The 2018 CMA Awards LIVE Blog
The snark machine is up and running, the censors have been bound and gagged in the back room, and we’re ready to get the 2018 installment of the Saving Country Music CMA Awards LIVE blog up-and-running. This annual exercise allows us to help keep our sanity, vent our frustrations, register our dissent, find commiseration for what the hell has happened to country music, as well as give credit for any positive events that may transpire throughout the night.
So as you watch along with the awards, keep your refresh fingers at the ready, and feel free to pipe up in the comments section if you have something to share. And please understand this is completely off-the-cuff and without a net, so there will be occasional spelling errors, curse words, and general bad behavior. Bring a thick skin.
For a run down on what you can expect, please check out the 2018 CMA Awards Complete Preview.
WARNING: Language
All times Central time.
WINNERS:
- Entertainer of the Year – Keith Urban
- Album of the Year – Kacey Musgraves “Golden Hour”
- Female Vocalist of the Year – Carrie Underwood
- Male Vocalist of the Year- Chris Stapleton
- Single of the Year- “Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
- Song of the Year – “Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
- Vocal Duo of the Year- Brothers Osborne
- Vocal Group of the Year – Old Dominion
- New Artist of the Year – Luke Combs
- Musician of the Year – Mac McAnally
- Video of the Year – “Marry Me” by Thomas Rhett
- Musical Event of the Year – Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” by David Lee Murphy and Kenny Chesney
10:30 – There are three major bullet points from the 2018 CMA Awards:
• The Album of the Year win by Kacey Musgraves is massive, and in so many ways. Regardless of how you feel about her music, her public persona, Golden Hour, or anything else, it is a big win for the good guys, meaning people who want to keep substance in country music, people who want to make sure everyone is given an equal playing field, and people who want to make sure radio doesn’t dictate the winners and losers in country. It’s a big win for a deserving album, and like we saw with Entertainer of the Year later, it could have gone to someone much worse.
• Chris Stapleton still dominates awards shows, picking up three more trophies, and giving him a total now of 10 CMAs. It felt a little strange to give him so much love from the song categories, but it’s hard to argue against “Broken Halos,” and again, it could have gone to something much worse. Chris Janson’s “Drunk Girl” is the song that feels like it was left holding the bag.
• Yes, Keith Urban is now the reigning Entertainer of the Year. This feels somewhat similar to when they gave the award to Brad Paisley in 2010 because it was “his time,” and if he didn’t win it that year, he may never win it. But Keith Urban has won previously back in 2005. Perhaps the vote got split, and Keith Urban prevailed. With the way Stapleton was racking up the awards, it felt like it may have been him, and perhaps he siphoned enough votes from Jason Aldean—who also felt like a front runner—and Keith Urban stole one. It’s not about Keith’s overall body of work. His early career is fine. It’s that he’s arguably the biggest sellout in country music at the moment. Keith Urban knows better. Kane Brown and Thomas Rhett don’t. And now we’ve reinforced Urban’s bad music with country’s biggest award.
The awards felt very flat for the first 45 minutes. The Ricky Skaggs tribute helped bring it to life, and after that it remained pretty strong and did not give us much to snark about. Overall the winners could have been much worse, but Keith Urban’s Entertainer of the Year win sure leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Even if it was Jason Aldean, it would be expected. Keith Urban has no business with that trophy.
10:16 –
10:07 – Folks, I am still in shock. I am going to try and compose some final thoughts, run down the winners, and get out of there. THANK YOU to everyone for following along, commenting, liking, retweeting, sharing, etc. Means the world!
10:00 – Seriously, Keith Urban for Entertainer of the Year? What. The. FUCK?
This is an outright abomination. Keith Urban is the worst Entertainer of the Year in the history of the CMA Awards. This is a travesty. It’s not that Keith Urban has had a terrible career, but you can easily make the argument he is the WORST “artist” currently in country, and unarguably the biggest sellout.
What a shitty way to end a night that started off bad, and was going pretty good.
9:57 – LOSER – Country Music. Winner – Keith Urban for ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR ?!?!
9:54 – Ah, Lionel Richie is here. With Luke Bryan, that’s two of the three American Idol judges. Katy Perry would be here too, but she’s busy being deloused in Beverley Hills.
9:52 – Thanks everybody in the comments section. Joanna Cotten is who was singing with Eric Church. She is a member of his band. Yes, I should know this.
9:49 – No argument here about Carrie Underwood for Female Vocalist of the Year. Miranda would have been a fine pick too, but it would have just been one of many. Feels more significant for Carrie. This is her year. Miranda will be back next year, likely with a new album. Too early for Maren.
9:48 – WINNER – The CMA for Female Vocalist of the Year goes to Carrie Underwood.
9:46 – I’m a “Desperate Man” apologist, but this version feels a little thin, once again partially to blame of the washed-out sound.
9:45 – Okay folks, who is the woman singing with Eric Church? He always chooses someone cool. It’s been Rhiannon Giddens and Valerie June in the past.
9:44 – Eric Church comes out to perform “Desperate Man.” Would be cool if Ray Wylie Hubbard was waiting in the wings to comes out to bang some bongos or something.
