Photo: Alan Mayor
Performance photos by John Russell and Donn Jones
Chapter 355
The earliest CMA Awards Show review came from the organization’s newly crowned Entertainer of the Year.
“I think this was the best [CMA] show I’ve ever seen,” said Brad Paisley. “And I’ve been watching it all my life. I loved every minute.
“Who Still Buys CDs? Country Fans” is the headline on an article in the current issue of Rolling Stone magazine. Here’s why. Brad, himself, explained it in the new anthem he introduced on the telecast, “This Is Country Music.” You’ll probably have to wait until his forthcoming CD is issued next spring to hear it again, but it was a great “tease.” Here’s also why. Taylor Swift on piano with orchestral backing sang “Back to December,” her single that dropped the day before the show. Here’s why, again. Kenny Chesney performed the brilliantly written “Boys of Fall.” Here’s why. The glorious voices of Lady Antebellum presented the group’s current ballad “Hello World.” Here’s why. Sugarland gave its No. 1 hit “Stuck Like Glue” a wildly innovative production number.
Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum and Sugarland
Here’s why. Reba McEntire brilliantly retrofitted Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy.” Here’s why. Keith Urban rocked the house with “Put You in a Song,” Blake Shelton romped through “All About Tonight,” and Miranda Lambert merrily twirled and had a blast with John Prine’s hilarious “That’s the Way That the World Goes Round.”
Here’s why. George Strait crooned “Breath,” Kid Rock rocked “Born Free,” Carrie Underwood delivered the emotional goods on “Mama’s Song,” Rascal Flatts soared on “Why Wait,” Dierks Bentley got rootsy on “Up on the Ridge,” and Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson alternately harmonized (Jason) and created vocal fireworks (Kelly) on “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” Gwyneth Paltrow and Vince Gill delivered a goose-bumpy “Country Strong.” The Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson were spirited, breezy and utterly lovely with the sound they created on “As She’s Walking Away.” Miranda Lambert kicked off “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Sheryl Crow picked up the lyric. Then Loretta Lynn entered, to wild applause, and the three harmonized in the song’s finale. This is why we love country music.
Even the “snippets” were musically winning. Little Big Town were jaw dropping with a pitch-perfect, a cappella harmony treatment of “You Belong with Me” before announcing the Album of the Year winner. The Band Perry gave us an abbreviated version of its breakthrough hit “If I Die Young.” And Brad, again, shined (with Carrie) in his parodies of 2010 events to the tune of “The Ballad of Jed Clampett,” of the sexcapades of Tiger Woods and Brett Favre in a rewrite of “Tiger By the Tail,” and of wedding planning in a spoof of “Golden Ring.”
Most of these stars had bon mots for us backstage. “You won’t have trouble hearing from me,” said Loretta, saying that she has recorded a Christmas CD, a religious CD and 40 new songs she’s written.
“Within six months after I started singing, we were in Nashville,” she commented about her 50th year in show biz. “The rest is history.” At age 75, she still sounds spectacular. “I’d like you to remember me as a singer,” she added, “just a ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter.’
“I thank everybody who did the [new tribute] album. I thought they all did great.
Reba McEntire; Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley; Blake Shelton; and Sheryl Crow, Loretta Lynn and Miranda Lambert
“Would you ever think of anybody more country than Miranda Lambert? I love her singing. ‘Gunpowder and Lead’ is what she sings about.”
“This is the beginning,” said Miranda of winning Album, Video (with director Trey Fanjoy) and Female Vocalist of the Year. “I hope I’m here 40 years from now, handing out an award like Loretta did for me….I’ve never won a CMA. The three I won were all handed to me by friends of mine [Little Big Town, Kellie Pickler and Loretta]. It’s great that country music embraces one another. It’s special that way.
“Today is my 27th birthday and my 10th year of making music for a living.” She added that the expression on fiancé Blake Shelton’s face “meant everything to me” when he was announced as the surprise Male Vocalist winner. Blake also won Musical Event for “Hillbilly Bone” with an absent Trace Adkins.
“That’s how I like to start the night,” crowed Blake when he got Musical Event honors during the pre-telecast ceremony. “I can relax now and get drunk. If Trace were here, he’d probably say something like, ‘Y’all better be glad we won this, because otherwise, I would’a had to kick somebody’s ass.’”
But backstage after the show, Blake was clearly sobered and shaken by his other accolade. “I don’t know what to say to y’all,” he said. “I’ve used up all the stupid things I usually say….All I know is I’ve been sitting in that audience for 11 years [and not being recognized]. Between induction into the Opry and this Male Vocalist of the Year, when you find this out when you’re 34 years old, it’s a revelation.
“I love what I do. I hope I’m standing up here 20 years from now, just like George Strait.” The new prince and princess posed for photographers clinking their crystal trophies together, “toasting” their Male and Female Vocalist wins.
“I’m sure that Tim and Faith never set out to be the country couple. And that’s kind of Miranda and mine’s situation. For whatever reason, we’ve kinda gotten going at the same time. During the commercial break, we just kind of looked at each other. What can you say? ‘I’m proud of you, because I love you, and I’m proud of who you are.’”
