Saving Country Music’s 2018 ACM Awards LIVE Blog
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the official 2018 ACM Awards LIVE blog. For those of you not familiar with this exercise, for the next three hours we will be ranting and raving, holding feet to the fire, showering others with praise who are worthy, and generally trying to make the excruciating practice of watching a live country music awards show that much less painful.
As thoughts are left below in a timeline fashion, please understand this is completely unscripted and off the cuff. There will be typos, occasional swear words, and plenty of snark offered in good fun. Whiners and PC/Grammer police, this is not the place for you. Others, feel free to leave YOUR opinions and observations below in the comments section, and get your refresh fingers ready.
For a list of nominees, presenters, performers, and what to expect, check out the 2018 ACM Awards Complete Preview.
All times Central.
– – – – – – –
WINNERS:
- Entertainer of the Year – Jason Aldean
- Album of the Year – Chris Stapleton’s “From A Room: Vol.1”
- Male Vocalist of the Year – Chris Stapleton
- Female Vocalist of the Year – Miranda Lambert
- Song of the Year – Miranda Lambert’s “Tin Man”
- Single of the Year – Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Backroad”
- Vocal Group of the Year – Old Dominion
- Vocal Duo of the Year- Brothers Osborne
- Vocal Event of the Year – Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood – “The Fighter”
- New Male Vocalist of the Year – Brett Young
- New Female Vocalist of the Year – Lauren Alaina
- New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year – Midland
- Video of the Year – Brothers Osborne for “It Ain’t My Fault”
- Vocal Duo of the Year – Brothers Osborne
- Songwriter of the Year – Rhett Akins
10:18 – Chris Stapleton had another big night. Sam Hunt finally won an award. So did Jack Ingram so maybe it balances out. And Miranda Lambert is now the most decorated artist in ACM Awards history. Alan Jackson, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood, even Blake Shelton had good performances. Jason Aldean didn’t but walks away with the biggest prize. But the biggest miss appears to be a true lack of a proper tribute to the Route 91 Harvest Fest victims like the CMAs did so well, and in fact there was no In Memoriam segment at all. That was one of the numerous victims of squeezing in so many performances this year. Those that passed deserved something, even if it was a few seconds on a screen. Florida Georgia Line didn’t win anything again. Neither did Thomas Rhett. The ACMs under Pete Fisher (formerly of the Grand Ole Opry) really need to figure out their moral compass and creative direction, and clean up their nomination process. But overall there were some memorable moments, good and bad, but the 53rd Annual ACM awards will probably just blend into the background by next week, while we were talking about the 2017 CMAs weeks after.
10:10 – THANK YOU to everyone for reading, commenting, following along, liking, sharing, retweeting, etc. ! Going to compose some final thoughts, recap the winners, and I’ll be out of here!
10:05 – Look, Chris Stapleton probably deserved Entertainer of the Year for album sales and influence, or Garth for touring since it’s mostly a touring award these days. And as we saw from Jason Aldean’s performance tonight, he is a very flawed entertainer. But I’m not going to fault anyone for the way they voted here. Of course it was a sympathy vote, but I’m just going to say it was for the people of Las Vegas, and Aldean is their figure head. And Aldean has done well as the face of that tragedy. He’s no leader. He was foisted into that terrible narrative just like everyone else. And he did the best he could, and it was admirable.
9:59 – Chris Janson has a good single on radio right now with “Drunk Girl,” and he takes the ACMs out with THAT? Way to end on a sour note. This dude continues to be confounding.
9:58 – This win by Jason Aldean for the ACM Entertainer of the Year is for all the victims, all the survivors, all the first responders, everyone affected by the Route 91 Harvest Festival tragedy. It is THEIR Entertainer of the Year trophy. And always will be.
9:56 – #sympathyvote
9:55 – Oh fuck. Jason Aldean just won Entertainer of the Year.
9:53 – I believe two of the five nominees for Entertainer of the Year are not in attendance.
9:52 – In all seriousness, I have a lot of respect for someone who can give as little of a shit about performing for a national audience as Toby Keith did.
9:51 – Very solid performance from Reba and Kelly Clarkson.
9:49 – I’d tell Toby Keith to watch this and learn how an actual duet is done, but he’s vomiting in an In-&-Out Burger bathroom on Fremont St. at the moment.
9:47 – As a host, as a performer, Reba McEntire is proving what folly it is to age out country stars. This isn’t a Reba McEntire resurgence. She’s always been this great, and there was no reason for country music to ignore her for a decade. It’s always more meaningful when you see an artist perform with decades of mastery behind them.
9:44 – The ACM Award for Male Vocalist of the Year goes to Chris Stapleton.
9:40 – Was so geeked up to celebrate another Sam Hunt loss, and then that bullshit. And then he’s not even fucking there to accept it. What is Sam Hunt doing on a Sunday night, updating the iMac for his DJ station? What a chode.
9:37 – Lauren Alaina did okay with her 45 seconds I guess. Better than trying to sing with Kane Brown’s creep ass in her face.
9:34 – The ACM Award for Single of the Year goes to “Body Like a Backroad” for Sam Hunt. Fuck.
9:33 – Would have been cool if either the Luke Bryan or Carrie Underwood performance would have featured survivors and First Responders to the Vegas massacre. Perfect moment for it. Right now, the CMAs did it so much better. That still might be coming though.
