The 2021 CMA Awards LIVE Blog
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 2021 CMA Awards LIVE blog. For the entirety of the decreasingly-relevant broadcast, thoughts pointed remarks, keen observations, outright snark, and probably a few swear words and errant typos will be presented in real time, and credit will also be given where credit is due.
And of course, your feedback and observations are welcome as well, so please feel free to pipe up in the comments section.
To see a list of nominees and predictions, CLICK HERE.
WARNING: Language
All Times Central Time.
WINNERS:
Entertainer of the Year – Luke Combs
Album of the Year – Chris Stapleton’s Starting Over
Song of the Year – Chris Stapleton’s “Starting Over”
Single of the Year – Chris Stapleton’s “Starting Over”
Female Vocalist of the Year – Carly Pearce
Male Vocalist of the Year- Chris Stapleton
Vocal Duo of the Year – Brothers Osborne
Vocal Group of the Year – Old Dominion
Musician of the Year – Jenee Fleenor
Musical Event of the Year – Kenny Chesney and Kelsea Ballerini – “Half of My Hometown
Video of the Year – Kenny Chesney and Kelsea Ballerini – “Half of My Hometown”
10:17 – It’s really hard to know what to feel about the 2021 CMA Awards, or awards shows in general in 2021. When the ratings come out, it’s likely to be another double digit loss. It’s not necessarily the fault of the CMAs. It’s just awards shows do not feel long for this world, at least as currently constructed.
Obviously, it was Chris Stapleton’s night, again. Hard to say he didn’t deserve it considering the competition, and that Morgan Wallen’s disqualification left a void. Jennifer Hudson clearly stole the show, which always seems to happen when someone outside of the genre is invited in, and shows us all what real talent looks like.
Carly Pearce also had a potentially career-defining night, not only with one of the best performances with Ashley McBryde, but taking home a slightly surprising, but clearly deserved Female Vocalist of the Year award. She is the future of women in country music, and if that’s the case, country music is in good hands moving forward.
And Luke Combs finally got the award he’s probably deserved for years now. The narrative for the media coming out of this will be the lack of female and diverse representation, but that doesn’t mean all the wins weren’t deserved, including Jimmie Allen for New Artist in a pretty weak field, and Brothers Osborne for Duo as the protest vote against Dan + Shay.
Many of the performances are what dragged this presentation down. Nothing was downright terrible, but few were memorable. With so many entertainment options for consumers, if you can’t offer something world-beating, you won’t compete. If the CMA’s are to survive, they have no other choice but to open up the stage to artists such as Billy Strings, Charley Crockett, Emily Scott Robinson, who can offer something you can’t find anywhere else, as opposed to the same old generic songs and acts.
10:06 – THANK YOU to everyone who followed along! I am going to compose some final thoughts on the night, recap the winners, and get out of here.
10:04 – Honestly, Luke Combs has deserved this award the last two or three years. And he may win it for two or three years to come. Stapleton may never win it now, neither may Miranda or Carrie Underwood. But it’s hard to argue with the pick.
10:03 – Luke Combs: “Alan Jackson just said my name. Twice.”
|
10:01 – WINNER – The 2021 CMA Entertainer of the Year is Luke Combs.
10:00 – Alan Jackson shouldn’t be relegated to just presenting an damn award. He should be performing a retrospective of “Murder on Music Row” with George Strait, which won the CMA Song of the Year 20 years ago this week, and remains as relevant as ever.
9:57 – Should have saved that one for Luke Combs.
At this point, Stapleton and his team probably don’t want to be winning this many awards. Now Entertainer of the Year is his to lose.
One things for sure. Even if Stapleton never releases another song, he’s a Hall of Famer.
9:56 – WINNER – The 2021 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year is Chris Stapleton.
Hope he brought the truck, not the car to haul all this hardware home.
9:53 – I mean, after watching Jennifer Hudson, and then watching this Luke Bryan performance just puts it all in perspective. It’s not that country music doesn’t have talent. It’s brimming with it. But it doesn’t make it onto the CMA Awards. Where’s Billy Strings? Tyler Childers?
9:44 – I’m glad that T.J. Osborne is accepted in country music, and feels so. It validates all the accusations against country music for being unaccepting are (mostly) unfounded. But like so many of the acts tonight, Brothers Osborne just aren’t that country, and their latest album “Skeletons” was a dud seven different ways. Their performance did little for me.
9:41 – Carly Pearce was playing bluegrass at the age of 11. She dropped out of school at 16 to play Dolly Parton’s Dollywood 6 days a week, 5 times a day. She’s played the Opry 80 times. Carly Pearce IS country music. Very well deserved Female Vocalist of the Year.
9:38 – WINNER – The 2021 CMA for Female Vocalist of the Year is Carly Pearce.
9:37 – Jimmie Allen – All the boringness of Kane Brown, and the generic-ness of Old Dominion.
9:35 – Remember in 2nd grade, when you would make designs with Elmer’s glue on construction paper, and then dump glitter on it and sift the remaining loose stuff off? Jimmie Allen’s getup, ladies and gentlemen.
9:33 – Hey, Mary Stuart! He gets pointed out in the crowd for being a new Hall of Fame inductee.
But of course Luke Bryan doesn’t mention Connie Smith right beside Marty, who is also a Hall of Famer, because Luke Bryan has no idea who she is.
9:30 – Jennifer was winding down, but still not cool they cut her off a little short to go to commercial. She just MADE your damn show. Show a little respect.
9:28 – Told you Jennifer Hudson would show up everyone on this presentation, but Lord, wasn’t expecting that. WOW.
9:23 – Jennifer Huson comes out singing “Night Life” written by Willie Nelson. Willie sold the song for $150 to Paul Buskirk in 1960. Like literally, the whole song, the rights to it and everything. It’s since been recorded by some 400 different performers.
9:19 – Man, all this product placement “generosity” marketing rubs me the wrong way. Doesn’t mean teachers, the military, and everyone else doesn’t deserve our praise because they do. But can you give them praise without trying to sell us shit? It would be more sincere.
9:15 – With every Chris Stapleton win, the hate for him rises. Good chance he will win Male Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year too. Why not? But it’s not his fault country music is so talent bereft that the only undeniably talented guy (however tired of that talent folks might be) sucks up all the awards. Better he’s defining this generation of mainstream country than Morgan Wallen.
9:13 – That riser is higher than Katy Perry.
9:12– Gee, hope Dan + Shat don’t fall off that extremely tall riser. That would break my little heart.
9:09 – Chris Stapleton had to win. It was the only actually good ALBUM. “29” by Carly Pearce was great too, but was an EP that was quickly replaced by an LP, making it dumb to award.
And I’m telling you, and lot of think piece writers out there that already pre-wrote their articles about Morgan Wallen winning (which he never was going to) are absolutely crushed right now.
