Brady, partly because of your above comment and partly because of Bucky Covington, who brought me to this site over a year ago, I have “re-discovered” Eddy Arnold. Tonight I found his bio and have been listening to his work. Good grief what a great artist . I am so moved by his work , it is hard to express how I am feeling. How sad that he did not receive recognition on this “Country ” show . I guess I want to thank you and Jim for trying to speak for the old traditional voice of country that is somehow being transformed right in front of us. At least, remember the old as we meet the new.

As far as country music goes, I was thinking similar thoughts during the last country awards show. I thought “this sure doesn’t look or sound country to me.” I mean Taylor Swift is pop folks, let’s be be honest. And her vocals on the show were really bad. But she sings pop songs that don’t require much of a voice. She could develop it but hasn’t a yet. She’s a better entertainer than a singer–usually.

But I love Carrie Underwood just the way she is and if she’s not country enough that’s too bad because she’s not going anywhere! You can’t have her. She’s mine!

Ha! Okay back to reality folks… I guess you can see I’m Carrie fan.

But I think there’s a lot of problems here with these shows. One big one is ABC TV or any major network. If you want to sell them a prime time TV show, they call the shots mostly. And they think in terms of young and they think record sales. To them, this is not an awards show and they don’t give a damn about the future of Country Music. They’re number crunchers and all they want is CASH. They want to sell ads. And therefore they want a lot of young women, boobs, lights and razzle dazzel. TV networks always want a young audience. Period. So I wouldn’t connect this show to the future of country music. I think that happens on tours. And of course radio air play effects record sales and who gets to tour. This not an easy thing to do folks.

There’s a problem in all entertainment industries right now including film and TV because of technology. Because of the choices people have, the internet, downloading, Ipods, etc. I live in Hollywood and I’m an actor and the internet is affecting our business too. We don’t get oaid much on the internet. Believe me it’s very scary. So if I was a record company in Nashville and I had to face low record sales vs a possible crossover to the pop market, I think I would be forced to go pop to survive. Or sign Jessica Simpson. Oh but I am not a fan. Plus, most of these companies are owned by a parent company somewhere. Trust me, they’re all number crunchers and that’s all that matters. But it is called the “music business,” not music art. Sorry if I’m too cynical but as I said I live in Hollywood and I deal with this all the time.

I think you better watch the Grand Old Opry for country music and hold the line there.

It really wouldn’t take that much longer and give those critically acclaimed country artists a chance-Jamie Johnson, Ashton Shepherd; etc.<<

Because that leads to a splitting of the genre. Besides, some artists are difficult to classify in one category or the other.

Here’s a radical idea: how about giving out the awards to artists who perform COUNTRY music and having them perform on the show next year?

Why not have two awards per show? Contemporary Entertainer of the year; Traditional country Entertainer of the year? and etc.

It really wouldn’t take that much longer and give those critically acclaimed country artists a chance-Jamie Johnson, Ashton Shepherd; etc.

At least the show tried to balance some this year-Darius Rucker, Trace Adkins gave good country performances. But instead of the “Whalons” and “Eagles” what about some other country artists?

There were great performances last night- Miranda, Carrie, Darius, LAdy Antebellum, Keith and Brad, etc., and Martina was good.

But sometimes it does get a little predictable, so I agree with Jim on that point anyway.