9:38 – “Slow Burn” is one of the more pedestrian songs from “Golden Hour” compared to “Space Cowboy,” “Rainbow,” and some others, but a real solid performance.
And the sound held up for Musgraves. Seems that the later performers are benefiting from better sound, as are bands that are a bit more quiet. Loud bands get washed out.
9:36 – That’s “Smokin’ Brett Resnick playing with Kacey Musgraves. He’s one of the rocks behind Kelsey Waldon.
9:33 – Album of the Year winner Kacey Musgraves takes the stage to perform “Slow Burn.”
9:32 – WINNER – The CMA for Male Vocalist of the Year goes to Chris Stapleton.
Easy call. Makes it three tonight. Might be four.
9:31 – Martina McBride looks like she just blew in from a Disney on Ice performance.
9:29 – New Brad Paisley song is not bad. Sounds like a soft George Strait tribute.
9:27 – Brad Paisley comes out singing “Bucked Off”—a song he JUST released. Sounds pretty country to me.
9:21 – Damn, Stapleton sounding like B.B. King with his guitar here. The 2nd half of the CMA Awards are definitely better than the first. This isn’t really country, but it’s a nod to the roots and “Americana” influences in the genre.
9:18 – Okay seriously, Maren Morris usually spits the bit on these awards shows, but she did a really good job on this one, despite her culturally-appropriated inflections.
9:17 – ∼ “One of these things is not like the others. One of these things just doesn’t belong.” ∼
9:16 – Ooh! Morgane Stapleton, Dave Cobb, and Marty Stuart joining Chris Stapleton, Mavis, and Morris.
9:12 – Dierks Bentley got his 2018 CMA Awards official wardrobe top at Target in a 5-pack for $6.99.
9:11 – This “Burning Man” Dierks Bentley song totally pisses off actual Burning Man-attending hippies.
9:08 – Thanks to everyone commenting down below! Reading when I can.
One more hour!
9:05 – The Pistol Annies performance of “Got My Name Changed Back” is fine. Fun song, fun performance. Nothing special. Could have been a more meaningful song, but hopefully it gives the radio single a boost, which is the right play in this instance.
9:01 – Everyone at Rolling Stone Country just pitched a tent in their music pants with the Brothers Osborne win. Expect a think piece saying it’s all because they tweet about Trump and pot.
Florida Georgia Line gets razzed once again, and deservedly so. Good win for the good guys.
9:00 – WINNER – The CMA for Vocal Duo of the Year goes to Brothers Osborne.
8:58 – Slow clap for Garth Brooks. Good song, very good performance, and gutsy to come out on stage with just the guitar. Intimate and honest. This is Garth proving when he leaves all the bullshit and marketing behind, he can be a great entertainer, and yes, an artist.
8:56 – Garth Brooks proving here how even the most powerful men in the world still have to bend over backwards for a BJ from their wife.
8:55 – Okay Garth, you better make us weep.
8:53 – If Keith Urban had won Album of the Year, later tonight I’d be in Downtown USA trying to flip over police cars.
8:51 – They awarded the CMA Award for Album of the Year 15 minutes ago to Kacey Musgraves, and they’re STILL naming off the producers for Keith Urban’s “Grafitti U” nomination.
8:47 – Seriously Keith Urban, your pubic hairs are grey. Stop with this 20-something dance club bullshit.
8:47 – …and while we’re at it, let’s build a wall around Georgia Southern university to keep the invading hordes of Bro-Country songwriters at bay.
8:46 -I’d be a strong proponent of passing whatever draconious Trump-era immigration laws one wants to propose if it meant shipping Keith Urban back to Kiwi Land.
8:45 – This performance is why Luke Combs is good, but not great. A work in progress. Better than many of the other up-and-comers, and good to see a guy who looks like America get a shot. But he needs to bring more heart and substance.
8:43 – Seriously, who does Luke Combs think he is with his red solo cup, Toby Keith or Ron White? Put your beverage down and put your heart into it, young man. Screw the image consultants.
8:40 – Back to Kacey Musgraves winning Album of the Year, this is HUGE. As someone who thinks it’s a album with some great songs, but not necessarily a great album, it’s still a huge win on many fronts. It’s a win for women, for songwriters, for artists who are ignored by radio, for artists who receive critical praise but commercial moderation, and it’s symbolic of the Nashville community stepping up and making a statement. This is NOT a political album as some like to say it is. But it’s important to the politics of country music in many ways, and a MUCH better pick than Keith Urban, or Thomas Rhett. Cool moment.
8:37 – “Meant to be, meant to be, meant to be, meant to be, meant to be,” Is this shit over yet? What a forgettable song.
8:35 – The CMAs really missed an opportunity to feature “A Star Is Born” in some capacity tonight. Would much rather see Lady Gaga as the token pop star as opposed to Bebe Rexha.
8:32 – Kacey Musgraves remarks that she moved to Nashville 10 years ago to the day that she wins Album of the Year.
8:31 – WINNER – The CMA for Album of the Year goes to Kacey Musgraves and “Golden Hour”
8:30 – Ahh, I guess it’s in tribute to Burt Reynolds, but still, Midland’s got some good songs. Let them play one, AND play tribute to the Bandit.
