Saving Country Music’s 2017 CMA Awards LIVE Blog
Here we go once again ladies and gentlemen, getting the snark machine up and running, doing our best as disgruntled country music fans to let our voices be heard and our vehement displeasure be registered, while also giving credit to whatever few fleeting moments of positivity or actual country music graces our eyes and ears as the 51st Annual CMA Awards transpires on the boob tube.
As the presentation goes one, I’ll be keeping a running tab of the doings, recapping the winners, leaving commentary, and encourage you to do the same in the comments section below. So get your refresh fingers ready, your thick skin on (because there will be dirty words and robust, knee-jerk opinion), and let’s get ready to rumble. For info on what to expect, nominees, etc., click on the Complete Preview below.
WARNING: Language
All times Central time.
READ: 2017 CMA AWARDS COMPLETE PREVIEW
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WINNERS:
- Garth Brooks – Entertainer of the Year
- Chris Stapleton – Male Vocalist of the Year
- Miranda Lambert- Female Vocalist of the Year
- Chris Stapleton’s From A Room: Vol 1 produced by Dave Cobb – Album of the Year
- Jon Pardi – New Artist of the Year
- “Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban – Single of the Year
- “Better Man” – Little Big Town – written by Taylor Swift – Song of the Year
- Little Big Town – Vocal Group of the Year
- Brothers Osborne – Vocal Duo of the Year
- Brothers Osborne – “It Ain’t My Fault” – Video of the Year
- Willie Nelson and Glen Campbell – “Funny How Time Slips Away – Vocal Event of the Year
- Mac McAnally – Musician of the Year
10:08 – The big narrative coming out of the 2017 CMA awards will be the incredible solidarity and unity everyone who attended, performed, and presented showed, while journalists and bosy bodies wanted to see the entire presentation disrupted by politics. Meanwhile outside, Sturgill Simpson in some way did that exact thing, but in an unusual way. I still want to let this sing in a little more before I share more thoughts. But most certainly, tomorrow many won’t be talking about who won, and some amazing performances by country’s top women in Carrie and Miranda, but the cultural impact of it all in this politically-charged environment.
All that said, obviously it was another huge night for Stapleton, and we can let the fact that it’s become so commonplace let us lose sight of its importance. Garth for Entertainer is anti-climatic, but still a win for more traditional, and older artists. And let’s face it, he wins when it comes to touring, and that’s what the Entertainer award has become, for better or worse. Also Brothers Osborne won two awards. But really the biggest moments were won by Miranda Lambert and her performance, and Carrie Underwood taking what some thought would be a weakish moment for the Las Vegas massacre victims, and hitting it absolutely out of the park like only someone who posses a singular voice can.
We also got an In Memoriam, and multiple tributes to fallen greats. Obviously there were plenty of bad performances, but overall, it was a better CMA Awards than most due to some iconic performances, and a refreshing amount of unity shown by all involved.
9:58 – Well damn folks, thanks for stopping by! I’m going to give some summation thoughts, recap the winners, and we’ll get out of here. Thanks to everybody for following along, commenting, tweeting, retweeting, liking and sharing!
9:57 – At least Alan Jackson takes us out, and with a sly country protest song.
9:55 – Man, it could have been Luke Bryan, but man … anti-climactic. Really felt like Stapleton or Eric Church deserved Entertainer more this year. It’s just another thing to collect dust for Garth.
9:54 – The CMA for Entertainer of the Year goes to Garth Brooks.
9:52 – Reba McEntire comes out to present Entertainer of the Year
9:48 – Wish the audio wasn’t so washed out at times, especially for Alan. It’s been worse tonight though.
9:46 – Alan Jackson comes out to sing “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” to represent this year’s Hall of Fame inductees. I want his coat.
9:43 – Just appreciate this folks, this is the THIRD Male Vocalist of the Year trophy for Stapleton from the CMA in a row. He also won Album of the Year tonight—the second time he won that award.
9:43 – The CMA for Male Vocalist of the Year goes to Chris Stapleton.
9:42- The woman singing with Eric Church was Joanna Cotton, one of his backup singers. Thanks Brandi Cough in the comments.
9:38 – Of course they save Alan Jackson for almost last so the trad country fans have to sit through everything else. Bastards.
9:36 – Not sure how I feel about this song selection from Eric Church. A little too jammy for an awards show, when you should try to be anthemic, and Church can pull it off anthemic so well. Not bad, just a little strange.
Who was that woman singing?
9:35 – Notice most every time Eric Church performs on these things, he tends to feature a female vocalist prominently.
9:33 – Yup. “I feel like there’s a family in this room right now,” Miranda syas. It appears that’s what everyone decided to say in their acceptance speech.
9:31 – Miranda Lambert won Female Vocalist. Just give it to her.
9:31 – Oh great, it’s Jimmie Johnson, reminding us how shitty NASCAR has become these days just like mainstream country.
9:28 – As opposed to some obsequious, mawkish adult contemporary ode to women, why don’t the CMAs and country music feature some actual women themselves?
I guess I give Keith Urban credit for the effort. But sorry. Pass.
9:24 – What was the point of that Dan + Shay, Lauren Alaina performance? I know we’re supposed to have a message of coming together, but it’s yet another pop song. The Youngbloods? There’s not a classic country song about coming together? I can names dozens.