9:06 – WINNER – The CMA for Album of the Year goes to “Starting Over” by Chris Stapleton.
9:05 – Thomas Rhett exemplifies the discrepancy between proven pedigree and outright nepotism in country music. If it wasn’t for daddy, Rhett would be trying to upsell you on the warranty package on a new Volvo.
9:04 – Sorry Thomas Rhett, but to be “Country Again,” you had to be country in the first place. You dweeb.
9:03 – Luke Bryan is the worst host in CMA Awards history.
9:02 – Why is Lady A still a thing?
8:57 – Finally one of my predictions came true, only because the strange success of Old Dominion is so overhyped and predictable. They’ve now won Group of the Year four years in a row, and the only song I can remember from them is the one they just performed because it scarred me so deeply. The epitome of generic.
8:55 – WINNER – The 2021 CMA for Vocal Group of the Year goes to Old Dominion.
8:53 – Luke Combs comes out to debut a new song called “Doin’ This.” And just like most Luke Combs songs, it a bit more country, is passionately performed, and still leaves you a bit flat. Still, he’s the leader country music needs, shouting out and collaborating with important songwriters, and hard not to root for over the competition.
8:48 – Luke Combs should eat Luke Bryan.
8:47 – Russell Dickerson looks like Beaker from the Muppets.
8:45 – Prediction: Jennifer Hudson comes out to tribute Aretha Franklin in a complete non-sequitur for a country show, and blows all these crackers off the stage.
8:40 – Chris Stapleton’s talent is undeniable. It is generation defining. Both as a singer and a guitar player, as he proves performing “Cold.” You just wish is was more country, and just more … “something” so you could root for him harder. Still, you can help but feel blessed it’s him up there performing and winning all the awards, NOT Florida Georgia Line, NOT Kane Brown, NOT Sam Hunt.
8:37 – Chris Stapleton comes out to sing “Cold” with Dave Cobb playing rhythm guitar. I believe the Americana Instrumentalist of the Year Kristin Weber whose played on a lot of your favorite independent releases is also back in the string section.
8:37 – Use your words, Gomer.
8:34 – I feel seasick enough to projectile vomit my supper against the wall watching Old Dominion perform their dumb boat song. Damn boat songs are getting as ubiquitous as truck songs.
8:32 – Song of the Year and Single of the Year NEED to be different, not interchangeable. One is supposed to be the commercial powerhouse. The other is supposed to be a substantive, year-defining masterpiece. “Starting Over” is a fine song, but I don’t know that it’s either of those.
8:28 – As much as I wanted to like the Mickey Guyton performance, the hair was as over-the-top as the sentimentality. I think she would have been better served performing “All American” or “Black Like Me” solo, and showcasing her voice, which is her strongest asset. This tried too hard.
8:26 – Faith Fennidy who was the young woman who inspired Mickey Guyton’s “Love My Hair” introduces Guyton, with Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards.
8:23 – Cool to see not just Dave Cobb, but Vance Powell on the CMA Awards stage with Chris Stapleton. Powell has engineered all kinds of great albums, including Sturgill Simpson’s “High Top Mountain.”
8:22 – WINNER – The CMA Single of the Year goes to Chris Stapleton for “Starting Over.”
8:21 – Deana Carter, and the great Lainey Wilson sing a quick a capella version of “Strawberry Wine.” Thanks goodness for the small gifts.
8:19 – Ooh, a Deana Carter sighting! Let her fucking perform.
8:16 – “If you sell out hard and become a puppet for the industry like me, you can be a middling washed up pop country 50-something tool clinging to relevancy like me.”
–Keith Urban
Thanks for the pep talk, you prick.
8:15 – Already can tell from the level of online chatter, ratings for these awards are going to be abysmal. No big legends. No big outside-the-genre collaborations. It all just feels so flat. Just don’t know how long these things are for this world.
8:11 – Dude, all of these songs just suck. “If my neck don’t come out red, just keep me dead.” Who thinks this shit is good? If this is the future of country music, I don’t want to be resurrected.
8:09 – Over an hour into a country music awards show, and we finally hear the first prominent steel guitar, and it’s behind Blake “Old Farts and Jackasses” Shelton.
8:08 – Good to hear fiddle player Jenee Fleenor won Musician of the Year again. She’s playing guitar here though.
8:07 – Carrie and Jason Alean were fine I guess. I just can’t stand that dude, or his wife’s dumb Instagram T-shirts.
8:04 – Um, what’s up with the post-Apocalyptic smashed piano stage prop behind this performance? I’m missing the symbolism, aside from trying to get through this performance is like trying to survive a extinction-level asteroid strike.
8:03 – Screw Jason Aldean.
8:00 – Going back to New Artist of the Year, it felt pretty much baked in that Mickey Guyton was going to win it, even though calling her a “New Artist” at this point feels almost like a euphemism. I think when her album flopped (and it flopped), Jimmie Allen made for the next safe bet. By sales and influence, Gabby Barrett is who probably deserved it.
7:58 – I guess briefly seeing Willie Nelson on the back screen of a bad Chris Young/Kane Brown collaboration is about as close as we’ll get to seeing a country legend tonight. Hopefully Kane can find his way back home tonight without a police escort.
7:56 – Kane Brown’s 14-year-old predominantly female fans are wondering at the moment why he’s performing with their dad. (Eww! Who’s that old creep?!?) Perhaps nobody’s pissed more talent away trying to stay relevant than Chris Young.
7:54 – Jimmie Allen is not that good. But you got to respect the dude. He’s a fighter, and gave a heartfelt speech through the tears.
7:53 – Jimmy Allen dressed like he should be shooting up the Batmobile with a Tommy Gun.
7:53 – WINNER – The CMA for New Artist of the Year goes to Jimmie Allen.
7:52 – Imagine a music world where Gabby Barrett’s “Good Ones” is one of the deepest, most substantive songs out there. How empty.
7:51 – More fiddles, less violins.
7:49 – A+ on the Gabby Barrett visual presentation. This song does nothing for me, but not bad.
7:47 – Looks like Katy Perry got her hands on some of that Astro-World Fentanyl.
7:44 – Welp, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde came out and killed it, but now there’s virtually no other performances to look forward to. Hopefully somebody surprises us. I’m more exited about Jennifer Hudson than anyone else.
7:41 – I’m glad Zac Brown has decided to go back to his roots. Again. But after the dude was out there white boy rapping about Gucci bags and Veyron whips, I just can’t take him seriously anymore.
7:38 – Brothers Osborne are a favorite anti-vote by the CMA. That’s how they won Vocal Duo three consecutive times between 2016-2018. The most important thing to take from their win is it wasn’t Dan+Shay.
