Saving Country Music’s 2017 ACM Awards LIVE Blog
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the Saving Country Music 2017 ACM Awards LIVE blog! For three hours we’ll be ranting and raving, running down the winners, and doing our best to highlight the few bright moments in what otherwise promises to be the an annual exercise in embarrassing the true country music fan. Instead of sitting pat, we stand up and let our voices of dissent be heard, and commiserate together until such day that the ACM’s wisen up and start putting talent over commercial appeal.
Understand this is not an exercise for the faint of heart, so bring a thick skin. There’s no time for bruised egos or correcting typos. Get your refresh fingers ready.
If you want to know what to expect, check out this Complete Preview. If you want to see Saving Country Music’s predictions, CLICK HERE. All times Central time.
– – – – – – – – –
WINNERS:
- Songwriter of the Year: Lori McKenna
- Single Record of the Year: Florida Georgia Line, “H.O.L.Y.” Producer: Joey Moi; Record Label: Big Machine Label Group
- Vocal Event of the Year: Florida Georgia Line featuring Tim McGraw, “May We All;” Producer: Joey Moi; Record Label: Big Machine Label Group
- New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year: Brothers Osborne
- New Female Vocalist of the Year: Maren Morris
- New Male Vocalist of the Year: Jon Pardi
- Song of the Year: “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett; Songwriters: Thomas Rhett, Sean Douglas, Joe Spargur.
- Vocal Duo of the Year: Brothers Osborne
- Vocal Group of the Year: Little Big Town
- Album of the Year: “The Weight of These Wings,” Miranda Lambert; Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf; Record Labels: RCA Nashville, Vanner Records
- Video of the Year: “Forever Country,” Artists of Then, Now and Forever; Director: Joseph Kahn; Producers: Nathan de la Rionda, Jil Hardin, Charleen Manca, Joanna Carter, Chandra LaPlume, Sarah Trahern, Damon Whiteside
- Male Vocalist of the Year: Thomas Rhett
- Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert
- Entertainer of the Year: Jason Aldean
– – – – – – – – – –
10:10 – The story of the 2017 ACM Awards will be the launching of Thomas Rhett as the next major country music arena/stadium-level franchise. No way that dude deserves Song of the Year over “Humble and Kind” or Male Vocalist of the Year over anyone. Maybe Single of the Year, but that is as far as Thomas Rhett deserved to go. This is all about Big Machine leveraging behind-the-scenes power to launch a bona fide superstar. Whether it will work or not, we’ll see. Meanwhile it will be hard for Chris Stapleton to see the boost they were hoping for with the new song, and Florida Georgia Line continues to flounder.
Miranda Lambert has now won 8 Female Vocalist of the Year awards at the ACM Awards. Hard to say it’s not deserved, but you wonder when the streak is going to end. Meanwhile, it’s hard to argue in that poor field that “The Weight of These Wings” deserved Album of the Year. Think of all those great songwriters on that album who get to share in that joy. Adam Hood, Waylon Payne, Jack Ingram, Brent Cobb, Ashley Monroe, Mando Saenz, Shake Russel, and Jon Randall.
And Jason Aldean once again walks away with Entertainer of the Year. Horrible. A franchise we thought might be on the ropes gets another boost, though this is probably in response to Aldean’s lagging sales and singles instead of in spite of them.
After a few years of improvement, the ACM’s took a dramatic turn back in 2017. Let’s hope Jon Pardi, William Michael Morgan (where was he), and Chris Stapleton can help right the ship next year.
10:03 – THANK YOU THANK You to everyone who followed along, read, commented, shared, tweeted, liked, friended, and all that other stuff. I am going to compose some final thoughts, run down the winners, catch up with y’alls comments, and call it a night.
10:00 – Welp, Jason Aldean winning Entertainer of the Year pretty much caps off one of the WORST country music awards shows in history, if not THE worst save for a deserved win my Miranda Lambert for Album of the Year (in a weak field). This is one of those awards shows whose horrible reverberations will go for years, just like when Luke Bryan first won Entertainer of the Year.
9:58 – Ha! And once again, the Shania Twain rumors don’t pan out. Still no new single. But keep waiting, ya shmucks!
9:57 – Jason Aldean accepts one of the biggest awards in all of country music in a jacket made of PVC.
9:55 – The ACM for Entertainer of the Year goes to Jason Aldean.
9:55 – Joe Walsh! Save us!
9:53 – #backstreetsback
9:50 – Horrible.
9:49 – Rascal Flatts backstage right now. “Shit, I thought we were country’s boy band?”
9:48 – Wonder how Florida Georgia Line got those holes in the knees of their jeans?
9:44 – Don’t go anywhere, y’all! You still have Florida Georgia Line performing with the Backstreet Boys, you mindless proles. Sponsored by T-Mobile.
9:41 – Holy shit it’s a cowboy hat! Three of ’em! And a fiddle!
See, this is why we’ve got to support Jon Pardi, even if he’s not the greatest. He’s trying in the incredibly restrictive Music Row environment.
9:40 – Reba’s from an era when country singers actually had to be able to sing.
9:39 – Clear play for the Christian market that Music Row has been making for the last couple of years to attempt to make up for all the older country fans they’ve scared away in the last half decade.
Strong performance by both ladies though. Not bad.
9:37 – Do we really call Reba THE Queen of Country Music? How about A queen. Kitty Wells and Loretta deserve a little deference here.
9:36 – Nice shout out for country music’s Gospel influence by Ronnie Dunn. The bros at home have blank stares on their faces.
9:33 – Thanks folks for commenting below. Trying to catch up when I can.
