Saving Country Music’s Official 2014 ACM Awards LIVE Blog
Dearly beloved, welcome to the gathering of old souls and independent-minded country fans on the occasion of the ACM Awards to collectively commiserate and contemplate what the hell has happened to our fair genre known as country music as the pomp and circumstance of the ACM Awards transpire right before our shocked and disgruntled eyes. Be forewarned that all sense of decorum and courtesy will be tossed aside at moments in lieu of admittedly immature and reactionary snark delivered with little or no governor. This is a night to get small and speak our minds, while at the same time being willing to give credit to any glimmers of true talent or hope.
So get your refresh fingers ready, and feel free to chime in yourself below in the comments.
SCM’s 49th Annual ACM Awards Complete Preview
Recap of 49th ACM Awards Televised Winners:
- Entertainer of the Year – George Strait
- Album of the Year – Kacey Musgraves
- Male Vocalist of the Year – Jason Aldean
- Female Vocalist of the Year – Miranda Lambert
- New Artist of the Year – Justin Moore
- Single of the Year – “Mama’s Broken Heart” – Miranda Lambert & Songwriters
- Song of the Year – “I Drive Your Truck” – Lee Brice & Songwriters
- Vocal Duo of the Year – Florida Georgia Line
- Vocal Group of the Year – The Band Perry
– – – – – – – – – – – –
10:15 – So my general, knee jerk reaction is that overall this was a pretty good night in the fight to save country music. Yes, there were some terrible, TERRIBLE performances by Florida Georgia Line, The Band Perry, and others, and there were some awards given out to unworthy recipients. But overall, when it came to the two big awards, Album of the Year and Entertainer of the Year, it went to the two candidates that touch on the preservation of traditional sound in country music, AND to pushing the genre forward with substantive and artistic merit. AND the Album of the Year going to Kacey Musgraves also helps with the positively awful showing of women right now when it comes to getting a fair shake on radio, or even from performance lineups of shows like this. Hey, Kacey Musgraves wasn’t even scheduled to perform or present an award, yet she walked away with one of the top prizes.
Yes, George Strait received a lot of fan and industry votes based on the fact that he’s quitting touring. But it’s a big win nonetheless, and can’t be overlooked.
The theme for the last half of 2013 seemed to be a sense of renewed hope for country music from many different occurrences, including George Straits Entertainer of the Year win from the CMA’s in November. The first half of 2014 however has been filled with some of the worst backsliding imaginable from country music’s top male performers. But tonight in many respects was a retrenching of the positivity. I understand some people might not see George Strait or Kacey Musgraves, or even Miranda Lambert’s surprising win for Song of the Year as anything special. But it is a step in the right direction. Things are changing. The good guys are winning. They won tonight, and they won at the Grammys and CMA’s. And there there wasn’t even as many douchebag performances that were used to at these award shows. For a time I thought my snark machine was broken, but in truth there just wasn’t much to laugh at. Taylor Swift won nothing. Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton walk away empty handed.
Radio continues to be a big challenge in the fight to save country music, but when it comes to these stupid award shows, the cream is rising, and generally speaking, the right people are winning. I am going to walk away with this with a much more positive attitude than I thought I was going to. The Justin Moore ineligibility issue is still a big hangup, and we’ll keep fighting that fight. But other important fights were won tonight.
10:01 – I’m gonna take a quick moment to some compose some final thoughts, recap the winners and such, and then we’ll call it a night, but THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by to follow along and participate! Thanks to all the folks leaving comments! All the retweets, favorites, and likes! I ain’t done yet….
9:59 – Arguably the first time a traditional country artist wins ACM Entertainer of the Year in 25 years, since George Strait won it in 1989. You could also start the watch at 13 years ago when Brooks & Dunn won.
9:58 – The ACM for Entertainer of the Year goes to George Strait!!!
9:57 – So LL Cool J is giving away the night’s biggest award? Dumb.
9:53 – Um, Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan just introduced “Sheryl Crow!” and Dierks Bentley walks to the mic. I think this is a Sheryl duet, but still… Yeah, here she comes.
9:51 – I wish I could “Rewind” back to the time before Rascal Flatts were born so I could give their parents prophylactics and avoid this.
9:49 – Haven’t had the time to delve deep enough into the Kacey Musgraves win for Album of the Year, but obviously it was HUGE. Another big win for the good guys. Even if you don’t like Kacey, it’s hard not to see that this was the critical favorite besting the commercial projects.
9:46 – Merle Haggard awarded the ACM Crystal Milestone Award 4 years AFTER Taylor Swift won it in 2009.
9:44 – George Strait sings “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive” and Miranda Lambert sings “Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down” as pictures of Merle set the backdrop. The songs are abbreviated, but we’ll take it.
9:43 – Garth Brooks gives a heartfelt introduction to the ACM’s tribute to Merle Haggard, who is celebrating his 77th birthday.
9:42 – “I just want to say I’m really proud to be a woman representing country music.” –Kacey Musgraves
9:40 – The ACM Award for Album of the Year goes to Kacey Musgraves !!!!
9:36 – Nuff said.
9:35 – I blew my sarcastic wad on hating Hootie doing this song 18 months ago. What’s up with all the rehashed hits on this damn show this year?
9:33 – Miranda Lambert wins the ACM for Female Vocalist of the Year.
9:31 – If Sheryl Crow wins Female Vocalist, I’m going on a paintball vandalism spree. Promise.
9:25 – Yes, child hunger sucks, but so does ConAgra. Give your money to people who need it, not to prop up corporations and their bleeding heart multi-million dollar ad campaigns. Sorry for the soapbox, but that was so transparent.
9:23 – Yeah, yeah, bullies suck. But this songs is mawkish and pandering. Great songs convey their message with subtly and poetry. This song is the type your cheeseball guidance counselor picks for the soundtrack for a school wide assembly.
9:20 – Hunter Hayes is one of those guys that’s so nice you hate his guts.
9:18 – The ACM for Vocal Group of the Year goes to The Band Perry.
9:17 – Once again Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gets face time, announcing that the next ACM Awards will be held at the Death Star–Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX, to celebrate the ACM’s 50th anniversary.
9:10 – Just hearing Bobby Bones speak makes my blood boil. By the way, he already won some radio personality pre-telecast award, despite this being his first year in the business.
9:08 – Holy shit, it’s a Toby Keith sighting! I thought he’d be at home right now rolling naked in a big pile of money.
9:06 – The ACM Award for Male Vocalist of the Year goes to Jason Aldean and for his excellent taste in accessorizing with the chain wallet and woman’s black shawl.
9:05 – All the explosions and aerial tricks were to take away from the fact that Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line together SUCKS ASS!
9:03 – AIDS watch on the elbow on that one Florida Georgia Line guy. Someone page a nurse with rubber gloves. Cleanup at the Mandalay Bay.
9:03 – Before they asked the guys from Nitro Circus to be a part of this performance, they asked members of David Allan Coe’s 1% Motorcycle Gang. They said they’d rather shit knives than even be in the same building with Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line.
9:01 – I spoke too soon…
8:59 – Once again we get an austere, decidedly NOT arena rock performance from an artist that’s known for them in Tim McGraw. We also have heard NO country rap, or country/EDM awfulness so far tonight. McGraw sings in front of a vintage-style mic, and is joined on stage by wife Faith Hill.