9:23 – Faux hawk #17 & #18 courtesy of Dan + Shay.
9:21 – Normally I would be miffed that Jon Pardi got cast on the other stage. But I could give a shit about this song. Y’all can cut to commercial whenever you want. Should be singing “She Ain’t In It.” Saw what Miranda did when you’re bold?
9:19 – Is there ANY male performer tonight aside from Paisley and Stapleton that hasn’t rocked the faux hawk. Just like the music, it’s all the dam same.
9:18 – Hey y’all back off of Kane Brown, he had a hard life growing up. He often had to choose between buying food, or getting another neck tattoo.
9:17 – Your Saving Country Music alternative Vocal Group of the Year is Country Side of Harmonica Sam!
9:15 – Little Big Town: “Kindness is an attractive quality. We can change everything because of harmony.” So far as close as we’ve gotten to an “outspoken” moment.
9:13 – The CMA for Vocal Group of the Year goes to Little Big Town. Yawn
9:12 – PERFECT way to show respect to fallen country greats and those lost in the Las Vegas tragedy by Carrie Underwood. 10 out of 10. Bravo.
9:07 – I believe the name of this tune Carrie Underwood is singing is “Softly and Tenderly”. THIS is how they should have opened the presentation.
9:05 – Wow. Carrie Underwood comes out, singing a Gospel tune in a flowing white dress while images of lost country greats flicker in the background. Appreciate The CMAs usually don’t do this type of extended In Memoriam tribute. Plus we got decent tribute to the big ones who passed. Good on them for once. They should do this EVERY year.
8:59 – Still don’t know if we’re making enough of the Miranda Lambert performance. And it’s not just because it was country, or because it was Miranda Lambert. She knew what we didn’t—that she could get on the stage and kill that song, and make a “moment.”
8:57 – I just have no use for Maren Morris. And after 25 second of the hook of her current single, we get yet another performance from yet another pop star. A Hootie song, then a Pink song, and now this One Direction dude. Is this a country music awards show? I’d rather even pop country than straight up pop. The point of the CMAs is to promote COUNTRY music. To give so much air time to pop is like cutting your own legs out from under you, especially when the performers are better than some of the country ones. Basically you’re running an infomercial for folks to turn on KISS-FM.
Sorry for the rant.
8:54 – If Garth Brooks ends up winning Entertainer of the Year after his lip sync flub, it will be an embarrassment.
8:53 – That’s Dave Cobb playing with Stapleton, and Morgane is confirmed pregnant with twins.
8:52 – You know I love Stapleton, but this mid-tempo stuff all with the same instrumental lineup and production at some point is just going to get too tedious for folks to keep paying attention.
8:50 – Wow, now a Mac McAnally sighting. We’re being blessed with some actual country talent tonight.
8:45 – Brothers Obsborne was a shoo-in for this. Clearly the industry has taken the “anyone but Florida Georgia Line” stance. And finally one of my predictions comes true this year.
8:44 – The CMA for Vocal Duo of the Year goes to Brothers Osborne!
8:43 – Sugarland is still a thing?
8:42 – Holy shit, Jimmy Webb, an actual country musician, on stage.
8:41 – Little Big Town tends to annoy me, but they’re doing a really great tribute to Glen here. Classy.
8:38 – Little Big Town Comes out tributing Glen Campbell with “Wichita Lineman.”
8:37 – Okay folks, believe we solved all the latency problems and we’re back up and running full speeed for now!
8:33 – Garth Brooks, straight up lip syncing.
Pretty sure this is a @garthbrooks #lipsync fail on the #cmaawards2017 pic.twitter.com/hmql2rROMv
— Matt Edwards (@realredboy) November 9, 2017
8:31- Sorry the site is loading slow for some and comments are getting stuck in moderation. We’re working diligently on it.
8:30 – Why have Pink just come out and sing a song without collaborating with a country artist? Where was Kenny Chesney? Extremely odd.
8:25 – Garth Brooks was lip syncing. More on this soon.
8:21 – Yes folks, Sturgill crashed the CMA Awards by busking in front with his Grammys. Finished up a while ago. Will have a report on it soon.
8:16 – The CMA for Album of the Year goes to Chris Stapleton for “From A Room: Vol 1” !
8:12 – Nice! Brothers Osborne showing some love to the recently-passed Don Williams playing “Tulsa Time.” There you go, Honky!
8:11 – Working through some severe latency folks. If the site goes down, it will be back up shortly. The price of popularity.
8:09 – Not the hugest Brothers Osborne fan, but this is SO much better than Florida Georgia Line. Is FGL even in the building?
8:06 – New best moment of the CMAs so far:
8:01 – Warning guys, server got slammed big time after Miranda’s performance. If I lose you, I will re-connect shortly.
7:58 – Jon Pardi winning New Artist is a big win for the good guys. You could tell Pardi was getting emotional.
7:57 – The CMA for New Artist of the Year goes to Jon Pardi!
7:55 – Miranda Lambert tearing up during her performance. Man, was that spectacular. Miranda continues to impress as a leader in country music, for women, for real country, for songwriting, for everyone.
7:52 – “To Learn Her” might be Miranda Lambert’s most traditional country song of her entire career. Shows a lot of leadership to select this for her CMA performance. Along with being a great song, make no mistake about it, this is a big middle finger to the country music establishment.