9:29 – Pretty damn surprised Miranda Lambert won for Female Vocalist after Carrie Underwood’s strong year. But I guess you have to account that the eligibility period creeped into when “Vice” was on radio, and when “The Weight of These Wings” was making noise. Still, if you felt like there was a year Carrie Underwood could steal one, it would be this year. Carrie’s fans won’t be happy, and Miranda had that sense.
9:27 – The 2017 ACM Award for Female Vocalist of the Year goes to Carrie Underwood’s gams!
Actually, it’s MIRANDA LAMBERT.
“Carrie can sing me under the table, we can agree on that,” says Miranda.
9:25 – All the douche Bro singers are wearing the same leather jacket (just a different color), singing the same song. Fucking Cole Swindell isn’t even singing into the mic. What a joke.
Cole Swindell, “I Will never forget this moment.” Yeah, neither will we. Unfortunately.
9:22 – By the way, the Thomas Rhett win means Chris Stapleton was completely locked out of the ACM Awards in 2017. Best-selling country artist in years with incredible critical acclaim, and no hardware.
9:20 – This is what we’re seeing here folks: Scott Borchetta and Big Machine are going hard behind Thomas Rhett. He is the new Big Machine cash cow now that Florida Georgia Line are flailing, and Tim McGraw is gone. This is all about launching the next arena-level franchise. Hey, someone has to take over for Kenny Chesney. But Thomas Rhett just doesn’t have the talent for even half this attention. He never should have been taking out of the Music Row publishing house for retread Bro-Country tunes.
9:17 – What’s the over/under on how much Scott Borchetta paid for Thomas Rhett’s Male Vocalist of the Year trophy? Ridiculous. So contrived.
9:16 – See, long still on Rhett’s wife.
9:15 – The 2017 ACM for Male Vocalist of the Year goes to Thomas Rhett?
Fuck.
9:12 – Old Dominion is screaming “Hey!” now? Even the 2012 Lumineers think this is lame.
9:11 – Screw your faux hawk, Thomas Rhett.
9:09 – Once had a jacket like Thomas Rhett’s. A guy got it for free for signing up for a magazine subscription, and then left it in a Pizza Hut. After two years, I filched it from the lost and found to change my oil in.
9:08 – To the one true God, a fern could perform better hosting duties than Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley.
9:07 – Welp, blog hasn’t crashed yet. There’s one positive.
9:03 – Chris Stapleton’s “Fire Away” should have won Video of the Year. Some good songs in “Forever Country” obivously, but it was too busy to really accomplish anything.
9:02 – The ACM for Video of the Year goes to that “Forever Country” montage thing. Sponsored by Xfinity. Don’t forget that. Xfinity Xfinity.
8:59 – Err. A little pitchy Tim and Faith. Whatever.
8:57 – I’ll leave Faith Hill and Tim McGraw alone. Not into this adult contemporary schlock, but it’s not the problem. Harmless music for 47-year-old divorcees to listen to in the bubble bath.
8:53 – Hard to say Miranda Lambert didn’t deserve Album of the Year. You may not hearing it represented much on radio moving forward, but isn’t that the way for all of the better efforts?
8:52 – Bobby Bones is a tool in an ugly suit by the way.
Though he is learning how to keep his nose clean better.
8:49 – Miranda Lambert producer Frank Liddell’s advice to songwriters: “Tell the truth, it’s more interesting.”
8:48 – The 2017 ACM for Album of the Year goes to Miranda Lambert for “The Weight of These Wings”
8:46 – I don’t know folks. Hate Luke Bryan, but I’m kind of feeling this song.
Actually I’m not, it’s more formulaic pap. Boring at best.
8:42 – If you’re wondering how Sturgill Simpson feels after being snubbed from this garbage:
8:40 – Here’s 90 seconds of a shitty Brett Eldridge song, and then he pops a balloon with a tiny person in it. Um, point? Is this a country music awards show?
8:38 – Need to spend a little more time with the Chris Stapleton song to formulate my thoughts, but obviously a very guitar driven, upbeat song. Felt like it was searching for a direction or melody a little bit, but we’ll revisit it later. Better than anything else that has happened, sans Miranda maybe.
8:36 – Anderson East needs to work on his awards show poker face instead of playing tongue pool.
8:36 – Dave Cobb playing acoustic guitar.
8:34 – Thank GOD Stapleton, save us front that ear screw Kelsea Ballerini torture.
8:33 – STOP SAYING BOY !!!!! Fuck me.
8:32- Is this the Kelsea Ballerini song that says “boy” 32 times or something? Ha! Garbage. Only a Jonas Brother guitar solo could make this worse.
8:32 – Cam forgot her top, Kelsea Ballerini is missing her bottoms. Keeps you distracted from the music at least. She’s got so much nothing.
8:30 – Correction, I meant to sat Stuart Smalley below, not Jack Handy. My apologies to the Jack Handy family.
8:24 – You know Kellie Pickler is a Saving Country Music Album of the Year alumni, but she’s annoying me tonight. All that coaching for her reality show on CMT has made her more plastic than personable in my opinion.
8:21 – Perhaps now that the Brothers Osborne have some hardware behind them, maybe they’ll get a chance to be unleashed. They have some questionable songs, but I think that at the core of this act is something mainstream country could really use.
8:20 – See … 🙂
8:18 – The ACM for Vocal Group of the Year goes to Little Big Town. I’m announcing this before the award.
8:17 – Whoah, more horns. And more horns. That’s enough horns to give Sturg a woody. Too bad this pseudo-reggae UB40 garbage is a waste of all their breath.
8:16 – Did Lady Antebellum steal Sturgill Simpson’s horns? Those bastards.
8:14 – Thanks everyone piping up in the comments section. Reading when I can.
P.S. : Something must have gone wrong, because we were in commercial for a very very long time.