8:28 – There’s no bigger fan of Jerry Reed than me, and AWESOME a true country song is getting played on the CMA Awards. But why not give Midland a chance to highlight their original stuff? This is strange.
8:27 – Half way through folks!
8:25 – Great job by all in the Ricky Skaggs tribute, and all worth checking out individually. Sierra Hull is a great songwriter too. I’ll even forgive Keith Urban for getting thrown in there.
8:22 – Of course music is a matter of taste, but you can’t tell me after watching this Ricky Skaggs tribute that more talent wasn’t on display in the last five minutes than the first entire half of the CMA Awards.
8:21– Awesome. Marty Stuart, Sierra Hull, Carson Peters, Brad Paisley all on stage with Ricky, ripping up “Country Boy.”
The fresh-faced fiddler up there Carson Peters is no joke. YouTube his ass when this thing is over.
8:20 – America, on the CMA Awards right now is a guy named Ricky Skaggs. He’s a country & bluegrass musician. What you’re hearing right now is what country music actually is, not what you hear on radio. Please take note, & understand there’s a whole world of music out there like this.
8:17 – Hell yeah! Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder!
8:15 – Your Saving Country Music Alternative Vocal Group of the Year is MIKE AND THE MOONPIES!
8:12 – LOL, when you have to tell people who you are and you have three #1 hits like Brett Young does, you know you’re a generic, forgettable Music Row robot.
8:11 – I’ll forget about Brett Young as soon as they cut to commercial, and thank God.
8:09 – Old Dominion sucks. But seriously, so did this category. Would have loved to see Midland win, and they come with their own baggage.
8:08 – WINNER – The CMA for Vocal Group of the Year goes to Old Dominion.
8:06 – Really solid performance by Carrie Underwood. Not a huge fan of “Love Wins,” and I understand to some she’s more an athletic singer than a graceful one, but it’s hard to not feel inspired when she takes the stage. Best performance so far tonight.
8:04 – Carrie Underwood always has some of the most imaginative presentations. Granted, light shows wouldn’t work for most, but she pulls it off well. “Love Wins” is the first song that feels relevant and pressing up to this point.
8:03– Let’s see if Carrie Underwood can pull this presentation out of the gutter.
7:57 – Hey, it’s a Kellie Pickler sighting! Put her ass on the stage and stop diminishing her as the “dumb blonde” trope.
7:56 – If Old Dominion was a hotel, they’d rent rooms by the hour, have DNA stains on the bedspread, and a throw rug over a murder-sized blood stain in the carpet.
7:54 – Doesn’t Old Dominion have a high school hangout to troll with dime bags? Screw these dudes.
7:53 – The hot chicken bit is a rip off from the Oscars pizza bit, just not nearly as funny.
7:51 – Ah, Kelsea Ballerini saving some money on backup dancers, going with the chair dance troupe that advertises on Craigslist, and performs at senior citizens centers as an aerobic elective.
7:49 – Don’t give hot chicken to Carrie Underwood. She’ll have a baby.
7:47 – Ya’ll know I love Chris Stapleton. But giving Chris Stapleton both “Single of the Year” and “Song of the Year” feels like such a default by the voting community. Good song, but doesn’t deserve a ton of hardware. So many impactful songs out there.
Now Stapleton is all but assured a big night. The CMA cannot NOT vote for that guy if they see his name on a ballot.
7:44 – Lauren Alaina gives a shout out to Dottie West, who was just inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. At least that’s one moment so far for true country.
7:44 – Why does Lauren Alaina always look like she just broke something important and is trying to apologize for it?
7:43 – Dave Cobb once again on the CMA Awards stage. Stapleton dedicates the award to everyone lost in the wildfires in California. Cobb fawns over Lionel Richie and thanks Jesus.
7:42 – WINNER – The Single of the Year goes to Chris Stapleton for “Broken Halos.”
7:40 – “Hey, let’s have the top of the piano get set on fire!”
“Okay cool, but why?”
“It’ll be awesome.”
“Sounds pretty random to me, but whatever. It’s your production budget.”
“It’s fire!”
7:39 – Soft rock adult contemporary forgettable generic American bullshit. The yacht rock of country.
7:37 – Dan+Shay are two haircuts with microphones.
7:31 – The best part of Thomas Rhett is his wife. She more interesting doing nothing than he is performing. That’s why he can’t make a public appearance without her. Thomas Rhett’s got a big bag of nothing.
7:30 – If those horns in this Thomas Rhett performance are live, I’ll eat my hat.
7:28 – Luke Combs ain’t the greatest. But he’s an honest, real guy, and the firewall against Kane Brown, Walker Hayes, et al. “God I love country music man,” he says during his acceptance speech.
7:27 – WINNER – The CMA for New Artist of the Year goes to Luke Combs.
7:26 – New Artist has to go to Luke Combs.
7:25 – Man this whole presentation just feels deflated so far. No energy.
“Drowns The Whiskey” was fine. Miranda said earlier this week, the only way she can get to radio these days is via a penis.
7:22 – Man. Ol’ Aldean is about as flat as a 2-day Michelob left on the kitchen counter.
