In the least-shocking election results since the presidential candidates carried their own states, Kenny Chesney was voted Entertainer of the Year at the 42nd annual CMA Awards (see our CMAs Best and Worst here). That’s four times in the last five years he’s won the top category, including the last three in a row. In past years, Chesney has tended to wax humble about the whole thing, but this year, we actually caught him acting a little cocky. “Eventually, people are gonna move on, and I know that," he told the assembled press immediately after coming off stage. "Ask [past Entertainers of the Year] Reba or George Strait. But to the other four acts that are nominated: I’m not gonna lay down, either….These aren’t given away. They aren’t free.”
Chesney did allow that, when it comes time to abdicate, there is one fellow nominee he’d most like to move over for. “I was especially excited for Sugarland,” he said. “I think they might win this one day. I hope they do.” So how did Sugarland, the lone newcomer among this year’s EOTY nominees, even sneak into contention, being a somewhat youngish and at least partly female act in a male-dominated category? “We just tried to tour with every single one of the nominees,” Kristian Bush joked, “figuring then maybe they’d include us.” Jennifer Nettles played the straight woman, adding, “I guess we figured out that if you just put on a good show, you’re more likely to be nominated. So far for us, it doesn’t seem to matter how young or how female you are. We don’t really think about it in those terms.” Ah, but we do, Jennifer, we do.
There weren’t a lot of surprises this year. Cohosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood made a good George and Gracie-style team while also repeating their respective wins in the top male and top female categories; Rascal Flatts was top group for the sixth year running; and George Strait’s honors for best single and best album were widely expected. The only real suspense was for the new artist category, where vocal trio Lady Antebellum unexpectedly triumphed, even beating Jason Aldean, the guy whose tour they’re currently opening. Before the show, singer Hillary Scott assured me that Lady Antebellum had “fifth place racked up in both our categories,” those being vocal group as well as new artist. “We’re great friends with everybody in both categories,” said bandmate Charles Kelley (pictured with Scott). “Well, not the Eagles,” Scott corrected him.
More backstage CMAs coverage after the jump…
Miranda Lambert represents a rare instance where critical favorites and CMA favorites suddenly overlap, and even though she was singing the rueful ballad “More Like You” on the telecast, she was nominated for “Gunpowder and Lead,” an abused woman’s country-rock revenge anthem. “It’s unbelievable to me that ‘Gunpowder and Lead’ was my first top 10 single and now it’s my first single of the year nominee,” she said just before the show. “That’s the last one I would have thought would do that, just because it is so controversial and edgy. But that just shows you that people like something a little left-of-center once in a while.”
Darius Rucker, who just became the first African-American to have a No. 1 country single since Charlie Pride, sang his smash “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” on the telecast, though he won’t come up for nominations until next year. “I remember walking around last year feeling so out of place and trying to fit in,” he said before the show, “so it’s cool to be at my first CMAs where I really feel like part of the family.” Even unlikelier first-time CMA performers: Jamaica’s Wailers, who joined Chesney for a medley. “It’s a great pleasure being here — more than tongue can tell," said Wailers singer Elan Atias. “Country and reggae are very similar.” (From the aroma that preceded them by about 20 feet, the similarity to Willie Nelson was certainly apparent.)
The most effusive red-carpeteer, not unexpectedly, was Taylor Swift, the one true phenomenon to come along in country since Carrie Underwood. Thanks to some careful timing, her sophomore album had just come out the day before, and her new single, “Love Story,” had reached No. 1 at the format that same day. She was atoning for all that success by trying to weigh herself down. Her pre-show dress weighed 30 pounds, she said. “I can’t believe I could even walk to the red carpet, it’s so heavy. It’s like wearing a bag of rocks. But I’m happy to wear this bag of rocks.” Getting personal, a reporter asked Swift if she’d been in contact with ex-b.f. Joe Jonas since he’d become a topic of discussion on her recent Ellen appearance (“No, we don’t talk”) and how she felt about learning Jonas was dating actress Camille Belle (“They’ve been together since we broke up,” Swift said bluntly. “That’s why we broke up — when he met her”). Fortunately, the breakup occurred just in time for her to get a song in about him on her new album. “I think [guys] are starting to realize that if they are involved with me in any way, I probably will write a song about them," she said. "But hey, you know what? If they don’t want me to write bad things about me, they shouldn’t do bad things.”