8:57 – Um Tim McGraw, you’re a little out-of-tune.
8:53 – For those counting at home, I’m three out of four on my predictions. My miss was for “Single of the Year”. Traditionally that goes to the commercial blockbuster, while Song of the Year is more for the critic’s favorite. The way it turned out, two critically-favorite songs won. Another win for the good guys.
8:50 – The ACM for Song of the Year goes to Lee Brice for “I Drive Your Truck”. Lee lets the songwriters talk. The ACM’s don’t and cut them off.
8:49 – The Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers makes the second appearance by a football personality on the night. There’s still some people in the back rows booing Jerry Jones.
8:46 – I don’t hate Miranda’s “Automatic” at all, but there’s some electronic crap going on here that really takes away from the performance. Sounds like they’ve just got it too high in the mix. I’ve also noticed a few performers fighting through the vocals getting washed out.
8:39 – VERY surprised “Mama’s Broken Heart” won for Single of the Year. I thought “Cruise” would run away with it. It also means that kudos go to songwriters Brandy Clark and Kacey Musgraves. Not a big fan of that song, but that is a big win for the good guys.
8:37 – The ACM for Single of the Year goes to Miranda Lambert for “Mama’s Broken Heart”.
8:35 – Forgettable performance from Jason Aldean, of a forgettable song.
8:32 – I really feel bad for Justin Moore because he probably does deserve an award, and you could tell it really meant something to him. He’s been snubbed like so many other artists because of mainstream country’s myopic perspective on superstar franchises.
8:31 – If you missed it before, here’s a breakdown of why Justin Moore was ineligible for New Artist of the Year: https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/justin-moore-should-be-disqualified-from-acms-new-artist
8:27 – “I was beginning to think there was a height requirement,” says Justin Moore accepting his New Artist of the Year Award. Later he gets very emotional and begins to choke up.
8:26 – The ineligible Justin Moore wins the ACM for New Artist of the Year. Start the drums of war to beating.
8:24 – Seriously, I’d love to hear the Chipmunks version of that song and see Luke Bryan sail into the 14th row.
8:23 – Who’s leg I got to hump to get them to turn up the RPM’s on that record player stage and have Luke Bryan eat it on national television?
8:21 – Did Luke Bryan really just say, “Tryin’ to pour a little sugar in her Dixie cup”?
8:19 – Funny Tweet from Farce the Music : “Next year, Kip Winger will be a best new artist nominee”
8:15 – Interesting Note: Kip Moore is being sued by Mother Goose because “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck” rips off the cadence of “Hole in the Bottom of the Sea” (and targets the same demographic).
8:14 – Seriously, there’s kids starving in Japan, and Keith Urban can afford three drummers to play redundant beats. There was the douchebag arena rock performance we knew the ACMs were good for.
8:12 – Three drummers? Even the surviving members of the Grateful Dead right now are going, “Really?”
8:10 – Interesting note: Keith Urban’s new hairdo has the same exact distinguishing features as the chupacabra.
8:09 – Man, Stevie Nicks is looking amazing, but her face has got to have gone through more overhauls than the Obamacare site.
8:07 – ACM’s: “Hey Stevie Nicks, we’d love for you to perform on our show this year.” Stevie Nicks: “Sure! As long as you don’t pair me up with T-Swizzle. Last time she hit more wrong than a piano falling down a flight of stairs.”
8:06 – Once again we get a subdued, acoustic performance as Lady Antebellum and Stevie Nicks perform in the middle of the crowd on a small stage.
8:03 – The ACM for Vocal Duo of the Year goes to Florida Georgia Line. And water is wet.
8:00 – One hour in, and we get an award. AN AWARD!
7:59 – This Shakira girl doesn’t belong here, but she’s got an excellent voice. I’m a pretty big fan of her mid thigh-high boots and short sided skirt too.
7:57 – One hour, two Blake Shelton performances, including one with Shakira, yet not a one from a female solo performer.
7:50 – Surprisingly, they forgot to announce Justin Moore is completely ineligible for the New Artist of the Year award he’s up for for having two albums selling over 500,000 copies. More: https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/justin-moore-should-be-disqualified-from-acms-new-artist
7:48 – Don’t love “Give Me Back My Hometown” but it’s one of the better ones on “The Outsiders”, and once again we get a fairly subdued performance. The images behind him come from a mini movie made for the album.
7:46 – Eric Church continues the theme of playing more substantive singles, deciding to play “Give Me Back My Hometown,” instead of “The Outsiders” or something else.
7:42 – So they couldn’t give Lee Brice a full performance, even though he’s nominated for Male Vocalist and Song of the Year? NOt a huge fan of that song, but still. C’mon Mike Curb, sacrifice a puppy to Satan or whatever you do wield your power and get your lone remaining superstar a full 2 1/2 minutes.
7:40 – Guy Ferrarri whips my ass. Doesn’t he have a TGI Fridays to open or a hair appointment to keep?
7:38 – Hey, we may be in for a reckoning later, but the first portion of this presentation is filled with heartfelt, subdued, underproduced, and surprisingly substantive performances.
7:37 – George Strait receives a standing ovation from the ACM crowd.
7:36 – Huh, so you can just stand in the center of the stage, and without pyrotechnics or hip hop gesticulations sing your song? King George Strait taking this pop country crowd to school.
7:33 – 33 Platinum records sold and 68 million records for George Strait Martina McBride says introducing him to the stage.
7:29 – By the way folks, DON’T VOTE for the ACM Awards. For once I agree with Kenny Chesney. Here’s why, bookmark and read later: https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/why-the-best-fan-vote-for-the-acms-is-no-vote-at-all
7:27 – Not really sure the point of that last segment. Boring song from Blake, and a 90-second performance from a no name. No awards, no dialogue. Then back to commercials. Guess we gotta appease those advertisers.
7:26 – The only thing worse than Florida Georgia Line is a Florida Georgia Line starter kit. Here’s looking at you Brett Eldredge.
7:23 – Nothing offensive about this Blake Shelton song, but I’m surprised how subdued it is for the first portion of a country awards show. Boring. Never heard of Gwen Sebastian in my life. Oh, okay, she a “The Voice” contestant. Yawn.
7:22 – Is it time for the Merle Haggard tribute yet?
How about now?
7:17 – Something else interesting about this Brad Paisley performance since the music isn’t: It was taped yesterday. I saw pictures of this from The Tennessean yesterday. Weird they would try to pass it off as live.
7:15 – That pool in this Brad Paisley performance is like a Petri dish for venereal disease. In this instance, what happens in Vegas follows you home.
7:12 – Interesting that Florida Georgia Line got relegated to the Mandalay Bay annex instead of the main stage, though they’ll probably perform later with Luke Bryan. This is the most I’ve heard from Brian Kelley (the Doogie Houser-looking one) in the history of FGL.
7:11 – Alright, that opening monologue had a couple moments. Wonder how budding country star Jamie Lynn Spears felt about that dig about her sis?
