2010 CMA Awards Live Blog
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood may be the official hosts of tonight’s 44th Annual Country Music Association Awards, but your friends here at The 9513 will be hosting a live blog of our own to chronicle all of the laughs, all of the tears and, naturally, all of the unintentionally hilariousness.
Pre-show questions abound: Is this the year of Miranda Lambert? Will Kelly Clarkson’s powerhouse voice completely obliterate Jason Aldean on the pair’s scheduled duet? Was Alan Jackson’s song “Gone Country” an eerie premonition about actress Gwyneth Paltrow’s country award show debut? We’ll address all of that and more, including an in-depth analysis of whether Kristian Bush’s hat of choice is better or worse than Sugarland’s latest album.
So even if you’re nowhere near Nashville — or a TV, for that matter — join us tonight at 8 p.m. for all the artfully constructed surprise faces, outfit changes and inevitable John Mayer jokes your lil’ ole heart can handle.
Before the fun starts, feel free to refresh you memory of this year’s nominees, and compare your own expections to our own Blake Boldt’s predictions.
6:52 – Karlie: It’s about that time – Juli and Karlie here to kick things off. Fist pump!
6:55 – Juli: I will be upset if Jason Aldean is wearing prettier earrings than me.
6:59 – Karlie: Hellooo, Nashville!
7:00 – Juli: Hi, Carrie Underwood’s banjo player! And her rockabilly bassist.
7:01 – Karlie: I love songs where I have no idea what the singer is saying. Carrie is pulling off the sassy though. (If she can use happy as a noun, I can use the sassy.)
7:02 – Juli: Karlie, I’ve got the closed captioning on. It’s not any clearer that way.
7:02 – Juli: Is Keith Urban flatpicking that banjer? Come on now.
7:03 – Karlie: I wonder if Kellie Pickler will sue for red shoe copyright infringement? High energy opener, if not a bit muddled.
7:04 – Juli: Here we go with a redone “Ballad of Jed Clampett.”
7:05 – Karlie: The lady next to Gwyneth Paltrow is regretting her seat.
7:06 – Juli: Fashionista Karlie, what is that bandoleer thing on Carrie’s dress?
7:07 – Karlie: Juli, I’m not sure – her ginormous wedding ring is blinding me.
7:08 – Juli: Blake Shelton is loaded already, bless his heart.
7:08 – Karlie: The shots of Lady Antebellum kind of make me giggle, because Hilary and Charles managed to nearly push the piano player out of the shot.
7:11 – Karlie: Here we go, Single of the Year.
7:11 – Juli: I can’t even lie. I really, really like “Need You Now.”
7:13 – Karlie: “Need You Now” continues its world domination. I prefer the dance mix version, though.
7:17 – Juli: Rascal Flatts is singing…something. Gary TheVoice’s sparkly purple shirt is distracting me.
7:16 – Karlie: The graphic designers really got fancy with this year’s logo – combining the 44 and the M in CMA. Speaking of fancy, here’s Rascal Flatts!
7:18 – Karlie: “Why Wait?” on a stylist to get dressed – these guys are obviously sartorial pros.
7:21 – Karlie: Next up – Song of the Year.
7:22 – Juli: Song of the Year is “The House That Built Me.” Yay!
7:25 – Karlie: Not sure I’m okay with the mangling of “Golden Ring.”
7:26 – Karlie: Blake looks like he’s “All About Tonight’s” accountant conference networking event.
7:28 – Juli: “Tomorrow can wait ’til tomorrow?” Thanks, Confucius.
7:32 – Karlie: I wonder what classic country song remix we’ll get next?!? I’m personally hoping for “Hotel California”!
7:35 – Karlie: Brody said: So, uh, what’s everybody drinkin’ tonight? — I’m kind of at a loss for words as well.
7:35 – Juli: Can I just go listen to my records now? I got some Paycheck…
7:36 – Juli: Aww, Little Jimmy in his flood getup is cute.
7:36 – Karlie: I can’t help it, I just laughed out loud. That Little Jimmy Dickens scream was hilarious.
7:37 – Juli: Oh, no no no. I hate this song. You are better than this, George Strait.
7:37 – Karlie: What’s wrong with this picture: Miranda Lambert just sang, George Strait is currently perfoming and all I can do is look forward to Gwyneth Paltrow’s bit to erase the memory of the first two.
7:38 – Juli: “The Breath You Take” will cause you to aspirate on your own vomit.
7:41 – Juli: It was so nice of the Country Music Association to invite those hobos onstage and give them a shiny award!
7:42 – Karlie: “New artist” Zac Brown Band takes home the New Artist of the Year trophy.
7:44 – Karlie: In the comments, CMW said:
Folks out west might want to know that the live stream from the press room includes audio of the show as it happens. http://www.cmaawards.com/extras/week-of.aspx?h=live-stream
7:46 – Karlie: Excited to see Alan Jackson to perform “As She’s Walking Away” with Zac Brown Band.
7:48 – Karlie: Juli, those hobos are back – and they found a really big cardboard box!
7:48 – Juli: The fellas sound really good here. Guess there’s some quality jamming going on at the hobocamp.
7:49 – Karlie: Alan is pulling a Ricky Bobby and doesn’t know what to do with his hands without a guitar.
7:49 – Juli: Alan Jackson makes Zac Brown look little bitty.
7:49 – Karlie: Dear Alan, I love you. Let’s hang out.
7:52 – Juli: Kenny is singing yet another song about high school, but at least his shirt has sleeves. You win some, you lose some.
7:52 – Karlie: That intro video was really stressful. I’m glad I didn’t play football in school. On a similar note, Kenny looks pretty macho and manly in his V-neck sweater.