7:19 – Chris Stapleton winning Song of the Year is a better alternative than Sam Hunt and Dan+ Shay, but it feels like a flat, easy, default, and obvious pick. Really feel like Chris Janson’s “Drunk Girl” was the song that had relevance and impact. Even the “Drowns The Whiskey” collaboration with Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert would have a little more oomph behind it.
This also means Stapleton could be set up for another HUGE night. NOt a lot of prognosticators had him winning that one. Entertainer of the Year now comes sharper in focus.
7:16 – I’m usually a pretty big fan of Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood open, but it felt pretty flat this year. Possibly trying to avoid all of the political land mines. Comedy is dying as quickly as country music.
7:15 – WINNER: The 2018 CMA for Song of the Year goes to “Broken Halos” by Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson.
7:13 – Garth Brooks saying “dumbass” on live TV has been the only highlight so far.
7:11 – Is the Nashville Chamber of Commerce paying for this run through of all the sellout celebrity bars on Lower Broadway? I hope so, because otherwise, it is serving no purpose.
7:09 – Yes, Yodel Kid, save this segment. This opening segment is about as enjoyable as shopping at Wal-Mart.
7:07 – This skit with Carrie Underwood dressed up like Colt Ford in a pink smock is hilarious!
7:06 – Opening Carrie Underwood / Brad Paisley bit “A Star Is Bored” is bombing.
7:04 – Seriously though:
7:03 – Well at least some actual country music talent shows up to help Luke Bryan. Ashley McBryde, Jon Pardi, Luke Combs, Lindsey Ell on guitar. They should be the ones with their own performance slots. Cole Swindell bringing up the caboose.
7:02 – Luke Bryan is such a Gomer Pyle-looking goober. Glad Jim Nabors is dead so he doesn’t have to see this.
7:01 – Sorry Luke, but being a middle-aged country pop star with a dad bod scrunched into a pair of skinny jeans is not “What Makes You Country.”
7:01 – Sounds washed out. Not complaining. Luke Bryan is performing.
7:00 – Garth Brooks starts off with a cold open remembering the people killed in the mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, CA at a country dance bar. The names of the victims are displayed.
6:57 – First performance is supposed to be Luke Bryan with “special guests.” At least we get it out of the way early.
6:50 – Early winners announced this morning include “Marry Me” by Thomas Rhett that won for Video of the Year, and “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” by David Lee Murphy and Kenny Chesney has won for Musical Event of the Year. Chris Janson’s “Drunk Girl” deserved Video of the Year more than Thomas Rhett, but this could bode well for Janson’s “Drunk Girl” getting serious consideration for Song of the Year.
Also JUST announced, Mac McAnally is Musician of the Year, again.
6:45 – So this year, the Saving Country Music server has been extra provisioned to help ensure there is no outage, but due to the level of traffic the site receives during this event, there’s no guarantees. So if the connection is lost, be patient, and we’ll get it back online as quickly as possible.
Rachel
November 14, 2018 @ 5:58 pm
What in the world is that Musical Event win? Even the Video award is weird. What an odd way to start.
Will Elam
November 14, 2018 @ 7:02 pm
Tom Petty .. “ Country is just shitty pop music with fiddles “… this abortion proves it.
Ralph
November 14, 2018 @ 6:00 pm
The local ABC station in Nashville had Larry Stewart of Restless Heart conducting red carpet interviews. Only Garth Brooks recognized him. On that same note, I think both Larry and I recognized about a half dozen of the people he interviewed.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 14, 2018 @ 6:02 pm
I wonder if Netflix has anything better to watch than this
Farmer
November 14, 2018 @ 6:04 pm
Ashley McBryde woohoo!
Dennixx
November 14, 2018 @ 6:06 pm
Hope someone gives a shout out to Charlie Robison
Trigger
November 14, 2018 @ 6:35 pm
These losers don’t know who Charlie Robison is. Miranda would be the only one.
CaseyK
November 14, 2018 @ 6:06 pm
Only country up there in the opening number was Jon Pardi and Ashley McBryde!!
NPC
November 14, 2018 @ 6:07 pm
Never asked “Who?” so many times in one song… most won’t be relevant past this year.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 14, 2018 @ 6:07 pm
I wound up watching Impractical Jokers
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 14, 2018 @ 6:08 pm
Luke Bryan is embarassing
Gabe
November 14, 2018 @ 6:15 pm
and this was before he “flossed”
Paul
November 14, 2018 @ 6:12 pm
WHITEY MORGAN AND THE 78S “HARD TIMES AND WHITELINES ” ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!
Tex Hex
November 15, 2018 @ 1:52 pm
It’s a step down from Sonic Ranch to me. I get the “if it ain’t broke” argument with Whitey, but I think the album is a little unambitious. I like it, but there’s other stuff I’d put ahead of it this year. It certainly made my personal top ten albums list this year, but it’s at the bottom.
Big Red
November 14, 2018 @ 6:15 pm
Not being from Nashville…. were those all real places? Or made up for the skit?
Matt M.
November 14, 2018 @ 11:54 pm
They are all real, believe it or not.