8:04 – Got nothing on this Little Big Town performance. This song feels like something I’d hear on Yo Gabba Gabba. Jack Handy self-affirmation bullshit.
8:03 – I know she’s married to a hockey player who could kick my music blogging ass. Get off my back! We’ve got to find the beauty in this thing wherever it exists.
8:02 – Okay shut up y’all, Carrie Underwood’s gams are back.
8:01 – Keith Urbane gets TWO songs? Seeing him play guitar just reminds us he actually has talent, but for some reason refuses to use it for anything.
7:58 – The black and white motif is perfect for this Keith Urban song because it’s incredibly bland.
7:57 -Keith Urban sucks.
7:53 – Seriously, another loss by Florida Georgia Line for Vocal Duo of the Year despite being the clear commercial winner proves the well has been poisoned on them. They may still give them the lower tier awards to get Scott Borchetta off their back, but the industry has moved on.
7:51 – Wow, we’re hearing why Rascal Flatts decided to pre-record their performance a few years back. Pitchy, off pentameter. These guys look like their five-year old daughter’s dressed them from their mother’s clothes.
7:50 – Hahaha! Rascal Flatts has officially been relegated to the “other” stage. How embarrassing the chubby one is wearing the same leather jacket as Jason Aldean, just in blue.
7:48 – Solid performance by Miranda Lambert. Not an amazing moment, but really strong. She just proved why she deserves to win Album of the Year, regardless of what else happens tonight.
7:48 – I like this song, but Miranda performing it is basically waving the white flag on reaching the top of the charts with her radio career.
7:46 – Miranda Lambert’s “Tin Man” was co-written by Lambert and Jack Ingram. Miranda is hoping to make a “moment” here instead of giving just another performance of just another single.
7:44 – Kane Brown had the simplest job of the entire night, and still figured out how to fuck it up.
7:43 – The ACM for Vocal Duo of the Year goes to Brothers Osborne.
Take that Florida Georgia Line!
7:42 – Yawn.
7:40 – This red leather coat Jason Aldean is wearing is something your English teacher would wear on casual Friday in 1987.
7:38 – Would love to hang out with the wax Luke Bryan on a nice, steamy Texas summer day.
7:36 – Meant to say this before, but I bet they show Thomas Rhett’s wife more than any other spouse tonight. My theory is they know he’s a black hole, and so they push her because she grades better in focus groups than anything Thomas does.
7:35 – Still can’t believe Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man” beat out “Humble and Kind” for Song of the Year. Clearly Big Machine has been lobbying hard for this awards cycle, trying to reset after shuttering Dot and losing Tim McGraw. That’s also likely the reason for Florida Georgia Line winning to pre-telecast awards. We might be witnessing the worst awards show ever transpiring, both in the winners and in the performance.
7:33 – They randomly hand Maren Morris her New Female Vocalist of the Year trophy, surprising her. Shows just what an afterthought the ACM’s have made of their New Artist awards.
7:32 – “Oh, we’re supposed to stand up for that? Oh, okay…”
7:30 – Still surprised Maren Morris’s “80’s Mercedes” stalled. At least it had some attitude. This song is cold pizza.
7:29 – By the way, that Oscar La La Land wrong envelope bit was funnier than anything from Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley yet. And it wasn’t that funny.
7:28 – Massive upset by Thomas Rhett. Bullshit.
7:27 – WHAT ?!? Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man” beats out Lori McKenna’s “Humble and Kind” For Song of the Year? EMBARRASSMENT!
7:25 – David Copperfield is still alive? And not in rehab?
7:24 – They’re totally pumping crowd noise in this thing a la the New England Patriots.
7:22 – Dierks Bentley’s ACM Awards outfit came in a bag that said 5 for $10.99 with a BONUS 6th T at Target.
7:21 – Whose leg I gotta hump to get “Up On The Ridge” Dierks Bentley to come back?
Godawful.
7:19 – I was gonna say thank God we got all the worst performers out of the way with the opening montage, but looking at the run sheet it looks like Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and the lot will all likely perform again.
7:15 – Seriously, what’s up with these douche pants Sam Hunt’s wearing with the pouch in the front? What an embarrassment to marsupials.
7:13 – Dude, seriously. Worst opening awards show monologue ever. Dierks and Luke have the chemistry of Chernobyl.
7:12- Keith Urban’s trying to revitalize his street cred with the Ryan Adams safety pin jean jacket.
7:11 – Man, this opening montage from Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan is totally bombing. Jason Aldean, get those tow chains ready.
7:09 – Love Chuck Berry, but he just got more tribute time on the ACM’s than Guy Clark and Ralph Stanley combined.
7:08 – Joe Walsh! Some real talent on the ACMs.
7:06 – I wonder what Sturgill Simpson feels about this opening “medley.”
7:04 – Just focus the camera on Carrie Underwood’s gams for the next three hours. They’re more impressive than anything else we’ll see tonight.
7:03 – The only thing “HOLY” here is Florida Georgia Line’s $1,200 fashion-ripped jeans.
7:01 – Perhaps Jason Aldean can use those friggin tow chains hanging from his belt to pull this car wreck out of the ditch.
7:00 – Here we go!
6:58 – Seriously, this feels like the most under-anticipated awards show I’ve ever experienced in almost 10 years of doing this. No buzz on social media or anywhere else. Feels like eveyone just wants to get it over with.
6:56 – Will Shania Twain show up? Will she perform? Will anyone give a shit that isn’t watching Wrestlemania tonight?
6:53 – Ever had that nightmare where you’re walking down the red carpet of the ACM Awards and forgot to wear a shirt? Yep, that just happened to Canary Yellow Cam.