7:56 – Juli: This commercial with the baby zooming around in that rolly thing has been more entertaining than the past hour of television.
7:57 – Karlie: I’m hoping Taylor Swift sings “Dear John” and John Mayer comes in on a guest guitar solo. I bet THAT Taylor Swfit Surprise Face would be for real.
8:01 – Juli: Oh man, it’s Serious Face Taylor Swift.
8:05 @Pierce_G:
Ironically they are playing old CMA Awards performances during the break. I doubt half the crowd would even recognize Porter Wagoner.
8:05 – Juli: “Back to December” is better than her last awards show performance. And now we’re on to “Stuck Like Glue.” Reggae breakdown or no reggae breakdown?
8:05 – Karlie: Ah man, they interrupted the CMAs with Glee. Oh, wait…
8:08 – Juli: I cannot even describe Jennifer Nettles’ weirdo dance moves.
8:07 – Karlie: And I through Zac Brown was going to win Craziest Homeless Person Outfit. Are those bruises? I wonder if she borrowed Kristian’s favorite fedora without asking.
8:10 – Juli: Sara Evans is the meat in a Dreamy Sandwich.
8:11 – Karlie: Here we go with Vocal Group of the Year.
8:11 – Karlie: Lady Antebellum takes it to the house.
8:14 – Karlie: I guess Rascal Flatt’s Jay DeMarcus was right – It’s better to be rich than have a trophy. Unless you’re Lady A and have both.
8:17 – Juli: That Modern Family bit with Sofia Vergara and Eric Stonestreet was more enjoyable than Sugarland’s performance.
8:19 – Juli: I feel like Keith Urban just records the same so-so single over and over again these days. Exception that proves the rule: Radney Foster’s “I’m In.”
8:19 – Karlie: I can dig this Keith Urban song and the simple stage set-up. Not sure about the Polaroid/mixed tape kaleidoscope behind him though.
8:21 – Juli: This is Underwood’s best outfit tonight.
8:22 – Karlie: Desperate doesn’t look good on you, Reba.
8:22 – Juli: Gents, would any of you complain if Reba wanted to drink beer and chase girls around you?
8:25 – Karlie: This song has become borderline creepy the longer it goes on. Quick, Brad Paisley make a joke!
8:25 – Juli: This song doesn’t quite have the potential for one of Reba’s excellently overdramatic music videos (paging “Fancy”…). Thus, I am not a fan.
8:27 @Pierce_G:
Well, in spite of the “crappy awards show sound myth,” everything sounds pretty darn good tonight.
8:32 – Karlie: Carrie nudged “Brad” after she introduced Jason Aldean – “Hey, can you hardly wait for this trainwreck?”
8:33 – Juli: Jason Aldean is wearing purtier earrings than Kelly Clarkson.
8:33 – Juli: This song could use less Jason Aldean.
8:35 – Karlie: Jason and Kelly – the new George and Tammy! The new Conway and Loretta! Nevermind.
8:36 – Juli: Sing some more, Little Big Town!
8:37 – Karlie: Here comes Album of the Year.
8:37 – Juli: And it’s Miranda again!
8:40 – Juli: Kid Rock is performing? Hope Valtrex is in the gift bags this year.
8:41 – Karlie: From the comments:
Blake Boldt: For the record: a Beyonce cover, a Kelly Clarkson cameo and a Kid Rock performance within fifteen minutes.
8:42 – Juli: You can almost hear the polyps forming on Kid Rock’s vocal cords.
8:43 – Karlie: In country music, apparently you can use the F word. Kid Rock loves him some fringe.
8:46 – Juli: “Move It On Over” featured in Chevy commercial. Ads are now more country than the show itself.
8:49 – Karlie: Something new from Brad Paisley.
8:50 – Juli: A country song about country music. How meta.
8:50 – Karlie: Let’s play I Spy in Brad’s background montage: Paycheck, Haggard, Price, Parton. Nice to see these guys somewhere.
8:51 – Juli:
8:52 – Karlie: Instead of repeating “This is country music” over and over, can we just get Jamey Johnson onstage?
8:53 – Juli: George Strait’s slow clap and facial expression that looks like he smelled a fart is the greatest thing I’ve ever seen.
8:55 – Karlie: Vocal Duo of the Year up now.
8:56 – Juli: Sugarland wins. Yay?
8:56 – Juli: Kristian Bush exchanged one stupid hat for another during a commercial break, it seems.
8:57 – Karlie: Jennifer Nettles says “Thank you to country radio, which continues to grow with us.” Interesting choice of words.
8:58 – Juli: Help me, Lee Ann Womack, you’re my only hope.
9:02 – Karlie: I wonder if Hilary and Charles share the same hairdresser.
9:04 – Juli: Can’t Little Big Town come back out and sing the Domino’s menu or something?
9:06 – Karlie: Cue the noise!
9:07 – Juli: Oh, good, the video screen in the background is showing Earth, in case someone isn’t entirely sure what Lady Antebellum is singing about.
9:08 – Karlie: Dierks Bentley looks like he has come to terms with the fact he’s entirely too cool for this crowd.
9:08 – Juli: Dierks was robbed.
9:08 – Karlie: Blake Shelton – Male Vocalist of the Year.
9:09 – Juli: Is Reba crying?! Get it together, gal.
9:10 – Juli: Very classy of Blake to thank Bobby Braddock.
9:10 – Juli: Isn’t it past The Band Perry’s bedtime?
9:10 – Karlie: These three are just presh, even singing about dying while young. Aw.