9:31 – I’m no Luke Bryan fan, and we all know this. But take this in, and then after the show go watch his performance of “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” from the 2011 CMA Awards and tell me we aren’t seeing a sea change in mainstream country music. Boring maybe, but much better. Same goes for Blake Shelton and his past performances of “Boys ‘Round Here” and other garbage.
9:29 – I’m pretty sure Reba McEntire just made a racy butt joke. I respect her pluck.
9:27 – Still got a Reba performance coming, and what if Chris Stapleton wins Entertainer of the Year the same night Morgane gives birth to twins?
9:24 – Miranda Lambert now has one more ACM Award than anyone in history … can’t crack Top 20 on radio.
9:20 – Thomas Rhett is a haircut with a microphone.
9:18 – The Thomas Rhett performance is a good time to repost this important ACM quote:
“They should drop all the formulaic cannon fodder bullshit they’ve been pumping down rural America’s throats for 30 years along with the high school pagentry meat parade award show bullshit & start dedicating their programs to actual country music.” –Sturgill Simpson
9:17 – The ACM Award for Female Vocalist of the Year goes to Miranda Lambert.
…and water is wet.
9:15 – Does anyone think that guy from Florida Georgia Line who fake sings looks like a flunking Jedi in his man bun?
9:13 – Vegas is the perfect place for Darius Rucker to be performing. The ACMs should leave his ass off the plane back to Nashville to residency in the smokers lounge of the Bellagio.
9:12 – House cleaning: Midland did fine. Ultimately, it’s about the music, and they’re is much better than most in the mainstream.
9:09 – Not to harp on Carrie Undewrwood’s face because it’s a pretty stupid, People Magazine topic. But it is interesting that you didn’t see Carrie Underwood until they “revealed” her face. Ratings ploy. I guess maybe some nerve damage may have made it where her smile is very very slightly different. But who gives a shit?
9:06 – Looks like the server issues have been wrinkled out folks, thanks for hanging around. Dan + Shay sucks!
9:04 – The ACM Vocal Event of the Year goes to Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood for some garbage song.
9:02 – Sam Elliot’s mustache is more manly than all the other men who has performed tonight combined except for Alan Jackson.
9:01 – … pop as it may be.
9:00 – And those gams. Sorry, she’s a badass. Generational voice.
8:58 – All the dumb talk about Carrie Underwood’s face post her fall and hospitalization, I can’t tell a difference.
8:57 – I appreciate some folks think Carrie Underwood’s voice is “emotionless” or don’t care for this song. But think about all the other awful performances we’ve experienced tonight, and appreciate the talent on display here.
8:50 – Sever might be struggling a bit folks. Hang tight. Drunk Toby Keith set the internet ablaze.
8:48 – For once in my life, I felt bad for Blake Shelton.
8:47 – Toby Keith is going from this performance straight to the Betty Ford Clinic across town. Or should.
8:46 – No way Toby Keith is in a position to legally operate a motor vehicle at the moment.
8:44 – Great singing, horrible everything else. Little Big Town should have spent less time dressing like Ziggy Stardust, and doing an okay song justice.
8:42 – Maybe if they want “Rocket Man” Kim Jong Un to cough up his nukes, they should pipe this Little Big Town performance into Pyongyang and watch that fat bastard hit his knees. Yikes.
8:40 – The hell?
8:39 – Reba is doing a great job hosting, dropping important notes, delivering solid jokes.
8:37 – Cool note: Miranda Lambert was playing a guitar signed by Loretta Lynn. Perfect for that song.
8:35 – “Keeper of the Flame” is a good song, not great. But Miranda is doing a good job delivering it with passion. Fine performance.
8:33 – Randomly, you know who would make a good duet partner for Miranda Lambert? Even Felker of the Turnpike Troubadours. Just sayin’…
8:32 – Miranda Lambert now has more ACM Awards than anyone in ACM history with her win for Song of the Year, Reba announces.
8:30 – Jason Aldean sings to arenas for a living ladies and gentlemen. Let that sink in.
8:28 – Well one thing’s for sure, there is absolutely no doubt Jason Aldean is singing live. Holy shit.
8:27 – Why is Jason Aldean wearing the smock of a Pakistani errand boy? Who dresses these losers?
8:26 – Give me Bob Wayne’s “Love Songs Suck” over Ballerini’s “I Hate Love Songs.”
“You won’t ever hear me sing a love song
‘Cuz love songs suck.
You won’t ever hear me sing about blue skies or brown eyes,
…unless I’m real fucked up.”
8:26 – Who are these marionette looking dumbasses in suspenders?
8:26 – I can really connect with this Kelsea Ballerini song. She hates love songs, and I hate interloping pop stars parading as country artists using their daddy’s deep connections in country radio to hopscotch the field of actual country women.
8:25 – Kelsea Ballerini’s much more entertaining live when there’s a random Jonas Brother fucking up the guitar solo.
8:24 – It would be a huge shame if Kelsea Ballerini fell and landed on her voice.
8:23 – Almost halfway through folks, we can do this!
8:19 – LOL, comment from Not Kenny Rodgers on Twitter, “Chris Stapleton’s wife just gave birth to twins and they can already name more Merle Haggard songs than Florida Georgia Line.”