Sugarland was backstage in the press room when Blake was named Male Vocalist. “All right, CMA: Shake it up!” commented Jennifer Nettles. “It’s gonna be fun at their house tonight!” added Kristian Bush.
Jennifer added that they’d come up with many of the production ideas themselves: “This song has a lot of levity to it, and we wanted to bring that to the performance.” As a dad, himself, Kristian admitted that a child announcing a career in music would make him uneasy. But his own father had “come around,” been supportive and was attending his first CMA show that night. “I am a happy girl,” concluded Jennifer.
Kid Rock; Dierks Bentley; Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Gwyneth Paltrow and Vince Gill; and Zac Brown and Alan Jackson
“We were feeling the love tonight from our peers,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “This has been the most incredible year of our lives.” Vocal Group and Single of the Year (“Need You Now”) were the act’s rewards. “Paul Worley and the musicians really deserve a lot of the credit for that record.”
“After we wrote it, we put it aside,” said Dave Haywood. “We liked it, but we didn’t know it was anything special.”
“We’re always thinking of the next record,” said Charles Kelley.
“I owe this award to my crew,” said Brad Paisley of his Entertainer win. Three weeks before his tour was to begin, he lost almost every bit of its equipment in the flood. His crew pulled it together. “This tour surprised me. The pat on the back I think I’m getting is, ‘Thank you for taking this out there to the people.’ That means more to me than anything.”
He described ‘This Is Country Music’ as, “a love song to my fans,” and added, “If there was ever a year I wanted to win this, this was it.”
The press room, by the way, was packed. We were shoulder-to-shoulder sardines in there, perhaps reflecting the sales the Rolling Stone article was referring to. Among my fellow sardines were Vernell Hackett, Tom Roland, Holly Gleason, Chuck Aly, Alan Mayor, Larry McCormick, Cindy Watts, Peter Cooper, Brian Mansfield, Donna Hughes (who got an offstage hug from Blake), Lukas Hendrickson, Hunter Kelly, Brad Schmitt (who is now writing for countryweekly.com), Craig Campbell, Grant Alverson, Tammi Arroyo, Wes Vause, Kay West, Tree Payne and Sanford Myers.
Catering was by Zoe’s Kitchen. As usual, we were given box lunches. But the sandwiches seemed extra good this year.
The raving evangelist with the megaphone and big signs on sticks in front of the arena was a nice touch. For a change, there were no fashion “train wrecks” on the black carpet arrivals (black, because of sponsorship by Jack Daniels). Marines in full dress uniforms opened limo doors. Martina McBride entered in electric-blue, one shoulder lame, accompanied by her daughters. Gretchen Wilson was in basic black with knee-high boots, also accompanied by her daughter. Jennifer Nettles was in strapless, floor-length pale blue taffeta with large blue stone earrings and a glittering bracelet. Hillary Scott was in a figure-hugging red strapless gown with big pouffy ruffles at the bodice and a flared fishtail hem. A tanned Sheryl Crow was in an asymmetrical, one-shoulder ombre chiffon gown gathered at the back with a multi-hued hem. On the carpet, she was embraced by Kimberly Williams Paisley, a vision in a vivid, azur floor-length satin number, also one-shouldered.
The one-shoulder thing was definitely a trend. There was also a notable lack of showy jewelry this year. And tresses tended toward the casual. Kellie Pickler and Laura Bell Bundy were notably flashy in golden gowns. Kellie’s had a plunging neckline, and she was flashing her big engagement ring. Songwriter Kyle Jacobs must be making more than I thought. Taylor Swift looked adult in a strapless floor-length red gown with a slit skirt. LeAnn Rimes was in a gray, draped micro mini with a metallic neckline and an upswept hairdo. Nicole Kidman was in knee-length white lace and cut-away red booties. Let the record show that Kid Rock wore a Jim Beam t-shirt on the Jack Daniels carpet.
Unquestionably the black-carpet dress of the night belonged to Gwyneth Paltrow. She entered in a draped, floor-length, body conscious, pastel, beaded chiffon gown by Versace, showing plenty of skin via cut-outs and slits. Show co-host Carrie Underwood went through, I think, eight costume changes during the evening.
Rodney Atkins hosted the pre-tel ceremonies, which honored hometown faves Gerry House and Lon Helton, among others. “They’re all better than me,” said Instrumentalist winner Mac McAnally of his competition. “But if this means I get to keep pickin,’ I’m the luckiest guy in the room.”
Presenters included Ty Pennington, Luke Bryan, Jerrod Niemann, Darius Rucker, Sissy Spacek, Sara Evans, Easton Corbin, Chris Young, Jeff Gordon, Joanna Garcia and Tim McGraw. And didn’t you just love Jimmy Dickens in snorkel gear portraying Nashville’s new flood-warning system?
Taking it all in were Allen Brown, Karen Byrd, Harold Bradley, Bill Anderson, Donna Meade Dean, Ralph Emery, Jimmy Fortune, Jim Foglesong, Ken Levitan, Paula Erickson, Frances Preston, Alabama’s Mark Herndon and Randy Owen, Charlie McCoy, Ferlin Husky and Jo Walker-Meador, who mothered the CMA to greatness.