9:17 – Karlie: Carrie, part two.
9:19 – Karlie: I can appreciate this kind of Carrie performance – some steel, simple set-up, she seems really comfortable.
9:20 From the comments:
Blake Boldt: I would say that Little Jimmy Dickens is hiding under Underwood’s dress, but I feel like we’ve made that joke at some other award show in the past.
9:22 – Juli: Dierks Bentley is sounding great.
9:23 – Karlie: Dierks and crew, FTW.
9:25 – Karlie: I’m imagining a bluegrass version of Twilight with this backdrop. We already know Taylor Swift has an in with the werewolf.
9:27 – Karlie: What is everyone’s verdict on the Country Strong trailer?
9:27 – Juli: I’m glad my local movie theater serves booze. I’m going to need it for Country Strong, if the trailer is any indication.
9:31 – Juli: Time for the Loretta tribute, introduced by the wonderful Sissy Spacek.
9:32 – Karlie: Accents abound between Sissy and Miranda. I like it.
9:35 – Juli: YAY! Loretta embodies the acronym HBIC.
9:34 – Karlie: Irony: Sheryl Crow singing about not having shoes to wear in four figure Yves Saint Laurent stilettos.
9:36 – Juli: Informal poll: whose will to live has been restored by Miss Loretty?
9:37 – Karlie: Female Vocalist of the Year goes to…
9:37 – Juli: …Miranda!
9:38 – Juli: Awww. Miranda and Loretta have melted my icy, dead heart. So good to see the respect Miranda has for Loretta.
9:39 – Karlie: And, I got a little teary there. That was a Moment, with a capital M.
9:41 – Karlie: In other news, Taylor Swift will be going home empty handed, as that was the only award she was up for. Quite a switch from previous years.
9:44 – Karlie: After the Coldplay-like performance from Lady A earlier, a Gwyneth Paltrow performance seems appropriate.
9:45 – Juli: Vince Gill is sporting hipster specs. Never thought I’d see that.
9:46 – Juli: They look good on him, though.
9:47 – Karlie: What I wouldn’t give to hear Vince sing on his own at one of these shows. Gwyneth’s shoes steal the spotlight for me here, though.
9:48 – Karlie: Camera cuts to Miranda: She was not amused by that little show.
9:49 – Juli: Isn’t it deer season? Miranda doesn’t want to be in the auditorium.
9:54 – Karlie: And here comes the big daddy award. Or, possibly, the big mommy?
9:55 – Juli: And it’s Brad Paisley.
9:55 – Juli: Ol’ Brad is trying really hard not to cry. And then he quotes Little Jimmy. Brad, you’re good people.
9:56 – Karlie: Congrats to Brad Paisley, the 2010 Entertainer of the Year.
9:58 – Karlie: Barring a misconstrued comment about Taylor Swift from co-host Carrie, I think that just about wraps things up here. Thanks to Juli and everyone else for coming along for the ride!
9:58 – Juli: Thanks Karlie, and everyone who joined us for the live blog.
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237 Comments
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November 10, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Hey ya’ll, I wish I could participate in the snark or lively discussion here but I’m in the leftcoast until tomorrow night.
November 10, 2010 at 6:59 pm
You’d think they would stream these things online by now.
November 10, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Well, I’ve muted it already. :-o
November 10, 2010 at 7:01 pm
i don’t care what anyone says. i still like cowboy casanova the 3d time around.
November 10, 2010 at 7:02 pm
also, those shoes . . . working girls wear red
November 10, 2010 at 7:03 pm
This song’s okay, but I’m getting tired of songs about songs.
November 10, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Trend I hope that ends in country music soon: songs about songs.
November 10, 2010 at 7:06 pm
I couldn’t understand anything of what Carrie was singing or what it represented or her dress or her dress right now at this moment. (7:05 PM Central)
November 10, 2010 at 7:08 pm
they didn’t cut to leeann on the infidelity song? busted
November 10, 2010 at 7:08 pm
I guess Brad and Carrie forgot about Sissy Spacek in Coal Miner’s Daughter who is ten times better than Gwyneth Paltrow will ever be. Their jokes are very poor tonight. And Brad’s joke about 9 To 5 wasn’t very good either.
November 10, 2010 at 7:10 pm
At least the hosts are entertaining even if the forthcoming music will mostly suck.
November 10, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Brad and Carrie are totally embarrassing themselves tonight with him singing Lady Gaga’s songs and insulting Lady Antebellum in the process.
November 10, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Here comes LeAnn Rimes and Ty Pennington. Throw up time!!
November 10, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Nice opening, but Brad’s right: I will be mourning the preemption of Modern Family at 9/8 central.
November 10, 2010 at 7:13 pm
I thought that The House That Built Me was going to win. Oh well, congrats to Lady Antebellum.
November 10, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Wow – Lady A wins with a pop single. Bad start to a long night!
November 10, 2010 at 7:14 pm
From Jason Isbell on Twitter: Is it funny that the host of Extreme Home Makeover, Ty Pennington and an Extreme Home Wrecker (LeAnn) are presenting an award together? #cma
November 10, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Pre-telecast awards: Music video, Miranda Lambert – “The House That Built Me”; Musical event, Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins – “Hillbilly Bone”; Musician, Mac McAnally.
November 10, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Gary LeVox looks like a drag queen in day clothes. Straight men should not have eyebrows that plucked.
November 10, 2010 at 7:19 pm
First lip-synching of the night: Rascal Flatts
November 10, 2010 at 7:19 pm
A fiddle AND an cowboy hat – they really ARE country.