8:17 – Some guy that looks like the character on a Lucky Charms cereal box just walked away with ACM hardware. Excuse me as I go downtown and flip a police car.
8:16 – Old Dominion just won a fucking ACM Award.
8:15 – The ACM Award for Vocal Group of the Year goes to some band that doesn’t deserve it.
8:13 – This Keith Urban song truly offends me. Turned an iconic guitar riff, and made it sound like a drowning cat being electrocuted. Get out of my hemisphere, Keith!
8:11 – LOL, Reba McEntire introducing Keith Urban, “He can definitely rock a frosted tip.”
Good one.
8:10 – REAL email from a Kane Brown fan I got who for some reason thought I was Kane Brown.
8:09 – Thanks to everyone piping up in the comments section. Reading when I can.
8:07 – Apparently Blake Shelton’s Takamine guitar is made in JAPAN, not Korea. My apologies to the Korean people for associating you in any way with Blake Shelton.
8:05 – Kane Brown just illustrated every dad’s worst nightmare on primetime television.
8:03 – What the fuck is up with the creep fest from Kane? Yikes! Be looking for the #metoo from Lauren Alaina in the next few days.
8:02- LOL, where the band in this “performance”? Behind that big ass rock?
8:01 – Kane Brown has a decent voice. Not sure why he insists on wasting it on garbage.
8:00 – I ask “What If” every time I see Kane Brown. Like what if his management hadn’t shoveled payola to streaming services at the start of his career. Right now he’d probably be writing up 2-year cellular service contracts in a mall kiosk.
7:58 – This Blake Shelton song is definitely list-tastic, but folks are just going to have to deal with the fact that his recent album “Texoma Shore” is decent, and so is this song. Nothing wrong here.
7:57 – Of course Gwen Stefani gets a big dollop of face time.
7:55 – Nobody can make a Korean guitar sing like Blake Shelton.
7:50 – Dierks is definitely getting laid tonight. Guess that’s one positive to come out of that mild song.
7:49 – Dierks Bentley’s got more drummers than women on mainstream country radio.
7:48 – Shit I didn’t know The Lumineers were playing tonight. #dierksgonegranola
7:47 – No way that tall, dorky one in Lady Antebellum is singing those high notes live.
7:46 – I think they just showed Kimberly Perry from The Band Perry. First sighting in like two years. How the mighty fall.
7:44 – Why are the guys from Lady Antebellum dressed like they’re cleaning out the basement?
7:43 – …AND Chris Stapleton just had twin boys. Good reason not to be here.
7:42 – The ACM for Album of the Year goes to Chris Stapleton, “From A Room: Vol.1”
7:40 – Fucking Sugarland is back together, and Oasis is still broke up.
7:39 – Not a huge fan of “Chattahoochee.” It was probably one of Jackson’s most lame songs, but this is super cool. Torched being passed from Jackson to Pardi. Better know what to do with it Jon!
7:38 – “There’s not really much at all that’s real country music anymore on the mainstream country charts—what is nominated for awards. I don’t expect radio at all to sound like Hank Williams, but there oughta be room for all of it … Because there’s fans for it.” -Alan Jackson
7:37 – Jon Pardi – That’s what a COUNTRY singer looks like.
7:34 – Looks like Alan Jackson might be coming up.
7:31 – That was Brett Young I guess. Meh. Next.
7:30 – Who is this generic pop guy singing right now screwing up my buzz that Jack freaking Ingram was just on the ACM stage?
7:29 – JACK FREAKING INGRAM is speaking on the ACM Awards stage! Big win.
7:27 – The ACM for Song of the Year goes to “Tin Man” by Miranda Lambert! Songwriters Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall
7:26 – Glad Merle Haggard died before he had to see a man bun on the ACM Awards stage.
7:24 –
7:24 – Ah here comes Florida Georgia Line. Good time to take a piss.
7:19 – Oh shit, Florida Georgia Line coming up.
7:18 – At least Chris Young can sing. Maren left so much to be desired.
7:17 – Chris Young needs to spend less time singing formulaic songs about losing sleep, and get to the gym and try to lose that Michelin around his waist.
7:16 – Hey, Reba, you stole my joke! 🙂
7:14 – Maren Morris proving why Auto-Tune is not always a bad thing. Very breathy here.
7:13 – They’re also using Big Kenny’s top hat backstage as a portable toilet.
7:13 – ACMs going green by recycling stage props from the last Big & Rich tour behind Maren.
Incandescents are hard to get these days.
7:12 – Oh look, Maren Morris takes time from showing us all how fucking fabulous her life is on Instragram and repping sports bras for Calvin Klein and Nike to entertain us lowly proles.
7:11 – Wow, Kenny Chesney is so talented, he doesn’t even have to play his guitar for you to hear it. This guy!
7:10 – What we need in the world is more love … and more aluminum-bottomed Trackers loaned at 19% interest floating in our local Corps of Engineers reservoirs.
7:09 – Leave it to Kenny Chesney to equate world peace to purchasing personal watercrafts.
7:09 – Hard to hate on Reba.
7:07 – Oh shit, Chris Stapleton is not even there. Gonna make for some awkward trophy handouts. Hopefully Dave Cobb is in the house and gets some face time.
7:05 – Reba welcomed everyone to the “ACM Award”. I guess that’s because they might as well just give everything as one award to Chris Stapleton now.