6:50 – Won’t lie. I’m about the most unexcited and uninspired to conduct one of these LIVE blogs than I’ve ever been. There’s just nothing to get excited about with this presentation except perhaps a new song from Chris Stapleton. I think the ACM’s just got tired of even trying to appeal to older and more traditional country fans and just said screw it. Hopefully there is some big surprises.
6:45 – So the last few times we’ve executed the LIVE blog there have been some technical difficulties, from the site completely crashing due to massive waves of traffic, to it not updating properly. An extensive amount of work, effort, and resources have gone into making sure everything goes off without a hitch this time, which still guarantees nothing. But if there are some bumps in the road, we’ll get them ironed out. We always do. Just hang tight. These are the rigors of independent web publishing.
Justin
April 2, 2017 @ 4:53 pm
I’m trying to figure out what happened. Just where it all went wrong. Here is my theory. I think that the millennials are the reason. I think that country music used to be for only 30+ year old Southerners and they enjoyed that broken heart, drinkin’ song. Then in the 1990’s young people started listening to other types of music (top 40 pop, rap and country) and then some of them got old enough to “make it in the industry” and they’ve combined the crap (pun intended). FGL, Luke Bryan in particular have both admitted to liking other types of music.
I also blame Garth Brooks- entertainment over the songs. Style over substance. His fat butt flying through the air, explosions and squirting people with water bottles. To be fair he did have songs of depth and he could sing. He was a country singer. But this opened the door for Kenny Chesney who brought the dancing on stage WITH the physical appearance (muscles and tan). Both of those artists also repetitively referenced their liking for other non-country artists. This was different. Even if most artist of the 90s didn’t sound like “Haggard,” they would name drop him so fans could check the box of what it means to be a country singer. Other artists while not at the level of Garth and Chesney mimicked and were influenced by them. So, now today we have Luke Bryan aka Magic Mike with a mic literally shaking his butt mostly without a guitar.
Back to the issue of society. It’s changed. I don’t know if it is the internet, television…both? It’s not o.k. to be a redneck anymore- in NASCAR or in Country Music. I don’t watch NASCAR but Bill Elliot and Dale Earnhardt’s sons are the only Southerners left in the sport. I get it…kind of. The South is labeled as racist and homophobic and backwards, etc. But does that mean that we all are that way? This is a postmodernist view I know, but it is the truth. Notice the lack of Christian country songs now. Atheism has gone up from 13-22% now (recent Gallup poll). Sorry didn’t mean to make this a political/religious thing…I’m just saying…it’s having an impact. And please don’t get me wrong I’m not saying we are all screwed and “it ain’t like it used to be blah blah.” I’m kind of optimistic in some ways (for society). I just want my country music back. I want to see a new artist have a different twist but still retain the values of country music…like Brad Paisley did for about five minutes…
#The circle is broken.
BanditDarville
April 2, 2017 @ 5:48 pm
You make a lot of valid points.
Therealbobcephus
April 2, 2017 @ 6:07 pm
I would like to point out that Luke Bryan and FGL are too old to be millennials. Kind of invalidates part of your theory.
Justin
April 2, 2017 @ 6:45 pm
Me and my friends rode trucks, listened to Garth Brooks, Alabama, Lil Wayne and Eminem,” said Kelley.”
Luke Bryan has name dropped Beastie Boys…
Technically Bryan is too old but FGL are millennials 1984-2002
Justin
April 3, 2017 @ 12:50 am
FGL were born in 1985 and 1987, definitely millennials. Millennials were born 1982-2004. Source: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/advertising/story/2012-05-03/naming-the-next-generation/54737518/1
Jtrpdx
April 2, 2017 @ 6:14 pm
Good points. The real keys are that there are a ton of people out there who simply don’t respect music and will listen to whatever catchy crap is on the radio or whoever is cute or puts on a big show. But mainly, it’s the Garth Brooks comment (I also agree Garth is 10x better than the crap these days btw). Once the industry realized they could pivot to pop music, and still call it country, this opened up a vastly larger audience. Pop music, especially when written by professional songwriters who know exactly how to write a catchy pop tune, sells very well and is accessible to people in multiple age groups, demographics and from all regions. Combine that with big, ridiculous arena rock type shows, and all of the sudden you can sell out NBA sized arenas not only in Atlanta, but also Seattle and NYC. Not to mention, you have a vastly expanded radio listener base and record buying base all over the country and the world (also key). These acts can also be easily manufactured ba having to find real authentic musicians. Once one group runs its course, find the next pretty boy who can be coached, dressed up and paraded around for a few years.
Jtrpdx
April 2, 2017 @ 6:30 pm
Also, I totally disagree with your insinuation that liking other types of music has anything to do with it. I listen everything from Slayer to Jurassic 5, and also a lot of country. Hell, Whitey Morgan and Cody Jinks are both former metal musicians. And Sturgill claims he doesn’t even listen to country. Oh wait, scratch that. I forgot that Sturgill isn’t country because he had horns and some soul influnces on one concept album (sarcasm) ☺️
Honky
April 3, 2017 @ 7:47 am
Other than your use of the term “homophobic”, which is a propaganda word with no applicable meaning, I agree with your comment. Nice job.
CountryKnight
April 3, 2017 @ 1:09 pm
That atheism number is depressing as hell.
I guess we haven’t learned from Communist Russia or Nazi Germany about the dangers of disbelief.
Big Red
April 2, 2017 @ 5:01 pm
This is the only way to watch these award shows. The only way.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:03 pm
If this was LB’s first release it would be totally ignored..B-O-R-I-N-G
mark
April 2, 2017 @ 5:04 pm
these people can’t sing very well
mark
April 2, 2017 @ 5:06 pm
is there a band?
Stud'z Dud'z
April 2, 2017 @ 5:06 pm
MY BOYZ!! Jason and Luke and FGL!