November 10, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Well the bar is set. Gwyneth can at least do better than RFlatts
November 10, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Rascal Flatts guitar just gave 2 dozen kids in Asia seizures.
November 10, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Joe Don has a fancy pants guitar.
November 10, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Look at Kellie’s Picklers!
November 10, 2010 at 7:23 pm
well they got song right, but poor miranda doesn’t know she’s not supposed to be up there. dumb blond hillbilly
November 10, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Hmm, being on the West coast, I can only imagine what you’re alluding to, Blake.
November 10, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Congrats to Miranda for winning Song Of The Year!!
November 10, 2010 at 7:25 pm
They also win for getting the first musical hint to get off the stage.
November 10, 2010 at 7:26 pm
YAAAAAAY! So happy right now. Go Ran!
November 10, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Carrie’s so purty.
November 10, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Carrie’s skirt looks like a series of cupcake wrappers taped together.
November 10, 2010 at 7:28 pm
the nice thing about blake shelton is that he’s not burdened with expectations like miranda – no one cares if he’s singing something hank jr. sang 25 years ago
November 10, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Blake should have turned around and popped the guy doing the alligator right in the chops.
November 10, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Blake looks like the mid-level boss of a cubicle farm.
November 10, 2010 at 7:34 pm
So, uh, what’s everybody drinkin’ tonight?
November 10, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Good grief! I’ve heard cats fighting that sound better than this! Why oh why did I unmute it?
Brody – decaf coffee right now, but if I keep watching this, I’ll be spiking it with something for sure.
November 10, 2010 at 7:35 pm
miranda gets by with more rock music on the cma’s than anyone
November 10, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Brody, not enough.
November 10, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Miranda’s stage setup just gave ME seizures.
November 10, 2010 at 7:38 pm
oh god. not another song about dads and sons. george has the same disease as martina mcb.
November 10, 2010 at 7:38 pm
I hate this song. I love George, but I hate this song.
November 10, 2010 at 7:39 pm
George sounds pretty good, but the only thing that could make that song better is earplugs.
November 10, 2010 at 7:42 pm
So, how do they define “new” in ‘new artist’? Because some of those nominees have been around “a while”.
November 10, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Folks out west might want to know that the live stream from the press room includes audio of the show as it happens.
http://www.cmaawards.com/extras/week-of.aspx?h=live-stream
November 10, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Hey Treacle wassup with the Ran hate? LOL
November 10, 2010 at 7:44 pm
I was hoping Miranda and George could pull this one out of the crapper. Now what?
November 10, 2010 at 7:46 pm
So far, my favorite part of the show has been the Toys-R-Us commercial. Does that count?
November 10, 2010 at 7:48 pm
This is the first ZBB song I’ve truly loved. And I love it so, so much.
November 10, 2010 at 7:48 pm
karl benjamin: “wassup with the Ran hate?”
me: i love her. but the artist doesn’t accept song at the cma awards unless she co-wrote or wrote. and she did sing a rock song. but i liked it. but it was still rock.
November 10, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Best performance tonight here: Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson
November 10, 2010 at 7:49 pm
I’ll bet dollars to donuts Zac Brown’s toboggan smells worse than a sumo wrestler taking a dump on a burning tire.
November 10, 2010 at 7:49 pm
alan jackson looks naked without a guitar, but it’s cute how he doesn’t know what to do with his hands at times
November 10, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Zac looks like she should be holding a hand-written sign at a corner.
November 10, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Who knew you could fit that many ego’s in an animal cracker box.
November 10, 2010 at 7:50 pm
but alan – damn, when did he start joining vince gill and gary levox at the shoney’s breakfast buffet?
November 10, 2010 at 7:51 pm
“he”
November 10, 2010 at 7:51 pm
saving country music – i assume zbb’s hat smells like pot
November 10, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Alan Jackson and Zac Brown on the same stage. We were a Kristian Bush fedora away from the triumvirate of country headwear there.
November 10, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Kenny Chesney! Mute goes my tv.
November 10, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Just when things were looking up, here comes mini-Yul Brynner.
November 10, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Oh boy! A promo for Kenny’s documentary.
November 10, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Nothing is more American than football and Takamine guitars.
November 10, 2010 at 7:54 pm
this is a stupid song. i wonder if they’ll show the texas junior high team with the trick play, though. that’d be cute.
November 10, 2010 at 7:54 pm
15-yard penalty for being off-pitch.
November 10, 2010 at 7:55 pm
oh, and dwight yoakam called, kenny. he wants his pants back.
November 10, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Get ready for more lip-synching. Taylor Swift is coming up.
November 10, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Cutting: That’s probably where the stash resides. Black light and hydroponic farm under that bad boy.
November 10, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Lewis: Taylor Swift doesn’t lip sync . . . unfortunately. Get ready with the earplugs.
November 10, 2010 at 8:01 pm
In honor of Kenny’s “Boys of Fall,” check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt5VjxF7NZM
November 10, 2010 at 8:02 pm
I figured that Taylor Swift would wear a fairy tale dress. Who figured that?
November 10, 2010 at 8:02 pm
What – no hair whipping? I am VERY disappointed.
November 10, 2010 at 8:02 pm
remember when alannis morissette used to audition on the flute and harmonica and guitar for us? and actually, taylor sounds good (for taylor) and better than most of the earlier singers too.
November 10, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Ah. The Taylor Lautner song. This is actually decent by Taylor Swift performance standards. Which are admittedly very low.
November 10, 2010 at 8:03 pm
She would gag a maggot off a meatwagon.
November 10, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Taylor Swift: Whoa a whoa a whoa a whoa a whoa a whoa a whoa a!!!!!!! Couldn’t get “ah ah ah” and “la la la” out of her head could she?
