November 5, 2014 @ 8:58 pm
Oops. That murder comment wasn’t supposed to be a reply. Anyway, fuck Luke Bryan.
Jacob
November 5, 2014 @ 8:40 pm
Eric church pointed at George strait several times, gave him several solo moments and proceeded to bow down to him. Stealing the show? I don’t think so. His singing style is much more aggressive than that and he kept it in check until his last note which was supposed to be his moment. George got his big farewell last year. This was just a performance. Wasn’t supposed to be all about him but Eric did his best to make it about him. Saw them live together in KC and Eric just seemed to be thrilled to even be on the same stage as him.
Amanda
November 5, 2014 @ 8:52 pm
THANK YOU. Eric didn’t STEAL anything. I think it was a pretty fair collaboration
Trigger
November 5, 2014 @ 10:28 pm
Eric Church is one of the biggest artists in country music. He deserves his own performance slot. So does George Strait. Just like what they did with Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town, they put ill-fitting parts together to save time, and it was disappointing. Maybe my comment on Eric Church “stealing the show” was a little harsh, but I did not like the performance. Also, it is important to note that the performance was said the be George Straits… with Eric. That is why I felt it should have favored him.
Albert
November 5, 2014 @ 8:42 pm
SO………..?…Where, s Prince …..?
Courtney
November 5, 2014 @ 8:42 pm
anyone else feel like the doobie bros, lady a, jennifer nettles, and hunter Hayes are the most random fucking collaboration ever?
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 6, 2014 @ 7:32 am
Actually the most random collaboration ever would be Michael Bolton, Frank Sinatra and the Clancy Brothers singing the hits of Nat King Cole…
Troy Turner
November 5, 2014 @ 8:43 pm
*stocking up on Tampax for Luke Bryan and friends when George Strait wins*
KathyP
November 5, 2014 @ 8:43 pm
I love me some Doobie Brothers. Long time fan. Which reminds me, wonder where they may be playing soon. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them live.
Lil Dale
November 5, 2014 @ 8:44 pm
jenifer netles reely stoeld the show there with the doobie brothers. wood have ben a beter idea to have kristen bush play ensted of huntar hays n lady antebellam. but ware is skunk backter?
Troy Turner
November 5, 2014 @ 8:52 pm
If Miranda or George win the Entertainer of the Year award…..I’m thinking of calling FedEx and expediting that shipment of maxipads with wings to Luke and friends.
Cobra
November 5, 2014 @ 8:53 pm
WHAT!!??
FUCK!!!!!!
Lil Dale
November 5, 2014 @ 8:54 pm
Im so glad luke brian won best voculist. hes ben workin reel hard this year an desservs to win for shure.
courtney
November 5, 2014 @ 8:55 pm
fuck Luke Bryan. fucks the CMAs. fuck it all. this crest white strips spokesperson don’t even think he should’ve won it look at his face.
John
November 5, 2014 @ 8:55 pm
This is my take on why Luke Bryan won Entertainer of the Year: a lot of people were entertained all those times he fell off the stage.
Mitch N.
November 5, 2014 @ 8:55 pm
And with Luke Bryan’s Entertainer of the Year award, out goes what little credibility the CMAs might have built tonight up to now.
KJ Strata
November 5, 2014 @ 8:56 pm
So Capitol Records bought another Entertainer of the year award. Whats new???
KathyP
November 5, 2014 @ 8:56 pm
Well, at least Luke won’t be punching any holes in the walls of his hotel suite tonight.
BrettS
November 5, 2014 @ 9:12 pm
Let’s be real, we all know he can’t actually hit the wall hard enough to make an actual hole ha!
KathyP
November 5, 2014 @ 9:17 pm
like, like, like
JusticeForGeorgeStrait
November 5, 2014 @ 8:58 pm
WTF Luke, George deserves it so much!
CaseyK
November 5, 2014 @ 8:58 pm
I call BULLSHIT!!!! The whole EOTY award Luke Bryan is Bullshit!
ChrisNSC
November 5, 2014 @ 8:58 pm
So the grand finale of one of the top country music shows is a Doobie Brothers song. Welcome to modern country music. The genre that is ashamed of itself.
KathyP
November 5, 2014 @ 9:11 pm
Not at all. I’d wager that most of the Doobies’ long time fans aren’t listening to today’s pop music. They’re listening to country. The Doobie Brothers fit right in with tonight’s CMA Awards. Country music, however one defines it, appeals to millions. Aging rockers included.
ChrisNSC
November 5, 2014 @ 9:24 pm
I understand what you’re saying and I realize that I did not state my point clearly. I mean no disrespect to the Doobie Brothers but why have them close out the show with a SECOND song instead of maybe George Strait or Vince Gill? As far as country music being ashamed of itself, why did they need the pop stars on there? I think this will be my last year watching the CMAs.
RockyGal
November 5, 2014 @ 11:12 pm
The Doobies were on b/c they have a new album out of their old hits collaborating with current country music singers like Zac Brown, Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, etc.