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:06 pm
edm urban …two chords and the truth ..?
nascarfan999
April 2, 2017 @ 5:07 pm
Fitting for Keith Urban to close this medley with Wasted Time. At least somebody recognizes what it is.
JT
April 2, 2017 @ 5:07 pm
I was about to turn it on and asked my wife how long she thought I’d last. She said 7:05. Turned it on and saw Luke dancing around and turned it off. I’ll catch the recap here.
Matsfan
April 2, 2017 @ 5:11 pm
Same here. I left 20 seconds in and will follow the live blog instead. I will let her suffer through without me.
mark
April 2, 2017 @ 5:08 pm
lol joe walsh
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:08 pm
Chuck Berry …now THAT guy could write a lyric….Go Joey Go !
Will
April 2, 2017 @ 5:09 pm
Johnny B. Goode? I actually sorta liked that. Odd
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:10 pm
what fell on Dirk’s head ?
Dot
April 2, 2017 @ 5:10 pm
I think this is the only time I’ve ever liked Luke. He should always do covers.
SRM
April 2, 2017 @ 5:11 pm
Whenever Sam Hunt performs his latest atrocity, here are some alternate, and slightly more respectable, lyrics to sing along with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnsDEmc4_AM
(Spoiler alert, they aren’t actually that much more respectable…)
Gena R.
April 2, 2017 @ 5:13 pm
“7:09 – Love Chuck Berry, but he just got more tribute time on the ACM’s than Guy Clark and Ralph Stanley combined.
7:08 – Joe Walsh! Some real talent on the ACM.”
Aw! :\ (I’m watching the FOX comedies while following along on here.)
The Ghost of Country Past
April 2, 2017 @ 5:13 pm
This “comedy” routine is so cringe-inducing, but I’d rather listen to it than the latest Sam Hunt product.
Chase
April 2, 2017 @ 5:31 pm
I miss Brad and Carrie’s comedy routine.
S.
April 2, 2017 @ 5:16 pm
It still boggles my mind that Body Like A Backroad is such a hit…
Chase
April 2, 2017 @ 5:20 pm
Unfortunately it is.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:35 pm
no shit …..incredible
Justin
April 3, 2017 @ 1:02 am
“Body Like A Backroad” is headed to #1 on Billboard Country Airplay for sure. Already been #1 for weeks on the overall Billboard Country chart (airplay + sales + streaming).
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:18 pm
the Ford commercial ….STILL more country than Sam Hunt
Chase
April 2, 2017 @ 5:18 pm
Sam Hunt claims to “respect women” lol.
mark
April 2, 2017 @ 5:18 pm
every one of the scm spotify playlist tunes are a number of levels higher than this stuff. Better songs, better singers, better everything.
Stud'z Dud'z
April 2, 2017 @ 5:19 pm
Man Sam just killed it….Body like a backroad baaaaby!
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:20 pm
Imagine how it would have sounded if he’d sung it ON KEY !!
Stud'z Dud'z
April 2, 2017 @ 5:25 pm
He sung it great. Might want to invest in some new hearing aids, gramps.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:36 pm
get off my lawn Studley Dudly….. or whatever the hell your handle is ….
Stud'z Dud'z
April 2, 2017 @ 5:48 pm
You commented on MY post. So you are on my lawn lil buddy.
S.
April 2, 2017 @ 5:22 pm
So, we just finished Sam’s sex jam, now we move to Dierks’s sex jam!
Dot
April 2, 2017 @ 5:22 pm
My mute button is getting a workout tonight.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:23 pm
shit …and here I thought Dierk’s worst songs happened in 2015 ? ….apparently i was wrong
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:26 pm
If I’d never ever heard Rhett …I COULD die a happy man
Stud'z Dud'z
April 2, 2017 @ 5:27 pm
My man TRhett getting his due. Ya baby!
Jtrpdx
April 2, 2017 @ 5:42 pm
Are you a 13 year old girl? Just curious.
Stud'z Dud'z
April 2, 2017 @ 5:47 pm
Are you?
Jtrpdx
April 2, 2017 @ 6:36 pm
Even if I were, I wouldn’t tell you. Last thing I would need would be a cyber stalker trying to talk me into going to a Luke Bryan concert with him.
Stud's A Dud
April 2, 2017 @ 7:26 pm
It was supposed to be an insult, not a question. PS: Not all Luke Bryan fans are 13 year old girls….neither are they stalkers or pedophiles as you claim. You need a brain transplant.
If you can’t take it, don’t dish it out…because I’ll serve it right back in your face bro.
Jtrpdx
April 2, 2017 @ 10:40 pm
Good one, girl. Hopefully you enjoyed seeing your teenage crushes on tv tonight. Have fun at school tomorrow.
Stud's A Dud
April 3, 2017 @ 12:10 am
Nice try. You must be really dumb. I’m not a teenage girl, but you seem to be infatuated with them as much as you talk about them. That worries me. Why don’t you piss off before you get messed up REAL bad?!
The Ghost of Country Past
April 2, 2017 @ 5:28 pm
Song of the Year…. this song came out in 2015?
Trigger
April 2, 2017 @ 6:10 pm
September of 2015. We’ll have to double check the bylaws to see if it was even eligible. The ACM’s have a habit of breaking their own rules.
Dot
April 2, 2017 @ 5:28 pm
Can Copperfield make bro country disappear?
Golddust
April 2, 2017 @ 5:28 pm
Oh, how I miss Dierks Bentley. I used to so much look forward to anything he sang. He should have some influence. Why is he putting out this drivel? 🙁
seak05
April 2, 2017 @ 5:33 pm
bc he wants to be an A-lister and headline arena shows, and his god stuff didn’t sell.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:29 pm
”Dierks Bentley’s ACM Awards outfit came in a bag that said 5 for $10.99 with a BONUS 6th T at Target”
Yeah but Trigger …you missed the ‘ clever ‘ ….song called ‘BLACK ‘ …..WHITE T -shirt …get it ?