Desperado Destry
November 14, 2018 @ 6:17 pm
I’m not in the mood for this bullcrap this year. It’s the same old show, same old NOT country sound, same old rip offs of country music that are being given awards they don’t deserve, same old advertisement for the suckheads on Music Row. It’s like Groundhog Day and I feel like Bill Murray. The only thing that’s changed is Bebe Rexha perform Meant to Be which I can live without. I need something to uplift me right now (which is what REAL country music does by the way) so I’ll be binge watching some YouTube videos of Johnny, Waylon, Willie, Kris, Tammy, George, Loretta, Conway, etc. I’ll come back and check out the blog when it’s all said and done.
CaseyK
November 14, 2018 @ 6:17 pm
Only bar worth going to is Robert’s.
Joel
November 14, 2018 @ 6:21 pm
Could not agree more! The Don Kelley Band alone is worth a trip Nashville. Thank the Lord there are still young people that can play a telecaster!!!
Farmer
November 14, 2018 @ 6:22 pm
We always enjoy going to Layla’s.
Rachel
November 14, 2018 @ 6:17 pm
Brad and Carrie should go back to more straight parodies. Also, the crowd mic seems awfully low, both during the monologue and Chris’ win
Trigger
November 14, 2018 @ 6:37 pm
Yes, volume is washed out for most everything, lending to the low energy.
Joe
November 14, 2018 @ 6:42 pm
I don’t know why the CMA has so many issues with sound. ACMs seem to pull it off without any issues, but every year the whole CMA telecast sounds off.
James hooker
November 14, 2018 @ 6:18 pm
I’m watching this and, I can’t BELIEVE I’m watching this.
Fesgrow
November 14, 2018 @ 6:18 pm
“Yeah, Dumbass!” Wow Garth.
Patti
November 14, 2018 @ 7:37 pm
Can’t believe Garth called Brad dumbass, very disappointing.
Phil Oxford
November 14, 2018 @ 6:18 pm
Brad and Carrie’s bit was horrendous. Biggest snoozefest in recent memory. Time for new blood?
Troy
November 14, 2018 @ 6:22 pm
I was hoping Drunk Girl would win, but as long as a shitty song doesn’t win, I’m fine with it.
Dr. Phil
November 14, 2018 @ 6:23 pm
I gotta steal that picture. Apologies in advance…
Joe
November 14, 2018 @ 6:23 pm
This isn’t a late night talk show. There is zero reason for an extended “comedy” segment. The one or two good jokes out of that could easily be worked in their appearances introducing performers and presenters.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 14, 2018 @ 6:24 pm
Stapleton is the greatest thing to happen to Country Music in years
Troy
November 14, 2018 @ 6:24 pm
Good Lord….is it me or does Jason Aldean sound flat and off key? Does he always sound this bad? If so, how in the hell does he win ACM EOTY????
Joe
November 14, 2018 @ 6:31 pm
Yes, yes, and label politics.
Troy
November 14, 2018 @ 6:36 pm
He’s fucking godawful and he always looks like he’s waiting for the ground open up & swallow him whole. I personally wouldn’t mind that at all, especially if it meant that we don’t have to listen to that atrocity he calls singing.
Rachel
November 14, 2018 @ 6:25 pm
Yikes. This is rough. Glad Miranda’s coming back with PA later to make up for this.
Troy
November 14, 2018 @ 6:28 pm
Amen!! Jason was as flat as 2 day old soda left out in the sun.
Big Red
November 14, 2018 @ 6:30 pm
Yikes… so much noise during this Thomas Rhett song. Hard to make out the song.
NPC
November 14, 2018 @ 6:31 pm
The funniest part is the implication that Thomas Rhett went to college… sounds like he’s a high school dropout and an aspring Soundcloud rapper.
Matt M.
November 14, 2018 @ 11:58 pm
He dropped out of Lipscomb University in Nashville. It’s a super conservative Christian school where freshman have a curfew, but obviously Thomas Rhett wants people to think he partied his way through six years of college to enhance his street cred.
Rachel
November 14, 2018 @ 6:31 pm
Umm. What is this?
KathyP
November 14, 2018 @ 6:32 pm
Has to be the worst sound ever on a music awards show. Pathetic and painful to the ears.
Gabe
November 14, 2018 @ 6:32 pm
Someone please remind me, what’s country about Thomas Rhett because i’m yet to see it
Me
November 14, 2018 @ 6:33 pm
I’m not a huge fan of his but I will always give Rhett credit for at least bringing some energy and variety to his performances on these shows.
Troy
November 14, 2018 @ 6:34 pm
Thomas Rhett wasn’t so bad, but it’s like watching the pop country version of Justin Timberlake. If I wanna watch that, I’ll go watch a YouTube clip of Justin Timberlake. Nothing stands out about this guy.
Phil Oxford
November 14, 2018 @ 6:49 pm
The other day, an acquaintance told me she liked country music. I asked her who some of her favorites were, and she goes, “Justin Timberlake”
God help us all.
Michael
November 14, 2018 @ 6:36 pm
Hey Trig, not sure if it’s on purpose or not, but this blog is not on the front page. You have to dig in the preview to find it.
Trigger
November 14, 2018 @ 7:01 pm
Thanks for the heads up. It should be there. May have taken a moment to populate.