7:46 – The only good thing about this shitty Luke Bryan cell phone love song is it’s been surprisingly weak in the charts and sales. Even his malleable fans are just meh on it.
7:45 – LUKE BRYAN, YOUR 40 YEARS OLD! STOP SINGING SONGS ABOUT BEING 19!
7:43 – Oh fuck, here comes Luke Bryan.
7:42 – Reba’s outclassing Kelsea Ballerini on her own song. Kealsea’s just so smiley and well-adjusted it’s offensive.
7:41- Hot DAMN Reba McEntire looks good. Who would know she’s 84-years-old.
7:38 – Song of the Year and Single of the Year winners are pretty quizzical. Song of the Year should have gone to Miranda, and as hurt as it says, Sam Hunt probably deserved Single of the Year. There’s just no statement giving those awards to Keith Urban and Taylor Swift.
7:36 – Your Saving Country Music alternative Song of the Year is Jason Isbell’s “If We Were Vampires”
7:34 – Best CMA moment so far:
7:33 – Wow, I just feel bad for all these folks this sounds so shitty. So can see the folks in the crowd wincing. They know this was a washout. Troy Gentry deserved better.
7:32 – Thank god for little gifts, like Gary LeVox’s microphone being off when he’s trying to sing. 🙂
7:31 – Whose leg I gotta hump to get back the version of Dierks Bentley that Cody Canada named his first born after?
7:30 – Wow. Shitty sound for Dierks! Turn the feeders up dumbasses.
7:29 – Yes, TAYLOR SWIFT just won another CMA Award. That’s how desperate country music is for a defining style, and a pulse.
7:28 – Song of the Year goes to “Better Man,” written by Taylor Swift, and performed by Little Big Town.
7:27 – Have it on good authority that Karlie Kloss purged up her dinner of a Diet Coke and a Bagel Bite before making her way on stage. Someone get this waif a cheeseburger.
7:24 – Man I’m glad Merle Haggard didn’t live the day to see faux-hawked douchebags name dropping Coldplay in songs got face time on the CMAs. Thomas Rhett’s got so much nothing.
7:22 – The only good thing about Keith Urban winning Single of the Year is that Sam Hunt didn’t win. You have to take that as yet another big rebuke from the CMAs. The historic, landmark run of “Body Like a Backroad” pretty much demanded it should win this award, but Sam has never been a favorite of the CMAs. Even they know he’s taken “country” too far.
7:18 – Keith Urban, you’re 50-years-old now and your pubes are grey. Give this trend-chasing shit up.
7:17 – The CMA for Single of the Year goes to Keith Urban for “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”
7:16 – Brad Paisley “Pitch Perfect 3. Or as well know it, Auto-Tune.”
7:15 – These opening skits should never go more than 5 minutes, unless there’s more action. This is a perfect example why.
7:11 – Over the years, I’ve grown to appreciate Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood as hosts. But this is starting to lose a little steam.
7:08 – Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood making fun of the rules to CMAs attempted to impose to keep politics out of the presentation. Paisley is pretty damn talented at peppering Zeitgeist humor.
7:04 – Is it me, or is Lady Antebellum like a bad, Gen X reboot of the Scooby Doo cast?
7:03 – So your idea of a “touching” moment is recycling a 20+ year-old Hootie song? Just reminds you what a carpetbagger Darius is. “Hey America, please watch for the next 3 hours. See, we’re really not actually country!”
7:01 – If anyone in the mainstream can pull off a poignant moment from the mainstream, it’s Eric Church. Not what you normally expect from an awards show opening. Usually it’s fireworks and lasers.
7:00 – Here we go!
6:58 – So all the talk about the opening performance is how it’s going to be “poignant” and “touching” and such, so just be aware we may keep the snark machine in idle position for the start of the show out of respect. We’ll see.
6:50 – Early winners so far are Glen Campbell and Willie Nelson’s duet of “Funny How Time Slips Away” for Vocal Event of the Year, and Brothers Osborne’s “It Ain’t My Fault” for Video of the Year. This is the first CMA Award for Glen Campbell in 49 years, and the first CMA category win for Willie Nelson in 15 years.
It could also mean a big night for Brothers Osborne, who’ve been regularly beating out Florida Georgia Line for Vocal Duo of the Year. Brothers Osborne is performing. Florida Georgia Line is not.
6:45 – Some stuff from the red carpet: Jon Pardi confirmed he’s performing “Dirt On My Boots,” NOT his current single “She Ain’t In It.”
Also, Maddie & Tae said they will be cutting a new record in two weeks, for those that care.
Jon Pardi wore the (probably) only Nudie Suit on the red carpet:
Dan & Shay apparently got married, so congratulations to them!
Amanda Shires is rocking a shirt that says, “Mama wants to change that Nashville Sound,” quoting one of hubby Jason Isbell’s lyrics. If Isbell wins for Album of the Year, guessing Amanda will be the one to accept it?
I though Jay DeMarcus’s hair of Rascal Flatts fame was crazy. Appreciate this is a 46-year-old man….
….and then came along this dude. Have no clue who he is. He’s like a YouTube guy or something. Nice cardigan, dude.
Big Red
November 8, 2017 @ 8:13 pm
That was incredible.