RWP
November 5, 2014 @ 8:58 pm
I thpught Charlie Rich died but he’s playing with the Doobies GO CHARLIE!!!!
LG
November 5, 2014 @ 9:26 pm
No, if Charlie Rich were alive and in attendance he would have grabbed that card out of Garth’s hand saying Luke Bryan won entertainer of the year and burned it with a lighter.
Cobra
November 5, 2014 @ 8:59 pm
What a fucking sham that some pretty-boy ass-shaker who can’t sing worth shit wins the Entertainer of the Year Award. Every other potential high point of the night goes down the drain with that last award being awarded to the LEAST deserving of all five nominees.
FUCK YOU LUKE BRYAN!!
JusticeForGeorgeStrait
November 5, 2014 @ 8:59 pm
Alternative and actual winner is George Strait!
Troy Turner
November 5, 2014 @ 9:02 pm
GODDAMMIT!! Fuck you Luke Bryan. You suck and your album sucks! I hope Cole Swindell bites your dick off after he finishes fluffing you!! You and FGL are a goddamn disgrace to country music! Burn in hell you pelvic thrusting non singing brick faced looking cumstain!
JennaB
November 6, 2014 @ 7:23 am
Was all that really necessary?
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 6, 2014 @ 7:48 am
No JennaB, it wasn’t necessary, not in the slightest, but it sure made a lot of people feel so much better
JennaB
November 6, 2014 @ 8:32 am
I understand…but I am just like WOW!!! 🙂
Applejack
November 6, 2014 @ 9:06 am
I actually agree with JennaB. I thought some of the ribald language was a little over the top in this thread.
kelly
November 6, 2014 @ 9:29 am
Actually I would have to agree with her also. It was a bit over the top.
Tom
November 6, 2014 @ 9:44 am
So would you say it’s more appropriate to sing songs that glorify date rape using “acceptable” words as Luke Bryan does that to use 4-letter words to express frustration as Troy Turner did?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m generally of the school of thought that if you can’t make your point without using foul language you probably don’t have much of a point to make. But I have also been known to drop an F-bomb when I drop something heavy on my foot so I’m well aware that principles sometimes fly out the windows in times of duress. And I think that’s what’s going on here.
Troy Turner
November 6, 2014 @ 9:45 am
When you see someone who is known for pelvic thrusts, singing songs about being drunk (and that were co-written by the two pinheads that make up FGL), exudes no natural talent at all and give him an award over a living legend who paved the way for that moron to make music….it tends to piss a lot of people off. I don’t regret what I said and I stand by it 100%.
Applejack
November 6, 2014 @ 10:46 am
“So would you say it”™s more appropriate to sing songs that glorify date rape using “acceptable” words as Luke Bryan does that to use 4-letter words to express frustration as Troy Turner did?”
Come on, this isn’t a black-and-white situation. Nobody said they liked Luke Bryan’s music or were happy about him winning; rather, a couple of people expressed mild disapproval of some of the extreme language used in the comments. Furthermore, in order for the above false delimma to make sense, you’d have to demonstrate that Luke Bryan’s stupid, derivative songs go so far as to “glorify date rape,” and I’m not sure I buy that.
I understand the anger and frustration, believe me, but you gotta take these award shows with a grain (more like a whole shaker’s worth) of salt. They’re essentially promotional platforms, heavily effected by backroom politics. Also, as I said in a comment below, for all we know it’s possible that Luke’s win was actually a result of the anti-Luke vote being split in two.
JennaB
November 6, 2014 @ 12:17 pm
Tom by no means am I siding with camp Luke Bryan, I said that I disagreed with the win more than once, I too have been known to drop the F-bomb at times of duress, I get the point that you are making but there were more than just 4 letter words dropped in several sentences. My point is that there are readers of all kinds & all ages that visit this site, that does not mean everything has to be PG but I don’t think a blog about biting another man’s genitals off or other extreme vulgarities is a great message to get across to express anger it just seems rude. You represent Country music just think about that! I stand by my comments 100% also!
Cobra
November 5, 2014 @ 9:03 pm
The CMAs will henceforth be known as the C-shaM-A Awards.
FUCK LUKE BRYAN!
Tom
November 6, 2014 @ 7:38 am
If you just think they jumped the shark this year you apparently haven’t been paying attention for awhile.
derby
November 5, 2014 @ 9:05 pm
Because I honestly don’t know… but does Eric Church wear those sunglasses inside because he needs to, or just to try and look cool?
He looks like a d-bag.
Evan
November 5, 2014 @ 9:08 pm
Actually, he does wear them for a purpose. He says they keep his contacts or something from drying out from the stage lights or something like that.
Six String Richie
November 6, 2014 @ 9:00 am
I think we all know the whole “contacts” thing is just a lame excuse because he doesn’t want to say “I just wear them to look cool.” Tons of performers where contacts on stage, especially the older ones. There are countless musicians and Broadway performers that where contacts every night and don’t need sunglasses to keep them from drying out.
Plus, he was only on stage for a couple minutes to do that one song. Do you really think his contacts were gonna dry out in a matter of minutes? And seriously, is wearing sunglasses even gonna keep you contacts from drying out anyway?
