Also, she has already figured out who she is. She said so in her speech before Kanye rudely stepped in. She said that she sings Country music. She knows who she is. She knows that she is a country artist who has widespread appeal to translate a few of her songs into pop territory.

Stormy: You asked how could a best overall video also not win best female video. Simple: Taylor wasn’t even nominated for best overall. If she was, she would have easily won that one as well!

She needs to figure out what and who she is: is she country, or is she a pop star? Methinks she is a pop star pretending to be country to use the genre to get famous. It is really annoying that no one sees her for who and what she is. Playing both sides of the fence eventually comes back to haunt you.

One thing is for sure. Taylor is about as country as the people at the VMAS. She fit right in, from her lip syncing on the subway, to her attitude and Cinderella carriage she arrived in like some queen. Maybe if she could sing, I would give her some more respect.

Crystal Shawanda can sing, yes, but the singles that have been released in Canada weren’t remarkable in any way. While I never actively hated “Try” and the title track, hearing them every couple hours on the radio has proven how lacklustre the album really is. Her US record deal all but secured this award, I hate to say. I PRAY for next time: if she plans go all “I’m an Indian” when it comes time to sell the next album, I hope there’s actually evidence that her heritage has influenced her music. Big, big disappointment.

Jessie Farrell, on the other hand, has never claimed to be anything other than some generic radio-friendly contemporary country singer (to my knowledge) so I’m enjoying the new single, as forgettable as it is. (Turns out it’s all about context for me; who knew?!)

Same with Emerson Drive.

Doc Walker is great. That Genesis cover was just fun.

While I’ve yet to figure out exactly why, I can’t stand to listen to Johnny Reid. Seriously; I change the station then get pissed that the next one’s playing him too.

-Was great to see Crystal get the Female Artist award. There’s a lot of undeserved buzz around BC’s Jessie Farrell and I was concerned that she might get the hometown-discount win this time around. To see her shut out last night was basically the highlight of the evening. If not for low-cut shirts and Chad Kroeger, I’m not sure she’d have a career. Good for Crystal, who can REALLY wail!!
SOOOO true. Jessie makes me crazy. I love Crystal and I think she was very deserving of the award.

-I’m not a huge Johnny Reid by any means, but he’s the best pure singer we have in Canada right now. He’s not Country by a long shot, but of the guys out there, it was his time to win. Next year will likely be a huge year for both Gord Bamford and Corb Lund, with the CCMAs being in Edmonton.
Again, I can’t agree more I don’t love Johnny but he’s deserving of the award, country or not.

-Great to see Doc Walker pick up group of the year. I was terrified that our national embarrassment, Emerson Drive, might have a lot of votes, but luckily the voters once again got it right. As far as pure talent, fantastically written songs, tight harmonies and musicianship, Doc Walker is it in Can Country. There’s Doc – and then a long list of followers.
I actually don’t mind Emerson Drive. They put on a fantastic live show BUT, Doc Walker trump them by a long shot. It was wonderful to see this deserving group be honoured again.