Larry
November 8, 2017 @ 8:13 pm
Really moving tribute to those who passed this year. So much better than any other awards show i’ve ever seen, and i’m not the least bit religious!
seak05
November 8, 2017 @ 8:18 pm
Carrie..that was awesome. FYI Reba, Tricia, and Kelly C do a great version of that song on Reba’s gospel album.
nascarfan999
November 8, 2017 @ 8:20 pm
Wait, so Kane Brown can do more than rap?
el_babo
November 8, 2017 @ 11:27 pm
Weirdly, he has a great voice. His music is such a waste. Check out him doing Three Wooden Crosses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHRDm9oDf7A
Bryan
November 8, 2017 @ 8:21 pm
Hey y’all back off of Kane Brown, he had a hard life growing up. He often had to choose between buying food, or getting another neck tattoo.
Nomination for blog post of the night
Matt
November 8, 2017 @ 8:21 pm
Nothing says CMAs like a neck tat and a pair of Lugz.
Martha
November 8, 2017 @ 8:27 pm
To me, nothing says “I just got paroled” more than a neck tattoo.
albert
November 8, 2017 @ 11:15 pm
haha haha haha haha haha
Amanda
November 9, 2017 @ 1:51 pm
Kane Brown can’t sing. He fucked up a performance that I would have moderately enjoyed.
Brad is a great singer and a phenomenal guitarist. And the song, although quite cliche-ridden, sounds decent and is actually country, as opposed to pop music.
Big Red
November 8, 2017 @ 8:21 pm
Kane Brown looked like he won a “Sing a song with Brad Paisley!” contest.
Brandon F
November 9, 2017 @ 7:41 am
That was my thought too. He seemed like some random person that won a radio station contest.
NightHawk
November 8, 2017 @ 8:22 pm
Wtf was that shot at Rascal Flatts for by LBT? And after they kept rambling about harmony and being kind?
Trigger
November 8, 2017 @ 8:30 pm
Not sure what was going on there. Was like an inside joke or something. Not sure if it was shade.
Joel
November 8, 2017 @ 8:22 pm
….thankfully some prominent telecaster from Brad…..it’s not just for breakfast anymore…..
albert
November 8, 2017 @ 11:19 pm
and its a BEAUTIFUL thing isn’t it ….? wow ….
Stephanie
November 8, 2017 @ 8:24 pm
Just me or did it seem like that rambley broad from LBT was really out of it and even the other members of the group were kinda embarrassed?
albert
November 8, 2017 @ 11:19 pm
yes
Summer Jam
November 8, 2017 @ 8:26 pm
Im shocked that Kane Brown actually sounds good singing a REAL country song. Maybe the dummy should take some lessons from Paisley and put out some real country music. He is just another Sam Hunt…both of them are city slickers.
seak05
November 8, 2017 @ 8:32 pm
well Kane grew up on a farm sooo…………
seak05
November 8, 2017 @ 8:31 pm
I reaaaally want to like this Keith song….and I just don’t
albert
November 8, 2017 @ 11:36 pm
its awful ….
Desperado Destry
November 8, 2017 @ 8:31 pm
Very nice to see Carrie honor those we’ve lost. We often forget the foundation of country music is gospel music… which I think was shown here. Good job Carrie and thank you CMA’s!
justin casey
November 8, 2017 @ 8:32 pm
My tv cut off the first verse of Keith’s song
That happen for anyone else
nascarfan999
November 8, 2017 @ 8:35 pm
Guessing the local station ran a long commercial break? Mine was actually a few seconds late, but only felt like a couple seconds late.
justin casey
November 8, 2017 @ 8:40 pm
Local news update but yeah the feed came in a minute or so late
But I heard the song when it was released this morning, dig the lyrics but music is boring
Gena R.
November 8, 2017 @ 8:37 pm
Yep. :\
Stephanie
November 8, 2017 @ 8:34 pm
Omg he’s doing Chattanooga Lucy! I love this one! I’m glad cuz Round Here Buzz is a snoozer.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Stephanie
November 8, 2017 @ 8:36 pm
Eek, not killing the falsetto I love on the album though.
Big Red
November 8, 2017 @ 8:39 pm
It was fun though – an element that’s been missing from these awards thus far.
Bryan
November 8, 2017 @ 8:36 pm
Is Church trying to do a bad Timberlake impression?
albert
November 8, 2017 @ 11:37 pm
yeah ….boring ….
Joni
November 8, 2017 @ 8:36 pm
Trigger, I agree with you about Miranda’s performance of ‘To Learn Her’ being a “moment”, but she has created too many “moments” – ‘Tin Man’ acoustic at the CMT Awards for example – for me not to know that she is capable of it. She usually chooses her material very well. Granted I’m a true blue Miranda fan (those moments being a big part of the reason), but I’m a true blue music lover period. I sing the praises of all music and artists that I love. But, if we’re talking about country here, that song was an excellent and beautiful example of a good country song. I believe this year, more than ever, should have been hers because of TWOTW. But I love Chris and Morgane too, and I’m very happy for them and Keith, and LBT.