November 10, 2010 at 8:04 pm
This song kind of just drones on and on…
and on
November 10, 2010 at 8:04 pm
waynoe: “she would gag a maggot”
me: um, george strait already did that. taylor’s more on pitch than he was. or kenny. or most anyone else so far.
November 10, 2010 at 8:05 pm
I think the woos in the background are people throwing themselves to their deaths.
November 10, 2010 at 8:05 pm
If we make it through “December,” everything’s gonna be alright I know.
Kidding—Swift can pull off a better live performance when the arrangement is spare and stripped-down like this. Not bad.
November 10, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Speaking of gagging: Here comes Sugarland!!
November 10, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Die, Stuck Like Glue, you abomination of country music. Die.
November 10, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Strange dress that Carrie is wearing.
November 10, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Who’s Hillary Scott’s date?
November 10, 2010 at 8:06 pm
sugarland’s opening . . . reminds me of some kind of improv scene michael scott would do on the office.
November 10, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Jennifer Nettles could not stoop so low!! She looks like a Vegas stripper!!
November 10, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Taylor Swift and her autotune machine. Even the machine can’t same that 4 minutes my life.
November 10, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Time for a beer run.
November 10, 2010 at 8:07 pm
God, I hope that they put some clothes on her already!!
November 10, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Wow, Taylor did not sing off pitch. We’ve set the bar so low, we’re proud of her for being average!
November 10, 2010 at 8:08 pm
my daughter just said Taylor looks like she’s in a graveyard.playing the piano. which she is clearly not too competent at. And Carrie Underwood-yikes. Did you steal that dress off of a table at a restaurant? it’s like a fancy napkin.
November 10, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Nettles looks like she has a nasty rash on her arm.
November 10, 2010 at 8:08 pm
and jennifer nettles looks like a 40 yr old suburban housewife trying to pull off cool.
November 10, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Guess they forgot it isn’t 1978 anymore!!
November 10, 2010 at 8:08 pm
They’ve done oo-oo-oo-oo-oo and o-o-o-o already, so I think their next hit should have ee-ee-ee or eh-eh-eh.
November 10, 2010 at 8:09 pm
I expected the American Bandstand dancers to come in on Sugarland’s stupid song. So sickening!!
November 10, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Can Nashville get some spray tan machines that actually make an even coating? sheesh.
November 10, 2010 at 8:10 pm
@Razor X: I think they call that Kristian Bush.
November 10, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Sara Evans: “it’s good to be in a group”
Me: indeed.
November 10, 2010 at 8:11 pm
I think they should add an award this year – best display of Sara Evans’ legs! Wow!
November 10, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Why is Hilary walking like she’s stiff? Charles had to help her on stage.
November 10, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Kellie Pickler and Hillary Scott are polar opposites in the fashion department.
November 10, 2010 at 8:14 pm
I think it’s because she wore her little sister’s dress by mistake.
November 10, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Cutting the Treacle
I wouldn’t know as, thankfully, I am not listening. However, just got through listening to Travis Trill on youtube then went ot Marty Stuart live performce with his Fabs.
November 10, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Once upon a time, I couldn’t wait until someone started beating Rascal Flatts for Vocal Group of the Year. Now, I’m not so sure. Lady A is a marginally better group, but somehow worse for country music, imo, as they are less country. (did I just type that? is that possible? ah!)
November 10, 2010 at 8:16 pm
And The Zac Brown Band will probably never win Vocal Group Of The Year ever but will have to settle with a New Artist award after having 6 #1′s.
November 10, 2010 at 8:17 pm
I love red dresses, however, Hillary was walking stiff because she was poured into that mermaid dress. She would have looked so much better in something a bit looser. Mermaids are for size 4s.
November 10, 2010 at 8:17 pm
waynoe: “wouldn’t know as . . . ”
me: oh, i didn’t realize you weren’t commenting about the cma awards
November 10, 2010 at 8:19 pm
i’ve always felt there should be a place for shaun cassidy at the cma’s
November 10, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Not one of Keith Urban’s better performances.
November 10, 2010 at 8:21 pm
I was thinking that with all of Keith and Nicole’s millions and he is wearing thrift store clothes instead of a suit and tie.
November 10, 2010 at 8:22 pm
When did Reba get a boob job?
November 10, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Oh no!! Reba act your age instead of singing Beyonce’s songs!!!
November 10, 2010 at 8:23 pm
I hope and pray this is not her next single.
November 10, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Reba looks better than over-painted Taylor Swift and that chick from Sugarland with the Anthrax outbreak on her arm combined.
November 10, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Vince Gill – paging Vince Gill – you are needed on stage – stat!
November 10, 2010 at 8:27 pm
@ Lewis: This is one of the better songs on her new album, though admittedly that is not saying much. I’m betting it will be the next single.
November 10, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Can’t stay, but wanted to say hey.
November 10, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Thank God Carrie survived that horrible orange juice explosion.
November 10, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Thanks for dropping by to say hi, Leeann.
November 10, 2010 at 8:34 pm
i didn’t expect jason aldean to have the best performance but whatdya know
November 10, 2010 at 8:35 pm
She makes Jason Aldean sound better than he is.
November 10, 2010 at 8:36 pm
This duet didn’t live up to all the hype it got. Nothing special here.
November 10, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Little Big Town knows how to sing a Taylor Swift song better than Taylor herself.
November 10, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Up on the Ridge will continue to be the best cd nobody heard. Ah well…
November 10, 2010 at 8:41 pm
For the record: a Beyonce cover, a Kelly Clarkson cameo and a Kid Rock performance within fifteen minutes.