7:04 – Reba: “I guess they figured out it only takes one woman to do the job of two men.” 🙂
7:03- I can’t tell you how happy I am Reba is hosting. Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley had NOTHING.
7:01 – Instead of opening with a song, it starts with Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, and Thomas Rhett remembering the Route 91 Harvest tragedy in words.
7:00 – Here we go!
6:59 – Also, during any tributes and stuff (especially at the start), let’s all try to keep the snark to a minimum. There will be ample opportunity to get our licks in.
6:57 – Okay folks, with these live things, there’s always a chance the server completely crashes with the extreme traffic load the site receives. A much as we try to plan against this, it’s always a possibility. If the site becomes unresponsive, it’ll come back. Just be patient.
6:54 – Not some huge Brothers Osborne fan, but it’s ridiculous that they made Vocal Duo of the Year an non-televised award this year, along with giving them Video of the Year before the telecast. If it was Florida Georgia Line winning, you can be rest assured they would be standing up there on the podium during primetime with their bad haircuts and designer ripped jeans.
6:52 – Some Awards have already been handed out:
- New Male Vocalist of the Year – Brett Young
- New Female Vocalist of the Year – Lauren Alaina
- New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year – Midland
- Video of the Year – Brothers Osborne for “It Ain’t My Fault”
- Vocal Duo of the Year – Brothers Osborne
- Songwriter of the Year – Rhett Akins
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 6:26 pm
I doubt this blonde pop tart ever read Shakespeare.
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 6:27 pm
She hates love songs but her next single will be a love song.
Book it, Daniel.
Trigger
April 15, 2018 @ 9:00 pm
LOL
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 6:29 pm
Kelsea Ballerini thinks Macbeth is the name of a clothing line and Othello is a perfume.
Adrian
April 15, 2018 @ 10:19 pm
No surprise here. She’s made a career out of trying to imitate a pop singer who apparently didn’t know that both of the protagonists in Romeo and Juliet died.
hoptowntiger94
April 15, 2018 @ 6:30 pm
Smart move putting Aldean after Ballerini… he sounds like fucking George Strait!
The Dot
April 15, 2018 @ 6:31 pm
I’m assuming Aldean’s live shows are better than that dreck? Did he even move?
KathyP
April 15, 2018 @ 6:34 pm
Aldean sings through his nose. I remember when he first emerged. Some I knew thought he was a real bad ass, a new ‘outlaw.’ Never did get him.
Donald Campbell
April 15, 2018 @ 7:54 pm
He’s good live, always struggles on the Award Shows for some reason.
albert
April 15, 2018 @ 10:21 pm
I’ve never seen Aldean when he wasn’t singing in a key that wasn’t right for his ” voice ” . He’s just not a good vocalist , Neither is Rhett or so many others byt it sure doesn’t seem to matter WHATSOEVER .
Gena R.
April 15, 2018 @ 6:31 pm
First Kelsea Ballerini, then Jason Aldean. :p And here’s where I switch over to ‘Last Man on Earth’…
Anthony
April 15, 2018 @ 6:32 pm
I have a hunch that You Make It Easy is not only getting nominated, but might take Song Of The Year next time….Could be 100% off base, but we’ll see.
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 6:32 pm
My thoughts on Rhett Atkins winning the Songwriter of the Year, “That ain’t my Songwriter.”
Fuzzy TwoShirts
April 15, 2018 @ 6:33 pm
Jason Aldean sounds like garbage. and if it looks like a bunny, and smells like a bunny…
seak05
April 15, 2018 @ 6:34 pm
I like this song……..I don’t like this performance.
Kevin Davis
April 15, 2018 @ 6:35 pm
Amazingly, the first pedal steel guitar solo was in Jason Aldean’s set. There was even a camera shot on it! That’s a sign of where we are now in mainstream country music. It took an hour and a half for any noticeable pedal steel guitar.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
April 15, 2018 @ 6:35 pm
Miranda Lambert is quite possibly the most ovverated person who ever lived
Adrian
April 15, 2018 @ 10:25 pm
Yes I think the number of awards she has received is overkill. But she has shown more boldness and creativity than other mainstream female country artists over the past 10 years. Her winning so many awards has been made easier by the reality that the number of major commercial female artists in mainstream country is very small.
J
April 15, 2018 @ 6:35 pm
Love that Miranda’s guitar has a message and signature from Loretta Lynn
seak05
April 15, 2018 @ 6:36 pm
Hahahahahahahaha, that Evan comment……ummmm well you might be getting your wish. Sucks for his ex-wife though
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 6:42 pm
?
seak05
April 15, 2018 @ 6:45 pm
honestly, it’s a total rumor that I thought Trigger was alluding to. His wife just filed for divorce, and their’s a rumor running around in Texas country about him and Miranda dating. All happened right around when Miranda and Anderson broke up too.
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 6:47 pm
Damn. They weren’t married long. Tough to hear.
Well, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear Felker write some killer heartbreak songs.
Thanks for the information.
Brandon Pierce
April 15, 2018 @ 6:37 pm
Blake Shelton is about to perform “Should’ve Stayed a Cowboy.”
Golddust
April 15, 2018 @ 6:37 pm
I loved seeing that.
Golddust
April 15, 2018 @ 6:39 pm
“That” being the steel guitar. I actually said, “Yes!” out loud!