If it was such an issue, he could just where normal glasses instead of contacts. But that would kill his “outlaw” persona.
Evan
November 5, 2014 @ 9:06 pm
Am I the only one who thought Cole Swindell was absolutely terrible?
Cobra
November 5, 2014 @ 9:45 pm
No, you are definitely not the only one.
musicfan
November 5, 2014 @ 9:10 pm
Troy’s comment is a tough act to follow…just wanted to thank Trig for doing the CMA live blog again…always a good time!
Troy Turner
November 5, 2014 @ 9:10 pm
I will never watch the CMAs again. You give EOTY to Luke Bryan over George Strait?!! Are you assholes fucking hanging with FGL and getting white girl wasted with those pinheads when you decided to give that pasty faced non dancing Drake name dropping waste of egg sperm air and space the award? You CMA voters are an abomination and should be put in front of a firing squad, shot and then set on fire. You voters wouldn’t know country if a banjo went upside the back of your skull.
Cobra
November 5, 2014 @ 9:53 pm
Same here. I refuse to watch the CMAs anymore after that sham of an award.
Troy Turner
November 5, 2014 @ 10:03 pm
Cobra,
I can’t believe that they’d pass over a living legend like George Strait and give it to that talentless hack. Then people wonder why country music is in the fucked up bro country state that its in. Luke Bryan and FGL are ta talent less pieces of horseshit who win awards while folks like Brandy Clark, Kacey Musgraves have a bitch of time getting their music played on country radio. These CMA voters are a joke.
FUCK YOU FGL AND YOU TOO LUKE BRYAN!! You both won awards you don’t deserve that I wanna wipe my shit encrusted ass with!!
JennaB
November 6, 2014 @ 8:25 am
That is YOUR opinion but your showing no class by blasting curse words in all CAPS over this website for attention! Just Saying 🙂
Tom
November 6, 2014 @ 8:33 am
I also have an opinion, and my opinion is that using the wrong form of your/you’re is more offensive than using all caps to express an opinion. Just saying.
JennaB
November 6, 2014 @ 8:44 am
It’s not even cool, it’s just rude!
Jack Williams
November 6, 2014 @ 8:50 am
Says the persons that left this gem on the FGL album review:
Are you OLD FARTS still drinking your HATERADE????? It”™s all GRAVY!! Keep On with it HATERZ!! 400+ comments!!! Blaaahhh!!!!!
Curses words? Bad. Categorically insulting people? Just fine.
JennaB
November 6, 2014 @ 8:59 am
Oooppsss!! I am so sorry Mr. Tom ol’ wise one I actually meant to correct that unfortunately there is no edit button but thank you for pointing that out you are so smart!! Look, I respect other people’s opinions I am upset as well over the win but there are some decent people who like to look at this website without having to see such vulgar words. I am basically saying show some class a few hells & damns but with all the preaching on the “garbage” of today’s music or tv shows don’t complain if you are going to stop to that level. Real country men know better.
Troy Turner
November 6, 2014 @ 9:33 am
JennaB,
It is my opinion. Keywords being “my opinion.” The same way that you are entitled to your opinion, I am entitled to mine. The beautiful thing about America is that we reserve the right to voice our opinions any way that we choose. I stand by what I said (in capital letters nonetheless) and have no regrets. The only reason why Luke Bryan won is because of record sales and the fact that he’s popular. Nothing more. The man lacks talent while folks who are insanely talented have to fight to have their songs heard on radio. Its complete and total bullshit.
JennaB
November 6, 2014 @ 9:07 am
Ooohhh! I have a follower!! Nice 🙂 Fart is not a cuss word by the way childish yes but not disrespectful! Gravy isn’t either it’s actually yummy goes great over biscuits! My apologies if you were insulted I thought it was ok to insult people that I don’t even know around here 😉
kelly
November 6, 2014 @ 9:39 am
Jenna B; you actually have a good point for once on this one. No offense to anyone else or to you, I get the point let’s calm it down some, cursing is one thing even adding the F word is completely understandable if you feel you are that angry but remember there are a lot of other readers out there.
Cobra
November 6, 2014 @ 10:59 am
Let’s face it: Troy’s comments were spot on. The win is a sham.
Look at it from this perspective: After the ACMs, Luke’s camp was upset because he didn’t win. That was the sole reason. It was sour grapes from fanboys and fangirls. We’re angry now not just because George Strait didn’t win, but because Luke’s win is yet another nail in the coffin of a genre that we hold a deep respect and appreciation for. One of the highest awards the genre has went to a person who does little more than stand up on stage and shake his skinny jeans for the crowd. He can barely sing, and even when he does sing an inoffensive song, his demeanor is that of a complete tool who thinks the world owes him something.
We’re angry at the direction our genre is going.
If Miranda had won, we wouldn’t be nearly as disappointed. Hell, even if Keith Urban had won, we wouldn’t be totally peeved. Keith Urban may not be very country, but at least he has talent in the form of his music.