7:09 – Why yes Luke and Blake, we know they’re country music industry awards doled out not for merit, but from the result of shady backroom deals. The question is though, how did they get up there sideways?
7:07 – Jerry “Darth Vader” Jones gets booed by the ACM crowd. Shouldn’t he be sitting in the draft war room pouring over stats instead of grabbing TV face time?
7:05 – Notice Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan said “Are you ready for some great live music?” But said nothing about COUNTY music? Truth in advertising folks!
7:03 – When did Jackyl get a female singer?
7:02 – Good to see The Band Perry boys putting on a brave face here after the recent news that a a janitorial company is suing them because their hairdos violate one of their mop patents.
6:58 – I’m expecting nothing but a bad performance from The Band Perry starting off. The opening performance is all about saying, “Hey! We’re a country show, but we’re not that type of country. We’re young and cool and rockin’!” Their ACM performance last year was terrible. They were so swept up in their high-energy gesticulations, Kimberly Perry was out of breath, and they clearly played to a pre-recorded track.
6: 54 – As far as I’m concerned, the night hinges on two major awards: Entertainer of the Year, and Album of the Year. Everything else is pretty much preordained. In both categories, the swings could be huge. The front runners for Entertainer of the Year have to be considered George Strait and Luke Bryan, symbolizing the two polar opposites in country music. For Album of the Year, it is anybody’s guess. The field is completely open, but if there were two front runners, it would be Kacey Musgraves, the critical favorite, or Florida Georgia Line, the commercial blockbuster. Whichever wins could really set the flavor of the night, and the direction of country for months, or years to come. Who Wins album of the Year is HUGE.
6:50 – Things I’m looking forward to? Very little, but hopefully the Merle Haggard tribute is cool, and it’s especially cool it’s being held on his birthday. Also, despite being unbelievably tired of “Wagon Wheel,” if it wins it will mean ACMs for Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, and Bob Dylan. Also a Kacey Musgraves win for Album of the Year, and/or a George Strait win for Entertainer of the Year could be bright moments in an otherwise bleak landscape.
mike
April 6, 2014 @ 5:05 pm
Whole Lotta band Perry lip synching going on
IronBoss
April 6, 2014 @ 5:53 pm
Those guys weren’t playing one note of that. Plus the one dry humped his sister.
judd
April 6, 2014 @ 5:06 pm
I’m watching with my grandma who is out of the loop on country music.. Her first words about half a verse in is “this is not country music”.. I told her “it gets worse, just wait on FGL”
judd
April 6, 2014 @ 5:31 pm
Update on quotes from grandmother ” they all have stupid hairdos, and all look a like.”
She was also like ” those are the best they have for entertainer of the year?” i was like sadly those are the best we got…. besides sturgill and crew (those are a lot better)
Trigger
April 6, 2014 @ 8:43 pm
Getting old people’s reactions to the ACM’s. Now THAT would make riveting television.
Cooper
April 6, 2014 @ 5:07 pm
Luke Bryan just said “This isn’t a ‘Head and Shoulders’ commercial!” No, it isn’t…more like a “Summer’s Eve Douche” infomercial starring him.
truth5
April 6, 2014 @ 5:12 pm
Every joke sounds like it comes from a jv football teams locker room. Every single damn comment is about pot or some sexual reference.
Michael
April 6, 2014 @ 5:14 pm
If they censor Kacey after all that it is a consperacy.
judd
April 6, 2014 @ 5:15 pm
I need a bath already I feel so dirty.
Trigger
April 6, 2014 @ 5:21 pm
Agreed. I don’t think they’ll censor her because I’m not even sure she’s performing. But your point is valid. Is this a famil show? Wasn’t most of the stuff they said more offensive than “joint” said in context?
bll
April 6, 2014 @ 5:14 pm
Creator, please let Garth and Trisha be on in the first hour so I can turn off this dreck and watch Cosmos.
Tyler
April 6, 2014 @ 5:19 pm
So far this is pretty much the same as last year. And these people lip sync just as much as Brittany does!
Bamstrait
April 6, 2014 @ 5:21 pm
Yet another bad novelty song by the hack Brad Paisley. You helped get country music where it is today, thank for nothing Brad.
Applejack
April 7, 2014 @ 12:40 am
Amen.
Eric
April 7, 2014 @ 1:50 am
Say what you want about Brad, at least he is thematically creative. His songs cover important issues affecting society, not one bro country tale after another. And he is nearly unmatched in the mainstream country songwriting world when it comes to wry, self-effacing humor.
Applejack
April 7, 2014 @ 3:03 am
“I just want to say I”™m really proud to be a woman representing country music.”
Nice. I didn’t watch the show, so I didn’t hear Kacey Musgraves’ make this statement, but I love the sentiment. This is at least the second time she has made a public statement to the effect that she is proud to represent country music. (I believe the other time was at the Grammies.) I don’t want to read too much into the comment, but it seems deliberate, like she is aware of what being a part of country music in the classic sense entails, and is proud to carry on that tradition. This time, she specefically mentions being a woman, and I can’t help but think that was deliberate too.
It’s pretty dang weird that music award shows are doing a better job at representing country music than country radio is at this point, a few horrible performances notwithstanding. I never wold have predicted that. Now we need to work on getting Brandy Clark on one of these things.
Boring tangent:
Spreaking of Kacey Musgraves, I think she sort of is to the mainstream country scene what Sturgill is in the independent world: an artist with a fresh, invigorating take on country that could potentially unite disaffected fans and soften other people’s skepticism toward the genre. I have seen both artists receive a lot praise and attention in different types of outlets, and I think both have miles of potential. (I could also add Brandy Clark to this list. Jason Isbell too, though he is less specifically country.) It seems like sometimes all it takes is one good artist to change somebody’s mind about a genre of music they might have dismissed otherwise. I’m interested to see what these artists will do next.
Applejack
April 7, 2014 @ 3:05 am
Whoops, somehow I posted all that in the wrong spot.
Anyway, I still think Brad Paisley is a chump.
Acca Dacca
April 6, 2014 @ 5:21 pm
Trigger, how would you feel if Big & Rich beat out FGL for the Duo award? Not gonna happen, of course (hell, Dan+Shay probably have a better chance), but they get nominated every year and at some point, if they don’t just win outright, I could see them getting a sympathy vote. Maybe. Either way, it annoys me that they’re just a freaking placeholder.
Michael
April 6, 2014 @ 5:28 pm
I like Big & Rich, they don’t claim to be outlaw there a kind of Duo that experiments a lot and write most of their own stuff. They just formed their own record company.
Acca Dacca
April 6, 2014 @ 5:38 pm
Exactly! I don’t get why they’re lumped in with the rest of this dreck so often. Just because they’re a bit poppy? Yes, they inject elements of other genres into their music but that is their whole mantra, not something they do and then try to pass off as an “evolution” of country music. They can also both sing and write, rely on harmonies for most songs, play their own instruments and don’t cut laundry list tunes or pretend to be outlaws, as you said. These guys, unlike most everyone else on this show, are completely self-aware; they constantly poke fun at themselves and many of their songs are simply made to be laughed along with. Of course, with that they can come off as obnoxious, but oh well.