Sam Hunt Steve
April 2, 2017 @ 5:30 pm
So, are the ACM’s shying away from showing Lambert until she wins? I haven’t seen her yet.
Ed
April 2, 2017 @ 5:31 pm
Die a Happy Man won Single of the Year last year and Song of the Year this year. How?
seak05
April 2, 2017 @ 5:32 pm
Dear God, want Reba back, actually at this point, I want Blake back. This is gawdawful
Annie
April 2, 2017 @ 5:33 pm
I’ve already turned it off. Will just follow your blog. Dierks is the biggest disappointment in music ever for me. So sick of him and his flexing poses (Thunder from down under?) and his naked videos with a black box. Just fed up with his attempt to make A list status…….I want the the old Dierks back but have come to the realization that isn’t going to happen. This show is such a political music joke.
Josh
April 2, 2017 @ 5:34 pm
I turn it on for 3 minutes to watch a song from 2 years ago beat out Vice, Kill a word, Humble and kind, and Tennessee whiskey. To hell with this
Lisa
April 2, 2017 @ 5:36 pm
So disappointed in Song of the Year! So many better options that have just feel RIGHT for the world today… Humble and Kind, Kill a Word….songs that have great meaning behind them. Just seems like such a waste!
Trigger
April 2, 2017 @ 6:13 pm
Totally, that was the worst choice.
Gena R.
April 2, 2017 @ 5:37 pm
“7:27 – WHAT ?!? Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man” beats out Lori McKenna’s “Humble and Kind” For Song of the Year? EMBARRASSMENT!”
As the kids say these days, I literally can’t even… :p
Michael Oden
April 2, 2017 @ 5:40 pm
This awards show is worse than the name reveal of the NHL team soon to play in that arena.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:40 pm
hey …lb’s wax dummy is just as talented as lb
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:41 pm
” Meant to say this before, but I bet they show Thomas Rhett’s wife more than any other spouse tonight. My theory is they know he’s a black hole, and so they push her because she grades better in focus groups than anything Thomas does.”
lol ……
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:42 pm
Aldone is singing just as good as he ever has …..Someone should tell the band they’re playing in the wrong key
Racer53
April 2, 2017 @ 5:42 pm
You know what’s more disappointing than Sam Hunts shitty ass music?! Dierks Bentley’s shitty ass music. He was my favorite mainstream guy for a number of years. He had his own sound and paid respect to the legends. Listen to him now. Fucking hack job sellout. There’s nothing he could do at this point to get my support back. Nothing.
Gena R.
April 2, 2017 @ 5:43 pm
“7:38 – Would love to hang out with the wax Luke Bryan on a nice, steamy Texas summer day.”
Hehe! 😀
S.
April 2, 2017 @ 5:44 pm
So, will Brothers Osborne win all the Duo awards from now on, like FGL did?
Mark
April 2, 2017 @ 5:45 pm
Aldean in a Michael Jackson surplus jacket.
Stud'z Dud'z
April 2, 2017 @ 5:45 pm
Fuck you Trigger for saying things about FGL. Best country band in the WORLD. Better than that tear in your beer twangy bullshit….
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:55 pm
Stud , Stud ……sheeesh…have another donut , man
Stud'z Dud'z
April 2, 2017 @ 5:59 pm
Was I talking to you? No…now crawl back under the hole you came from.
Bob
April 2, 2017 @ 6:13 pm
you think FGL are good?
wow man, you really are a dud.
Stud'z Dud'z
April 2, 2017 @ 6:16 pm
Hey Bobby, yes they are good. You are just needing some better ears.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 6:13 pm
”….. under the hole ”
man …my head is spinning trying to grasp THAT concept Suds …….but I love the conundrum it conjures. ….is that an ‘alice in wonderland’ kinda thing ?
Stud'z Dud'z
April 2, 2017 @ 6:15 pm
Prince Al, it’s a play on words. It means you are so low you have to go deeper than the current hole you are in.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 6:54 pm
”Prince Al, it’s a play on words. It means you are so low you have to go deeper than the current hole you are in. ”
right…thanks for that Stods…..love the phrase . it would make a good book or album title ……
Stud's A Dud
April 2, 2017 @ 7:12 pm
It’s trying to sound as stupid as you are, but that’s a tall order….
Mets08123
April 2, 2017 @ 5:46 pm
I think people are a little harsh on Jason Aldean. From the stand point of “arena” headliners, he put out a pretty good album that is one of the most country of the mainstream male artists. The performance was meh, but the song itself is still good. The album and previous album have good country songs on them, even if it’s not full blown traditional, it’s some solid “modern” country.
Big Red
April 2, 2017 @ 5:47 pm
All other critiques of Jason Aldean aside, as worthy as they are, why does all his music sound the same? Hasn’t he grown at all in a decade?
Chase
April 2, 2017 @ 5:47 pm
That was a good song from Miranda Lambert.
Gena R.
April 2, 2017 @ 5:51 pm
Ah! Hopefully, I’ll be able to catch a clip online later… 🙂
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:48 pm
pretty damn brave , Miranda
…a voice …a guitar …and a REAL song sung with passion and sung on key .
Why ? because she fuckin’ CAN !!!
Big Cat
April 2, 2017 @ 5:54 pm
I thought it was really f’ing good
Cilla
April 2, 2017 @ 6:02 pm
Miranda Lambert……TALENT! She is the real deal.
Jonnie tuffshit
April 2, 2017 @ 5:51 pm
Miranda now there’s a damn entertainer
S.