Luke Bryan is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. That’s why we’re so angry. That’s why his win has got us so up in arms. This isn’t the same sour grapes Luke’s camp had. This is righteous anger at the direction of the musical genre we love.
JennaB
November 6, 2014 @ 11:29 am
That was well put Cobra, I really do understand the anger I do. No sarcasm added. I see your point clearly & agree. My intentions were not to offend I am not trying to be a mama hen but to me putting things about sucking this & gross references well…anyway I am over it!
Troy Turner
November 6, 2014 @ 11:43 am
Thank you, Cobra. You and Trigger kick major ass.
As for the others who are offended by my strong use of language: I have quite an extensive vocabulary. I’m going back to school to complete my degree in Psychology soon. However, I am also human and care deeply for the genre of country music. When I see someone who is doing nothing more than shaking his ass for women, singing about them in a way that makes them sound nothing more than sexual objects, getting drunk and contributing absolutely nothing toward the genre, that tends to piss me off. Not to mention, it upsets numerous people. If it was Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton nominated with Luke Bryan, then I wouldn’t give a damn. It would giving the award to the lesser of the 5 evils. However, the CMA voters decided to award him with the EOTY award over George Strait, who is retiring from touring. He is a living legend who has paved the way for artists like Luke Bryan. We consider it an injustice that folks who deserve the award are passed over for people like Luke. Its a slap in the face of country music and for all those who love, respect and have integrity for the genre.
Applejack
November 5, 2014 @ 10:35 pm
Personally, I’m not gonna get my knickers in a twist over Luke Bryan winning Entertainer of the Year. It’s disappointing, but I think it was inevitable. ‘Crash My Party’ sold a billion freakin’ copies (in today’s sales landscape) and occupied the prime position on the display rack of every Wal-Mart from here to El Paso. That album and tour was a big deal for the industry, and you could even say that from a business standpoint, Luke Bryan earned the award. (Perhaps he would actually deserve it from an artistic point of view if he put as much passion and thought into his music as he did with that acceptance speech.) Strait winning at the CMAs and ACMs last time around was something special, but I don’t think we could expect to hold off the Mongol hordes forever. Bro-country had its moment in the sun, and now we can all move on.
“Turn out the lights, the party’s over… they say that all good things must end…”
JennaB
November 6, 2014 @ 9:57 am
Troy, I did not intend to insult you at all. YES! You are definitely entitled to your opinion. Also YES! Thank God we live in this wonderful country where freedom of speech is a right! Do I agree with Luke Bryan winning ETOY? Honestly No! I believe that it was fixed due to the outrage last year & that the CMA’s are only trying to make everyone happy and that is in my opinion not fair to the other artists. My beef was with the almost pornographic comments F this & F that & F you G–dammit! But whatever you win!
Troy Turner
November 6, 2014 @ 11:56 am
JennaB,
You have a valid point as well. I usually am a calm, collected person. If the EOTY nominees were all bro-country artists, then I wouldn’t have bothered to get upset. It would be awarding the lesser of the 5 evils. However, to give an award to someone based on popularity rather than artistic merit and someone who made it easier for people like Luke to have their music heard on country radio…that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. My language was very salty and I admit I could’ve spoke my mind better. However, I was mad and I say things in the heat of the moment.
JennaB
November 6, 2014 @ 12:24 pm
I completely understand your frustration I really do it was a unfair win. 🙂
Troy Turner
November 6, 2014 @ 12:32 pm
Amen Jenna!
They gave an award to someone who sings “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)”. If anything, I’m upset on your behalf because Luke is objectifying women and making y’all sound like hood ornaments and accessories. You have my blessing to shake your finger at him after spraying him in the face with a can of mace. I was raised by a God-fearing, Alabama bred Christian women aka my grandma. If I ever did was Luke does, my head would be on a damn stake because she knows that she raised me better than that.
JennaB
November 6, 2014 @ 1:06 pm
I will admit I have chirped in the past about being a Luke Bryan fan & yes I have followed the bandwagon for a little while but it is getting old real quick! Being a woman from the south it annoys me to see how we are being portrayed as sexual objects & that we all wear half shirts, skimpy shorts & drink all the time! I was raised country but I guess it was another form of country. We need more positive influences in this genre period! Thank you Troy, I was not trying to be ugly.
Troy Turner
November 6, 2014 @ 1:30 pm
I completely agree, Jenna. To make a song where he sings about a woman shaking her ass for the crickets and nature in general? I read the lyrics and I literally facepalmed myself because I couldn’t believe that people actually liked this song and made it Number One on the charts in the time of its release. Then folks wonder why people don’t take country music seriously and its because of people like Luke Bryan. He, like Jason Aldean & FGL are just a few examples of being some of the poorest representations of country music. That’s why I was over the moon when I watched Kacey and Loretta sing together. If we have more performances like that and more folks putting out high quality albums like Wade Bowen, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Jason Boland, Drive-By Truckers, Stoney LaRue…we can right this ship. If there is any consolation from last night’s award ceremony, its that bro-country will be out on its ass very soon & high quality country with substance will come back.