“Experimenting” is a good way to describe their style. They don’t combine genres and then try to claim it’s country music. They even say on their albums that they are making music THEIR way, within a contemporary country template. I’m SCM’s resident Big & Rich fan, so it’s nice to see another person agree with me for once.
ct jane
April 6, 2014 @ 6:50 pm
big and rich ( john rich & Kenny alphin) have both won songwriters of the year
(ASCAP & BMI) they have written a majority of all their songs, talented voices/harmonies, and till this day, one of the most high energy unbelievable entertaining live shows. in 2004-2006 they took a bold step with ‘save a horse ride a cowboy’ ( album: horse of a different color billboards top 50 albums 2004) it kicked open the door for so many artist from jason alden to FGL , etc…
( who have many times credited B&R) There is a reason they are nominated year after year. they are extremely intelligent & talented artist. period.
their deep commitment to so many charitable causes to vets is endless & continuous. they are relevant & multi talented with a broad range. research the impact ‘muzik mafia’ made on country music 2005-2008. they are artist + performers = entertainers. Maybe it’s because they didn’t enter into the scene playing the ‘good ole boys game’ & still sold 6 million + albums, is why some still snub them. But i just feel in my gut…this next record via their new single…( plus i heard Tim mcgraw speak about a single they just wrote he is so excited about on the B&R album) is about to hit bigger than ever. regardless …they have made a historical impact on country music. i have researched so many music artist in all area’s . these two truly deserve to be nominated over and over. They’re not a fad or flash in the past. And it’s refreshing to see this academy acknowledge it. Thank you!
Acca Dacca
April 7, 2014 @ 1:27 pm
I think you mistook my annoyance at their nomination as criticism when it wasn’t. Big & Rich are my favorite musical act of all time. I think that they deserve FAR more respect and acknowledgement than they get. As such, just because they’re my favorite doesn’t mean I think they need to be nominated every year. I want them to be nominated when they have put out a great song or album, not just because there aren’t enough mainstream duos in country music to fill out the five nominee sheet. They haven’t had an album out since late 2012 nor a single on the radio in longer than that. “Look at You” is their newest song, but it just breached the Top 40 this week so I highly doubt that it was taken into consideration for the award, assuming of course that the ACM even knew it existed. With that, all they’ve done is tour sporadically this year. I don’t necessarily think that means they need a nomination when other duos have been making an impact (good or bad).
Now, don’t take all of this the wrong way. You’ll find no more vocal a fanboy than me for these two. But at a certain point, one must remove oneself from their feelings and just think using logic. These awards are not honoring the past, they’re honoring the present (with certain exceptions like The Hag, of course). B&R haven’t done much this year. In my humble opinion, they were only nominated because they exist and have had some measure of success. Not because they’ve necessarily done anything to deserve it. That said, I wished they would have won. But when you know they aren’t going to, it annoys me as a fan that they keep getting nominated for an award that they’ll probably never get just because country music duos are rare these days.
Trigger
April 6, 2014 @ 8:45 pm
Acca,
Nobody had a chance to beat out Florida Georgia Line. There was a 100% chance they would win.
Acca Dacca
April 7, 2014 @ 1:05 pm
I’m aware that FGL was a shoe-in for the award. You missed the point of my question. I was simply wondering what reaction you might have if Big & Rich were to win instead. Completely hypothetical.
Trigger
April 7, 2014 @ 3:21 pm
Acca,
The problem is that I really don’t have a very deep knowledge or understanding of Big & Rich to comment on them whatsoever. Their heyday was when I wasn’t paying attention to the mainstream whatsoever. I haven’t heard their last album yet. I hope to delve into them more in the future, just like I do with many artists. But it would not be fair for me to comment on them in this context, because I will probably just make a fool of myself.
Acca Dacca
April 7, 2014 @ 10:57 pm
Acca, The problem is that I really don”™t have a very deep knowledge or understanding of Big & Rich to comment on them whatsoever. Their heyday was when I wasn”™t paying attention to the mainstream whatsoever. I haven”™t heard their last album yet. I hope to delve into them more in the future, just like I do with many artists. But it would not be fair for me to comment on them in this context, because I will probably just make a fool of myself.
Gotcha, and I respect that. I hope that temptation to delve into their music at some point was slightly engendered by my mad fanboyishism 🙂 . Just as a heads up, they should be releasing a new album titled Gravity this summer, with the single “Look at You” included. And if you haven’t already, when you do finally get around to giving their music a chance, start with their 2004 debut Horse of a Different Color. That is their best and most inspired album thus far and, in my opinion, a masterpiece, though odd to be sure. It’s a loose concept album. Regardless, at some point I’d love to hear your thoughts once you feel that they’re informed.
Dukes
April 6, 2014 @ 5:24 pm
Most big shows do pre-taped performances. New Year”™s Rockin Eve performances have been taped in JULY before. Talk about sucks – think about being in Time Square in July, wearing coats and hats to pretend it”™s winter.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 5:28 pm
actually really like the Blake Shelton Gwen Sebastian performance
Trigger
April 6, 2014 @ 5:32 pm
Won’t argue with that. Not my speed but there was nothing bad about it. I was surprised.
Golddust
April 6, 2014 @ 5:28 pm
Could it have been a rehearsal yesterday with Brad Paisley? (Probably not … )
Ryan Thornton
April 6, 2014 @ 5:31 pm
When the fuck did it become so “cool” to bounce around on stage and throw your hands around like a rapper in country music? For the love of God GTFO!!!!!!!
Yoggy
April 6, 2014 @ 5:31 pm
What is this? Those craptastic hosts….. Failed big time in being entertaining. At least be funny dumb. This dull dumb is just so so bad. The performances so far have been mediocre to bad as well. PS: TSwift’s band members are live-tweeting as well. More entertaining that the show itself.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 5:31 pm
let’s get the George Strait already you can never go wrong with George Strait
Jeb Barry
April 6, 2014 @ 5:31 pm
FGL ‘s only singer needs his autotune…horrible and flat
Dukes
April 6, 2014 @ 5:31 pm
Saddest thing about these awards right now, is the number of people talking about how awesome they are on twitter.
Gena R.
April 6, 2014 @ 5:35 pm
Woohoo! After missing the first half hour, I tuned in just in time to see King George.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 5:37 pm
Hard to see there being a better performance tonight than George Strait’s.
Jeb Barry
April 6, 2014 @ 5:40 pm
How old do you have to be to realize wearing your ball cap backwoards is stupid
Dukes
April 6, 2014 @ 5:45 pm
Over 30 and still doing it..so”¦I guess I”™m guilty too!
Jeb Barry
April 6, 2014 @ 5:47 pm
Hahahaha…. Nice
Gena R.
April 6, 2014 @ 5:40 pm
That stripped-down “I Drive Your Truck” was sweet too, if all too short.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 5:40 pm
can someone explain to me why Guy Fieri is presenting?
Trigger
April 6, 2014 @ 8:47 pm
Because his hairdo symbolizes country music in 2014.
Cooper
April 6, 2014 @ 5:43 pm
Dang…I may not think George Strait is the best of all-time like some do (that honor belongs to The Possum IMO), but he is definitely one of the greats. These new guys need to take a lesson from that legend.
truth5
April 6, 2014 @ 6:43 pm
dang right, only king George is George Jones.