7:36 – WINNER – The 2021 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year goes to Brothers Osborne.
7:35 – I’m pretty sure my drunk uncle had the same eagle Ashley McBryde has on her chest on the side of his Good Times van in 1982.
7:33 – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde give you sincere hope for the future of mainstream country music. “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” is great writing, and these ladies took this performance seriously, and are delivering it flawlessly.
7:31 – Interfacing with network TV and all the damn commercial breaks is jarring if you haven’t done it in a while.
7:28 – The Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde performance is about the only other performance I’m looking forward to tonight. I think the CMA’s pulled a big boner not having at least one country legend perform to draw in more of the one demo who actually still watches television.
7:26 – Consistently, the best thing about these awards shows is Church’s backup singer Joanna Cotten, and Carrie Underwood’s gams.
7:24 – I prefer my Eric Church on the stool, doing the solo acoustic thing where he thrives in this setting. But at least this doesn’t feel as canned as the other performances so far.
7:22 – Wow, I hated this “Beers On Me” performance until they name-checked my favorite macro-brew. Now I think it’s genius.
7:21 – Yikes. Three-part disharmony. Not enough time for practice fellas? Dierks is better than this lame, radio-friendly shit.
7:19 – I’d call Breland the Steve Urkel of country music, but Breland’s not country, and unlike Urkel, he’s not in any way entertaining.
Country music should stop trying to make him a thing. He’s more derivative than Florida Georgia Line. If you want diversity, get some Charley Crockett in there.
7:17 – Stapleton winning Song of the Year right off the bat probably portends well for him the rest of the night. It means voters are willing to pull the lever for him, and that could weigh in with Album of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year.
7:15 – Stapleton hands the mic over to his co-writer Mike Henderson. Great to see Mike get some face time. Guy has been a great writer, performer, and independent label owner for years. Among other things, Mike name drops another deserving songwriter, Kevin Welch. A win for the good guys to start off the show, though “One Night Standards” by Ashley McBryde would have been a good pick as well.
7:12 – WINNER – The CMA Award of Song of the Year goes to Chris Stapleton for “Starting Over.”
7:11 – Katy Perry is wearing a dress made of the tape Amazon uses to seal your moving boxes.
7:09 – Luke Bryan listing off all the performers tonight is like reading off the gauntlet of requirements for a gang initiation.
7:07 – Luke Bryan being about as funny as a positive COVID test for your grandmother.
7:06 – The CMAs addressing the calls for diversity by having the whitest, cracker-ist Caspar Milquetoast American goober host this thing, none other than Gomer Pyle.
7:03 – Looks like we have washed out audio to look forward to for the next three hours. Think that a music presentation in 2021 could figure this shit out.
7:02 – Miranda better mind that arm fringe. Get that stuff stuck in some heavy machinery, she’ll quickly become a damsel in distress.
7:01 – Oh great. A medley.
7:01 – The show opens with Carly Pearce, Mickey Guyton, and Gabby Barrett wearing one of those flying squirrel wind suits introducing Miranda Lambert.
7:00 – Here we go!
6:56 – Some hard, last minute predictions:
Mickey Guyton = Best New Artist
Luke Combs = Best Male Vocalist
Old Dominion = Vocal Group
Dan + Shay = Vocal Duo
Also feeling good that Chris Stapleton could win Album of the Year, and potentially Entertainer of the Year. It feels like Stapleton’s year, and if he doesn’t win it this year, he may never win it. But both Carrie and Miranda are also strong contenders for Entertainer of the Year since CMA voters may want to finally award a woman. And of course, Luke Combs is the actual biggest artists in country music right now. When he starts winning the award, he may not stop for years.
6:54 – An award has already been handed out: Kenny Chesney and Kelsea Ballerini won in Musical Event of the Year for “Half of My Hometown.”
And in a very strange and lame move, Kenny Chesney and Kelsea Ballerini also won Video of the Year for “Half of My Hometown.”
6:50 – A big question many have is if Morgan Wallen will win for Album of the Year. Even though he’s been made ineligible for individual awards this year, he was allowed to still compete for Album of the Year out of respect for his producers and collaborators. If he wins, expect it to be the event that launches 1,000 think pieces.
Truth is, many folks who love to brand country music as wholly racist are hoping for a win by Morgan Wallen just as much as his fans. It will be a boon for business and their media brands. It’s also not very likely to happen.
6:45 – Every year there tends to be some tribute, or some moment toasting country music from the past or a traditional country artist. If this happens in 2021, it will be a surprise. Aside from Alan Jackson presenting, there is nothing paying tribute to anyone on the slate whatsoever. This is a change from past presentations when the CMAs have been showing tribute to the past more and more. Last year there were half a dozen tribute performances, and Charley Pride was the centerpiece of the presentation. We’ll also have to see if they 86 the “In Memoriam” segment. Remember, in 2020, the CMAs were called out by many folks even with all of their tributes for not acknowledging John Prine, Billy Joe Shaver, Jerry Jeff Walker, and others.
Bill from WI
November 10, 2021 @ 5:58 pm
Yay here we go!
Skitch
November 10, 2021 @ 5:58 pm
I’m here in person supporting my wife who cares
Glad you’re blogging it so I can look forward to some laughs
Trigger
November 10, 2021 @ 9:32 pm
Good husband taking one for the team.
Derek Sullivan
November 10, 2021 @ 6:04 pm
You got to love YouTube. I don’t have to sit through it. I’ll just catch the solid performances on YouTube tomorrow. I’m not wasting my time on all the fluff.
Daniel M Cooper
November 10, 2021 @ 6:06 pm
Alan Jackson presenting. That’s funny since he should be nominated for Album of the Year.
Bill from WI
November 10, 2021 @ 6:09 pm
Oh great, dipshit is hosting. Mute.
JMM
November 11, 2021 @ 1:15 pm
he was drunk
DS
November 10, 2021 @ 6:10 pm
They really couldn’t get anyone better than Luke Bryan?
DS
November 10, 2021 @ 6:12 pm
Okay that immunized joke wasn’t bad
NPC
November 10, 2021 @ 6:15 pm
Maybe it’s the mass amounts of caffeine I’ve consumed today, but Luke Bryan’s opening monologue wasn’t terrible; he seemed rather self-aware and self-deprecating, which was rather refreshing to see from him. In some ways, it was better than the cheeseball song parodies that Brad and Carrie lean on to get them through.
CeeCeeBee
November 10, 2021 @ 6:16 pm
I love Miranda but we have seen that same medley (though added “Blue Bird” this time) at so many awards shows over the past few years. She didn’t even bother to include her new single. Lived her outfit and her spunk, but kinda tired of that same old performance of the same old songs.
Trigger
November 10, 2021 @ 6:26 pm
Yeah, just felt a bit mailed in. Especially strange for the opening performance.