FunctionallyIlliterate
April 15, 2018 @ 6:39 pm
Trigger i wan u 2 li v blag mah wedding cus u r savin cuntry muzak bi savingg us frum w4tchn thes sheet n u r tha bes blogerr ritin Aritcle abuot reel cuntry on teh daly.
1 luve
-kane
Fuzzy TwoShirts
April 15, 2018 @ 6:40 pm
such a shame to see Loretta Lynn’s autograph being mistreated that way
hoptowntiger94
April 15, 2018 @ 6:40 pm
Except Felker can’t sing live. My phone was blowing up with awful clips from Memphis last night.
Rachel Robinson
April 15, 2018 @ 7:29 pm
I saw him the previous night in Tuscaloosa and his singing was great.
TxMusic
April 15, 2018 @ 9:02 pm
I don’t think Trigger meant that kind of duet but then again they’ve already been screwing for months now so maybe he does. It’s been a long night.
Gina
April 15, 2018 @ 6:41 pm
So I’m loving the commentary and the comments.
I’m gonna watch later which will make it better. Congrats to Chris for the wins and the twins.
The Dot
April 15, 2018 @ 6:42 pm
Oh good, Little Big Town shopped in the dark in the costume section again.
albert
April 15, 2018 @ 10:23 pm
hahahahahahahahah
BN
April 15, 2018 @ 6:42 pm
Loved having Jason and Miranda back to back. Two of the most country sounding voices right now. “Drowns the Whiskey” is one to look forward to if it gets releasd to radio.
Jim L.
April 15, 2018 @ 6:43 pm
Little Big Town… country music’s version of ABBA.
NPC
April 15, 2018 @ 6:44 pm
Kane Brown: “Watch me deprecate the meaning of country music at this awards show!”
Little Big Town: “Hold our caramel macchiatos.”
John Q. Country
April 15, 2018 @ 6:44 pm
Thanks for destroying that classic rock song for me forever.
Jared S.
April 15, 2018 @ 6:45 pm
Man, that felt like it took a “long long time”
Top gun
April 15, 2018 @ 6:45 pm
Who thinks it’s a good idea to sign a 40 year old song by a gay dude! Come on man we care less about a rocketman
Mwalk
April 15, 2018 @ 6:45 pm
They chose the wost cover of the Elton John tribute. Shoulda been Lee Ann Womack’s Honky Cat or Kacey’s version of Roy rogers
James Ewell Brown
April 15, 2018 @ 11:26 pm
Honky Cat yes, but Kacey “reimagined” death of a salesman as a potato when she
dicked up Roy Rogers. All of the resignation and hopefulness in that tune comes from
the big music behind a subtle vocal – at times nearing narration. Swap those and it’s
just lost the whole feel of falling through the tiny recliner into the vast West. We get it,
girl, you can sing as big as that head of yours. Sometimes more is way too much.
Fan or not, one doesn’t have to look hard to hear old captain fantastic and the brown dirt cowboy captured some pretty hearty Americana concepts – and it’s so sad she got the easiest assignment and turned in the worst homework.
KathyP
April 15, 2018 @ 6:45 pm
Why was Little Big Time singing Rocket Man? Oh, hell, who cares.
Trigger
April 15, 2018 @ 9:03 pm
There was a tribute album to Elton John, and they were on it.
Brandon Pierce
April 15, 2018 @ 6:45 pm
I think it’s gonna be a long long night
Trigger
April 15, 2018 @ 9:03 pm
Good one.
Jared A. Chambers
April 15, 2018 @ 6:47 pm
Not only was William Shatner’s cover of Rocket Man better than LBT, Stewie from Family Guy doing William Shatner doing Rocket Man was better.
Sam
April 15, 2018 @ 6:47 pm
As usual Miranda is the best performance of the night.
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 6:47 pm
This song is still played regularly on radio stations near me. It is a classic.
KathyP
April 15, 2018 @ 6:48 pm
Even Toby Keith only needs 1 drummer.
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 6:48 pm
How many people in that building do you think know who Gene and Roy are?
Less than 15.
The Dot
April 15, 2018 @ 6:51 pm
Midland looks better with my glasses off. And sounds better on mute.
Jared A. Chambers
April 15, 2018 @ 6:52 pm
“Drinking Problem” after Toby Keith is appropriate.
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 6:53 pm
So an Elton John song gets the full treatment but Midland only receives one verse?
Brilliant.
Joe
April 15, 2018 @ 6:53 pm
Musically, Should’ve Been a Cowboy is my performance of the night. Great blend of the horns and guitars (including some steel). That sound (and that of Midland had theirs actually been live) is what is missing in most of today’s country.
albert
April 15, 2018 @ 10:25 pm
yup…..and yup , joe ..
BringBackCountry
April 15, 2018 @ 6:54 pm
Who were the rhinestone Three Amigos?
NPC
April 15, 2018 @ 7:03 pm
So glad I wasn’t the only one that felt thrown into a bad 2018 reboot of Three Amigos!
BringBackCountry
April 15, 2018 @ 7:08 pm
Lol!
Jim L.
April 15, 2018 @ 6:54 pm
Am I the only one missing the +1 buttons on these comments?
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 6:56 pm
Nope.