Cobra
November 6, 2014 @ 4:33 pm
I can see how the language may have shocked and even been a bit overstating it to some, but given the perspective and viewpoint of the readers of this site, I’d hardly think it was unexpected 🙂
Either way, life will go on, and I can now finally put the CMAs behind me forever. I won’t be watching them anymore.
Yes, they’ve been a farce for a long time now, but this year was the final nail in their coffin.
I’m going to content myself and enjoy the Wade Bowen show on Saturday.
Troy Turner
November 6, 2014 @ 4:44 pm
Damn you, Cobra!! LOL
I’m green with envy that you’ll get to enjoy Wade Bowen live. His new album is nothing short of terrific. One can only hope and pray that he continues to receive recognition for it.
As for the CMAs, I finally YouTubed Carrie Underwoods performance. How is it that she is having Mike Fisher’s child and still sounds better than the majority of the people who performed? Then again, outside of George Strait, Kacey Musgraves and Loretta Lynn…Carrie Underwood has more talent than most of the assclowns that were inflicted on us last night.
mystery stu
November 5, 2014 @ 9:11 pm
“Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
exactly the way I felt -_-
Penny
November 5, 2014 @ 9:11 pm
Did I miss it or did they not show who won musician of the year?
Applejack
November 5, 2014 @ 9:26 pm
They didn’t show it.
Synthetic Paper
November 5, 2014 @ 9:13 pm
I don’t have television, so I’ve just been reading along tonight. Last year I saw that the CMAs were on Hulu a day or so later and I decided to watch it. This year, what with the disappointing and anti-climactic Luke Bryan ending ”¦ bleh, I don’t think I’ll bother trying to find it online.
Troy
November 5, 2014 @ 9:14 pm
Country music lacks so much anymore. I’m only 49 and I have never witnessed such crap on the CMA awards. Why are the Dobbie Brothers on this? Also, in the age of electronic perfection…I’ve never heard songs so far from their recorded version. Drunk on a Plane being really bad. Did they go cheap on production? Absolutely terrible. Best moments, Loretta Lynn and Vince Gill. Eric with George pretty good also.
Liza
November 5, 2014 @ 9:24 pm
Greta job!
Tom
November 6, 2014 @ 7:34 am
Who is Greta?
Lindsey
November 5, 2014 @ 10:04 pm
I’m not sure some of the performances were live at all. They sounded a little too perfect for some of those singers.
And, I can’t think of one good thing from tonight’s show, other than Vince Gill’s award. Loretta, Eric, Ashley, and George all performed, and I couldn’t care less. What the heck? Those are all of my favorites, except for Holly Williams.
I like a lot of Kacey’s songs, but something about her attitude doesn’t appeal to me nicely.
Brian
November 6, 2014 @ 7:14 am
I have voiced multiple times about the way Kacey acts. I have seen her numerous times at smaller places here in Texas before she really got into the mainstream and I still feel the same way about her. She is kind of a dud. I don’t think she has an attitude, I think she is just kind of void of a personality. You could even see when she was trying to kind of sway and dance to Loretta, it looked awkward. Some people just don’t have personalities and she is one of those. I had a friend that would go to shows and looked like they were the most bored person in the world and then afterwards talk about how great it was. I think that is how she is. Obviously she will work on that and try to get better as her career gets bigger and bigger, but she doesn’t have a natural charisma like a lot of artist have.
Camie jo
November 11, 2014 @ 7:48 am
I feel empathy for Kacey because she does come across as having a flat affect. I don’t think she can help that. She tries very hard and I witnessed the forced smiles on her face when the camera kept panning her way. She was trying to be warm and ‘compliant’….she was self-aware that the cameras would be trying to find fault with ever nuance.
She doesn’t have that ‘it’ factor….whatever you decide that to be. Whether it be Katy Perry using balloons on her chest or coming down out of the ceiling on a swing….Kacey is a singer/songwriter and not a flashy performer. Flinging herself all over the stage is not her style and I don’t think it ever will be. Alan Jackson, Vince Gill and Ronnie Dunn don’t dance around either. I don’t think Martina dances that much.
We’ve become so accustomed to the over-sexualization of women that it’s the norm. “It’s all about that Ass”….yes.
I like that parody song “Bro Country”. It’s great….showing the cheesecake of that sweet and actually good looking “lardass”. It’s witty and true. When I read the comments about Kacey, it’s always about her legs or body parts. Frankly, I’m sick of it.
Kacey is trying but I don’t know if she’ll fit in unless she shakes her money-maker.
It really is some cray-cray shizz.
Applejack
November 5, 2014 @ 10:28 pm
A few random thoughts about things that haven’t been commented on all that much:
– It was really sad to see Kellie Pickler relegated to being a sideline reporter, or JC Penney pitchwoman, or whatever she was doing over there. She should have been performing, dang it.
– I hear people say Little Big Town is the country version of Fleetwood Mac, but I think they’re in danger of becoming more like the country Black Eyed Peas if they’re not careful.