NPC
November 10, 2021 @ 6:24 pm
Hardee’s is gripping that microphone like he’s funneling a six-pack of Zima.
Skitch
November 10, 2021 @ 6:28 pm
Eric kind of looked like a discount George Michael
Madwolf
November 10, 2021 @ 6:38 pm
Of course.
KathyP
November 10, 2021 @ 6:35 pm
McBryde is the best thing that’s happened in country music since Stapleton. What a voice, songwriter and performer.
DS
November 10, 2021 @ 6:36 pm
I’m really disappointed in Dierks after watching that bullshit
El Babo
November 10, 2021 @ 6:49 pm
I knew it’d be bad but…that was next level bad.
Maierrose
November 10, 2021 @ 6:40 pm
I also prefer Eric Church in acoustic mode but his band is absolute fire. And I love the way he features Joanna Cotten, one of the best voices in all of country music but definitely not your average, cookie-cutter Nashville female personality/body. The CMAs may pontificate about diversity but Church has actually championed more awesome female voices-including Cotten, Valerie June, Rhiannon Giddens, Brandy Clark, Ashley McBryde among others-than country radio ever will.
Trigger
November 10, 2021 @ 9:35 pm
Eric Church has been one of the best at giving a hand up to up-and-comers, especially women, and including black women. Never gets enough credit for that from the media.
NPC
November 10, 2021 @ 6:40 pm
Every viewer of the CMA Awards when Brothers Osborne win: “Wait, which one is the gay one?”
Mike
November 10, 2021 @ 6:41 pm
Well…I guess brothers Osborne is better than Dan and Shay
DS
November 10, 2021 @ 6:43 pm
That Ashley McBryde performance was outstanding. Arkansas represent
seak
November 10, 2021 @ 6:49 pm
This is so bad, I just can’t watch. I’ll catch the performances that are decent on youtube…and spare myself Luke Bryan hosting.
Jim L.
November 10, 2021 @ 6:51 pm
Carol Burnett wants her drapes back.
Shamus
November 10, 2021 @ 6:51 pm
I’m Tulsa area and they have preempted it due to weather aka tornadoes. Ughhh.
Cameron
November 10, 2021 @ 6:57 pm
Whenever I hear “same boat” come on the radio my head thinks “oh they’re playing chicken fried”.
Joe Mama
November 11, 2021 @ 10:31 am
I’m surprised Zac Brown doesn’t get called out more for recycling melodies from past singles.
Justin
November 12, 2021 @ 1:46 pm
Totally, haha. When I think of “Same Boat,” I’m thinking “we’re all in the same boat” then my brain goes to “cold beer on a Friday night, pair of jeans that fit just right.” 😂
DS
November 10, 2021 @ 7:02 pm
Chris Young continues to be a huge disappointment. What a waste of a great voice
Jim L.
November 10, 2021 @ 7:02 pm
If you want a deep song, go to y’all-toob & check out “The Dash” by Brooke Hatala (written by Natalie Hemby). Great voice with a slight raspy tone. She’s my newest “find” of this year.
NPC
November 10, 2021 @ 7:05 pm
Is Carrie cosplaying as a vape cloud?
Country Charley Crockett's Butter
November 11, 2021 @ 3:16 am
No, just as an antivaxer , defending her medical freedom from the government.
Alexa, play “Crazy” by Patsy Cline
🎶🎶🎶🎶
Judy
November 11, 2021 @ 9:58 am
Proud of Carrie.
Daniel M Cooper
November 10, 2021 @ 7:06 pm
Regardless of how you feel about Jason Aldean’s new song, at least it’s a proper duet and not just Carrie on glorified Harmony vocals
TruthAtLast
November 10, 2021 @ 7:07 pm
This comment thread is dead as a doornail. Is it because Trigger is a bigot? Did word oh his anti-white views get out? Any way, yay awards show!
El Babo
November 10, 2021 @ 7:30 pm
Shoo, troll
Kyle The Mex Lover
November 10, 2021 @ 9:18 pm
The truth hurts, huh?
Joe Mama
November 11, 2021 @ 10:35 am
Not really, no.
Guest
November 11, 2021 @ 4:55 pm
I agree. His racist remarks against white people are disgusting but to be expected from Mr. Woke.
DS
November 10, 2021 @ 7:07 pm
Jason Aldean is arguably the worst person in country music. I don’t know how anyone can stand performing with that POS
El Babo
November 10, 2021 @ 7:10 pm
I’m impressed Jason Aldean was on pitch this year. That’s an achievement in itself.
Trigger
November 10, 2021 @ 7:30 pm
He wasn’t terrible.
DS
November 10, 2021 @ 7:19 pm
Keith Urban’s performance wasn’t as bad as expected
Maierrose
November 10, 2021 @ 7:21 pm
Who does “Old Farts and Jackasses” think he’s kidding? He’s a network tv star who lives in an LA mansion most of the year and is married to a Vegas entertainer
Truth Teller
November 12, 2021 @ 9:55 am
You sure don’t know much about Blake. He owns a massive ranch in Oklahoma. Blake married music icon Gwen Stefani on that ranch in Oklahoma this year in the chapel he built her. Blake has two homes. One in LA where he works . One in Oklahoma where he lives very much the country life. Do you actually think Chris Stapleton and Miranda and these other cm artists live in shacks in Nashville. 😂 Also all these cm artists play Las Vegas now as do all music artists. Blake’s opening a brand new Ole Red in collaboration with the Grand Ole Opry in Vegas. Jealous much.😂
Richard Fox
November 13, 2021 @ 2:09 pm
Blake Shelton us the biggest fraud in country music since Garth Brooks, like his wife he’s a prima donna who thinks he has talent. His show is phoney and only for the privileged
NPC
November 10, 2021 @ 7:25 pm
Chris Stapleton’s songs are the Air Supply of country music; they just put you to sleep.
NPC
November 10, 2021 @ 7:42 pm
His performance further solidifies my opinion; his voice can bring it, but his body language lacks conviction and passion, like he’d rather be home conditioning his beard. How can you sing a song like that and still make it feel so soulless and forgettable?
Ralph
November 10, 2021 @ 7:27 pm
I miss when Mickey Guyton used to just sing real country songs. Now everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, she does is some sort of racial statement. It’s still not getting her any record sales or radio play.
Trigger
November 10, 2021 @ 9:38 pm
Her album debuted at #47 in country and then dropped out of the Top 200 the next week. It was a terrible follow through after a tremendous amount of press and opportunities. It’s because her career is being produced by Twitter. She’s got an amazing voice. But the pandering has turned people off.