Joe
April 15, 2018 @ 7:08 pm
I believe removing them is something Trigger does to lighten the server load during these big events. I do miss them though.
Anne
April 15, 2018 @ 7:21 pm
Just do what I do, come back tomorrow when all the comments are in and like them then.
Trigger
April 15, 2018 @ 9:05 pm
Yes, we initially removed the “like” button because it can be problematic during massive traffic spikes. It is back now. And all previous “likes” are archived, btw.
Stephanie
April 15, 2018 @ 6:55 pm
I usually like to watch the audience make asses of themselves trying to sing along with the older country songs. That one didn’t go too badly. Maybe because it’s not very old. Remember when Brothers Osborne did Tulsa Time Though? It was cringeworthy and hilarious.
BringBackCountry
April 15, 2018 @ 7:03 pm
Yeah I love it when they So clearly DONT know the words
Anthony
April 15, 2018 @ 6:57 pm
Toby did look hammered. It sounded exactly like he said Kane Brown songs in that 2nd chorus lmao
Jacob Hatcher
April 15, 2018 @ 6:58 pm
Did I hear Toby Keith sing, “sing a few Kane Brown songs” instead of “campfire”?
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 6:59 pm
I thought it was Junior Brown.
Farmer
April 15, 2018 @ 7:03 pm
He said Junior Brown.
hoptowntiger94
April 15, 2018 @ 10:23 pm
I doubt he knows who Junior Brown is … I’ve never heard him cover Highway Patrol or Hot Rod Lincoln.
BringBackCountry
April 15, 2018 @ 6:59 pm
does Carrie Underwood’s voice make anyone’s ears hurt
Ulysses McCaskill
April 16, 2018 @ 12:09 am
Don’t think anyone’s watching her for her voice if ya get my drift
Thomas Smith
April 15, 2018 @ 7:00 pm
Swear to go Toby said “singing those kane brown songs” in the last chorus and then fist bumped Blake Shelton after!
FarmHer
April 15, 2018 @ 7:07 pm
He said Junior Brown.
hoptowntiger94
April 15, 2018 @ 7:16 pm
I hope so!
KathyP
April 15, 2018 @ 7:01 pm
Some entertainment gossip site readers believe she may have experienced some domestic violence. I wonder, Cry Pretty.
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 7:04 pm
Maybe this song and “Church Bells” are a cry for help?
More likely, those gossip sites are trash.
seak05
April 15, 2018 @ 7:01 pm
People to often equate emotion to missing notes. Carrie isn’t emotionless, she just has an amazing voicde
albert
April 15, 2018 @ 10:30 pm
the woman did an incredible job on selling ( the lyrically lacking ) Cry Pretty in this performance …she sang like it was the last chance she’d ever have to sing ….
Not a fan (because of her song choices )…..but the woman’s voice is incomparable , if often over-the-top …….
Gena R.
April 15, 2018 @ 7:04 pm
Missed Miranda, but at least I caught the tail end of Carrie’s performance. 🙂
John Q. Country
April 15, 2018 @ 7:05 pm
“Vocal Event of the Year”? Are they just making up awards now?
hoptowntiger94
April 15, 2018 @ 7:08 pm
What? They’ve been giving out that awards since Dolly & Porter and Conway & Loretta and Jones & Wynette….
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 7:06 pm
Dan + Shay are still a thing?
Damn.
BringBackCountry
April 15, 2018 @ 7:15 pm
Yep still lurking about …damn it
J
April 15, 2018 @ 7:06 pm
Why is Cam randomly in the crowd for this Dan + Shay song??
Trigger
April 15, 2018 @ 9:06 pm
Basically country women have to photobomb to get face time these days.
Mwalk
April 15, 2018 @ 7:06 pm
Was I the only one hoping that Carrie Underwood doing Cry p
Mwalk
April 15, 2018 @ 7:17 pm
Was hoping Cry pretty was a Jason Eady cover
Kevin Davis
April 15, 2018 @ 7:07 pm
Ha, it’s appropriate that Carrie wins for her pop collaboration with Keith Urban and Busbee after her completely pop performance of “Cry Pretty.” Talented? Yes. Country? No. Not even pop country.
Maybe we need some SCM articles on Carrie being part of the problem in country music.
Brandon Pierce
April 15, 2018 @ 7:10 pm
Agreed. Carrie hasn’t been the least bit country for a decade.
Stephanie
April 15, 2018 @ 7:09 pm
I’m surely not well educated on the matter, but I hear all the time what an amazing singer Carrie is, and, no snark, I honestly don’t get it.
She has powerful lungs, but it just always sounds like yelling to me. I don’t hear singing the vast majority of the time.
Jim L.
April 15, 2018 @ 7:13 pm
Take a listen to her singing “I Told You So” with Randy Travis.
Adrian
April 15, 2018 @ 10:31 pm
“I Told You So” was one of her better ones. She is good with the Christian songs and the ballads, not so good with the up tempo and pop stuff. Unfortunately she has released many songs that do not play to her strengths.
BringBackCountry
April 15, 2018 @ 7:20 pm
Damn you’ve made two detailed comments tonight that came right out of my mind before I could write them!
Gina
April 15, 2018 @ 11:27 pm
I don’t get it either. She is so bland.