Oh, one more thing. “I’m here because of you guys,” said Brad to the press corps. “You’ve shown me support over all these years.” Awwww.
Bobby Karl Works The CMA Awards
/by Bobby KarlPhoto: Alan Mayor
Performance photos by John Russell and Donn Jones
Chapter 355
The earliest CMA Awards Show review came from the organization’s newly crowned Entertainer of the Year.
“I think this was the best [CMA] show I’ve ever seen,” said Brad Paisley. “And I’ve been watching it all my life. I loved every minute.
“Who Still Buys CDs? Country Fans” is the headline on an article in the current issue of Rolling Stone magazine. Here’s why. Brad, himself, explained it in the new anthem he introduced on the telecast, “This Is Country Music.” You’ll probably have to wait until his forthcoming CD is issued next spring to hear it again, but it was a great “tease.” Here’s also why. Taylor Swift on piano with orchestral backing sang “Back to December,” her single that dropped the day before the show. Here’s why, again. Kenny Chesney performed the brilliantly written “Boys of Fall.” Here’s why. The glorious voices of Lady Antebellum presented the group’s current ballad “Hello World.” Here’s why. Sugarland gave its No. 1 hit “Stuck Like Glue” a wildly innovative production number.
Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum and Sugarland
Here’s why. Reba McEntire brilliantly retrofitted Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy.” Here’s why. Keith Urban rocked the house with “Put You in a Song,” Blake Shelton romped through “All About Tonight,” and Miranda Lambert merrily twirled and had a blast with John Prine’s hilarious “That’s the Way That the World Goes Round.”
Here’s why. George Strait crooned “Breath,” Kid Rock rocked “Born Free,” Carrie Underwood delivered the emotional goods on “Mama’s Song,” Rascal Flatts soared on “Why Wait,” Dierks Bentley got rootsy on “Up on the Ridge,” and Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson alternately harmonized (Jason) and created vocal fireworks (Kelly) on “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” Gwyneth Paltrow and Vince Gill delivered a goose-bumpy “Country Strong.” The Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson were spirited, breezy and utterly lovely with the sound they created on “As She’s Walking Away.” Miranda Lambert kicked off “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Sheryl Crow picked up the lyric. Then Loretta Lynn entered, to wild applause, and the three harmonized in the song’s finale. This is why we love country music.
Even the “snippets” were musically winning. Little Big Town were jaw dropping with a pitch-perfect, a cappella harmony treatment of “You Belong with Me” before announcing the Album of the Year winner. The Band Perry gave us an abbreviated version of its breakthrough hit “If I Die Young.” And Brad, again, shined (with Carrie) in his parodies of 2010 events to the tune of “The Ballad of Jed Clampett,” of the sexcapades of Tiger Woods and Brett Favre in a rewrite of “Tiger By the Tail,” and of wedding planning in a spoof of “Golden Ring.”
Most of these stars had bon mots for us backstage. “You won’t have trouble hearing from me,” said Loretta, saying that she has recorded a Christmas CD, a religious CD and 40 new songs she’s written.
“Within six months after I started singing, we were in Nashville,” she commented about her 50th year in show biz. “The rest is history.” At age 75, she still sounds spectacular. “I’d like you to remember me as a singer,” she added, “just a ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter.’
“I thank everybody who did the [new tribute] album. I thought they all did great.
Reba McEntire; Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley; Blake Shelton; and Sheryl Crow, Loretta Lynn and Miranda Lambert
“Would you ever think of anybody more country than Miranda Lambert? I love her singing. ‘Gunpowder and Lead’ is what she sings about.”
“This is the beginning,” said Miranda of winning Album, Video (with director Trey Fanjoy) and Female Vocalist of the Year. “I hope I’m here 40 years from now, handing out an award like Loretta did for me….I’ve never won a CMA. The three I won were all handed to me by friends of mine [Little Big Town, Kellie Pickler and Loretta]. It’s great that country music embraces one another. It’s special that way.
“Today is my 27th birthday and my 10th year of making music for a living.” She added that the expression on fiancé Blake Shelton’s face “meant everything to me” when he was announced as the surprise Male Vocalist winner. Blake also won Musical Event for “Hillbilly Bone” with an absent Trace Adkins.
“That’s how I like to start the night,” crowed Blake when he got Musical Event honors during the pre-telecast ceremony. “I can relax now and get drunk. If Trace were here, he’d probably say something like, ‘Y’all better be glad we won this, because otherwise, I would’a had to kick somebody’s ass.’”
But backstage after the show, Blake was clearly sobered and shaken by his other accolade. “I don’t know what to say to y’all,” he said. “I’ve used up all the stupid things I usually say….All I know is I’ve been sitting in that audience for 11 years [and not being recognized]. Between induction into the Opry and this Male Vocalist of the Year, when you find this out when you’re 34 years old, it’s a revelation.
“I love what I do. I hope I’m standing up here 20 years from now, just like George Strait.” The new prince and princess posed for photographers clinking their crystal trophies together, “toasting” their Male and Female Vocalist wins.