Garrett
November 10, 2021 @ 7:28 pm
Holy Fuck, the Pointer Sisters
Trigger
November 10, 2021 @ 7:32 pm
I would have taken The Pointer Sisters over that. They actually had strong country roots and Anita released some country songs, including a duet with Earl Thomas Conley.
Erik North
November 10, 2021 @ 8:47 pm
That, and they had a mild C&W hit of their own in the fall of 1974 with “Fairytale”, which hit #37 C&W/#13 pop, and sounds much more classically country than most of what’s being performed on the show.
Did I mention that the Pointer Sisters are from that great country music enclave of Oakland, California? (LOL)
DS
November 10, 2021 @ 7:28 pm
The same song winning song of the year and single of the year makes absolutely no sense. Good for Stapleton though, hopefully he wins out the rest of the night
Maierrose
November 10, 2021 @ 7:29 pm
Mickey Guyton has a great voice but this is one of the worst songs of ANY genre I have ever heard
Clint
November 10, 2021 @ 7:32 pm
Stapleton and Guyton..thank god for fast forward button
Ralph
November 10, 2021 @ 7:32 pm
Diana Ross wigs are now 75% off at Spirit Halloween.
NPC
November 10, 2021 @ 7:33 pm
I’m so confused; correct me if I’m wrong, but if the song is about loving one’s natural hair, why are none of them actually wearing their natural hair? I mean, if their hair is actually that voluminous, I’m impressed! It is nice to see the young lady that introduced them getting to turn a bad experience into a positive experience, though.
lj
November 10, 2021 @ 7:39 pm
This is exactly what I just was saying to my husband… I love the point that was trying to be made but it would have seemed so much more sincere with the ladies wearing their hair naturally.
Trigger
November 10, 2021 @ 7:44 pm
Yeah, it was almost like they were trolling America to make fun of their hair. The whole thing just tried too hard.
bamstrait
November 10, 2021 @ 7:37 pm
My my CMA, aren’t we virtue signaling loud and clear tonight, pathetic.
DS
November 10, 2021 @ 7:40 pm
Finally get to a Stapleton performance and it’s a song that’s not even remotely country
me
November 10, 2021 @ 7:42 pm
I unironically like that Old Dominion song and low bar and all that was probably their best awards show performance.
Country Charley Crockett's Butter
November 10, 2021 @ 7:44 pm
Where’s Jon Pardi?
He’s deserving of some exposure… why would Capitol Records CEO Mike Duncan pick his signed artist Keith Urban over his Jon Pardi.
Keith doesn’t need the exposure.
Very poor business decision. These TV awards could change an artist’s life (see 2015 Chris Stapleton) , & Jon Pardi has never performed his own music on any award show (just a 30 second little Verizon Mobile stage & singing on Thomas Rhett’s song)
Taylor 💜
November 10, 2021 @ 7:50 pm
Pardi’s probably “too country” for these folks. 🙄 If mainstream country had more like Pardi, Carly, and Ashley McBryde (although it’s fair to say that she leans more towards rock a lot of the time), they’d be in much better hands.
ackmaui
November 11, 2021 @ 1:01 am
I wouldn’t say that Ashley leans more towards rock.
ackmaui
November 11, 2021 @ 1:02 am
but I totally agree that they would absolutely be in much better hands.
Taylor 💜
November 10, 2021 @ 7:44 pm
Carly and Ashley killed it, absolutely slayed. Love “Never Wanted to Be That Girl”.
On the bright side, no “Fancy Like” assaulting our eardrums. Hopefully it’ll stay that way.
Garrett
November 10, 2021 @ 7:46 pm
Just think if country music hadn’t lost its way 25 years ago you would be listening to Aaron Lewis, Mickey Lamantia, Creed Fisher, Mose Wilson, Sturgill Simpson…….tonight
Taylor 💜
November 10, 2021 @ 7:52 pm
Hell, if this was the case, Jon Pardi would even get a full performance slot.
Garrett
November 10, 2021 @ 7:56 pm
Except, Jon Pardi is country hanging by his fingernails
Country Charley Crockett's Butter
November 10, 2021 @ 7:58 pm
Pardi is literally the best current mainstream artist of our generation
Taylor 💜
November 10, 2021 @ 8:17 pm
He’s one of the few who can actually claim the “country” title and it’s not a complete lie. The Heartache Medication album was awesome.
El Babo
November 10, 2021 @ 7:59 pm
Aaron Lewis can stick with his Shit Staind other band.
Justin
November 15, 2021 @ 7:06 pm
Sturgill is a liberal, he’s not country.
SC
November 10, 2021 @ 7:48 pm
How many times does Mickey Guyton have to be seen??? Enough is enough
Country Charley Crockett's Butter
November 10, 2021 @ 7:51 pm
Russell Dickerson, Thomas Rhett, & Chris Tomlin give off “Holy Roller Christian Youth pastor” vibes
CeeCeeBee
November 10, 2021 @ 8:11 pm
I can’t believe how bad all this is.
The CMA knew award shows were on life support, and THIS is what they managed to put together?
NPC
November 10, 2021 @ 7:53 pm
The fact they pried the red Solo cup out of Luke Combs’s hand is incredible.
Garrett
November 10, 2021 @ 8:07 pm
Aaron is more Country than any of these toolbags hands down.
ha-ha-ha-aroni
November 11, 2021 @ 1:32 pm
Aaron Tippin is country
Rich
November 11, 2021 @ 10:54 pm
Wallen.
Country Charley Crockett's Butter
November 10, 2021 @ 7:55 pm
McDonald’s – a Billion served.
Luke Combs – A billion streams
= generic stuff
NPC
November 10, 2021 @ 7:59 pm
The only palatable Old Dominion album is their “Meow Mix” album.
NPC
November 10, 2021 @ 8:04 pm
Every time I see Lady Antebellum, Trigger’s comments about their third member being an elementary school teacher runs through my mind; it is an adequate coping mechanism.
Country Charley Crockett's Butter
November 11, 2021 @ 3:20 am
Dave is a teacher?
NPC
November 11, 2021 @ 9:55 am
It was way back in 2013, but it’s still a classic!
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/if-pop-country-stars-had-to-find-other-jobs/
CJ Ellis
November 10, 2021 @ 8:08 pm
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Thomas Rhett has had the most country sounding song tonight, with Combs and Pearce/McBryde close behind
Loves Real County Music
November 10, 2021 @ 8:12 pm
These award shows don’t need to be the avenue for your personal political views. Do this on your own time. Precisely why I very seldom watch an award show anymore. County music seems to have abandoned it’s roots in the last few years anyway. It seems to have alot of pop, thug, political tones. Let’s get back to real country music (Alan Jackson, George Strait, Willie Nelson, Travis Tritt, Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Tanya Tucker, etc)
Wild Bill
November 11, 2021 @ 6:24 am
There should’ve been more train songs! Because this certainly was a train wreck all around! I hope this isn’t what country music has come to! Maybe it’s kind of like the Virginia election for governor the people will decide. Are we really that jaded and corrupt?