Martha
April 15, 2018 @ 7:09 pm
OMG!!!! Sam Elliott. Be still my heart 😍
KathyP
April 15, 2018 @ 7:25 pm
I don’t care what People magazine says, Sam Elliott IS the sexiest man alive and has been for years.
Strait Country 81
April 15, 2018 @ 7:10 pm
Anyone know any spells that will make Carrie fall for me?
BringBackCountry
April 15, 2018 @ 7:18 pm
No that “fall” in November was one too many
The Dot
April 15, 2018 @ 7:12 pm
I’d listen to Carrie sing her heart out over any of the fake “country” singers tonight. Looking at you Maran, Kelsie, Bebe.
Calhoosier
April 15, 2018 @ 7:14 pm
He’ll always be Hootie.
Jack Williams
April 16, 2018 @ 5:50 am
Yep. And like any joke with the planet Uranus in it, it will always be funny. Sorry, dude. If your call your band Hootie and the Blowfish, the front man will always be Hootie. It’s your own damn fault.
Ralph
April 15, 2018 @ 7:16 pm
I didn’t know Kitty Wells was nominated. That’s kind, considering she passed several years ago.
KathyP
April 15, 2018 @ 7:17 pm
1. Who is Lindsey Vonn’s stylist. Should be shot.
2. Why is Lindsey Vonn on the ACMs?
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 7:17 pm
Hopefully, Vonn doesn’t wipeout!
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 7:18 pm
Trigger stole my FGL Jedi joke!!
LOL
Fuzzy TwoShirts
April 15, 2018 @ 7:20 pm
and here we go again with the heaping fake awards on Miranda Lambert. most overrated performer ever
Strait Country 81
April 15, 2018 @ 7:26 pm
Tim McGraw,Garth,Taylor Swift,Kenny Rogers,Shania,Kenny Chesney
Jimmy
April 15, 2018 @ 7:33 pm
Stapleton isn’t too far behind when it comes to being overrated.
James O
April 15, 2018 @ 9:39 pm
Wrong!
Jack Williams
April 16, 2018 @ 5:53 am
Isbell too, right? Especially Vampires.
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 7:43 pm
It is Shania Twain.
NPC
April 15, 2018 @ 7:20 pm
The only thing that would make Thomas Rhett palatable would be if his eyebrows and Sam Waterson’s eyebrows got in a deathmatch with a male grooming kit.
MJC3
April 15, 2018 @ 7:21 pm
A dobro? All may not be lost!
Strait Country 81
April 15, 2018 @ 7:21 pm
So not even gonna give Singletary a passing mention?
Joe
April 15, 2018 @ 7:33 pm
Or Troy Gentry or Don Williams or Glen Campbell. Yet again the CMAs run circles around the ACMs.
Trigger
April 15, 2018 @ 9:08 pm
Lame to not have an In Memoriam tribute at all.
The Dot
April 15, 2018 @ 7:22 pm
I’m going to hell for this but Thomas Rhett reminds me of a chimpanze with a guitar. No offense to primates with talent.
seak05
April 15, 2018 @ 7:23 pm
I want to be happy for Miranda, but it doesn’t feel real anymore
Gena R.
April 15, 2018 @ 7:27 pm
Nope. :\ I think Carrie winning would’ve been a nice surprise…
Trigger
April 15, 2018 @ 7:43 pm
It will be Carrie’s year next year. We all know this.
White Cleats
April 15, 2018 @ 9:59 pm
Nah. That was the prevailing wisdom leading up to the Blown Away era and then the Storyteller era. It doesn’t matter if Miranda is in between albums or not because sister is always in the WME and Live Nation era. Block voting determines 95% of the winners at these awards shows — and these awards shows are nothing but promotional porn for the labels.
Joel
April 15, 2018 @ 7:26 pm
After enduring this “country” show I can only be thankful that all of this garbage can be shut out, and one can reside in the alternate universe populated by the likes of Trigger, Cody Jinks, and the Don Kelley Band. And listening is really, really good!
Brandon Pierce
April 15, 2018 @ 7:26 pm
Miranda just wins by default anymore as there is literally no one else in country music.
albert
April 15, 2018 @ 10:39 pm
that is a GREAT point brandon …MIRANDA SINGS COUNTRY ….the other female vocalists ( as good as they may be ) DO NOT SING COUNTRY ! I’m a huge fan of Maren …even Reba ….but Miranda is at least trying to stay true to the genre .
Brandon Pierce
April 15, 2018 @ 7:27 pm
When it comes to women anyway
James O
April 15, 2018 @ 9:40 pm
Well it’s cuz Miranda’s the best
Thomas Augeri
April 15, 2018 @ 7:28 pm
Marry Me is still an exceptionally written song. You may not like him as a singer or an artist, but he can definitely write some good songs.
albert
April 15, 2018 @ 10:41 pm
agreed thomas ….not a bad narrative as songs go ….but man …that guy is NOT a singer …….he sang sharp all through that performance and has NO character whatsoever in his vocal
bamstrait
April 15, 2018 @ 7:29 pm
So Miranda has the most win in ACM history, yet she is nothing special. Speaks volumes about the state of country music for the last 10 years.
Biscuit
April 15, 2018 @ 7:30 pm
Yawn.