“I’m sure that Tim and Faith never set out to be the country couple. And that’s kind of Miranda and mine’s situation. For whatever reason, we’ve kinda gotten going at the same time. During the commercial break, we just kind of looked at each other. What can you say? ‘I’m proud of you, because I love you, and I’m proud of who you are.’”
Sugarland was backstage in the press room when Blake was named Male Vocalist. “All right, CMA: Shake it up!” commented Jennifer Nettles. “It’s gonna be fun at their house tonight!” added Kristian Bush.
Jennifer added that they’d come up with many of the production ideas themselves: “This song has a lot of levity to it, and we wanted to bring that to the performance.” As a dad, himself, Kristian admitted that a child announcing a career in music would make him uneasy. But his own father had “come around,” been supportive and was attending his first CMA show that night. “I am a happy girl,” concluded Jennifer.
Kid Rock; Dierks Bentley; Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Gwyneth Paltrow and Vince Gill; and Zac Brown and Alan Jackson
“We were feeling the love tonight from our peers,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “This has been the most incredible year of our lives.” Vocal Group and Single of the Year (“Need You Now”) were the act’s rewards. “Paul Worley and the musicians really deserve a lot of the credit for that record.”
“After we wrote it, we put it aside,” said Dave Haywood. “We liked it, but we didn’t know it was anything special.”
“We’re always thinking of the next record,” said Charles Kelley.
“I owe this award to my crew,” said Brad Paisley of his Entertainer win. Three weeks before his tour was to begin, he lost almost every bit of its equipment in the flood. His crew pulled it together. “This tour surprised me. The pat on the back I think I’m getting is, ‘Thank you for taking this out there to the people.’ That means more to me than anything.”
He described ‘This Is Country Music’ as, “a love song to my fans,” and added, “If there was ever a year I wanted to win this, this was it.”
The press room, by the way, was packed. We were shoulder-to-shoulder sardines in there, perhaps reflecting the sales the Rolling Stone article was referring to. Among my fellow sardines were Vernell Hackett, Tom Roland, Holly Gleason, Chuck Aly, Alan Mayor, Larry McCormick, Cindy Watts, Peter Cooper, Brian Mansfield, Donna Hughes (who got an offstage hug from Blake), Lukas Hendrickson, Hunter Kelly, Brad Schmitt (who is now writing for countryweekly.com), Craig Campbell, Grant Alverson, Tammi Arroyo, Wes Vause, Kay West, Tree Payne and Sanford Myers.
Catering was by Zoe’s Kitchen. As usual, we were given box lunches. But the sandwiches seemed extra good this year.
The raving evangelist with the megaphone and big signs on sticks in front of the arena was a nice touch. For a change, there were no fashion “train wrecks” on the black carpet arrivals (black, because of sponsorship by Jack Daniels). Marines in full dress uniforms opened limo doors. Martina McBride entered in electric-blue, one shoulder lame, accompanied by her daughters. Gretchen Wilson was in basic black with knee-high boots, also accompanied by her daughter. Jennifer Nettles was in strapless, floor-length pale blue taffeta with large blue stone earrings and a glittering bracelet. Hillary Scott was in a figure-hugging red strapless gown with big pouffy ruffles at the bodice and a flared fishtail hem. A tanned Sheryl Crow was in an asymmetrical, one-shoulder ombre chiffon gown gathered at the back with a multi-hued hem. On the carpet, she was embraced by Kimberly Williams Paisley, a vision in a vivid, azur floor-length satin number, also one-shouldered.
The one-shoulder thing was definitely a trend. There was also a notable lack of showy jewelry this year. And tresses tended toward the casual. Kellie Pickler and Laura Bell Bundy were notably flashy in golden gowns. Kellie’s had a plunging neckline, and she was flashing her big engagement ring. Songwriter Kyle Jacobs must be making more than I thought. Taylor Swift looked adult in a strapless floor-length red gown with a slit skirt. LeAnn Rimes was in a gray, draped micro mini with a metallic neckline and an upswept hairdo. Nicole Kidman was in knee-length white lace and cut-away red booties. Let the record show that Kid Rock wore a Jim Beam t-shirt on the Jack Daniels carpet.
Unquestionably the black-carpet dress of the night belonged to Gwyneth Paltrow. She entered in a draped, floor-length, body conscious, pastel, beaded chiffon gown by Versace, showing plenty of skin via cut-outs and slits. Show co-host Carrie Underwood went through, I think, eight costume changes during the evening.
Rodney Atkins hosted the pre-tel ceremonies, which honored hometown faves Gerry House and Lon Helton, among others. “They’re all better than me,” said Instrumentalist winner Mac McAnally of his competition. “But if this means I get to keep pickin,’ I’m the luckiest guy in the room.”
Presenters included Ty Pennington, Luke Bryan, Jerrod Niemann, Darius Rucker, Sissy Spacek, Sara Evans, Easton Corbin, Chris Young, Jeff Gordon, Joanna Garcia and Tim McGraw. And didn’t you just love Jimmy Dickens in snorkel gear portraying Nashville’s new flood-warning system?