ME
November 14, 2018 @ 6:36 pm
He isn’t my favorite singer by any stretch but I will always give Rhett credit for at least trying to bring energy and do different things in his performances on these award shows.
Troy
November 14, 2018 @ 6:39 pm
I’ll skip Dan + Shay. Nothing stands out about them either. It’s just sanitized pop country.
Big Red
November 14, 2018 @ 6:40 pm
Did Rascal Flatts lose a member?
Hey Arnold
November 14, 2018 @ 10:28 pm
I don’t think Dick was missing.
Joe
November 14, 2018 @ 6:40 pm
What a waste to have so many actual musical instruments “playing” to a backing track.
Rachel
November 14, 2018 @ 6:42 pm
At least these guys can sing, and I actually enjoy this song, even if they’re watered down. First good vocal performance.
Troy
November 14, 2018 @ 6:42 pm
WTF is Jimmie Allen wearing? That has to be the ugliest thing I’ve seen so far fashion-wise.
Banjo
November 14, 2018 @ 6:43 pm
My wife has the same long sweater that one of the Dan and Shay guys is wearing. Que Dave Chappelle “Prince” episode…”you know where you bought that sweater, and it sure wasn’t the men’s section. “
Bill from Wisconsin
November 14, 2018 @ 6:43 pm
WTF I never watch these shows or listen to radio but I am suffering thru it to see how bad it all is. It is.
me
November 14, 2018 @ 6:44 pm
I don’t really like Dan + Shay but “Tequila” isn’t bad as a song really. It is probably as close to a country song as they will ever put out.
Paul Selby
November 14, 2018 @ 7:10 pm
It was the first “on pitch” vocal all night.
Troy
November 14, 2018 @ 6:45 pm
If Chris Stapleton sweeps, I’m more than ok with that. It means that shitty pop country songs aren’t winning the big awards and that tickles my petty soul! Hahahaha
Liz
November 14, 2018 @ 6:50 pm
I think some of the comments are almost as entertaining as Trig’s commentary.
TxMusic
November 14, 2018 @ 6:51 pm
Everything so far has been terrible. I didn’t see the Stapleton wins coming though.
Trigger
November 14, 2018 @ 7:02 pm
I didn’t either. Thought he had a chance. But a sweep of the song awards is pretty crazy.
Baxter Brown
November 14, 2018 @ 7:07 pm
What else could it have been though? Broken Halos is miles better than Drowns The Whiskey and I guess Tequila could’ve gotten one but that song’s kinda too normal to win it feels
Gabe
November 14, 2018 @ 6:51 pm
I see Ms Ballerini couldn’t stay away…
Joe
November 14, 2018 @ 6:51 pm
These are the types of Brad and Carrie skits they should be doing all night. One topic for 30-60 seconds and if it misses the mark, oh well the show has moved on.
Phil Oxford
November 14, 2018 @ 6:52 pm
This Ballerina song sounds like knockoff Britney Spears
CaseyK
November 14, 2018 @ 6:53 pm
🤮 This is awful.
NPC
November 14, 2018 @ 6:53 pm
Have you ever ordered a designer to make you pants that work for one extremely specific outfit only? Yeah, me neither!
Black Boots
November 14, 2018 @ 6:57 pm
Wow this old dominion song sucks. It’s a rip of https://youtu.be/QkubQCI4Fxo
Sbach66
November 14, 2018 @ 7:14 pm
“Wow…old dominion…sucks.”
Fixed it for you.
me
November 14, 2018 @ 6:58 pm
The Bullshit posing as Country Music in 2018 will return with performances from:
– Crappy pop artist slumming it with guys in ripped jeans and man buns
– Some other guy with thousands of dollars invested in neck tattoos so he can look like a criminal
– And whatever artist Scott Borchetta has muscled country radio into “supporting” this month
tex
November 14, 2018 @ 7:01 pm
Country Music has been ripped off…this music is anything, but…
Garrett
November 14, 2018 @ 7:02 pm
This Ballerini shit looks like the Billboard Music Awards, and sounds like it!
Kevin Davis
November 14, 2018 @ 7:03 pm
I’m happy with the winners (Stapleton x2 and Combs), but the performances have been lackluster at best and utterly awful at worst. Please, let’s bring on the Stapleton, Church, and Skaggs performances. So far, this is ridiculous.
Rachel
November 14, 2018 @ 7:05 pm
I wish Carrie’s team would scrap this as a single. It works really well in the context of the album, but there are so many gems I’d rather hear on the radio.
White Cleats
November 14, 2018 @ 9:14 pm
I agree with that. I do quite like Love Wins — as an album cut. It works well in that context. But it’s a crap single and it’s hogging up single space from far better material. Frankly her new label has really shit the bed with the singles so far. Cry Pretty was an appropriate and excellent opener but the way it was handled… And now the second single is a dud. That does not bode well for the rest of the album’s run.