Ryan
April 6, 2014 @ 5:45 pm
If I was Lee Brice, I’d be pissed. 10 years and he still can’t get on the main stage for a performance? He may look like a douche with his cap backwards, but he’s one of the mainstream guys I can actually tolerate.
Trigger
April 6, 2014 @ 5:55 pm
He deserved a full performance in my opinion, especially because of the awards he was up for.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 5:48 pm
I’m going to go ahead and admit that I’m enjoying the Eric Church performance
Tony
April 6, 2014 @ 5:51 pm
I’m still pissef that guys like Lee Brice, FGL, Blake Shelton and Luke Bryant are getting all this exposure and Gary Allan keeps getting looked over. They threw him a bone with a nod for song of the year, but he needs to be in the mix for male artist at least . Just my thoughts
Janelle
April 6, 2014 @ 5:59 pm
Gary Allan has always been overlooked and under-rated imo. He’s got such a great sound and a real gritty voice. I can’t even get my local station to play “It Ain’t the Whisky” – which I think is one of the best song I’ve heard in years!
Brad
April 7, 2014 @ 8:08 am
Really???? you cant get your local station to play “it aint the whiskey”…hmmmm seems to me i played it last friday…last thurs and last monday…but then again maybe i dont work at your “local station”…nice!
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 6:00 pm
Have you ever seen Gary Allan live? The man deserves to be up for Entertainer of the Year
Tony
April 6, 2014 @ 6:31 pm
I have seen Gary around 15 times. Been a fans since Smoke Rings. I agree he should be up for entertainer of the year. I asked him once if it bothered him. He said no, I don’t play golf. Lol!
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 5:51 pm
am I missing something or his they’re not even been 1 Award presented yet?
Trigger
April 6, 2014 @ 5:54 pm
Nope, not one. Except the pre-telecast awards. Keep those folks at home from switching over to Cosmos.
Ryan
April 6, 2014 @ 5:52 pm
Decent performance by Church.
Janelle
April 6, 2014 @ 5:54 pm
Another wonderful appearance by George Strait!
No awards given out 56 minutes into the awards show? lol
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 5:55 pm
thankfully we didn’t have to hear too much of the Justin Moore performance considering the song is so cliche
Gena R.
April 6, 2014 @ 6:00 pm
I had the TV muted so I could read the lyrics — freaking hilarious how many cliche`s could be jammed into a minute or so…
bll
April 6, 2014 @ 6:01 pm
Luckily I’m videoing Cosmos 😉 Two BS performances in the first house????
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 6:03 pm
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that FGL one that award but God it still pisses me off
brian
April 6, 2014 @ 6:06 pm
FGL douchbags “country music is still alive”
Am I the only one that threw up a little in my mouth?
Nick Brown
April 7, 2014 @ 6:52 am
Actually the exact words were “Country music is alive and well baby”
I would have shot my TV after that comment, but I couldn’t find any shells.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 6:07 pm
I still like Lady Antebellum on this performance is actually pretty good
Gena R.
April 6, 2014 @ 6:12 pm
I’m not a fan of Lady A, but that *was* rather nice; and Stevie sounded all right with them. 🙂
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 6:18 pm
Their first album was decent country. They are now definitely more pop but I still like them as a pop group. Compared to how performances in general have been the past few years, thebperformances tonight, theirs included, have overall been pretty solid.
Pops
April 6, 2014 @ 6:08 pm
Did the dude that doesn’t sing from FGL really just say country music is alive and well? LOL
Rachel L.
April 6, 2014 @ 6:10 pm
Thank God George Strait had enough sense not to get dragged into some stupid twitter photo. And that Lady Antebellum & Steve Nicks duet was painful to listen to.
bll
April 6, 2014 @ 6:12 pm
Even though KU looks like he let Sunday Rose cut his hair, this is the first performance all night that sounds truly ‘live’.
Michael
April 6, 2014 @ 6:20 pm
He probably needed to save money on the haircut so he could pay his three drummers.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 6:15 pm
why didn’t they at least let Kip Moore perform his current single “Young Love”?
Caitlin
April 6, 2014 @ 6:18 pm
I’m not a fan but thy couldn’t let Kip Moore perform his current song? That one that he sang is at least two years old.
Trigger
April 6, 2014 @ 6:34 pm
Yeah, that was a really strange song selection. CBS and the ACM wants hit songs, even if they’re years old I guess.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 6:22 pm
What makes Keith Urban’s song even more absurd is the song is literally titled “Even The Stars Fall 4 U.”
bll
April 6, 2014 @ 6:27 pm
WTF??????
Gena R.
April 6, 2014 @ 6:28 pm
“Did Luke Bryan really just say, ‘Tryin”™ to pour a little sugar in her Dixie cup’?”
Yup. o_O
Also, that “Kip Winger” tweet made me giggle like a maniac.
Seth Millis
April 6, 2014 @ 6:32 pm
“8:24 – Seriously, I”™d love to hear the Chipmuks version of that song and see Luke Bryan sail into the 14th row.”
Like what they did to Achy Breaky Heart
IronBoss
April 6, 2014 @ 6:32 pm
I’m pretty sure Tim McGraw died years ago and has been CGI’ed in to these shows. He is inhuman looking.
Tom
April 7, 2014 @ 10:46 am
Actually he’s been replaced by AJ from the Backstreet Boys. The black plastic “cowboy” hat is a dead giveaway.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 6:34 pm
not Jason Aldean’s best song but far from being his worst
Rachel L.
April 6, 2014 @ 6:34 pm
Good grief. Luke Bryan looked as if he needed a laxative. Never have I seen someone sing such a boring, trite and redundant song and act like they’re in so much pain. Seeing Garth Brooks sing Shameless is the type of song where that type of emotion fits but Luke Bryan just looked like a douche.
Golddust
April 6, 2014 @ 6:37 pm
I was really moved by Justin’s acceptance. He’s not taking it for granted, and that bodes well …
Trigger
April 6, 2014 @ 6:44 pm
Can’t help but be moved. It really means something to him, and that’s what makes me real sick about the whole controversy.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 6:39 pm
so glad Miranda one single of the year
Gena R.
April 6, 2014 @ 6:41 pm
Yep — I thought it was especially cool how she thanked the songwriters. 🙂
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 6:42 pm
Won
Thats what I get for using speech to txt on ny phone
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 6:47 pm
How many fans in that audience do you think are actually old enough to know what “quarter in a pay phone” means?
bll
April 6, 2014 @ 6:52 pm
Probably not many; the pay phone was .10 when I was growing up.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 6:55 pm
I should probably update my comment to ask how many of them actually even know what a pay phone is at all?
I’m reminded of the scene from the pilot episode of “Burn Notice” where Michael asks a girl where a pay phone is and she gives him a quizzical look and he says “you put coins in and call a number…”
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 6:53 pm
“8:50 – The ACM for Song of the Year goes to Lee Brice for “I Drive Your Truck”. Lee lets the songwriters talk. The ACM”™s don”™t and cut them off.”
And does this surprise anyone?