Thomas Goris
November 8, 2017 @ 8:36 pm
Hey lay off NASCAR. Jimmie Johnson is also badass
KathyP
November 8, 2017 @ 8:37 pm
Chattanooga Lucy may not be country, but it’s one of my favorites from Mr. Misunderstood.
justin casey
November 8, 2017 @ 8:37 pm
Love that Eric is doing Chattanooga Lucy instead of the single
Really shows off how good his band is
Martha
November 8, 2017 @ 8:39 pm
Who are the women singing back up with Eric Church? I’m having a brain cramp, somebody help me!
justin casey
November 8, 2017 @ 8:42 pm
The blonde is Joanna cotten who’s been his background singer for a while
The rest no idea
seak05
November 8, 2017 @ 8:39 pm
The Eric performance was a mess
Stephanie
November 8, 2017 @ 8:42 pm
I have to agree that it didn’t sound good. Which is a bummer.
albert
November 8, 2017 @ 11:38 pm
yup
Brandi Cough
November 8, 2017 @ 8:40 pm
The woman singing with Eric is Joanna Cotton, his back up singer. She’s awesome and he features her at the end of every show when they do the encore together.
Trigger
November 8, 2017 @ 8:41 pm
Thanks!
CountryCharm
November 8, 2017 @ 8:41 pm
Somebody needs to do a wellness check on Garth. He’s singing with the mic out to his side. Wtf
Biscuit
November 8, 2017 @ 8:41 pm
I teally enjoyed watching Sturgill on FB live, particularly after reading your play by play of the show.
Mike
November 8, 2017 @ 8:41 pm
Trigger, that’s Joanna Cotten. She’s Eric Church’s normal backup singer on his albums and in concert. Perhaps most prominent in the song Over When It’s Over. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=102HX7VMaeY
Jordan Stacey
November 8, 2017 @ 8:43 pm
Yay Joanna Cotten was great with Eric! Can she just get a record deal again?!
Dan
November 8, 2017 @ 8:44 pm
That women with Eric church on Chattanooga Lucy is Joanna Cotten, his usual backup singer who’s had some singles of her own as well.
Justin
November 8, 2017 @ 8:45 pm
I think it’s real cute that the CMA Awards are going to recognize Alan Jackson’s induction into the HOF tonight. He should have been in 5 years ago or more but o.k. The real question is where he ranks amongst the greatest of all-time. The answer: 1. George Strait; 2. Hank Williams; 3. Alan Jackson. And if it were singer/songwriters second.
Desperado Destry
November 8, 2017 @ 8:45 pm
Congratulations to Miranda! If anyone deserved that award this year it’s her. Can we get an applause?
Strait Country 81
November 8, 2017 @ 8:47 pm
Best thing of the night!
Lisa
November 8, 2017 @ 8:49 pm
So excited to see Joanna Cotten on the CMAs! I’ve seen her plenty of times with Eric- she’s amazing, and its exciting to see her be seen on such a big stage!
Desperado Destry
November 8, 2017 @ 8:49 pm
Hot damn… Stapleton won big tonight. Good for him!
John
November 8, 2017 @ 8:51 pm
Did anyone else catch Dierk’s reaction?
Aggc
November 8, 2017 @ 8:52 pm
Wth? You couldnt even hear what Alan Jackson was singing! Who recorded that?!
Matt
November 8, 2017 @ 8:52 pm
“I was rockin’ in the cradle to the cryin’ of a steel guitar.”
Country songwriting gold.
Dot
November 8, 2017 @ 8:55 pm
Ick. Go back to the ranch, lip sync man
Bryan
November 8, 2017 @ 8:56 pm
Wow
seak05
November 8, 2017 @ 8:57 pm
Thankful I realized long ago that these awards are BS, and who and how many you win doesn’t mean anything
Bryan
November 8, 2017 @ 8:59 pm
Good way to end the night
Lewis
November 8, 2017 @ 9:00 pm
GEORGE JONES’ NAME WAS JUST SPOKEN ON THE CMA STAGE. Take the victories you can.
justin casey
November 8, 2017 @ 9:00 pm
Stop talking over Alan Jackson announcer voice, I don’t care
nascarfan999
November 8, 2017 @ 9:00 pm
I admit it is not perfect, but kudos to the CMAs for doing exactly what they needed to the last 2 years. Yes, there were down moments featuring some of today’s “stars”, but the more traditional sound has certainly received its share of awards and performances in both years. I really don’t know how much more you can ask for in this day and age.
albert
November 9, 2017 @ 12:07 am
you make a good observation nascarfan ……not a terrible show this year at all , imo….some great performances and the sound was pretty impressive , i thought . overall i think what these big award shows lack is something they can’t do a whole lot about : SONGS . a lot of forgettable music gets pumped out but its cuz that’s what these folks have ….forgettable music . style over substance and melody .interesting how sam hunt’s record-breaking song makes no impact ( unless i missed something ) and FGL gets nada after THEY rode that cruise song for so long
james
November 8, 2017 @ 9:01 pm
great work trig!
Ryan
November 8, 2017 @ 9:01 pm
Trigger, I guess he saw your “10 badass moments” and said hold my beer ..
james
November 8, 2017 @ 9:03 pm
great work trig!
yeeeeeeeehaw!
btw i thought it was a pretty good show
Desperado Destry
November 8, 2017 @ 9:06 pm
Garth should feel funny accepting that award after screwing up earlier… what a pity. At least Alan closed out the night… thank you dear Lord for that.