Rachel
November 14, 2018 @ 10:01 pm
I think there’s a lot of good to choose from, and my preferences would be any of “Spinning Bottles,” “Drinking Alone,” “Low,” and “Ghosts on the Stereo” for the rest of the album cycle. I think all of these are in the top tier of her entire catalogue, which is why I am annoyed by this single choice. The big problem I notice though is that this album is more “down” than she’s ever done, which makes me worry that UMG likely won’t be bold enough to avoid “Southbound” and/or “End Up With You.” At least “That Song…” has some really unique and creative moments as music in general, but obviously isn’t my choice for country radio. But if they can’t get “Drinking Alone” or “Low” to a top 5ish finish, it wouldn’t bode well for UMG or the state of country radio. Just some thoughts….
Jo
November 14, 2018 @ 10:44 pm
Unfortunately I don’t think “Low” will be a single. According to an article, Carrie tears up just talking about it. They chose to write it about a relationship, but it has a different meaning for her than the lyrics suggest. “Low” came from a writing session she had while dealing with one of her miscarriages.
White Cleats
November 15, 2018 @ 11:36 pm
Jo, but that’s exactly why it *should* be a single. The vocals are coming from a very personal place and filled with pain. People need to hear her that way, not just as a technical virtuoso.
White Cleats
November 15, 2018 @ 10:12 pm
I’m with you on everything you said. I think Low, Spinning Bottles, Ghosts, and Drinking Alone are all career songs (and of course that would follow that they’re my 4 favorites on the album). I’ve never heard her voice resound with such emotional weight, such gravitas, such character. Particularly on Low and Spinning Bottles. And you’re right, I think UMG will do the chicken shit thing and release the pop numbers and South Bound. Frankly, I think country radio is in the process of retiring her. It happens to them all. They reach a certain age or a certain stage of their career, and radio moves on from the current A lister’s and towards the next generation. So if radio is done with her she may as well release the songs with the greatest artistic value and leave the pop stuff and the concert anthem stuff for, well, her concerts.
Rachel
November 17, 2018 @ 5:16 pm
I agree that radio is moving on, and I’m sure this is a conversation that’ll be had many, many times. Wishful thinking, Love Wins is just doing poorly because it isn’t connecting the same way many of the other songs seem to be. But it seems crazy to think that a woman whose album was certified gold (I think?) in three months and is very likely the most consistent radio performer in the last 15 years (considering Cry Pretty was her worst at #5) is being phased out in a time everyone is talking about the lack of women on the radio.
That’s why I think Drinking Alone (or Spinning Bottles or Low) should probably be her comeback song after the baby because it seems to be the most consistently praised by critics and djs across the board, and audiences are connecting the most with it according to streams/views. If radio is going to phase out arguably the most consistently successful (and respected throughout music/entertainment) artist in mainstream country, might as well make them look extra dumb by doing it with career songs. But I’ll stop derailing the thread, because I’m sure it’ll come up with her next single!
me
November 14, 2018 @ 7:06 pm
Ho hum.
A real voice dominates and commands the stage yet again.
Rachel
November 14, 2018 @ 7:06 pm
Also, if she sings like this absurdly pregnant, there is zero excuse for everyone else’s subpar vocals. I know she’s not a favorite around here, but damn if Carrie isn’t one of the best vocalists mainstream country has had, especially the last decade.
White Cleats
November 14, 2018 @ 9:16 pm
She’s the best technical vocalist the genre has *ever* seen. Prove me wrong.
Rachel
November 14, 2018 @ 10:04 pm
Hey, I’m with you there! Her last album has firmly put her at the top for me.
Troy
November 14, 2018 @ 7:07 pm
Carrie is KILLING IT!! And she’s pregnant! There’s NO excuse as to why the previous performances have been shitty. She truly is the Golden Standard.
Fat Freddy's Cat
November 14, 2018 @ 7:07 pm
Did I just tune into Celine Dion’s Vegas show?
Kelly MJ
November 14, 2018 @ 7:08 pm
This is irrelevant, but while Carrie is singing. It looks like she has huge flames coming out of her butt.
Johnnie tuffshit
November 14, 2018 @ 7:08 pm
The sound is shitty on the vocals cause most are shitty and can’t sing live
hoptowntiger94
November 14, 2018 @ 7:09 pm
I heard Dan + Shay from the kitchen and I thought it was Rascal Flatts! I was really surprised when they too had a fat, nasally lead singer.
Phil Oxford
November 14, 2018 @ 7:09 pm
Never quite realized just how old the Old Dominion creeps are
Jared S.
November 14, 2018 @ 7:10 pm
Does that girl presenting the award to Old Dominion realize that her ass is hanging out?
Rachel
November 14, 2018 @ 7:12 pm
Also, if Carrie sings this well while super pregnant, there is zero excuse for the subpar performances by everyone else, especially the stars. I know she isn’t exactly a favorite here, but damn if she isn’t one of the best singers mainstream country music has had.
Btw Trigger, any chance we’ll get a review of “Cry Pretty?” And sorry if this posts double!
Saving Bro Country Music
November 14, 2018 @ 7:12 pm
“The hot chicken bit is a rip off from the Oscars pizza bit, just not nearly as funny.”
They literally said that themselves …
Charlie
November 14, 2018 @ 7:13 pm
I hate it when they say Dan AND Shay when they named themselves Dan PLUS Shay.