Taking it all in were Allen Brown, Karen Byrd, Harold Bradley, Bill Anderson, Donna Meade Dean, Ralph Emery, Jimmy Fortune, Jim Foglesong, Ken Levitan, Paula Erickson, Frances Preston, Alabama’s Mark Herndon and Randy Owen, Charlie McCoy, Ferlin Husky and Jo Walker-Meador, who mothered the CMA to greatness.
Oh, one more thing. “I’m here because of you guys,” said Brad to the press corps. “You’ve shown me support over all these years.” Awwww.
Messina Replaces Jewel, Hank Jr. Launches New Whiskey
/by contributorJo Dee Messina will perform with the Nashville Symphony this weekend, taking the place of Jewel, who was forced to cancel due to illness. Messina will be featured as part of the Bank of America Pops Series, to be held November 11-13 and Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena.
The Grammy-nominated artist, with an illustrious career of nine No. 1 singles and awards from both the CMA and the ACM, will perform her biggest hits and songs from her latest effort, a trilogy of EPs entitled Unmistakable.
Hank Williams Jr. announced the launch of Popcorn Sutton’s Tennessee White Whiskey. This spirit, courtesy of a “secret recipe blend” by the late Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton, will debut in Middle Tennessee bars and expand accordingly throughout the region. Legendary moonshine maker Sutton was known for the “smooth going down” taste, and as a business partner with J&M Concepts and widow Pam Sutton, Hank Jr. has been entrusted with keeping the legend alive.
While Hank Jr. never met Sutton before his death in 2009, he was an admirer of the moonshine runner as a man who appreciates good liquor and respects the free spirited souls of mountain men. “He was the last of the real mountain moonshiners,” Hank Jr. explains. “Popcorn was part of the real ‘Thunder Road’ legend, and that is a real part of country music history.
Popcorn Sutton’s Tennessee White Whiskey is the first “white whiskey” to be approved by the federal government. Hank Jr. celebrated the launch of the new whiskey with friends Kid Rock, Martina McBride, Zac Brown, Jamey Johnson, the Grascals, Randy Houser and Tanya Tucker.
Lambert Wins Three And Paisley Gets Entertainer
/by contributorAwards co-host Brad Paisley won the big one, Entertainer of the Year, which was his first win in the category.
For an interesting look around at what people are saying about the show and the performances, check out these links…
New York Times — Jon Caramica toasts country’s “unlikely new first couple”
L.A. Times–explores the CMA’s Hollywood connections and more
Zap2it.com–Witty and irreverent remarks with a 17 photo slide show
Wall Street Journal— Asks the musical question, “Can Paltrow sing?”
Brad Paisley
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Miranda Lambert
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Blake Shelton
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Revolution, Miranda Lambert
Producers: Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to each Artist)
“Hillbilly Bone” — Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Zac Brown Band
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Sugarland
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)
“Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum
Producers: Paul Worley, Lady Antebellum
Capitol Records Nashville
SONG OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“The House That Built Me” — Writers: Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Director)
“The House That Built Me” — Miranda Lambert
Director: Trey Fanjoy
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Mac McAnally, Guitar
Melanie Denard
/by FreemanStarPath Records
”This sassy belter has been noted for her dynamic delivery in this column several times. The upbeat romp of the song gives her plenty of room to work with… she has a very appealing huskiness in her voice, full of barely suppressed fire. I’ll bet she can really take charge of a stage. Promising, indeed.”
—Robert K. Oermann, MusicRow
Melanie Denard’s latest release to country radio is “All I Ever Did Was Love You,” a soulful number that is already climbing MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. Her debut album Dare To Live for StarPath Records is available on Amazon, iTunes, and CDBaby and features songs from such top-shelf talent as as Gary Burr, Victoria Shaw, Kylie Sackley, Rodney Clawson and more. The video can be seen on her YouTube page at www.youtube.com/melaniedenard.
Denard originally hails from the Kennesaw Mountain area of Georgia, and she relocated to Nashville in 2007 to record and continue singing. Denard also recently started working on her live experience with famed live show producer Joe Guercio, who has worked with luminaries such as Elvis, Barbara Streisand, and Diana Ross among others.
“Life has taught me that I have to stand up for myself, especially in matters of the heart, and that’s a hard lesson for a woman in love to learn,” explains Denard. “Sometimes a woman just has to reach down into her inner self and find some attitude and sass in order to survive with her heart intact and still be able to celebrate life. That’s what my songs are about.”