April 2, 2017 @ 5:51 pm
I hear an acoustic guitar during the Rascal Flatts song, yet no one is playing it on stage…
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:53 pm
funny ….I didn’t even hear a SONG when Rascal Flats were on ….
Matsfan
April 2, 2017 @ 5:52 pm
Amen!
PCS22401
April 2, 2017 @ 5:53 pm
When I’m switching through the radio stations in the car, nobody has me hitting the next button faster than Rascal Flatts.
Stud'z Dud'z
April 2, 2017 @ 5:55 pm
I miss Rascal Flatts…..
Dot
April 2, 2017 @ 5:57 pm
Miranda Lambert is a goddess. Love Tin Man.
Followed by Rascal Flatts with a backing track. Embarrassing.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 5:57 pm
remember how right the world felt before Trump , stevia sweetner and Rasal Flatttttttts
Stud'z Dud'z
April 2, 2017 @ 6:11 pm
All three are amazing things…..some are too blind to see it.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 6:45 pm
well ok Stitz…I’ll give you ‘ stevia “
Stud's A Dud
April 2, 2017 @ 7:13 pm
It’s STUDZ not Stitz. Get it right.
Brendan
April 2, 2017 @ 5:57 pm
Only thing positive about Aldean’s performance: He had a steel guitar.
S.
April 2, 2017 @ 5:58 pm
I like Keith Urban, but all the songs from Ripcoard are just shit…
Mary
April 2, 2017 @ 6:00 pm
I am enjoying your blog way more than the show!
Trigger
April 2, 2017 @ 6:07 pm
Thanks Mary!
Gena R.
April 2, 2017 @ 6:00 pm
Never could get into ‘Family Guy,’ so I’m just popping in on the awards… :p Well, at least the blue lights are pretty.
Gena R.
April 2, 2017 @ 6:02 pm
Aaand there they go.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 6:00 pm
urban can actually sing on tune and he’s a soulful picker . now if we could just find himan actual song to put that stuff to work on . this ‘blue’ thing is so boring and overated
S.
April 2, 2017 @ 6:02 pm
Keith has went full pop and I hate it. If The Fighter can be classified as Country, then anything can…
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 6:03 pm
” gams” is such a great word , Trigger
Jack Williams
April 3, 2017 @ 6:20 am
Indeed. Makes me think of Betty Grable.
https://iconicphotos.org/2009/05/18/betty-garble-pin-up/
WRS
April 2, 2017 @ 6:03 pm
I usually don’t watch award shows and after watching for about 5 mins I know why now
Rachel
April 2, 2017 @ 6:04 pm
What a waste of having Carrie on stage. Anyone want to explain why she keeps agreeing to sing on terrible songs?
S.
April 2, 2017 @ 6:04 pm
I think Little Big Town went hippie on us…
Chase
April 2, 2017 @ 6:06 pm
Is this what Woodstock was like?
albert
April 3, 2017 @ 8:07 am
no ,Chase …..Woodstock had REAL musicians with integrity , soul and passion…..
….Little Big Abba has good hair
Gena R.
April 2, 2017 @ 6:08 pm
They’ve definitely done better (“Little White Church,” “Boondocks”), but I actually kinda like this song (“Happy People”)…
Chase
April 2, 2017 @ 6:05 pm
What in the hell is this?
Mark
April 2, 2017 @ 6:05 pm
Have to honestly say CBS has got their audio shit down tonight. Normally their music show broadcasts sound like a couple of cheap mikes placed in the corners of an arena. Or maybe it’s the fact there are audio engineers in Vegas that know their shit?
Trigger
April 2, 2017 @ 6:27 pm
It’s not bad. I think it was last year that it was horrendous.
Mark
April 2, 2017 @ 6:57 pm
Seriously, CBS has always had a problem with their broadcast audio. ABC and NBC all managed theirs just fine.
Dot
April 2, 2017 @ 6:07 pm
What makes people happy? Better songs. This Brady Bunch crap needs to die.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 6:07 pm
‘ happy people ‘ ……just kinda lays there doesn’t it ? isn’t it wrong that a song with that title is sooooo boringly unexciting ? ….
Gena R.
April 2, 2017 @ 6:12 pm
For me, it’s something that gets my toes tapping while I’m listening to it, and the vocals are pleasant enough, but afterwards it’s just sort of forgettable. :\
mark
April 2, 2017 @ 6:09 pm
one of these guys looks like he has the pelt from a small rodent glued to his forehead
Chase
April 2, 2017 @ 6:10 pm
I could look at Carrie Underwood’s legs all day.
Lil Dale
April 2, 2017 @ 6:11 pm
keeth urban is why we need to bild the wall
Luke n Dirts are doin a good job yall leeve em a lone
Jim L.
April 2, 2017 @ 6:11 pm
Wonder how Faith Hill and Carrie Underwood are getting along?
Mark
April 2, 2017 @ 6:12 pm
or Faith and Nicole….
Mark
April 2, 2017 @ 6:13 pm
meant Carrie and Nicole
S.
April 2, 2017 @ 6:14 pm
Well, I’m tired, so I won’t be following the blog as actively and writing comments as much. I will keep looking at this once in a while. Trigger, your funny comments are even more entertaining than the actual show. Keep it up!
Trigger
April 2, 2017 @ 6:28 pm
Thanks S.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 6:17 pm
I liked this song by Lady A WAAYYY better when Joe Cocker sang it . He wasn’t a country act either but he didn’t try to con the world into thinking he was . Oh yeah ….and he had SOUL .
Gena R.
April 2, 2017 @ 6:17 pm
“8:04 – Got nothing on this Little Big Town performance. This song feels like something I’d hear on Yo Gabba Gabba. Jack Handy self-affirmation bullshit.”