Cindy
November 8, 2017 @ 9:24 pm
Why should he? If that’s the case then pissants FGL should give their awards back
A. Michael Uhlmann
November 8, 2017 @ 9:09 pm
I guess Garth winning Entertainer of the Year for the 4th time is somehow justified, he still breaks audience records almost on a weekly basis. He may be to country what pantyhose are to curious fingers, but in 2017 he’s still the biggest grossing country artist according to Forbes, raking in over $ 60 million.
A. Michael Uhlmann
November 8, 2017 @ 9:35 pm
I meant 6th time….
Kevin Davis
November 8, 2017 @ 9:22 pm
On the whole, this was a very enjoyable night. Sure, we had to endure Rhett and Luke and whoever was with Maren Morris. But, we got incredible performances from Miranda and Carrie, plus two — two! — classic Alan Jackson songs to close the night. And, Stapleton dominates once again.
I would have liked to see Eric Church win something, but otherwise I was pleased.
Matt
November 8, 2017 @ 9:24 pm
In lieu of a 2018 CMAs, I vote for a three-hour Alan Jackson televised special.
Marc
November 8, 2017 @ 9:25 pm
I have not watched an awards show in years. I come here for the updates and really looking forward to what you have to say about Sturgil. Because of what I read here I just saw Carrie’s performance and that was truly amazing.
James
November 8, 2017 @ 9:33 pm
Sturgill’s a bag o sheeit
Chris Lewis
November 8, 2017 @ 9:28 pm
You know I’ve become disappointed in some of my favorite artists lately over politics. I have been sturgill and price’s biggest supporters since they’ve come on the scene, but when they claim that all trump supporters are fascist, which just happens to be half of the people in the United States, it irritates me. Everyone has the right to an opinion. I may still listen to their music, but more than likely won’t go to their concerts now if I know I’m just going to be given a political speech and called names because I happen to have a different opinion. Sorry but you have lost some of my support. Cant we just use music to bring people together instead of creating more divide and politicizing everything to where there is no longer an escape from politics in this age?
jimsouls
November 8, 2017 @ 9:38 pm
You voice your opinion but they can’t voice theirs? Ain’t that America! Btw, half of the people in America do not support Trump. Where did you get this “information” from?
Carter Burger
November 9, 2017 @ 5:29 am
For the sake of argument, I’ll see you that “half” of American does not support Trump. I think you should stop paying attention to the polls in the media but that’s another argument for another time. However, I can bet you that well over half of country music fans DO support Trump. Country music learned nothing from the Dixie Chicks and the industry still wants to hang with the “cool” kids from Hollywood. So they try to do what the cool kids do, and in this case, the “cool” thing to do is to attack the President. The “cool” kids think these clowns are dorks and will never hang with them, and the majority of country fans will walk away from them when they start attacking a president they support. So what the country music industry will be left with is fan who hate them and Hollywood leftists to mock them.
FYI, nobody said they couldn’t voice their opinion, just like nobody said the Dixie Chicks couldn’t voice theirs. However with freedom comes responsibility. When you piss off your fan base and are left with no career, it’s your responsibility for what happened.
R2D2
November 9, 2017 @ 7:51 am
Ya no doubt.. going by his approval rating it is far less than half lol
Chris Lewis
November 9, 2017 @ 8:00 am
I wasn’t referring to his approval rating now because I’m sure it isn’t half. I’m talking about when he was voted into the presidency, close to half of the country voted for him 63 million vs. 66 million.
R2D2
November 9, 2017 @ 8:07 am
Actually a large majority of folks in our country don’t use their vote (unfortunately).. so i still wouldn’t say half… but i do understand what you’re saying, half of the people that used their right to vote.
Chris Lewis
November 9, 2017 @ 7:55 am
jimsouls I have no problem with people voicing their opinion. They have that right. Hell Willie Nelson has different views than me too, but I still enjoy his music. I also have no problem with people voicing their disapproval of Trump, but when he attacks his fans for having a different view by calling them “ignorant f’n bigots” just because they have a different view is wrong. Just as it is wrong for me to call him some horrible names for his views.
Jtrpdx
November 8, 2017 @ 9:49 pm
I wouldn’t say half the USA supports trump.
hoptowntiger94
November 8, 2017 @ 9:58 pm
Where did they claim Trump supporters were fascists? I think they understand there really wasn’t a good choice in the past election. I wouldn’t take it so personally.
BrettS
November 8, 2017 @ 10:53 pm
I agree Chris. I very non political but when I saw Sturgill make his comment I thought…. here we go. guess call me crazy but I wanna listen to these folks music to get away from politics. I don’t care who a particular artist voted for. If I like their music, then I like their music. I lean conservative but still love Isbell even though he leans liberal. Don’t care who they voted for. I love sturgill and been listening since Sunday valley but this just turned me off. Just play your tunes. That’s what we buy your music for. If I wanted political advice, the last person I’d come to is a musician or celebrity. Don’t understand why people with a guitar or standing in front of a camera don’t understand that. It would be the same as getting football play calling advice from a real estate agent.
Bksouthga
November 8, 2017 @ 9:39 pm
Trigger, I am in agreement with most thoughts here but have to disagree about Jimmy Webb. Incredibly gifted, genius composer and songwriter? Yes. Country musician? No. His musical vehicle was the Fifth Dimension (and yes, Glen Campbell to an extent) and Richard Harris (and I know Waylon cut a version of MacArthur Park too).