Miranda Lambert represents a rare instance where critical favorites and CMA favorites suddenly overlap, and even though she was singing the rueful ballad “More Like You” on the telecast, she was nominated for “Gunpowder and Lead,” an abused woman’s country-rock revenge anthem. “It’s unbelievable to me that ‘Gunpowder and Lead’ was my first top 10 single and now it’s my first single of the year nominee,” she said just before the show. “That’s the last one I would have thought would do that, just because it is so controversial and edgy. But that just shows you that people like something a little left-of-center once in a while.”
Darius Rucker, who just became the first African-American to have a No. 1 country single since Charlie Pride, sang his smash “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” on the telecast, though he won’t come up for nominations until next year. “I remember walking around last year feeling so out of place and trying to fit in,” he said before the show, “so it’s cool to be at my first CMAs where I really feel like part of the family.” Even unlikelier first-time CMA performers: Jamaica’s Wailers, who joined Chesney for a medley. “It’s a great pleasure being here — more than tongue can tell," said Wailers singer Elan Atias. “Country and reggae are very similar.” (From the aroma that preceded them by about 20 feet, the similarity to Willie Nelson was certainly apparent.)
The most effusive red-carpeteer, not unexpectedly, was Taylor Swift, the one true phenomenon to come along in country since Carrie Underwood. Thanks to some careful timing, her sophomore album had just come out the day before, and her new single, “Love Story,” had reached No. 1 at the format that same day. She was atoning for all that success by trying to weigh herself down. Her pre-show dress weighed 30 pounds, she said. “I can’t believe I could even walk to the red carpet, it’s so heavy. It’s like wearing a bag of rocks. But I’m happy to wear this bag of rocks.” Getting personal, a reporter asked Swift if she’d been in contact with ex-b.f. Joe Jonas since he’d become a topic of discussion on her recent Ellen appearance (“No, we don’t talk”) and how she felt about learning Jonas was dating actress Camille Belle (“They’ve been together since we broke up,” Swift said bluntly. “That’s why we broke up — when he met her”). Fortunately, the breakup occurred just in time for her to get a song in about him on her new album. “I think [guys] are starting to realize that if they are involved with me in any way, I probably will write a song about them," she said. "But hey, you know what? If they don’t want me to write bad things about me, they shouldn’t do bad things.”
Comments (1-30) of 81 Add your comment
Firstis it just me or does anyone else think that Kenny Chesney is GAY!
Also Taylor Swift needs to move to the Disney Channel with the rest of the teeny boppers who can’t really sing. Other than that I thought the CMA’s were to long!!!
The person below me does not know what he is talking about at all! If you don’t like the country stars, then don’t watch it! Don’t hate on them just because you aren’t as good as they are. I think Taylor Swift is amazigly talented!
Don’t completely blame the artists for a boring show, it’s up to the producers, etc to make sure the show is good, and not fill horrible performances, even though the artists are the ones singing thier songs sometimes their mics don’t work properly it all. Although with Taylor Swift it wasn’t her mic that wasn’t working it was the fact that she can’t sing plain and simple, IMO her performances for last yrs CMA’s the the other awards that are held im Vegas in May were a litte over the top, I also think she wants to be the talk of the awards shows ,the center of atttention, that’s why TS does such extravagant performances, the producers of these shows let her do what she wants. While other artists don’t have such extravagant performances:(
Sorry if I upset or offended anyone but that’s jut my opinion.
Taylor Swift needs to stick to songwriting and let Carrie, Miranda and Martina do the singing. The girl CANNOT sing!
My take on this is that the overall CMA’s were really good, but Taylor swift reminds me of the character on the movie just friends – She really cannot sing its a joke that she is where she is.
I thought the cma show was terrific! I wonder where Faith was at while carrie won her 3rd straight female vocalist of the year award? She is great and a much better singer than faith. Also way to go Sugarland alot better than Brooks and Dunn they are so annoying and act like they are better than everyone else. I am also very proud of Taylor Swift and Kellie very classy and woderful singers. As for Kenny Chesney I think he is also very annoying and not very grateful for what he does have.