www.myspace.com/melaniedenard
[wpaudio url=”https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/10200206/mdnrd-aiedwlu.mp3″ text=”Melanie Denard – All I Ever Did Was Love You” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]
CMA Winners List
/by FreemanENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
Miranda Lambert
Brad Paisley
Keith Urban
Zac Brown Band
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dierks Bentley
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
George Strait
Keith Urban
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)
Need You Now
Lady Antebellum
Producers: Paul Worley and Lady Antebellum
Play On
Carrie Underwood
Producers: Mark Bright and Max Martin
Revolution
Miranda Lambert
Producers: Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
Twang
George Strait
Producers: Tony Brown and George Strait
Up on the Ridge
Dierks Bentley
Producer: Jon Randall Stewart
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to each Artist)
“Bad Angel” — Dierks Bentley featuring Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson
“Can’t You See” — Zac Brown Band featuring Kid Rock
“Hillbilly Bone” — Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins
“I’m Alive” — Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews
“Till the End” — Alan Jackson with Lee Ann Womack
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Luke Bryan
Easton Corbin
Jerrod Niemann
Chris Young
Zac Brown Band
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Joey + Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)
“A Little More Country Than That” — Easton Corbin; Producer: Carson Chamberlain (Mercury Nashville)
“Hillbilly Bone” – Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins; Producer: Scott Hendricks (Reprise Records)
“Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum; Producers: Paul Worley, Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)
“The House That Built Me” — Miranda Lambert; Producers: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke (Columbia Nashville)
“White Liar” — Miranda Lambert; Producer: Frank Liddell, Wrucke (Columbia Nashville)
SONG OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“A Little More Country Than That” — Writers: Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress, Wynn Varble
“Need You Now” — Writers: Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Josh Kear
“The House That Built Me” — Writers: Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin
“Toes” — Writers: Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, John Driskell Hopkins, Shawn Mullins
“White Liar” — Writers: Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Director)
“Hillbilly Bone” — Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins; Director: Roman White
“Need You Now” — Lady Antebellum; Director: David McClister
“The House That Built Me” — Miranda Lambert; Director: Trey Fanjoy
“Water” — Brad Paisley; Director: Jim Shea
“White Liar” — Miranda Lambert; Director: Chris Hicky
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Paul Franklin — Steel Guitar
Dann Huff — Guitar
Brent Mason — Guitar
Mac McAnally — Guitar
Randy Scruggs — Guitar
Critics Pick CMA Award Winners
/by Sarah SkatesWill Brad Paisley be named Entertainer of the Year?
MusicRow’s editorial staffers Sarah Skates and Jon Freeman square off in a spirited debate about tonight’s top CMA Award categories. Tune into ABC at 7 PM to see all the action. See all the categories and nominees here.
Entertainer of the Year
JF: Brad Paisley—He is long overdue for an Entertainer of the Year honor, having been nominated and subsequently shut out the previous five years. He’s defied the odds and continued to get better in the meantime–cranking out hit after hit, crafting a series of highly enjoyable albums, building his live experience to fill arenas, and somehow managing to be a genuinely likable guy all the while.
SS: Lady Antebellum—It would be a tough win to beat out touring superstar Brad Paisley, but for the sake of argument, I’m picking Lady A. It might be a little early in the band’s career to win the CMA’s top prize, but the Capitol group has had a stellar few years, with loads of crossover success, and their momentum just keeps going.
Miranda Lambert is the leading nominee going into tonight's show.
Female Vocalist of the Year
JF: Miranda Lambert—Hopefully this will be remembered as the period in history when the country listening world came to understand what the industry has been saying for years: Miranda Lambert is an extraordinary artist. Her album Revolution is scary good, she’s a sensational songwriter, and she’s put out a couple of the best singles in recent memory. None of these things would be possible, however, if she didn’t also have the vocal chops to match. For that she deserves our recognition.
SS: Carrie Underwood—If her show at Bridgestone Arena proved anything, it was that this girl can sing. Her spectacular voice is accentuated by her onstage performance. Since her start on American Idol, Underwood has grown into a touring headliner, top album seller and radio star. She also has a strong history in this category, with three wins already to her credit.
Male Vocalist of the Year
JF: Blake Shelton—Blake has owned this year, from his Grand Ole Opry induction to his endlessly repeatable late night segments with Chelsea Handler to his match-made-in-hillbilly-heaven engagement with Miranda Lambert. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he also had a massive hit detailing a previously unknown but universally shared part of the human anatomy. Who even cares what the hip bone connects to?
SS: Dierks Bentley—He ventured into bluegrass territory for his newest album and the critics ate it up. Bentley followed his artistic muse with great success, and CMA voters will reward that.
Vocal Group of the Year
JF: Zac Brown Band—The Vocal Group category is full of serious contenders, but this one should be a standoff between Lady Antebellum and Zac Brown Band. Both have the hits and sales, but the edge goes to ZBB because of the salivating live following they have built over years of relentless touring. Need more proof? How about a co-headlining stadium tour with Kenny Chesney?
SS: Lady Antebellum—The success of Need You Now is undeniable. This album spawned monster radio hits in country before crossing into the pop charts. The trio of talented musicians have a unique genre-crossing appeal. It’s a tight race, but Lady A will take home the trophy.
Album of the Year
JF: Lady Antebellum, Need You Now—How many great singles can one album have? The early 2010 release of Need You Now set the tone for the Capitol group’s amazing year. On the wings of its now classic title track, Need You Now elevated Lady Antebellum to a whole new kind of stardom. And it wasn’t a fluke–following a couple more No. 1s, its fourth single “Hello World” is already shaping up to be another smash.
SS: Miranda Lambert, Revolution—Today is her birthday and she’s going into the show as the leading nominee. Lambert offered one of the year’s best albums, earning the elusive combination of critical acclaim and commercial success. As her career steers toward superstar territory, the industry and fans are behind her. She’s going to be a big winner tonight.
Grammy Nominations Special Set For Dec. 1
/by FreemanMiranda Lambert has been named as one of the performers for "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night."