Linda Downey
November 11, 2021 @ 4:07 pm
I woke up when Alan Jackson came in view. So excited thought something country would happen. Disappointing. Glad I could fast forward through most of the show. Minnie Pearl must be tearing up her hats.
NPC
November 10, 2021 @ 8:13 pm
“Are they married? Is one of them a woman?” -my mom upon seeing Dan + Shay
El Babo
November 10, 2021 @ 8:21 pm
Yes, and no, both of them are women.
Bill
November 10, 2021 @ 8:13 pm
Go to bed already
Daniel M Cooper
November 10, 2021 @ 8:15 pm
Anyone else notice that the broadcast cut away from a potential thank you speech from Vance Powell, Chris Stapleton’s engineer?
Michele Samuelson
November 10, 2021 @ 8:15 pm
It is a missed opportunity to not have Brad Paisley host with Peyton Manning. Seriously.
Trigger
November 10, 2021 @ 8:22 pm
I’d pay to see that.
El Babo
November 10, 2021 @ 8:23 pm
Is Brad Paisley even there?
Julie
November 10, 2021 @ 8:21 pm
The CMA Awards are so high school. There is so much talent out there and yet the same people win over and over again. This somehow had to be rigged or these people have inside connections. Chris Stapleton winning over and over again??? Really??? I’m so tired of this I don’t know if I can watch this again. Bring on some recognition for someone else. How about Midland, Brothers Osborne, Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi, Little Big Town,….
Taylor 💜
November 10, 2021 @ 8:28 pm
Pardi is the real deal. A legit country artist who deserves way more recognition and accolades than he gets.
I’ll be honest though, I was glad to see Brothers Osborne claim vocal duo of the year over Dung + Shit. They (Brothers Osborne) aren’t country, but they are very talented regardless. A deserved win.
NPC
November 10, 2021 @ 8:26 pm
Glimpsing Maren Morris in a two-second pan of the crowd makes one realize how truly irrelevant she is to the country music scene; she went from being hot stuff to nobody in one awards season. She is the definition of a label push.
KathyP
November 10, 2021 @ 8:37 pm
The test going forward for Maren Morris will be the Grammy awards.
Lisa
November 10, 2021 @ 8:37 pm
Let’s hope she goes away completely.
Maierrose
November 10, 2021 @ 8:31 pm
And now we know what Chris Stapleton should really be doing for a living. Much more soul and blues than he’s ever been country. And I would definitely buy a ticket of he ever decides to go on the road with Jennifer Hudson.
Md
November 11, 2021 @ 2:22 pm
Very disappointing evening. Luke , Eric , Keith didn’t win nor Keith even nominated which is very ridiculous. So happy about Jimmie Allen and Carly pierce win however. Felt like it wasn’t upbeat enough. Didn’t like that they
all performed in the dark. Got tired of Chris winning over and over again. As far as Carrie rolling her eyes its a choice yes but that was shallow. People need to quit taking things so seriously. Thought Luke did a good job under the circumstances. People need to leave Luke alone.
KathyP
November 10, 2021 @ 8:31 pm
Jennifer Hudson, 7th place on American Idol the year she competed. Goes to show the voters then, and still can’t, recognize a great talent. Music education in schools,anyone?
Bill from WI
November 10, 2021 @ 8:32 pm
So…Jennifer Hudson saves the otherwise boring awards show.
Loves Real County Music
November 10, 2021 @ 8:33 pm
The best part so far has been Deana Carter singing Strawberry Wine.
Can’t you just hear Alan Jackson singing “Where have you gone” and George Strait singing “Murder on Music Row” ??
El Babo
November 10, 2021 @ 8:34 pm
Did they seriously cut away from the end of that performance? Was it too good for TV?
Trigger
November 10, 2021 @ 8:52 pm
Yeah, bad move. I think she was finishing up. But still, when something like that is happening, you don’t get in the way. Make up the time somewhere else.
Michael Adams
November 10, 2021 @ 8:35 pm
Worst CMA of all times Very little country music. And what is up with what they are wear. It all pop music.
Squid
November 10, 2021 @ 8:37 pm
Kinda weird hearing Freedom is a Highway without Brad Paisley. Did the CMAs ban him after he stopped hosting? Lol
The ghost of bro country's past
November 10, 2021 @ 8:38 pm
That dan and shat performance was so good, glad i hit record earlier so i can watch it back again tomorrow
El Babo
November 10, 2021 @ 8:39 pm
Can you imagine having to follow that performance?
Bill from WI
November 10, 2021 @ 8:47 pm
Right. Maybe they should have let Marty Stuart up there to sing one of the songs he sings in the dark.
I Stan For Moe Bandy
November 10, 2021 @ 8:42 pm
Weird move for Ashley McBryde to stand right in front of the mic during Carly’s moment..
Lisa
November 10, 2021 @ 8:47 pm
They’re good friends. I think Ashley was trying to help her but it came off wrong.
Greta
November 10, 2021 @ 9:12 pm
I took it as a friend helping her get it together.
ackmaui
November 11, 2021 @ 1:06 am
Actually, Carly said “help me” and Ashley went up to give Carly a moment to get herself together.
RWP
November 10, 2021 @ 8:52 pm
Just call her Kayne McBryde now
Truth Teller
November 12, 2021 @ 7:24 pm
What was even more awkward and weird was the expression on Miranda Lambert’s face when Carly won. Miranda must have thought she was winning again because she looked so mad. 🙄The camera was on Miranda and caught her disgusted look. 😂 Miranda has no class. Mean girl. She didn’t even hide her anger and the camera caught it. Not surprised that no one else mentioned this about Miranda here at SCM. 😂
bamstrait
November 10, 2021 @ 8:50 pm
I long for the days when the show was about the music (real country) and didn’t think it was necessary to address social issues. I don’t need their lectures or enlightenment. Throw out the WOKE playbook and entertain me.
El Babo
November 10, 2021 @ 8:54 pm
Agreed, I’m as left as they come and I could care less what any of them have to say about any social or political issues, left or right.
Country Charley Crockett's Butter
November 10, 2021 @ 8:58 pm
Alan Jackson is the next presenter
Chris31
November 10, 2021 @ 8:58 pm
Award for most annoying song if the night… UP. First time I’ve ever heard it and already can’t stand it. I just wish Luke would Shut Up!
robbushblog
November 10, 2021 @ 8:58 pm
I’m not watching it yet. Recording it so I can fast forward through the vast majority of shit. I sure am enjoying this commentary though.
robbushblog
November 11, 2021 @ 8:46 am
Dangit. For some reason it didn’t record, and the only two performances I can’t find online are the two I wanted to see most: Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde, and Jennifer Hudson.