Trigger
November 8, 2017 @ 9:50 pm
That a fair point, but I was using the term “musician” in more of the extemporaneous sense.
BwareDWare94
November 8, 2017 @ 9:44 pm
Can’t believe “Blue Ain’t Your Color” won Single of the Year considering the truly awful vocal performance. Imagine that song in the hands of a talented pop country vocalist like Brett Eldredge instead of Urban. I wanted to be OK with the song because it wasn’t terrible, but I could never make it through Urban singing the extended “Blue–ooh ooh ooh’s.” Fucking dreadful.
Aggc
November 8, 2017 @ 9:45 pm
Admittedly, not the trainwreck/dumpster fire it has been but still a long way to go.
Justin
November 8, 2017 @ 9:57 pm
Old Dominion – “We’d like to thank country radio for making this song #1”
That pretty much says it, the industry determines which songs will be #1, not fans/consumers.
sophie
November 8, 2017 @ 10:22 pm
Well now I know who Kelsea Ballerini is, always mix her up with some other generic blonde..All through her performance with the great Reba I wanted to yell at her to put her arms down, sit down, eat a sandwich and stop trying to make Reba disappear…
Sorry, not sorry…
Nadia Lockheart
November 8, 2017 @ 10:31 pm
1) The one-two punch of “Tin Man” and now “To Learn Her” pretty much confirms Miranda Lambert knows the writing is on the wall with regards to radio prospects, and is now insistent on doing her own thing from here on out for the better.
It’s a shame it has come to this with radio, but her leadership will ultimately secure her legacy and place in country music. Kudos!
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2) I wish Eric Church won Entertainer of the Year, but it’s hard to argue with touring revenue.
It just feels like Brooks has scarcely made an impact outside of the live circuit, though. Eric Church, in contrast, has made countless impressions on the broader community from playing three hour shows to his heartfelt Las Vegas dedication. I feel like moments should factor into Entertainer of the Year more, personally.
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3) That was probably my single favorite performance by Carrie Underwood to date. Bravo!
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4) It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that Brothers Osbourne took Vocal Duo of the Year
Despite its two lead singles both becoming massive hits, “Dig Your Roots” has largely been an fleeting era for Florida Georgia Line that’s hardly registering a pulse.
Personally, I think it is no accident whatsoever that Florida Georgia Line have been making some eyebrow-raising features on Top 40 singles as of late: first with Alesso, Hailee Steinfeld and Watt’s “Let Me Go”, and then with Bebe Rexha on “Meant To Be”. Even featuring on Morgan Wallen’s “Up Down” is basically a flat-out admission as to how anodyne and lethargic their music has been this era and a desperate placeholder attempt to keep listeners interested while they’re scrambling to complete their fourth studio album. They realize they lost the plot with their own album, so are relying on features as crutches to attempt to keep listeners interested (which they actually seem to be doing with the “H.O.L.Y.” rewrite that is “Meant To Be”).
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5) “From A Room: Vol. 1” is by no means a bad album, but it just isn’t the kind of album I’d designate Album of the Year regardless of how superior it is to the majority of his peers.
Can you even really consider it an album when it’s tagged Volume I? It just kind of exposes it as more just a collection of songs than a cohesive effort. On grounds of cohesive quality, “The Nashville Sound” clearly deserved it most, but he likely never had a chance. So as bloated as the track listing admittedly is, I would have given it to “The Weight Of These Wings” since it at least has a thematic arc.
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6) More on buskin’ Sturgill please! =D
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7) F*** that new Keith Urban song!
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Hugh
November 8, 2017 @ 11:19 pm
That was an important review. Whoever that new Keith Urban is, he’s sure to have some fun!
Nadia Lockheart
November 8, 2017 @ 11:39 pm
“Female” just comes across as shallow, laundry list fodder that tries to make itself seem much deeper than it really is, just like “Raise It Up” did.
It has lines in the verses that strain to appeal to feminist audiences, but then they’re undermined by the usual fluff and Madonna-whore complex bait that male country artists obsess with illustrating in their choice of themes.
The production is synthetic to the point of nausea too. Geeeeez, what a sellout.
albert
November 9, 2017 @ 12:16 am
nailed it nadia ….that song is such a desperate attempt by urban to appear relevant .
‘ laundry list’ of words designed to sound meaningful …..poorly crafted …..no melody ….no challenge vocally and no tangible emotional investment …….
Hugh
November 9, 2017 @ 3:08 pm
Oh Nadia, females who hate females
are such a problem in this world. They all think you’re trying to steal their man. Or they are the only female in the room who knows how to behave toward others. You ladies should learn to look out for one another rather than push each other to the ground. Keith might’ve been speaking to you in his female song, along with his wife and daughter. Think of yourself as one big family, a sorority of support and good will.
Stephanie
November 9, 2017 @ 5:18 am
I really love Chris Stapleton, and I like From a Room a lot. But I agree that I feel like it wasn’t what I’d have given the win to.
And totally agree on that Keith urban song. Just no good at all.
Justin
November 8, 2017 @ 11:09 pm
Worst faux-hawk(s): Dan+Shay, Thomas Rhett, or Rascal Flatts?