Mark
April 6, 2014 @ 6:56 pm
I would feel more bad for Justin Moore here… except his last album was goddamn atrocious. I can respect good intentions, and I do think Moore has some, but for me he remains one of the worst acts in country today due to sheer ineptitude in execution, vocal delivery, and especially songwriting.
Also, nice to see ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ win, I really liked that song and it was the only country hit song that cracked the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 that managed to notch on my favourites list.
bll
April 6, 2014 @ 6:58 pm
Wow, McGraw needs auto tuned; he’s painfully flat.
Trigger
April 6, 2014 @ 7:13 pm
Agreed. That was a real bad vocal performance. I’m surprised because I’ve always thought he was a least a solid singer.
Acca Dacca
April 8, 2014 @ 1:44 pm
It’s probably those drugs he’s been taking to make himself look anorexic that are throwing his voice off.
Liza
April 7, 2014 @ 7:05 am
That’s funny, because he is always criticized for using autotune. I’ve heard him sing a cappella in a small setting and thought he was great. Oddly, I thought he seemed nervous during the opening of the performance.
truth5
April 6, 2014 @ 7:01 pm
Mcgraw can’t sing worth a shit, never could.
If you want to hear a good country music singer that came out the same time as Mcgraw, give Daryle Singletary a listen.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 7:01 pm
And Tim McGraw chose to release “Lookin For That Girl” as his new single…why? Might have been a couple pitch issues there but the song was MILES better than LFTG.
Cowboy Joe
April 7, 2014 @ 1:30 am
Yes, it’s better than either that song or the atrocious “Southern Girl,” but it kinda pissed me off because when it started I thought it was gonna be “Just to See You Smile.” Got my hopes up for a second.
Sausage
April 6, 2014 @ 7:02 pm
Fest.
ct jane
April 6, 2014 @ 7:05 pm
ok…one more point B&R…hence my point. FGL is ‘rapping” in their song/songs…2004 big & rich was the first to do this IN ‘SAVE A HORSE & RIDE A COWBOY” & “BALLAD OF BIG & RICH”
Michael
April 6, 2014 @ 7:16 pm
Big & Rich just did that because they wanted to. they never thought it would actually catch on. They did it as a novelty kind of thing. They actually talk about it in their song “Rollin”. They also didn’t do it in a douchebag kind of way.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 7:10 pm
Jason Aldean actually has some decent material as album cuts when he isn’t releasing songs like “1994” and “The Only Cliché I Know.” Take a listen to songs like “Black Tears” and “Staring at the Sun” off of his “Night Train” album. The label just doesn’t have the guts to release them as singles.
Jo
April 6, 2014 @ 7:13 pm
If I’m not mistaken, Florida Georgia Line was first to cut Black Tears
Jo
April 6, 2014 @ 7:17 pm
If I’m not mistaken, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line was one of the writers of Black Tears and they were the first to cut the song
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 7:26 pm
That surprises me. And frankly, it makes me respect him even less, because if he’s capable of writing a song like that and relegates himself to crap like “Cruise” and “Get Your Shine On,” then he clearly has zero respect for the genre.
Rachel L.
April 6, 2014 @ 7:10 pm
Jason Aldean is still an enormous arrogant cheating prick. Regardless of whether anybody believes that he deserved that award, what kind of message is country music sending when the people who are representing the genre act like classless douche bags.
Jeremy
April 6, 2014 @ 7:17 pm
My guide on the Dish said Country Music. I think something was lost in translation here.
Gena R.
April 6, 2014 @ 7:19 pm
Same here — kind of funny in an odd way. O_o
Jeremy
April 6, 2014 @ 7:22 pm
They must have the time wrong…there’s some pop deal on now. Seriously I’m about ready to dig out the Music City News Award shows I ordered from RFD a few years back.
mike
April 6, 2014 @ 8:16 pm
My guide just says music.
Mike r
April 6, 2014 @ 7:21 pm
Jewel????? WHY
Trigger
April 6, 2014 @ 7:29 pm
Because she’s country now. Just like everybody who sings and is white … or black and doesn’t sing hip-hop … or is black and does sing hip-hop as long as it’s with Jason Aldean or Florida Georgia Line.
Double VVide
April 6, 2014 @ 7:23 pm
Hunter Hayes makes me want to shoot my TV like Elvis did in the 70s
Jeremy
April 6, 2014 @ 7:24 pm
Did Hunter Whatever go to the Heath Ledger as The Joker School of Facial Expressions or what?
Kyle
April 6, 2014 @ 7:29 pm
Aldean should’ve sang “Goin Where the Lonely Go”
Gena R.
April 6, 2014 @ 7:33 pm
I’m sure that Hunter Hayes song was well-intentioned, but I think the Court Yard Hounds’ “Phoebe” (one of the livelier *and* more hard-country tracks from last year’s ‘Amelita’) is a much better, more evocative song about bullying.
“The golden rule you’ll never learn in school:
Boys can be mean,
But girls are downright cruel…
A small town spell, your living hell
It’s a story we’ve all heard before,
But you won’t live to tell”
Tom26
April 6, 2014 @ 7:34 pm
Problem with the campaign is that they’re not donating a dollar/meal purchased. You have to enter it in online. Basically they’re forcing you to know that they’re doing a good thing.
Hennessy
April 6, 2014 @ 7:37 pm
I think I hear Dylan yelling, write your own music!
Michael
April 6, 2014 @ 8:17 pm
Or he is thinking about the royalties he is getting from this.
Jeremy
April 6, 2014 @ 7:38 pm
Darius Rucker….what a whore.
Mark E.
April 6, 2014 @ 7:39 pm
Darius Rucker playing “Wagon Wheel” is like asking a band of buskers in New Orleans to sing “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
Trigger
April 6, 2014 @ 8:53 pm
Or yelling “Free Bird” at a concert.
Gena R.
April 6, 2014 @ 7:39 pm
GO, KACEY! 😀
Rachel L.
April 6, 2014 @ 7:39 pm
Seriously someone tell Taylor that this isn’t a strip club. She has to know that when she dances like that shes begging people to look at her. It’s disrespectful to the other singers to draw attention away from them. On a good note congrats to Kacey Musgraves for Album of the Year!
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 7:39 pm
Well deserved for Kacey
Gena R.
April 6, 2014 @ 7:45 pm
Lovely Hag tribute. (Happy 77th, Merle!)
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 7:48 pm
How long until Taylor Swift writes a song about whoever that guy is standing next to her tonight?
Nicole
April 6, 2014 @ 8:07 pm
That’s her brother. She brings him to most award shows.
Joe
April 6, 2014 @ 8:21 pm
“That guy”? You mean her brother?
I rather doubt she’s going to write a song about him.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 7:53 pm
9:51 ”“ I wish I could “Rewind” back to the time before Rascal Flatts were born so I could give their parents prophylactics and avoid this.
I actually used to like them and still like some of their earlier stuff. But this is just atrocious. They’ve grown tiring and boring and completely pop.
Chris
April 6, 2014 @ 7:54 pm
I do believe the Flatts performance was lip-synced…………
Gena R.
April 6, 2014 @ 7:58 pm
YAY GEORGE!!!
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 7:59 pm
YES!!!