November 10, 2010 at 8:41 pm
I see that Kid Rock went to David Allan Coe’s garage sale.
November 10, 2010 at 8:41 pm
I keep having the urge to clear my throat for some reason.
November 10, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Unapologetic Bob Seager rip off.
November 10, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Kid’s coat fringe is longer than his wrap sheet, and that is saying something!
November 10, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Kid Rock has caught Taylor Swift’s “Whoa a Whoa Whoa Whoa a Whoa Whoa Whoa”.
November 10, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Ah, Taylor’s critics are out in full force spreading more lies about an awesome performance.
November 10, 2010 at 8:47 pm
There has been more country music played during the commercials tonight than on the actual show.
November 10, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Hehe, snowglobe
November 10, 2010 at 8:48 pm
The best performance of the evening has been Little Big Town’s award presentation. Someone sign ‘em up for the ACMs.
November 10, 2010 at 8:50 pm
proud to be an okie from west virginia
November 10, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Hey, you folks are missing John Oates singing “Sara Smile” live on “Music City Roots” right now! Look, its more country than some of this stuff you’ve been witnessing on the CMA Awards show…
November 10, 2010 at 8:51 pm
OOps, the song is actually “She’s Gone”! They all sound so much alike! (lol)
November 10, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Half of Nashville is probably trying to figure out who all those people are on the screens behind Brad.
November 10, 2010 at 8:55 pm
i too honor the troops with a camaro
November 10, 2010 at 8:56 pm
I am now moving to the alternate universe where Joey and Rory pick up this award.
November 10, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Brooks & Dunn were ROBBED!!!
November 10, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Denied – the organ grinder and the monkey pick it up for the reggae classic!
November 10, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Smug acceptance speech from those two fakes.
November 10, 2010 at 8:57 pm
I … how … Sugarland? Really? Mediocrity abounds.
November 10, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Lewis,
Fakes indeed.
November 10, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Juli, you are my live blog muse. This is awesome:
8:53 – Juli: George Strait’s slow clap and facial expression that looks like he smelled a fart is the greatest thing I’ve ever seen.
November 10, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Thanks, Tara!
November 10, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Charles Kelley looks like Ellen Degeneres with a beard.
November 10, 2010 at 9:04 pm
How did Lady Antebellum not even get a nomination for Vocal Duo of the Year?
November 10, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Has there ever been a more emasculated man than Lady A’s piano player?
November 10, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Saving Country Music: Chuck Wicks.
November 10, 2010 at 9:06 pm
(Ellen’s haircut circa 1999.)
November 10, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Hurry up, 10:00. My six pack is almost gone.
November 10, 2010 at 9:07 pm
lady a should not try to chase son-of-need-u-now
November 10, 2010 at 9:08 pm
how far she’s fallen. martina giving an award – not singing? oh well
November 10, 2010 at 9:09 pm
new tammy and george!
November 10, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Yes Blake Shelton WINS!!!
November 10, 2010 at 9:11 pm
and how cute is reba – crying over a fellow okie
November 10, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Ladies and Gentleman – Austin Powers’ brother on bass!
November 10, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Yes, Blake Shelton is THE best!!!! It’s about time!
November 10, 2010 at 9:12 pm
The Vocal Group race should be competitive for the next few years—Band Perry is a pretty talented bunch.
November 10, 2010 at 9:13 pm
austin powers? i was thinking nigel tufnel in the 60′s
November 10, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Now they’re billing Gwyneth Paltrow’s performance as a duet with Vince Gill. I thought it was a solo performance. Make up their mind already what it’s going to be.
November 10, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Cutting the Treacle – I hereby withdraw my comment. You hit that one right on the head.
November 10, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Blake: Kimberly Perry is a better singer than Hillary Scott at any time of the day.
November 10, 2010 at 9:16 pm
I think Blake Shelton’s win is the biggest surprise since Keith Urban’s in the same category six years ago. Shelton didn’t seem to have either the critical acclaim or commercial stats (he hasn’t yet sold 400k between this year’s two Six-Paks) to push past the competition. Really a stunner.
November 10, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Everything tonight has the gone the way I would’ve hoped it would so far… the only one I predicted incorrectly was Male Vocalist of the Year, although I’m very glad to see Shelton secure the win!
November 10, 2010 at 9:16 pm
i heard weeks ago it was a vince gill duet, lewis. i always assumed it was to make it criticism-proof (at least from the industry)
November 10, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Call security – that dress is trying to eat that poor girl!
November 10, 2010 at 9:19 pm
I would say that Little Jimmy Dickens is hiding under Underwood’s dress, but I feel like we’ve made that joke at some other award show in the past.
November 10, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Does anyone think that Blake and Miranda are now really married in real life? Seems like Brad’s talking about a baby signals something.
November 10, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Blake: It looks like she took Taylor’s dress.
November 10, 2010 at 9:22 pm
May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Dress by Little Jimmie Dickens.
November 10, 2010 at 9:25 pm
And with Dierks I shall go to my happy place, where he isn’t snubbed by stupid industry people. Alternate universe for the win!
November 10, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Sad shame that Dierks’ bluegrass album and the singles from it weren’t huge hits because this performance is great.
November 10, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Fun fact: I’m a crowd member in the Country Strong trailer. Award-winning cameo really.
November 10, 2010 at 9:30 pm
As I saw the Country Strong trailer I thought why are they releasing the movie on January 7th while the soundtrack album is already in stores?