– I’m disappointed that Paul Franklin didn’t win Musician of the Year. This should have been his year, what with the ‘Bakersfield’ album and everything. Vince Gill created that album specifically to feature Franklin, and as thrilled as I’m sure Vince is over his Irvin Waugh award, I bet he’s a little disappointed that his steel guitar-playing buddy didn’t also walk away with some hardware. (No disrespect to Mac MacAnally, of course.) Furthermore, the fact that the Musician of the Year Award isn’t televised is downright shameful, since as we all know, musicianship is extremely important to country music. Along with adding Traditional categories to the awards, televising categories like “Musician of the Year” would be a strong step towards re-establishing the CMA’s credibility.
– Speaking of instruments, does Luke Bryan every play one? I was wondering this during his performance, and I can’t remember. I think the fact that he doesn’t is one of the reasons he doesn’t quite seem to have the authority or *gravitas* that the top male country music vocalist is typically expected to have. (Or is that Blake Shelton? I’m confused.)
– The mainstream press is gonna make a big stinkin’ deal about “Follow Your Arrow” winning Song of the Year. Obviously.
Tom
November 6, 2014 @ 7:33 am
“Speaking of instruments, does Luke Bryan every play one?”
Of course he does, haven’t you heard “Play It Again”? It’s got this line:
“You should have seen her smile when I broke out my guitar”
You don’t think he’d just make that up, do you?
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 6, 2014 @ 7:34 am
He plays a bit of guitar and piano, but not well enough to get excited about.
Albert
November 5, 2014 @ 11:03 pm
I came , I saw , I concur…. with what most of you guys are saying ….
But what the hell was the Jason Aldean spot about ? It looked like this was the last place on earth he wanted to be ….the ‘performance’ of a terrible song was worse than the song itself and I think I counted only 7 notes that he sang on key . Its like they only had the one Autotune machine and Taylor took it when she left . God that guy is just dreadful and , as someone said above , he certainly did look and sound out of place .
My take on the Kasey Musgraves /Loretta Lynn duet is that this was a concession to the REST of the ‘country’ market …the ones who’ve been so vocal about the lack of COUNTRY on mainstream radio . I think the CMA said “You want COUNTRY ? Here’s your country ..” And from where I sat , it seemed that everyone LOVED it …none more than Kasey .
Dierks song , as someone else pointed out above , is THE worst thing I’ve heard him do . He looked like he was just trying too hard to ‘getjiggywitit’ ( what NOTE is that song in ? ) …he couldn’t sell it . Just a BAD write- his last tune I HOLD ON was such a killer in comparison
It wasn’t a country show …but it was a long way from that bro-sho vegas mess earlier this year . Not sure what the Arianna Grande stuff was all about ….or the ALLABOUTTHATBASS duet thingy …..but thankfully it was relatively short and painless .
Drake O.
November 6, 2014 @ 12:21 am
I’m glad the improvement of mainstream country music is noticeable even at the CMAs (thought it would be terrible when Grande and Trainor were announced to be on.) I’m also really happy for Vince Gill that award sounds very prestigious and he deserves it. Also, that Taco Bell joke made pop come out of my nose so good job lol
Daw Johnson
November 6, 2014 @ 1:26 am
Why was the Band Perry performance a “surprise?” That’s the band’s official single at radio…
Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell don’t count as bro country? (I don’t hate “bro country” the way you do – but it seems weird to overlook them)
Why is it okay for females to throw in the cheesy drinking tropes but not men? The LBT girls (well, Karen) are fantastic vocalists, but they performed two lame drinking songs tonight…and Miranda now goes from “Somethin’ Bad” to “Smokin and Drinkin” and doesn’t seem to draw any ire.
Acca Dacca
November 6, 2014 @ 4:50 am
So Luke Bryan won, eh? Shocker. At the very least the writing was on the wall for that one because all of his fans took to bitching the last time he was passed over. Perhaps the resident SCM readers and George Strait fans should take to social media to complain about Luke and how he isn’t an entertainer (only it would actually apply in this instance, unlike with George). Come on, guys! If we whine enough we can get George a victory next year!
Charlie
November 6, 2014 @ 6:13 am
I flipped this on, saw that it was all about the bass, displayed a pained expression for 15 seconds, then flipped it off.
Good job with the live blog as always, Trigger. Thankful I can just read this and not have to watch!
Sounds like the good country moments may have served to highlight the shittiness (sp?) of the pop moments, perhaps? One can hope that is another step in the right direction, at least.
J. RAAAAH
November 6, 2014 @ 7:20 am
I could not wait to read this! HAHAHAHA!! Good Job!
TX Music Jim
November 6, 2014 @ 7:49 am
The sound was not good I tuned in during Miranda singing and it wasn’t bad but wasn’t good. George should have been solo. I enjoyed the Doobie Brothers. Vince deserved his award great human being. Luke beat out George for entertainer which made me physically ill. All in all could have been a heck of a lot worse I wish i had seen Loretta’s part. I can’t understand why the could not have fixed the sound it was truly awful.