Loves Real County Music
November 10, 2021 @ 9:03 pm
Alan Jackson = real country music
NPC
November 10, 2021 @ 9:05 pm
Alan Jackson is so worn down between the grief and the health issues. It is good to see him, but he and his family need our prayers.
Judy
November 10, 2021 @ 9:14 pm
Was he escorted out by his wife due to his neurological issues. Was that his wife??
Country Charley Crockett's Butter
November 11, 2021 @ 3:27 am
Stop spreading lies and or rumors.
NPC
November 11, 2021 @ 8:56 am
What are you talking about? The man has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and both his son-in-law and his mother died in the past few years. That is all fact, and the interviews are everywhere. https://www.today.com/health/country-star-alan-jackson-announces-cmt-diagnosis-today-t232178
Farmer
November 10, 2021 @ 9:07 pm
Our local news cut off the CMA’s before they announced entertainer of the year.
Trigger
November 10, 2021 @ 9:42 pm
Ha!
David
November 11, 2021 @ 3:34 pm
I didn’t even watch. I saw king George in concert the other night with asleep at the wheel. Got my country fix there. Stapleton won by a lot of awards. I guess good for him but he doesn’t give me my country fix. Morgan wallens album not winning album of the year just shows what a joke the show is. It’s wasn’t just the best this year,I could argue it’s an all time great. Alan had a great album as well but I knew that had no chance.
Richard Fox
November 11, 2021 @ 11:55 pm
King George my ass, him and Garth Brooks are the biggest frauds in country music. They may sing good but they ain’t no artists, they can’t write, just over priced cover singers. They don’t measure up to Waylon, Willie, Johnny Cash n Hank Jr.
Richard Fox
November 12, 2021 @ 8:27 am
Morgan Wallens is a phoney and a racist. Like George Strait, he is no musician and artist, just an overpriced cover singer who can’t write for shit. I’ll take Whitey Morgan and Cody Jinks over that pop country crap any day. Gee that Wallens sure has a lot of people fooled
David
November 13, 2021 @ 2:29 pm
I can tell from your grade school rhetoric that you clearly don’t have a clue about country music. You mention those names of Hank Jr, Waylon , buy I bet you never sat down and really listened to them. And calling someone racist without any facts outside of the so called entertainment sites is so low it’s not even worth mentioning. All those guys you mentioned didn’t write all their own stuff either. All country greats but being mentioned by you isn’t doing them any favors.
Richard Fox
November 13, 2021 @ 11:52 pm
Rhetoric my ass, I probably have more education than you and I know more about country music than you think. I bet you I have sat down and listened to them. I know there music and songs like the back of my hand. I guarantee you there music has more substance than that pop country shit u listen to. It’s true the true greats did sing other people’s song but for the most part they write there own and leave a lasting catalog of songs. What have your pop country singers wrote? They just privileged overpriced cover singers. Your boy Wallens is a racist and an idiot who sings pop country trash. Maybe your the one with grade school rhetoric if a pop country singer has u fooled.
RWP
November 10, 2021 @ 9:28 pm
Anyone remember a couple years ago Carrie, Luke Bryan, Eric Church and I think even Miranda all pitched a fit about Garth winning ETOY all the time? Now they lost to Luke Combs. Hilarious.
Richard Fox
November 12, 2021 @ 8:42 am
Garth Brooks is a phoney and not a good musician at all, like George Strait he’s just an overpriced cover singer. I don’t waste my time on CMA, it’s full of trash and disrespectful to the great true artists. I’ll stick to my outlaw country and the true artists like Waylon, Willie, Johnny Cash, Merle and Hank Jr. by the way, Waylon was accurate in his views on Garth Brooks…. Phoney
Edgar
November 10, 2021 @ 9:31 pm
Why is the sound always so poorly mixed!? It’s truly awful. If the Oscars can sound awesome on ABC, the CMAs should too.
David
November 15, 2021 @ 7:48 pm
Oh Richard fox, yea rhetoric. I don’t listen to pop country. Morgan wallens is far from pop country. And George is definitely not. Far as Waylon and Hank Jr. Yea great artist but you have to go back a little further to really get to old country. I grew up listening to Hank Jr. You just want to seem cool throwing names around. Those two other guys you mentioned, don’t know maybe they are ok. Haven’t listened, they don’t seem relevant to anything. Just two more singers that probably won’t be a star, just a singer in a bar somewhere. Just two fish in a big barrel. Have a good day.
Dave
November 10, 2021 @ 9:37 pm
Carly was so overwhelmed she couldn’t even speak. Ashley was clearly happy for her friend and helping her out.
JB-Chicago
November 10, 2021 @ 10:29 pm
I just got home from being out this evening with other plans and haven’t/hadn’t watched one second of this and after years of watching I know I can trust Trigger so much to just give me an honest SCM play by play rundown ………..LOL and he didn’t disappoint. It’s just so funny, Trig you missed your calling……Stand up comedian is really your forte certainly equal to writer/drummer, had me roaring with every other post. I’m glad Carly won, the irony that 4 days ago she walked by me in a bar is not lost at all because she deserves this for her hard work. As much as we’re sick of Combs and Stapleton as I’m sure their wives are it’s better than________ I dunno whoever……..cough cough Rhett or Urban……..I’ll bump through the show tomorrow on the DVR to put a visual to the comedic comments and the world will keep turning until Friday when Cody drops a deuce.
Benjamin Beard
November 10, 2021 @ 10:32 pm
*I meant to post this as a standalone comment but fingered a reply to a random comment above, my apologies…
I know you have made many posts about this in the past, Trigger. But where the hell have the gatekeepers in country gone? I love whole-heartedly that the genre is accepting of TJ Osbourne. I love that there are people of color represented. I love that a real musician in the form of Stapleton is winning awards. But even in 2021 when there are so many authentic, great, “real” country artists out there, whether it be my preference of Cody Johnson, Josh Ward, Cody Jinks, etc or someone else’ taste in Sarah Shook, Tyler Childers, Jason Isbell, etc, why do these awards shows keep subjecting us to crap like this? We have better options, and it used to be a sacred genre. George Jones told Allan Jackson to “keep it country”. And he did. Allan Jackson gave Zac Brown a Caddilac and told him to “keep it country”. Well, that took a turn. We have passed the point where we are getting some good country through to radio, and album sales are showing people are listening. Maybe not to hardcore country, but at least to better options like Luke Combs, Carley Pierce, Ashley McBryde, etc.
Is it a societal issue where noone is willing to stick their neck out and declare something “not country”? Or is it a loss of genre identity within the upper echelon of country stars? Both?