I think you mean Stuart Smalley (“Daily Affirmations” — “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!”)? Jack Handy was the “Deep Thoughts” / “Fuzzy Memories” / “My Big, Thick Novel” guy. 😀
Trigger
April 2, 2017 @ 6:29 pm
Ha! you’re right.
Angelo Rinaldi
April 2, 2017 @ 6:18 pm
All those people studied music for YEARS and now they’re reduced to play for this awful Lady A track ahahah.
Chase
April 2, 2017 @ 6:20 pm
Well, at least Old Dominion didn’t win.
S.
April 2, 2017 @ 6:21 pm
Little Big Town is overrated…
Gena R.
April 2, 2017 @ 6:21 pm
“8:17 – Whoah, more horns. And more horns. That’s enough horns to give Sturg a woody. Too bad this pseudo-reggae UB40 garbage is a waste of all their breath.
8:16 – Did Lady Antebellum steal Sturgill Simpson’s horns? Those bastards.”
Ugh, that Lady A song was a mess. :p
Mary
April 2, 2017 @ 6:23 pm
The Brothers Osborn performance was the most country sounding performance of the night for me so far.
Mary
April 2, 2017 @ 6:25 pm
And Miranda Lambert of course!
Gena R.
April 2, 2017 @ 6:25 pm
I don’t remember having heard them before, but yeah, I liked that! 🙂
Golddust
April 2, 2017 @ 6:27 pm
Nice fast two-step song!
wayne
April 2, 2017 @ 6:24 pm
How about a surprise appearance from Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives to play a new song off the best album thus far this year?
Trigger
April 2, 2017 @ 6:35 pm
Shoot, I’d love that.
Fish Camp Barbie
April 2, 2017 @ 6:25 pm
“Islands In The Stream” is when it went to shit. Then “Achy Breaky Heart.”
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 6:26 pm
I’m pretty sure Studs and Little Dale are the same entity …..no ? They /he / she / It has the same interesting perspective on music . Which is fine , of course . I’m just happy they/he/she/it …isn’t my dentist or mechanic .
Lil Dale
April 2, 2017 @ 6:36 pm
im pretty sure your that boy luke brian slaped infront of evry body at that consert
Stud's A Dud
April 2, 2017 @ 6:43 pm
While I respect Little Dale and his views on music, Lil Dale could use some help with his spelling and keyboard usage. And why TF wouldn’t you want me to be your dentist or mechanic? Are you trying to insult my intelligence? Because I can unload some serious whoopass if you want to start slingin’ mud. Trust me lil man, in the words of Randy Bachman, “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet”! You are the devil woman.
Oh and I like Urban and Dale wants to build a wall around him, so……yeah. I do like his other faves.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 7:00 pm
Ok …c’mon Dale , Suds …..lets make nice ….look ….I’ve got donuts for ALL of us .
Stud's A Dud
April 2, 2017 @ 7:10 pm
FFS…all you talk about is donuts. Are you a fat cop? Jesus.
Jack Williams
April 3, 2017 @ 6:28 am
Nicely done.
Stud's A Dud
April 4, 2017 @ 5:58 pm
Thanks Jack…..
chris lewis
April 2, 2017 @ 6:27 pm
Did anyone else notice Aaron Watson and his wife standing next to Keith urban as he performed during opening montage?
Trigger
April 2, 2017 @ 7:07 pm
Ha, really? Watson’s manager Gino is great at getting his boy’s nose in there. Here soon they won’t be able to ignore him anymore.
Lou
April 2, 2017 @ 6:30 pm
I like country music but honestly this show is pretty boring.
NPC
April 2, 2017 @ 6:32 pm
Kelsea Ballerini says, “Pants are overrated! Try this bedazzled baby onesie!”
seak05
April 2, 2017 @ 6:33 pm
Miranda is going to have a moment just by being the only performer whose performance was about the vocals…also because Tin Man is a great song (best on the album).
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 6:34 pm
this kelsea Ballereini ‘song’ is a bit of a turd isn’t it .” What note is this song in “? shit …..how ’bout we spend a little time on MELODY for these crappy loop-driven fiascos !
wayne
April 2, 2017 @ 6:36 pm
Stapleton, the roots rock blues country performer. Lynyrd Skynyrd in a cowboy hat. Gotta love it!
The Ghost of Country Past
April 2, 2017 @ 6:37 pm
Tyler Hubbard looked so confused to be hearing any real music coming from Chris Stapleton.
albert
April 2, 2017 @ 6:39 pm
sorry brett ….you still ain’t found ” something you’re good at “
nascarfan999
April 2, 2017 @ 6:40 pm
Outside of the guitar solos, this new song from Chris feels pretty generic to me. He can sing, and he can play guitar when he isn’t singing, but he needs better music when he is singing.
matthew rutledge
April 3, 2017 @ 8:41 am
Coming from the Stapleton camp-….they apparently asked him to hand in something more uptempo, he responded with a laugh and said that’s what I got. He wanted to jam out a little too, and hopefully it was a little dig towards the ACM meat parade pageantry.
http://theboot.com/chris-stapleton-2017-acm-awards-new-music-performance/
seak05
April 2, 2017 @ 6:40 pm
I have a (slightly) irrational dislike of Anderson East…but I’d be totally cool with never seeing or hearing him again (he can just write stuff in the background).
The Ghost of Country Past
April 2, 2017 @ 6:40 pm
The hell was that Brett performance? Just bizzare
Golddust
April 2, 2017 @ 6:40 pm
Now, THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is southern rock! Well done, Chris Stapleton!
Dot
April 2, 2017 @ 6:43 pm
Um, who schedules the acts? Tone deaf Kelsey, kick ass Chris, then a circus act?