Brian
November 6, 2014 @ 8:45 am
One concern I have is that it is obvious Kacey is becoming a CMA darling. She has built up so much critical acclaim that she is going to win I believe, even when she might not have the best song. She is also a beautiful girl. My concern is if the CMA’s and the other organizations immediately point to Kacey Musgraves success and air time at these awards shows whenever people gripe about the state of country music. I almost feel she is gonna be that apple they throw out to everybody who is not a Luke Bryan or FGL fan. I hope more artists are able to break through,but I’m not holding my breath.
Tom
November 6, 2014 @ 9:02 am
I agree that she may represent the current bone that’s being thrown to those opposed to the mainstream and probably should be taken with a grain of salt. Allison Krauss’s multiple wins in 1995 didn’t exactly spark a major shift in the sound of mainstream country radio.
Tim
November 6, 2014 @ 9:25 am
I don’t think Kacey is a manufactured bone to throw out. Sure, she is a beautiful, young female, but she isn’t manufactured at every level. I think she gets attention because she can’t be ignored. Somewhat like Jamey Johnson was a few years ago at award shows.
It might not eliminate the d-bags and manufactured artists, but it does put a crack in that armor and usher in some other options.
Also, I think Kacey can reach more than just the 15-25yr. old demographic. Her looks hurt a bit, ironically, but I don’t think she is the bone the industry is throwing us. The next gal that comes along looking/sounding like her will be that, because the industry will try to capture her success in someone else. But you can’t manufacture authenticity and genuine.
Tom
November 6, 2014 @ 10:49 am
I don’t think Kasey is a manufactured artist; I actually believe that she’s probably the least-manufactured artist in the mainstream these days.
It’s her acceptance among the Powers That Be in the CMA that I think is a bit of a put-on.
Trigger
November 6, 2014 @ 11:50 am
I agree, somewhat. Mainstream country knows they have a substance problem ,and a female problem. And so giving Kacey Musgraves awards is their solution. She’s still not played on the radio. “Follow Your Arrow” wasn’t a hit. Hell, “Merry Go ‘Round” barely was. This is all great for Kacey, and better for country. But they have to look deeper than just one artist. That is my one fear with all of this Kacey Musgraves success.
Trigger
November 6, 2014 @ 12:09 pm
I agree this is a concern. If country music wants to return to female equality and substance, it is going to take more than one artist. But I also don’t think this should reflect negatively on Kacey and her accomplishments. I don’t see Kacey as an ideal country “savior” in many ways. But she is better than most, and may open doors for other artists.
Joe
November 6, 2014 @ 9:12 am
Where did the origin of the Jason Aldean’s $700 dollar jeans comments come from? Was it just your observation?
I want to be included in the fun. haha.
Thanks in advance.
Trigger
November 6, 2014 @ 12:05 pm
It was just a passing quip of the lack of authenticity of the artist, and his jeans I guess. Not really any back story to reference.
Tim
November 6, 2014 @ 9:16 am
I’m not sure if it was disclosed already, but I kind of find the name of Garth’s new album coming up, “Man vs. Machine” as a shot at much of the industry these days.
His first single was pretty safe and not what I was hoping for. But his ghost tunes venture is interesting progress.
His comeback hasn’t been perfect smooth, but I am holding on to hope. Even the early stages of him coming back may have altered the lack of presence from bro-country last night.
Garth is never one to upstage another’s award, some might laugh at that comment, but he is very respectful of other artists moments….but I did sense a bit of “holy shit???” in his voice when he had to say Luke Bryan over George Strait.
Tom
November 6, 2014 @ 9:36 am
“Man Against Machine” is a track on the album. I haven’t heard it, but maybe the lyrics will explain why he chose to go with that title for the album.
I find it interesting that he’s gone with a song title for the album title. It’s the first time he’s done that; I recall reading years ago that he made it a point not to use song titles as album titles so I’d like to know the reason for the departure from his normal MO.
Garth has been pretty vocal about his admiration for Strati, so I’m sure he would have preferred to give the award to King George.
Applejack
November 6, 2014 @ 9:27 am
As a follow-up to the comment I wrote above about Luke Bryan winning:
I mentioned ‘Windmills Country’ in one of my previous comments somewhere, and I will again: she tweeted that she thinks Luke Bryan won EOTY partly because George Strait and Miranda split the “anti-bro-country” vote. If that’s true, then theoretically it’s possible that Luke Bryan’s big win was actually an unintended consequence of CMA voters’ exhaustion over (or simply distaste for) the “bro” stuff. That might seem far-fetched, but it’s another interesting angle from which to think about this stuff.
Trigger
November 6, 2014 @ 12:04 pm
The reason Luke Bryan won Entertainer of the Year is because he was the biggest name in country music during the 12 month eligibility period. George Strait wasn’t, and neither were any of the other nominees. And as much as that may break my heart and make me fighting mad, conspiracy theories and shaking our fists at a system we already knew was corrupt does little good. I predicted a Luke Bryan win months ago, and the shock would have been if he didn’t win. What we have to do is channel our anger into positive and pragmatic ideas and solutions of how to shine a brighter light on artists that are more deserving of distinction.