Michael
April 6, 2014 @ 8:01 pm
HOLLY SHIT!!! A Taylor Swift performance free show.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 8:04 pm
Not only did we not have to see a performance from her, we got through an entire award show without her winning an award either.
A two-for.
BAMA
April 6, 2014 @ 8:06 pm
Got chills watching George Strait walk up to get the award. BAD ASS
V Blackmer
April 6, 2014 @ 8:08 pm
Why oh why do the ACM awards of late (past few years) sound like rock n roll???
We want more country and less hard rock!!
And, Taylor Swift…..REALLY, she can’t even sing well……get her outta there
Shelly
April 6, 2014 @ 8:10 pm
I’m watching from the west coast so the “live” broadcast is starting late Merle’s lady friend seemed ticked to pull confetti out of her hair, I really don’t know why they would rip on Brittany spears? How are these acts getting trotted out tonight superior?
Michael
April 6, 2014 @ 8:16 pm
That is probably what Jamie Lynn is saying.
Matt
April 6, 2014 @ 8:28 pm
Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan both won no awards tonight. I’ll be honest: I truly believe both are capable of so much more than what their singles indicate. I actually really like Blake Shelton’s “Mine Would Be You” and there was a great album cut on “Based on a True Story” called “I Found Someone.” Luke Bryan is also very capable when he puts effort in… check out songs like “Tackle Box” and “Small Town Favorite.”
FGL and Taylor Swift are pop and rock through and through and they’re both terrible at even that. There’s nothing country about either of those artists.
But I still consider Luke and Blake country based on the album cuts they have.
I blame the fans and the labels more than I do the artists to be honest. The singles that are released are done to build up the artists’ recognition in the industry, rather than their artistic talent. But both are capable of much much more if fans would stop demanding that every single release be a party anthem.
Maybe some disagree with me on Luke and Blake…but the I still see them as Country artists because I go beyond the crap that is released to radio for mass consumption and listen to their overall catalog.
Eric
April 7, 2014 @ 12:08 am
I have no idea why you are comparing Taylor Swift to FGL. This is not even worth debating, so I will refrain.
BrettS
April 6, 2014 @ 8:58 pm
I really can’t wait for the showing of Jason Isbell Live at Lincoln Center this Friday night and Randy Rogers Band live album coming out next week for sure now.
BrettS
April 6, 2014 @ 8:59 pm
Anybody else think if Luke Bryan yelled CITIZENS ARREST! He would sound like Gomer????
Applejack
April 7, 2014 @ 12:56 am
Shazam! You’re right.
paulo
April 6, 2014 @ 9:09 pm
watta joke…excell at learnin to sing and have to L,S. to sell yourself
Seth Millis
April 6, 2014 @ 9:15 pm
I said as of last year that after I got bitterly screwed by the bad duet performance of Garth and Strait (which, for the record, I’m not blaming it on them I’m blaming it on the ACM’s) combined with every bad song that was played by the wrong people making buzz on the radio, I made a vow to never turn on another Country station of any kind.
I’ve also made a vow to never watch another award show after that and this year is the first time I’ve held up on that promise. Other than this blog here, people on my twitter account were posting details about tonight’s event, but not once tonight did I touch that dial.
Now prior to my departure from Country Music in general, I’ve been listening to around 5 people who’ve been making serious critical buzz but not commercial buzz and they are none other than Wade Bowen, Jack Ingram, Sarah Darling, Randy Rogers and Jason Isbell. Because of those five, they will be my ticket to getting back into trusting radio and country music again. But until they get as equal footing as either Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert or Jason Aldean, radio will not get my attention ever again.
Jade Fox
April 6, 2014 @ 9:18 pm
Sounds like the ACMs were nothing to write home about.
And on a related note: Taylor Swift fans on other social media need to learn how to be gracious losers. If they were being honest with themselves Taylor hasn’t been country since her first album and George Strait is a living legend. Show some respect Swifties.
Gail
April 7, 2014 @ 12:12 am
What happened to country music ? what a bunch of crap. Country music is gone and rock has taken over to bad.Happy birthday Merle sorry you had to listin to that garbage.
RockyMtnGal
April 7, 2014 @ 10:02 am
I was sitting there thinking the same thing. Poor Merle must have been HORRIFIED at the performances. I FF’d through the entire show in about 30 minutes. I don’t know why I even subjected myself to that much of it. People should be glad that RF lip-synced. The few times I have seem them actually perform live on other award shows, they were terrible. Singers couldn’t have gotten away with not being able to perform live 30 years ago, but then we didn’t have Pro-Tools then either. Even though I’m not a big Taylor Swift fan, I have to give her props for singing live and she’s no great vocalist.
Mike
April 7, 2014 @ 12:18 am
How many persons here have some sense that Blake Shelton, while certainly a smart businessman, is over-exposed and over-rated?
Aj
April 7, 2014 @ 3:22 am
Before you judge Gwen Sebastian, perhaps you should do some research on her first. While yes she was a contestant on the voice, she also has released 3 albums prior to that. When she writes her own songs they are amazing. She’s been grinding it out longer than you think trigger. She just got done with an appearance at the Grand Old Opry. She has an amazing voice, and in my opinion a rising star. You will know who she is soon enough.
She’s normally a back up singer for that guy you hate so much. In his defense (and it pains me to defend him) he gave a person with an amazing voice a job, connections, and help. You need to look past your own preconceived notions that she *yawn* was a contestant on the voice and actually take time to listen to some of her music the automatically dismiss her based on that one thing.
I thought you were more open minded than that.
I guess I was wrong to assume that.
courtney
April 7, 2014 @ 6:34 am
I hope Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton take the fact they didn’t win a damn thing last night as a lesson. stray from what made you famous in the first place and all you’ll have to show for yourself is a couple flash in the pan singles and no real recognition for music other than being hired to be entertaining. that’s what cheesy and uncreative gets you.
thanks for taking the time to live comment this was the only way I got to find out anything worth noting about this dog and pony show
Nick Brown
April 8, 2014 @ 8:20 am
I will admit I was a fan of Blake Shelton when he first started out, I really liked the song “The Baby”.
But it seems not long after Blake got a hair cut that fame went to his head. His insulting of traditional country fans turned me against him.
I guess all that long hair Blake use to have was keeping his brain warm, without it you see what you get.
Corinne Mattinen
April 7, 2014 @ 6:38 am
I belive we save Country and make it and it country……For does not sound country anymore and there way too much rock now and it grered toword the young ones and ones need now what country really sound like and not this rock stuff……..And the reaords compeny need new singers back into what country music and not this rock stuff!!!!!!
Let really try and country Country Music and take out rock and back the country Music ok
Corinne
PS And make George Jones proud
Nick Brown
April 7, 2014 @ 7:04 am
That’s it, I have had enough. Would someone PLEASE take Justin Moore to a cowboy clothing store and show him where the children’s section is, this way Justin can find a hat that actually fits him.
I swear, the hat he had on last night, he could’ve fit his whole body in the damn thing. Maybe he’s trying to hide in it like a scared turtle.
RockyMtnGal
April 7, 2014 @ 10:04 am
ROTFL. I was thinking the same thing!! That hat was ridiculous.