Hugh
November 8, 2017 @ 11:20 pm
What’s a faux-hawk, is it like fo-ho?
Amanda
November 9, 2017 @ 1:54 pm
dude, definitely Dan and Shay for my vote. Even though Shay Mooney has a killer voice, his hair looks like shit.
Hugh
November 9, 2017 @ 3:12 pm
Thanks for the big heads up, Amanda! I’ve got to check them out!
Rachel
November 8, 2017 @ 11:38 pm
Carrie’s performance left me speechless. I know not everyone agrees, but to me, her gift is absolutely amazing. If she could mirror songs and melodies to meet her talent, she could really do some good for this format right now.
albert
November 9, 2017 @ 12:18 am
yeah …..what you said rachel ….i was in tears listening to the LOVE in that performance
Hugh
November 9, 2017 @ 3:16 pm
I don’t think any good can be done in this format the way it’s run now. The CMA’s are the stifling the performers from speaking about what’s going on. It’s like they are terrified like Edward Snowden, the sexiest man alive in my humble man’s opinion.
Dane
November 8, 2017 @ 11:40 pm
I get such a chuckle from the commenters that want artists to keep politics out of music and just sing the songs. It tickles me because music has always been a platform artist use for their views, be it Jimmie Rogers, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, Johnny Cash or Merle.
So if SCM readers get so sensitive & offended (snowflake much?) that Jason Isbell, Willie Nelson, Margo Price, Emmylou, or Sturgill Simpson bring anti-Trump protests into their music, you have a solution: Y’all go enjoy FLA GA Line, Rascal Fatts, Thomas Rhett and Lukie Bryan! They never make politics a thing and you can just shake your hands in the air like you just don’t care.
See, I’m an Ameri-CAN!
R2D2
November 9, 2017 @ 7:54 am
great comment!
Chase
November 9, 2017 @ 12:33 am
I am just watching it because I work third shift. It was nice to see them honor Eddie Montgomery.
Chase
November 9, 2017 @ 12:50 am
The more I hear the Brother’s Osborne sing the more I like them. I hope they and Chris Stapleton are the future of country music!
Saint Savage
November 9, 2017 @ 5:13 am
Maddie & Tae hasn’t put out any new music in a couple years. They shouldn’t even be nominated. There are duos that still record and should be in there instead of them.
Charlie
November 9, 2017 @ 5:22 am
Well, the few good moments were handled a little better than I expected. I’ll say that for it. But it’ll take a lot more than that to clean up the cesspool that was the majority of the show. Baby steps?
Johnnie tuffshit
November 9, 2017 @ 6:28 am
One thing that pisses me off is all the high price tickets of the very last concerts ,such as Garth ,retiring ,then what ya know hes back on tour ,so there goes the value of seeing the last concert
Abel
November 9, 2017 @ 8:34 am
Thomas Rhett, FGL, LoCash, Chase Rice, Sam Hunt, and all the other blah no-personality dudebros won nothing. That in itself is a victory I suppose
And though Maddie and Tae may not have deserved nomination last night, I will be looking forward to their upcoming album! They are young, so they have every right to make youthful music with youthful themes- it will be interesting to see how they progress as time goes.
Anthony
November 9, 2017 @ 11:06 am
FGL didn’t even show up. I think they got the message last year that the CMA’s have moved on. The CMA’s probably feel that them and Sam Hunt are providing more for mainstream radio and Pop now than Country. The only one who has a vip pass to come and go as they please is Taylor Swift. They know she is too powerful and outspoken so she will always hold a key to Nashville.
Anthony
November 9, 2017 @ 11:07 am
FGL didn’t even show up. I think they got the message last year that the CMA’s have moved on. The CMA’s probably feel that them and Sam Hunt are providing more for mainstream radio and Pop now than Country. The only one who has a vip pass to come and go as they please is Taylor Swift. They know she is too powerful and outspoken so she will always hold a key to Nashville.
Bksouthga
November 9, 2017 @ 4:35 pm
Is it just me or does Tim and Faith’s song they performed here (“The Rest of Our Life”) sound very very similar to “Speak to a Girl”? The time signature, maybe even the key (haven’t checked that), the vocal harmony arrangement. I mean a lot like it. Does the entire album sound like this?
Jimmie
November 10, 2017 @ 7:51 pm
High time for new hosts. Move them to late night if they want to be comedians.
Janet
November 27, 2017 @ 6:46 pm
Definitely we need new hosts. When Carrie and Brad bring sour politics into an evening of celebration and awards, these two ruined the moment for 1/2 of America and the majority of country music fans. If they host again, my TV will be turned off from the CMA awards for the first time in many many years. My opinion of both has changed for the worse. Please get rid of them….. their arrogance is obnoxious.
Ron
April 8, 2018 @ 7:39 am
Just listened to Carrie Underwood’s new song with some rapper. I wonder what is happening? Has country left us for good? It isn’t only her! I littlery listen to many of so called shit music that these wonderful so called country singers are sending out to my country- western stations. That’s definitely not country! But let’s say it’s the sign of the times I guess. That can’t make it in rap or new wave or whatever this terrible sounding so called country music is and then you award it! What a fricken joke! But me being the one person with a opinion can’t change it. So long Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn, Reba, The Judd’s, Toby Kieth and all great old songs of yesteryear!