Additionally, there are better pop stars to pick to join the awards shows. Personally, i think Post Malone might be a good start for a pop guest.
I guess it’s just hard to understand how I live in Spotify land where there is so much great, real country music, and I’m still only seeing the label radio stars primarily represented on these shows, and they expect us to think they are still relevant.
Erik North
November 11, 2021 @ 8:20 am
Benjamin:
I think all of your points here are totally valid, and have plenty of merit to them. One of the problems, though not the only problem, is that country music has morphed into a giant corporate business where the big, big, big money seemingly trumps (no pun intended) everything else, including any pretensions towards art and the traditional spirit of the music. To some extent, the very same explosion of artists that led to the genre’s renaissance in the 1990’s was how we got here, because so many of them came with business degrees and ideas of how to market themselves–it became more about Branding (again, no pun intended) and, over time, seemingly less about the music as such.
This is strictly my opinion, but the country genre can really only survive if the tradition-minded artists you mentioned are allowed to reconnect the past with the present and somehow make those traditions relevant to today. It has been done in the past, and, in my mind, it can still be done today–not with one gatekeeper or one kingmaker as such, but as an entire mass movement.
Stephen Hall
November 10, 2021 @ 11:28 pm
They missed a trick not giving best album to 29. Don’t agree that it being an EP first makes the slightest difference. That’s a trend that will become increasingly common. And it was just plain better than Starting Over.
(Not) The Ghost Of OlaR...
November 11, 2021 @ 12:17 am
Oh…there was an award show?
sandyH
November 11, 2021 @ 4:33 am
cold by stapleton is ripped off dead and gone by ti feat justin timberlake .. he is supposed to be so talented but he keeps ripping off others music ! i maybe having such a beard makes him look so talented ? by talent i mean where is his songwriting abilities when his biggest hit is a cover
L Skaggs
November 11, 2021 @ 5:22 am
The show was ruined because of the lousy sound, hopefully CMA will not give this show to ABC agsin
Taylor 💜
November 11, 2021 @ 6:01 am
Congratulations to Carly Pearce!! She definitely deserved female vocalist of the year. Her new album is absolutely amazing.
Randy Karns
November 11, 2021 @ 6:38 am
nothing but a circus side show. country music long gone.
Sam Hill
November 11, 2021 @ 6:44 am
I have an idea! Let’s be anti-mainstream!! Nobody’s doing that! Then we can make music that nobody but hipster wannabes will pay money for! Then we can cry that we’re “disillusioned with the music industry” and give the record labels the middle finger along with some crap music that “they don’t know what to do with”! Then we can bail out and become an “independent artist”! Then we can do ‘real country’ style cover versions of decades-old, gigantic mainstream rock hits that were borne out of the same music-industrial-complex that we so love to rail against! Then we can toy with some Frankensteined sounds and arrangements and shed some more tears about being lumped in with the “nebulous Americana” genre!
I’m in! Anyone else?
BDE
November 11, 2021 @ 6:57 am
It’d be nice if they used “starting over” as a catalyst to actually start over at mainstream radio/cmt to play real county music instead of half baked woke rap crap.
Allen Smith
November 11, 2021 @ 6:59 am
I remember being in elementary school in the early 90’s and going to school the next day to talk to my friends and teachers about the award shows. We would talk about the songs, who won, it was great and everyone knew about the awards show (the fact that there was one on tv). Now, it’s not even mentioned because its so watered down and not enjoyable. The jokes fall flat, the performances are blah (minus a couple) and the winners are usually predictable. I miss the days when the show actually meant something and was enjoyable to watch. It also helps having actual country music on a “country music” award show and not relegating the stars to be presenters (aka Alan Jackson). I bet half the people watching don’t even know who Alan Jackson is. There were a few bright spots but overall another forgetful awards show.
Don LeMaire
November 11, 2021 @ 7:10 am
The CMA has become a joke! It’s no longer country music – it should just be called the music awards. Every year this venue gets worse.
CountryKnight
November 11, 2021 @ 7:11 am
Didn’t bother watching.
Alan Jackson not winning Album of the Year was a joke.
wayne
November 11, 2021 @ 7:38 am
A complete woke show.
Country Charley Crockett's Butter
November 11, 2021 @ 7:56 am
Is Russell Dickerson balding?
Is that a receding hairline or just how his hair is parted?
Morgan
November 11, 2021 @ 8:13 am
Chris Stapleton brought the broom
Dr. Donut
November 11, 2021 @ 8:27 am
Jennifer Hudson is a fine performer, but doesn’t below on a CMA Awards show. And the way the ‘front row’ people reacted was embarrassing. They didn’t show that much enthusiasm for their own brothers and sisters in the industry. As usual, the CMA hopes to have something for everyone, like the circus clowns with the fake hair, and that up and coming singer Freddie Freeman. (At least his wife likes country music in Florida.) They just fail to do enough for the COUNTRY fans. Now, back to my Morgan Wallen playlist.
(Not) The Ghost Of OlaR...
November 11, 2021 @ 8:55 am
Fast forward to the 2022 CMA award show where Megan Thee Stallion & a black Dolly Parton impersonator pay tribute to the late country music legend Donna Summer.
Loretta Twitty
November 11, 2021 @ 9:02 am
Random 2 cents: I’m glad there were people in the audience. Um, I’m glad I recorded it & could fast forward. I feel like Mickey G should go somewhere. Done with her. Take Gabby B. with her. She reminds me of a drunk Carrie Underwood. I like the Dierks song minus Curly & Moe. I am glad Carly & Ashley got to sing. I quit listening to Stapleton. Traveler was great & sorta passed as country. I honestly thought Wallen shouldn’t be punished & should have won something. Where were the steel guitars? Alan should have had a bigger role.
Country Bob
November 11, 2021 @ 10:34 am
Shame on CMA. The country music in American has turned over to be another avenue for the BLM movement. Since when does does Jennifer Hudson tribute to Anthea Franklin have anything to do with the CMA’s. Don’t hear me wrong. When Charlie Pride hit the scene ,I bought his music, some with Darius Rucker. This show was a disaster. Wake up people. It started changing years ago with e slug from Australia . Urban is no more country than an alley cat. He’s a hell of a guitar player, he doesn’t dress country, took his rock style of singing and just put a Twang to it. The CMA has lost its roots in this country. Blake Shelton for President.
Tanya Graibe
November 11, 2021 @ 11:19 am
“Carrie and Jason Alean were fine I guess. I just can’t stand that dude, or his wife’s dumb Instagram T-shirts.” YES!! EXACTLY! I liked him until…They lost me with that shit!!
David
November 11, 2021 @ 5:36 pm
I’m sorry to say the country music is going down the drain it’s no longer country it’s some other kind of music it’s too bad country music is done doneThe show last night was terrible