SChardonnay
April 7, 2014 @ 7:26 am
Thanks for the recap I did not watch but I am so glad Kacey Musgraves won!
Camie jo
April 7, 2014 @ 9:08 am
Wasn’t that Jamie Lynn Spears that walked out after the joke about Britney Spears?
I saw the camera flash to the back of a long blond headed girl leaving the arena.
I found Taylor’s long sauntering walk to the podium a ploy for attention. She tried to hold the audience as long as she could, dragging out every word. Desperation.
Taylor was doing the “Elaine Dance”, Seinfeld, all night long. It’s incredibly embarrassing and speaks of arrested development. She’s still in the 12 year old stage.
Tim McGraw has lost his voice. It’s gone. He needs Faith to soften all of his rough notes.
It’s sad to see relatively young men, compared to Merle and George…lose their voices. Keith’s performance was sharp. Tim was flat. Paisley was flat.
Band Perry was breathless, again. Hillary was off.
It’s sad but all of that advice that Keith gives the Idol contestants about singing above the note…”in the pocket”, is something he did not do.
All of those high standards preached by the Voice and Idol…was not followed by these pros.
With the exception of Miranda and a few others, those young kids could’ve sang circles around each and every one of them.
The thrill is gone and so are their voices.
Eric
April 7, 2014 @ 10:14 am
“It”™s incredibly embarrassing and speaks of arrested development. She”™s still in the 12 year old stage.”
Catty commentary says more about the commenter than about the subject of the comment.
Chris
April 8, 2014 @ 12:08 am
“Wasn”™t that Jamie Lynn Spears that walked out after the joke about Britney Spears?
I saw the camera flash to the back of a long blond headed girl leaving the arena.”
I thought it was since she walked out right after that incredibly rude joke and lame attempt to try to cover for the bad singing and lack of top female vocalists that have better songs and sing many of the acts who performed under the table. And the ACMs knew Jamie was there as she was covering the events for them so how could Bluke not know? They rehearse this stuff.
Chris
April 8, 2014 @ 12:25 am
ACM Awards 2014 Opening Academy of Country music awards please help me reaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3bx6FbseMI
Funny because just a few years ago country was known as the best genre for vocals and music and fans bragged about it all the time. Now it’s getting to be known as the worst after selling out to weak watered down pop sung by average singers. Perhaps country radio should play more than two amazing solo female vocalists singing the best country music to #1 so people will know it is again.
RockyMtnGal
April 7, 2014 @ 10:38 am
My husband and I have always thought of country music as country people’s blues. And the great songs have always pondered love, heartache, cheatin’ and yes, drinkin’ (which is usually a product of the heartache or cheatin’). We had great songs like He Stopped Loving Her Today, Mama Tried, Good-Hearted Woman, Sunday Morning Coming Down, and the list goes on and on by greats like Merle, Kris, Willie, Waylon, Don, Buck, Johnny, Loretta, Tammy, Dolly, Tanya and more, most of who wrote their own songs. Now, Country Music has just dissolved into this misogynistic, sophomoric garbage about ‘girl you look hot in those jeans, do you want to go to a party in my truck’ (that’s the basic formula for all country songs right now). Example: Country Girl Shake it for Me, Cruise, Boys Round Here (Ugh, country rap is the worst), Get Me Some of That, Drink to That All Night and one of the newest offenders: 19 You + Me (T-shirt drippin’ wet, how could I forget). REALLY?!! BLECH! I just threw up in my mouth a little. I had to look up the current chart songs and the lyrics b/c I can’t and don’t listen to this trash. Let’s get back to lyrics like “no one knows what goes on behind closed doors.” And whatever happened to real country song-writers? I think there might be one song on the current Top 10 that was co-written by the singer. The lyrics in most or all of these songs objectify women, but the young ones are too naive to notice and just continue to plunk money down to see these guys and buy their music, most or all of whom don’t even write any of this drivel. The execs on Music Row wouldn’t know a REAL country artist if one bit them in the rear! Shameful!
Applejack
April 8, 2014 @ 12:24 am
RockyMtnGal,
Is this your first time on this site? If so, let me say that based on your comments, I think you will fit right in.
I know a lot of people stumble on this site thanks to country award shows, which tend to send people to their computers to google thigns like “what happened to country music?” or “Florida-Georgia Line sucks” and so on.
RockyMtnGal
April 7, 2014 @ 11:11 am
http://www.texasmix1053.com/
Listen to REAL country music here. My fav station.
Matty merritt
April 7, 2014 @ 2:41 pm
Its funny how people are criticizing all the jokes made on the show last night about drugs and such. Didn’t Johnny cash die of cocaine addiction? He was the biggest stoner in the history of country music. He made Eric church look like Mr rogers.
Trigger
April 7, 2014 @ 2:52 pm
No, Johnny Cash did not die of cocaine addiction. And even if he did, how would that somehow justify anything?
RockyMtnGal
April 8, 2014 @ 2:58 pm
I highly recommend reading Johnny Cash’s Autobiography. It’s very honest and forthcoming. He talks very candidly about his drug addiction and June quite literally saved his life. He struggled with it off and on all of his life as do many addicts. It was a very compelling read. He writes about playing with Elvis in the early years, his life in Jamaica, his friends and family and his thoughts on life and the after life. I really enjoyed it. http://www.amazon.com/Cash-The-Autobiography-Johnny/dp/0060727535
Matty merritt
April 7, 2014 @ 3:02 pm
I’m not justifying anything, and I stand corrected he did not die of cocaine addiction however he was a raging drunk and addicted to amphetamines. What I’m trying to say is it seems kind of hypocritical to make fun of the drugs in Nashville currently when the older country artists were just as bad if not worse. Why do you smoke? “To get high” was a line by the one and only hank Williams. Not really an argument that can be used in my opinion
Trigger
April 7, 2014 @ 3:08 pm
But Matty, nobody is making the case that artists of the past were more morally superior to artists of today. In fact I would probably say the older artists were more prone to drug addiction, womanizing, and violence. At the same time, artists like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams recorded Gospel music. I honestly wasn’t offended by anything said on the show. Some of the music was pretty offensive, but that’s another topic. But for a program that promotes itself as a family show, it did start off pretty salty. That’s all that was said, and I don’t know that anyone is making a big issue about it.
Jack Williams
April 8, 2014 @ 9:09 am
This is the second time you have made a derogatory remark about Johnny Cash that was out and out false (the first was on another thread where you claimed the famous middle finger photograph was him flipping off his audience). I don’t know how you came up with this notion that he died of cocaine overdose when his declining health in his last few years was so well known. If you feel like you must run down Johnny Cash in order to make whatever point you’re making, how about putting in a little effort to being factually accurate?
Jack Williams
April 8, 2014 @ 9:16 am
Correction. Cocaine addiction.
Cindy
April 7, 2014 @ 3:12 pm
Wasted 2 hrs and 50 mins of my life last night. The only saving grace was Garth/Trisha (although why didn’t THEY sing?), Merle, King George, Miranda, and the Paul Harvey “Farmer” commercial. I’m gonna stick to my own country tunes and pray that Nashville will read “Saving Country Music” and get their act together by getting better acts!