Nominations for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards will be announced live on the hour long special “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night,” airing Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 9 pm CT on CBS.
The show will take place at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, with rapper/actor LL Cool J reprising his hosting role from last year’s special.
The initial performance lineup for the event includes Miranda Lambert, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, rapper B.o.B., and singer/songwriter Bruno Mars. Additional performers and presenters will be announced shortly.
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS 7 pm CT Sunday, February 13 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Swift, Aldean And Sugarland Sell the Sound Of Nashville
/by admin[Please sing using melody from “Sound Of Music”]
Album sales are alive
With the Sound of Nashville,
With Swift and Aldean,
Numbers one and two,
The register rings,
With the sound of Nashville
Sugarland, Paisley,
Kings Of Leon, too….
In debut news this week, Jason Aldean turns in a stellar performance shifting almost 193,000 units, including an unusually high 24% of those as digital downloads. Aldean’s last outing did around 110k first week units, so sales of My Kinda Party are showing a strong forward move becoming the biggest first week country male vocalist debut in over three years. “I can’t say enough about my fans and this incredible ride we are all taking together,” said Aldean. “Don’t count out the kids who live out in the sticks, drive pickup trucks, wear John Deere hats and like their country music on the rockin’ side. It’s been a killer week, and now I’m focused on performing on the CMAs with Kelly Clarkson. It’ll be like nothing I’ve ever done on TV before.”
Brad Paisley’s Hits package debuts at No. 4 on the Current Country chart with almost 31k units, (16% digital). Greatest hits still appeal to consumers who are not downloading. But since downloaders can chose any of the songs at their discretion without having to get the entire bundle, they are less likely to be attracted. However, savvy marketers are enticing fans to own the package with the inclusion of value added content not available in other places.
Ms. Swift’s Speak Now took an expected 69% fall this week moving almost 320k units. Her Holiday Collection placed No. 1 on the album catalog chart scanning about 20k units, up 40% from last week. Sugarland’s Incredible Machine dropped 32% to 60k units with a three-week total of 351k.
For the week ended 11/7/2010 country album sales are off 8.5% YTD compared with the same period last year. All genre album sales for the same metric are off 13.5%. To catch up with last year, country sales will need to average 1.84 million units per week for the remaining 8 sales weeks of 2010. Realistically it appears highly unlikely that country will break even or go ahead of its last year numbers. Insider estimates now range from a drop of 5-8%, but of course it’s not over till the last register rings…
Next week Reba and Blake launch their newest; on 11/16 we get new music from Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban; 11/23 and 11/30 signals Greatest Hits paks from Alan Jackson and Tim McGraw respectively. Stay tuned…
Bobby Karl Works the BMI Country Awards
/by Bobby KarlBMI Icon Billy Sherrill and Song and Songwriter of the Year winner Taylor Swift
Chapter 354
Photos by Rick Diamond and Andrew H. Walker
The 58th annual BMI Country Awards – the first of all the country accolades – mixed young with old like never before.
Taylor Swift, 20, became the youngest person ever to be named the organization’s Songwriter of the Year. Nineteen tunesmiths won their first BMI Awards, including Justin Moore, Eddie Montgomery, Bubba Strait and Jon Mabe.
On the other hand, Sony/ATV won its ninth consecutive and 33rd overall Publisher of the Year honor. And the crowd was full of classic Music Row personalities such as Norro Wilson, Fred Foster, Jerry Crutchfield, Jerry Chesnut, Jerry & Connie Bradley, David Briggs, David Malloy, Dickie Lee, Bucky Wilkin, Larry Henley, Jo Walker-Meador, Jim Foglesong, Tom Collins, Even Stevens, Kenny & Corky O’Dell, Bob Beckham and Layng Martine.
As always, the manically schmoozy cocktail hour set the tone for the evening. Big Al Anderson came bearing news that he’s doing a record with Shawn Camp and Pat McLaughlin next month. I complimented Thom Schuyler on his excellent radio voice as the host of the new Bluebird Café radio series on WPLN. Ashton Shepherd said her sophomore CD is ready to go. Both of Paul Overstreet’s sons are now in the biz. At last year’s banquet, we celebrated Nash Overstreet’s pop band Hot Chelle Ray getting signed to Arista (the record is out now, and it’s a dandy). This year, we’re toasting Chord Overstreet as a new cast member on the TV and music phenom Glee.
As we entered, the Steel Magnolia kids were posing for snapshots with the fans gathered on the other side of the street from the red carpet. So cute. The star-gazing was abundant. Jack Ingram, Kix Brooks, Jamey Johnson, Jeff Hanna, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Dailey & Vincent, Joey + Rory, Clay Walker, Randy Houser, Billy Burnette, American Idol alumnus Casey James, Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet, Eric Church, Rodney Atkins, Rhett Akins, Easton Corbin, Jason Aldean, Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, Joe Don Rooney & Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, The Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Ira Dean and Craig Morgan were all in the house.
We entered the banquet room to the lively strains of The Belleville Outfit. Love them. Tables were covered in crimson tablecloths and centered with candelabras dripping with crystals set in piles of red-hots candies. Masses of red, tropical anthurium flowers surrounded mirrored posts with more crystals hanging above. The schmoozing continued during the brie, apple and spinach salad. The main course was surf and turf with asparagus, green beans, tomato and butter-infused mashed potatoes.