That guy
April 15, 2018 @ 7:32 pm
Reba is a class act!! Gotta love her!!
albert
April 15, 2018 @ 10:44 pm
THE BEST CHOICE for a host(ess ) …she is relaxed , filled with ” country charm” …knows everyone on the show , it seems , looks like she loves the job ….and c’mon …the woman sure takes care of herself …she looks terrific……
Joe
April 15, 2018 @ 7:34 pm
Dustin Lynch: Bad singer, worse at reading a teleprompter.
seak05
April 15, 2018 @ 7:36 pm
It deserved it, goes and bangs my head into a wall
NPC
April 15, 2018 @ 7:37 pm
Sam Hunt is too busy polishing the helmets of deadmau5, Marshmello, and Daft Punk to accept his award.
BringBackCountry
April 15, 2018 @ 7:37 pm
Somebody tell me I just didn’t see what I thought I just saw…Single record of year
Pelvis Elvis
April 15, 2018 @ 7:37 pm
My bro Sam got Single Record of the Year. Suck on that Shitpileton.
Sam’s the new king of country music.
BringBackCountry
April 15, 2018 @ 7:46 pm
Lmao…or should I say, would be funny were it not sad but true
Pelvis Elvis
April 15, 2018 @ 7:49 pm
Get used to it. We are taking this bitch over. Step aside gramps.
Joe
April 15, 2018 @ 7:37 pm
So since Sam Hunt skipped out on his ACM acceptance speech, can we fill that time with a 2nd Alan Jackson song?
Golddust
April 15, 2018 @ 7:38 pm
Time for ACM to take “country” out of their name. “Body like a Backroad”? Seriously? Since Sam Hunt isn’t there, maybe he realizes that he really doesn’t belong after all. Ugh!
albert
April 15, 2018 @ 10:48 pm
disgraceful to award THAT song and that ‘ artist ‘….
Biscuit
April 15, 2018 @ 7:38 pm
Nancy O’Dell appearing and Sam Hunt disappearing at the same time just became the highlight of this show.
Brandon Pierce
April 15, 2018 @ 7:39 pm
I really can’t take this anymore. I’m out!
Anthony
April 15, 2018 @ 7:39 pm
Look at that. And I was just getting ready to say that if only Sam Hunt had Borchetta doing his bidding he wouldn’t get shafted out of Single Record again ha
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 7:41 pm
Who was that blonde chick that sang? I missed her name. Was listening to some Turnpike.
James Ewell Brown
April 15, 2018 @ 10:34 pm
Urban something.
Cute, a little short for me, and I dunno about the chest tat.
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 7:42 pm
That Progressive commerical had more country music than this country music award show.
Kevin Davis
April 15, 2018 @ 7:43 pm
Damn it, Keith Urban and Sam Hunt have each won awards tonight. All I wanted was for them to lose and not gain any more legitimacy. Oh well. The ACM’s are always worse than the CMA’s.
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 7:45 pm
Speak for yourself D-List celebrity. They aren’t my favorite. #NotmyFavorites
Joe
April 15, 2018 @ 7:46 pm
Run down only list the Reba throwback performance, Entertainer of the Year award, and Chris Janson performing. Could there be a surprise performance in there considering they still have 16 minutes?
Also, has Chris Janson ever performed on the ACMs/CMAs or will this be a first for him?
CountryKnight
April 15, 2018 @ 7:47 pm
Final? There were only three. The way Clarkson said final made it seem like the whole night was filled with flashback songs.
That guy
April 15, 2018 @ 7:49 pm
Reba and Kelly! Now were talking!!
BringBackCountry
April 15, 2018 @ 7:50 pm
Annnnndddd.. Reba takes them all to school….
Awesome!
NPC
April 15, 2018 @ 7:51 pm
Would it have been such a problem to get Linda Davis back to sing it with Reba? None of the other songs from 1993 honored tonight were actually duets, and Linda Davis is still on tour sounding fantastic!
J
April 15, 2018 @ 7:53 pm
They could’ve at least mentioned Linda if they weren’t gonna let her perform with Reba. Seems a bit harsh to just act like she doesn’t exist haha
hoptowntiger94
April 15, 2018 @ 8:15 pm
The Fancy dress aged better than Davis
musicfan
April 15, 2018 @ 8:59 pm
Maybe she was babysitting? Hilary Scott is her daughter.
albert
April 15, 2018 @ 10:53 pm
I think you have to be a daughter-in-law to sing with Reba……
but yeah ….good point …
Matt
April 15, 2018 @ 7:51 pm
Kelly Clarkson did fine, but would have been great to have Hillary Scott do that duet with Reba.
Gena R.
April 15, 2018 @ 8:03 pm
That’s what I thought, too, though I also agree with J above — even if Linda Davis herself couldn’t be there (for whatever reason), there should’ve been at least some mention of her. :\
hoptowntiger94
April 15, 2018 @ 8:14 pm
It’s a very weird song to sing with your daughter-in-law.
JB-Chicago
April 15, 2018 @ 9:04 pm
Took the thought right out of my head as I watching it. WTF?? Just fuckin creepy!
KathyP
April 15, 2018 @ 7:51 pm
Reba, Kelly. One for the ages, Does He Love You. WOW
NPC
April 15, 2018 @ 7:56 pm
WHAT THE HECK. SERIOUSLY.
KathyP
April 15, 2018 @ 7:57 pm
Entertainer of the year has all the personality of a wet rag, Jason Aldean.