If you like country music a lot last night was fine because you got to listen to some really good performances for three hours. If you want stupid just go rewatch the grammy’s because except for paramore’s great performance there was nothing at all to see but crap.
Carrie was the best performer of the night- hands down. She ruled! I also enjoyed Kid rock, Darius Rucker, and Miranda Lambert.
Taylor Swift sucked as usual. Can she fit anything else on that stage to distract people from her bad vocals? lol Didn’t work- she still sucked.
Taylor did suck. She needs to go away to pop music and leave country to people who can sing. She is getting so ARROGANT!
I loved it when she looked pissed off when Carrie won– and when Carrie got a standing ovation. Taylor looked like she was about to do a Faith Hill WHAT moment. lol classic.
Taylor needs to learn that it is NOT all about her.
Never got Carrie U. she has less personality and charisma than a robot. Bo Bice should have won AI.
bo bice should NOT have won & he didn’t… so move on. he sucked & had horrible hair.
carrie underwood is amazing,talented,has a beautiful voice & spirit.
I like taylor swift,she is an amazing song writer,but her voice is not strong as say carrie.
but I agree she looked mad after carrie sang & got a standing o…
Kenny Chesney is SUCH a little gay boy!!! When will he ever step out of the closet? The show really is too long for the small number of awards and the performances are just the acts promoting themselves for record sales, instead of really trying to entertain the audience. Some REALLY country music would be nice; after all, it is the Country Music Awards!!!!
That crap is not country music. I haven’t heard country music on the radio since the late 80’s and early 90’s. Since when is Kid Rock country? Merle Haggard, George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill. I listen to “alternative” country which is like how country music used to be: Old Crow Medicine Show, Southern Culture on the skids, Lucinda Williams, etc. Check them out. Taylor Swift couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket!
I do not understand the Taylor Swift bashing!? She is a VERY talented sweet generous girl who is very humble unlike Miss Underwood who can sing but she has changed enormously and her ego is starting to take away from her talent. Do the Taylor bashers know just how talented and giving this young girl really is or do you just not like her due to her huge success at her young age? The girl is amazing and deserves success.
if Kenny chesney is gay i will eat your shorts..
No comments on Brad Paisley’s excellent guitar playing? Too bad he’s so overlooked as a guitarist, he’s one of the best.
Brad and Carrie deserved their awards if based on vocal ability and stats. Taylor may had had more broad success and is a awesome writer but she needs to grow up a bit more. Critics have said that “Fearless” is half teen and almost 20 sounding. When she starts writing from a broader sense and not about being “15″, and with more strengthing of her thin voice, then the Female VOCAL artist of the year award will be hers. She is just not strong enough vocally to get a vocal award at this time. I do think Carrie’s days are numbered, not because she will stop but because these awards seen to go in 3’s. I believe the next vocal award will go to Miranda.
I agree about Brad… Male vocalist of the year… really? His voice is great, but his songwriting and guitar playing are phenominal! Quit giving entertainer of the year to Chesney. You know Brad deserves it.
Taylor Swift rocks! For all who thinks she can’t sing, jealousy will get you nowhere. You probably couldn’t a note if it was in a suitcase. Hope she’s laughing all the way to the bank.
I don’t think anyone is jealous of Taylor Swift, I watched EllenI think it was last tuesday when Taylor Swift was on I didn’t know she would be on the entire hr, she was talking about her album along with other things, she acted like she isn’t 18, she acted more like a tween. She wouldn’t anwsered certain questions she did things that were/are inapropate for her age. I don’t remeber what she was talking about but when Ellen asked her about something she acted like she hasd water(although she didn’t) in her mouth and spitted out, I’m sure sure there’s s name for what she did but can’t think of one / if. There’s no doubt that TS is a very good singer/songwriter, but she needs to grow up a little.
Bravo
The Wailers were a welcome interlude of honest joyful music amid the dross of Nashville factory-made blonde contraltos.
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