November 10, 2010 at 9:31 pm
RE: country strong. i hate to admit it, but i really liked gwyneth paltrow’s duet with huey lewis
November 10, 2010 at 9:32 pm
“Juli: Can’t Little Big Town come back out and sing the Domino’s menu or something?”
<3
November 10, 2010 at 9:32 pm
i like that sissy spacek liked “van lear rose”
November 10, 2010 at 9:32 pm
The heart was supposed to be on a separate line. Humbug.
November 10, 2010 at 9:33 pm
I think Sissy is wearing the wrong glasses – a little rough on the cue cards.
November 10, 2010 at 9:33 pm
It’s okay, Dan. I less-than-three pizza, too.
November 10, 2010 at 9:34 pm
did sheryl sing it “ever day”?
November 10, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Someone get Kid Rock and Sheryl a cab.
November 10, 2010 at 9:35 pm
my god. i love loretta.
November 10, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Loretta saves the day!
November 10, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Seriously, why didnt they just Loretta sing the whole thing? I mean really, who can do Lorretta other than Loretta? (Miranda was passable, but to me it sounded like Sheryl was making fun of Loretta)
November 10, 2010 at 9:39 pm
I wished that Patty Loveless would have sung it with Miranda Lambert in the first place since Patty is Loretta’s cousin.
November 10, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Yes, Miranda is THE best!!! GO, Miranda!!
November 10, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Funny how Sheryl Crow’s accent appears whenever she’s called on to sing a country song.
November 10, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Sam G. “Funny how Sheryl Crow’s accent . . .”
Me: I grew up in the South – have lived up North for over a decade now. But if I’m back home for more than a day, like Sheryl, the “aint” and “y’all” comes pouring out. Mother tongue, I guess.
November 10, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Dierks should have won it, ugh. :(
Anyway at least they got Female Vocalist right. Yahoooo
November 10, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Another shame – Vince Gill wasted singing backup for an amateur.
November 10, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Guest bass player for Gwynnith Paltrow: new Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade.
November 10, 2010 at 9:48 pm
a courtesy standing o. nasvhille people are good people
November 10, 2010 at 9:49 pm
I hear they have Martina backing up Snoop Dog for CMA 2011.
November 10, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Gwyneth Paltrow and Vince Gill were about as interesting as Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson were. Nothing special about either duet.
November 10, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Just a quick note: Tonight’s Music City Roots show ending “jam” session was by far the best in the program’s history. The Sam Bush Band along with John Cowan, Yarn, and John Oates did one of the best live performances of “Up On Cripple Creek” since the heyday of The Band! WOW! Its nice they archive the shows, as that’s a performance definitely worth seeking out.
Now we return to your regularly scheduled program…
November 10, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Wasn’t expecting Trace “Atkins” to win Vocal Event.
November 10, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Having the Entertainer of the Year 8 minutes early means that there’s something going on.
November 10, 2010 at 9:55 pm
As predicted: Brad Paisley
November 10, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Something with real emotion…Mr. Brad Paisley!
November 10, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Glad to see my fellow hillbilly win the big one!
November 10, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Do you all think that Brad’s win was a doctored win since he won over 4 newcomers and that the acceptance speech is longer than any other Entertainer of the Year ever?
November 10, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Congrats to all the winners. Blake and Miranda had an awesome night so I’m happy! Yee Haw!
November 10, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Yay great job guys! I love this blog!
November 10, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Ha, Sam, a southern accent suddenly comes out everytime I sing a country song too. For real.
November 10, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Great job on the blog
My reactions to the show …
a – the opening number really stunk
b – I didn’t hear a lot of steel guitar
c – great night for skirt watching
d – the Loretta Lynn tribute could have been much better – perhaps a medley of her hits, with Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride and Connie Smith singing the medley
e – Nashville needs to quit whoring itself – instead of Cheryl Crow, Kid Rock and Gwyneth Paltrow singing, we should have heard other counbtry artists performing, preferably some of the legends
November 10, 2010 at 10:19 pm
wow, same old pop country crapola. Surprise…
November 10, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Hilarity abounds here, Juli and Karlie! Too many great quips to quote.
November 10, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Low points of the night:
No tribute to Brooks & Dunn.
Sugarland’s stupid song and themselves for that matter
Taylor Swift acting the part of fairy tale princess.
Gwyneth Paltrow/Vince Gill
Jason Aldean/Kelly Clarkson
Kid Rock
Reba McEntire singing If I Were A Boy
Brad Paisley singing about country music after several pop acts had performed.
Rascal Flatts
High points of the night:
Zac Brown Band/Alan Jackson
Dierks Bentley
November 10, 2010 at 10:33 pm
And the huge high points go to Miranda Lambert. Congrats to her and she deserved it.
November 10, 2010 at 10:41 pm
I actually thought the Paltro/Gill performance was one of the best (though I can’t say that any of the performances blew me away) of the night. The song is kind of meh, but it wasn’t overblown and both sounded good, especially Vince, of course.
My favorite moment was Brad Paisley’s acceptance speech though, pretty closely followed by Miranda Lambert’s Female Vocalist speech.
November 10, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Brad’s song, however, was really one of the worst of the night.
November 10, 2010 at 11:09 pm
I watched off and on. Of the performances I saw, only Miranda Lambert and Loretta Lynn really sounded good. Carrie’s performance of “Mama’s Song” was not good; Sugarland sucked and Taylor Swift sucked less than I expected her to.
November 10, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Best comment of the night: “I’m glad I looked at The9513 today, because it reminded me to come out here tonight.” — Randy Kohrs at Music City Roots
November 11, 2010 at 12:19 am
Carrie and Brad did a fantastic job at hosting again. The majority of the performances were amazing. The show was very entertaining and I applaud to all of the winners. I was also very excited to hear Carrie’s new song for the Narnia movie during the commercials for the first time.