Tom
November 6, 2014 @ 3:14 pm
I agree. I felt that they might have thrown George a bone last year given that he only performed 20 shows during the eligibility period, his album released during that period didn’t sell all that well out of the box, and he only scored one top ten single (and two charting singles total). But, he’s been country music’s most consistent chart performer and concert draw since his last ETOY win in 1990 so I think the “consolation prize” was more than justified.
In hindsight it would have made more sense to give it to him this year based on the last leg of his farewell tour including the record-setting final show, but maybe they were concerned that someone would have a huge year this year that they couldn’t justify overlooking. Or perhaps they felt the ACM would give him the award in the Spring and they wanted to beat them to the punch.
Tom
November 6, 2014 @ 3:23 pm
Actually, saying that his album didn’t sell well out of the box is a mis-statement. It debuted at #1, but sales tailed off for awhile and it wasn’t certified Gold until July of this year.
Troy Turner
November 6, 2014 @ 9:30 pm
I YouTubed Luke Bryan’s acceptance speech today and I am shocked because of how well written it was. If he can only apply THAT toward his albums, then maybe I could accept that he’d won EOTY on artistic merit also. I mentioned that in the Comments section on YouTube and the fangirls came out like gangbusters. God forbid someone says something truthful about their “hero”. Anyway, one girl said songs like “Country Girl” and “This Is How We Roll” are aimed at older audiences. Ladies and gents: THIS is exactly what I meant when I say that bro-country and the artists who make this crap are dumbing down the fans.
Camie jo
November 11, 2014 @ 7:58 am
There are many pieces that you’ve written that I will never forget. They’ve made an impact.
One that always sticks out in my mind was the one about voices and lack of range.
I cannot listen to Luke without thinking about your article.
It’s true. His range is so limited that when he tries to over-sing it or move up and down his register, it comes across as screaming. His songs all sound the same. He cannot move out of that comfort zone or he tanks it.
Applejack
November 6, 2014 @ 3:29 pm
Yeah, you’re probably right. As I said in another comment somewhere, ‘Crash My Party’ sold a lot of copies over a long period of time. That’s probably enough to explain the Entertainer of the Year win. The conspiracy theories are fun though. 😉
RK
November 6, 2014 @ 10:32 am
CMA is not country. Put on a cowboy hat, a little acoustic guitar, a couple of southern twangs and they think its country. Last night had the worst songs, performances, just plain crap. Give me a fucking brake!
jane
November 6, 2014 @ 2:36 pm
Garth’s pants were way to big and he looked frumpy.
G Stonecircle
November 6, 2014 @ 3:36 pm
My family got so disgusted with the hick-hop stuff, we made bumperstickers that say “Country + Rap = CRAP” and they are available at purespiritmontana.com.
Really hoping that country actually turns back into country!
Troy Turner
November 6, 2014 @ 4:34 pm
Trigger,
I know you were busy last night with the LIVE blog on the CMAs, but I wanted to ask you: what are your thoughts on last night’s awards show? What were the highlights for you and the low points of the show? Knowing you, I doubt you’ll hold back on how you feel LOL.
Chris
November 6, 2014 @ 9:25 pm
PLEASE tell me you guys saw this https://twitter.com/theclaycook/status/530571365586591744?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=theclaycook&utm_content=530571365586591744
Troy Turner
November 6, 2014 @ 9:37 pm
Chris,
That is HILARIOUS. If only they could do one of Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell: that would be priceless and so on the money. Haha!
Woogeroo
November 8, 2014 @ 10:32 pm
O.K. people… we need to figure out how to get the next meeting of the CMA Board of Directors moved to Camp Crystal Lake… and then let nature take it’s course.
We need to infiltrate as soon as possible.
-W
Camie jo
November 11, 2014 @ 7:59 am
http://www.glamour.com/entertainment/blogs/obsessed/2014/11/cma-country-music-awards-video?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_312177&mbid=synd_zergnet
You might find the “secular” comments here interesting.
Jim
November 20, 2014 @ 5:02 am
I was a little surprised at this years cma awards show. Since when has Ariana Grande been a country singer? Patsy Cline just rolled over in her grave. Is our beloved country music now going to have rap stars performing? Who’s on next years lineup….Eminem?
Country music has so much talent waiting to get a break and a chance. When a female country music performer insults all the men in country music by giving an interview and saying that Englishmen are the most beautiful men in the world…..shouldn’t she be packing her bags? That’s what Lucy Hale said. I guess American men aren’t good enough for her. And not one country reporter has said anything….amazing. It’d be a cold day in hell before she’d be performing at the Opry again.
I guess her love of country and everything American only goes so far!
Greg
January 7, 2015 @ 4:09 pm
I only watched because Loretta was on.I had the TV on,but I had it on mute,sat & read a book til Loretta came on.When she did,I turned it up. That’s the ONLY I will watch an award show now,if Loretta is on.Otherwise,I don’t watch.