Don’t bail these fuckers out from their stupidity.
Kevin Davis
November 14, 2018 @ 7:13 pm
Damn it! Old Dominion beats Midland for group of the year. And now I have to listen to Brett Young sing like a prepubescent adolescent. Seriously, CMA’s, let’s get serious.
Big Red
November 14, 2018 @ 7:17 pm
REAL BLUEGRASS ON THE CMAS!
CaseyK
November 14, 2018 @ 7:18 pm
YES!!! Some actual GD country music!!!!
Jim L.
November 14, 2018 @ 7:20 pm
It ain’t gonna get any better than Ricky Scaggs. But why ruin it by letting Urban on stage?
TxMusic
November 14, 2018 @ 7:20 pm
Okay Carrie showed up and made the others look amateur hour.
Kirby
November 14, 2018 @ 7:20 pm
Pickin and Grinning!
More talent on stage right now than there will be for all of the rest of the show combined!
#bluegrass
CaseyK
November 14, 2018 @ 7:21 pm
Yes!!! Marty Stuart!
Bill from Wisconsin
November 14, 2018 @ 7:21 pm
Marty and Ricky!!!!
Joe
November 14, 2018 @ 7:22 pm
Wow not just a 30 second snippet, but up to 3 songs and going for Ricky with plenty of time for music solos. These moments are what make the CMAs far and away superior to the ACMs even if the CMAs’ chronic sound issues. Then again, the best sounding performances tonight have been when they had a real singer singing (Carrie) and some real music being played (Ricky).
NPC
November 14, 2018 @ 7:22 pm
Ricky Skaggs got TWO STAGES, while others get an island in the middle aisle.
Kathy
November 14, 2018 @ 7:23 pm
I think Ricky Skaggs just schooled a whole bunch of folks who think they know what country music is!
Penny
November 14, 2018 @ 7:24 pm
The whole Ricky Skaggs performance was worth tuning in for. Kick ass
Rachel
November 14, 2018 @ 7:24 pm
That’s what I’m talking about!! So glad that was a legit tribute, and not a 45 second spot.
CaseyK
November 14, 2018 @ 7:24 pm
OK everyone can go home now. Turn off the TV. Good night.
Tyrone
November 14, 2018 @ 7:25 pm
Let’s just all take a moment and thank the Lord above that Chris Lane and Walker Hayes are nowhere to be seen on this list.
Martha
November 14, 2018 @ 7:27 pm
DAMN!! Ricky and co. are killing it!!
The Dot
November 14, 2018 @ 7:27 pm
One of my first country concerts was Ricky Skaggs. Opening act had to bail, so he did two shows. It was in 1987. I can still remember how I felt that night. He can blow anyone out of the water and off the stage.
TxMusic
November 14, 2018 @ 7:28 pm
Okay that was really cool.
me
November 14, 2018 @ 7:30 pm
Well got to give Midland credit for singing “East Bound and Down” and credit to the production team for making it look very nostalgic with the camera shots, blocking, and the shot of multiple people playing guitars at the same time.
Charlie
November 14, 2018 @ 7:31 pm
Jesus! Did the station just change to Mars? Real country music seems like it’s coming from another planet compared to the God-awful shit that’s been playing!
Big Red
November 14, 2018 @ 7:32 pm
Ricky Skaggs is the real deal. That was an awesome performance!
Johnnie tuffshit
November 14, 2018 @ 7:32 pm
The Midland tribute,,,now that was COOL
Joe
November 14, 2018 @ 7:33 pm
Well, this year’s CMA Awards just dashed any hope of ending on time with the seemingly 18 minutes it took to name off everyone associated with that Keith Urban album. I mean even if they were the only ones who voted for that piece of garbage there should be enough of them involved to win it.
liza
November 14, 2018 @ 7:33 pm
Midland’s performance is a tribute to Burt Reynolds.
NPC
November 14, 2018 @ 7:35 pm
Time to use the restroom!
Jim L.
November 14, 2018 @ 7:37 pm
FGL & Bebe clean up nice. Still hate ’em.
Charlie
November 14, 2018 @ 7:37 pm
Manuel should revoke Midland’s jackets.
TxMusic
November 14, 2018 @ 7:37 pm
Hell yes Kacey! Well deserved.
Garrett
November 14, 2018 @ 7:38 pm
God Bless Jerry Reed…..Thank you Midland.
Bill from Wisconsin
November 14, 2018 @ 7:38 pm
And a Jerry Reed song!
Jared S.
November 14, 2018 @ 7:39 pm
“Ladies and gentlemen, one of the greatest songs in Country Music history” – Billboard
Black Boots
November 14, 2018 @ 7:40 pm
GOLDEN HOUR!!!!
Calhoosier
November 14, 2018 @ 7:41 pm
Not meant to be!
kiwicountry
November 14, 2018 @ 7:41 pm
OMG so not a complete sausage fest this year!! WTF CMAs you actually gave a woman an award she deserved! Wasn’t so hard was it. Perhaps you are keen to move out of the dark ages where woman were oppressed and live in 2018 with everyone else. Hopefully next year it will be a doughnut fest!!! Doughnuts for all awards!! Wouldn’t that be something!!