This was a great night for country music!
November 11, 2010 at 12:47 am
I agree this was the best night of country music. Creating a “new type of country music” is much better than the “old type of country music,” when a steel guitar was prominent and the songgs were genuine
November 11, 2010 at 7:51 am
Biggest low point of the night is that no one mentioned the 2010 inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame or no mention of who died in country music this year. Does it needs mentioning? Yes, you bet it does!! Unfortunately and the sad fact of all is that they had to bring along the pop country acts like Kid Rock and people who are straying towards country be it through being an actress who sings (Gwyneth Paltrow) or as a poppy American Idol (Kelly Clarkson) and Reba McEntire singing a Beyonce song like If I Were A Boy didn’t help very much either and neither did Sugarland with their stupid song or Brad Paisley singing Lady GaGa’s songs while insulting Lady Antebellum in the process and then having the nerve of singing something about country music when several pop acts had already sang.
November 11, 2010 at 8:07 am
Best performances of the night were Carrie, Brad, and Keith in opening number, Carrie doing Mama’s Song, Kenny Chesney singing Boys of Fall, and Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson performance.
November 11, 2010 at 8:09 am
Come all yee haters and cynics – The award for best snark commentary on the show goes to 9513. Thanks guys, for staying true to yourselves.
November 11, 2010 at 8:50 am
And the award for hiding until it was safe to come out goes to – HAM!
Drop on by for the ACMs – there’s plenty of room here for all ye lovers and optimists.
November 11, 2010 at 9:21 am
The opening was rocking but only CU fans knew that was “Songs like this”; Brad and Carrie were good but not as good as last year. Best Performances: Zak Brown/Alan Jackson; Miranda; Dierks Bentley who deserved a standing ovation; Lady A.
My thoughts: The Opening Act should have been all the Entertainers of the Year performers: Miranda, Brad, Keith, Lady A, and Zak. I think they all knew Entertainer was going to either Brad or Keith and Carrie was there as a “sorry” you weren’t nominated doing your “do everything you possibly could do” year.
BTW: Writing this from Kansas instead of Ky. My daughter had a baby and I’m a grandma for the first time. Love the smell of new babies! : )
November 11, 2010 at 10:24 am
I think that it was pretty much said that Brad’s win was a done deal. I’m sure that Brad wasn’t all that surprised he won either. All it was a win by omission since he should have won Entertainer of the Year long ago instead of Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift.
November 11, 2010 at 10:41 am
Good show in all, DVR is the best modern electronics invention, so that we can FF thru the b.s. and get to the good stuff…
What was up with the EOT nominees, over half of them aren’t even headliners are they? King George should always be a nominee by default in that category.
Miss Swift performed quite well I thought, the guy at the mixing board had her cranked up well and it was a good song.
It was great seeing heartfelt emotion by Brad, Miranda and Blake. Dierks should have performed either his new duet with Alison or “Senor” with Chris Thile, as they are more traditional bluegrass.
Finally, we will have to wait for the ACMs and maybe next years CMAs for “The Guitar Song” to be nominated and to win album of the year.
November 11, 2010 at 10:46 am
Oh and Jason Aldean did quite an artistic leap with his duet with Miss Clarkson and a heavy string arrangement. They did a darn fine performance, which was the best of the night IMO.
P.S. where was Toby? No nominations at all? He really was the Artist of the Decade, as much as I love King George. King George received it since he narrowly missed out on that award in the ’80s and ’90s.
November 11, 2010 at 11:08 am
I didn’t watch nor listen to a second of this show, BUT Juli and Karlie did a fine job of live blogging this show and were thoroughly entertaining. Great job ladies! And now we all know that Karlie has a fetish for really expensive female footwear! (lol)
November 11, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Loretta Lynn was the only thing country about the CMA’s. What a waste of time!
November 11, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Texas, this sort of general remark always reminds me of the old Steven Wright joke: “I saw a sign at a coffee shop that said ‘Breakfast, Any Time,” so I asked for Waffles in the Renaissance.”
Apparently, you wanted to see the CMAs in 1968. Good luck with that.
November 11, 2010 at 3:00 pm
…judging from the women’s frocks of last night, one could actually get the impression travelling back and forth in time, barry mazor.
then again, even nineties spandex looked kinda hot on ms. nettles and little short numbers look better on ms. underwood than the wedding-cake style. quite stunning and very stylish was ms. perry’s appearance.
November 11, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Thomas: Jennifer Nettles looked like a Vegas stripper while her fake partner Kristian Bush looked like Willie Wonka only with a white hat and white clothes. They disrespected Brooks & Dunn by not mentioning them on their retirement and made some sort of smug acceptance speech. And this is what we have to look forward to as Vocal Duo Of The Year for the next few years? Come on Steel Magnolia and Montgomery Gentry and do something about this monster called Sugarland and do it now. Hope to God that they don’t EVER pass Brooks & Dunn or The Judds for most duo wins.
November 11, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I hate Sugarland. They are the armpit of country music right now.
November 11, 2010 at 4:57 pm
…fair enough guys, any thoughts on the most charming ms. perry?
November 11, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Was that the silhouette of Jim Lauderdale playing acoustic with Gwenyth Paltrow?
November 15, 2010 at 2:12 pm
i do understand that most of you dont like sugarland (why i dont come to this site often) but what was on Jennifer’s arm is a BIRTHMARK. She has had it her WHOLE life. Making beating and rash jokes are not funny, they are disrespectful.