“What a lovely night for a party,” proclaimed Del Bryant in greeting the crowd. He introduced special guests Sandra Lee from the show Semi Homemade on TV’s Food Network and Chad Kroeger from the band Nickelback. Here are two people I bet you didn’t know were BMI country songwriters – Titans quarterback Kerry Collins and CBS TV newsman Bob Schieffer. Both were also recognized. Del’s introduction of Frances Preston drew the evening’s first standing ovation.
“Songwriters, this is your night; this is your community; this is your home,” Del concluded. Jody Williams and Clay Bradley ably co-hosted the actual awards presentations, assisted by Beth Laird. Yes, she and winning tunesmith Luke Laird have tied the knot. “Welcome to the greatest cocktail party in country music,” quipped Clay.
Folks like Troy Tomlinson, B.J. Hill, Angelo, Wynn Varble and Lee Thomas Miller took to the centrally situated stage one by one. Around the middle of the evening, Del reappeared to laud Billy Sherrill as this year’s BMI Icon. “Billy Sherrill changed the face of country music,” stated Del. The legendary producer has more BMI country awards than any other songwriter. Following a video tribute, Ronnie Dunn sang “The Most Beautiful Girl,” Martina McBride sang “Til I Can Make it on My Own,” George Strait sang “My Elusive Dreams,” and Faith Hill sang “Stand By Your Man.” Billy, himself, led the well-deserved standing ovations for each.
“Thank you very much,” said Billy. “I’m not a big talker. This is overwhelming to me.” “We couldn’t create an award big enough to show how we feel about you,” said Del. “Most of all, we want to thank you for what you’ve done for this community.” Then Del mistakenly dismissed the audience, apparently thinking the night was over, but quickly recovered asking everyone to turn around and stay.
So after Clay and Jody gave out the other half of the awards, the Song of the Year was proclaimed to be “You Belong with Me,” penned by Taylor Swift and Liz Rose. This was Taylor’s third consecutive year to win this honor. Also: She got a custom Martin D-42 guitar for being named Songwriter of the Year.
“It’s been a really emotional week for me,” said Taylor, who’s new Speak Now CD instantly sold a million. “Yesterday, I sang at the funeral of one of my best friends. He was 21. I always sang my songs first for him. So I dedicate this to Jeff Lang. I want to thank everyone in this room who inspires me every day.”
Songwriting and publishing royalty peppered the banquet. Jim Beavers, Brett Beavers, Bob DiPiero, Bobby Pinson, Bobby Braddock, Bobby Rhymer, Bob Doyle, Bobby Tomberlin, George Teren, George Ducas, Tim Mensy, Tim James, Tom Shapiro, Tom Douglas, Tom Botkin, Dean Dillon, Dallas Davidson, Dennis Morgan, Kent Blazy and Cory Batten were sharing the fellowship. So were Pam Rose, Frank Myers, Randy Scruggs, Kye Fleming, Celia Froelig, Tracy Gershon, John Scott Sherrill, Jeffrey Steele and Stephanie Bentley.
Pat Finch was totally elegant in a white, double-lapel dinner jacket with a pale blue dress shirt. Natalie Hemby turned heads in a red cocktail dress. Scott Siman was in a sporty chapeau and tails-out embroidered shirt. Fletcher Foster was in black velvet. Melissa Peirce rocked a strapless white mini dress. Shawn Camp wore a cream-colored fedora. Casey Beathard was in a black western shirt with white embroidery.
During the lengthy ceremony, Jody paused to praise retiring WSIX radio legend Gerry House and The Grand Ole Opry’s Pete Fisher for his the-show-must-go-on response to May’s flood. He also pointed out the music community’s outpouring of support with many flood-relief club shows and concerts.
At 11:00 p.m., we headed back to the BMI lobby to enjoy desserts and the super sound of the Harold Bradley Band. Power couples working the room at various points during the evening included Lari White & Chuck Cannon, Sherrie Austin & Will Rambeaux, David & Carolyn Corlew, Marcus Hummon & Bekka Stevens, Mayor Karl Dean & Anne Davis, Eddie Bayers & Lane Brody, Steve & Ree Guyer Buchanan, Beverly Keel & Ronnie Steine and Jon Randall & Jessi Alexander.
Other fabulons vogue-ing about included Luke Lewis, Joe Galante, Gary Overton, Bart Herbison, Kay Williams, Larry Fitzgerald, Ron Stuve, Kyle Lehning, Jewel Coburn, Bill Ivey, Jim Free, Chris Horsnell, Mark Wright, Joe Chambers, Michael Knox, Tony Brown, Frank Liddell, Scott Hendricks, Garth Fundis, Ken Robold, John Dorris, Erv Woolsey, Mike Milom, Paul Worley and Whitney Daane.
Taylor Swift Big Winner at BMI Country Music Awards
/by Sarah SkatesBMI Icon Billy Sherrill (L) and Taylor Swift with her awards for BMI Songwriter of the Year and Co-writer of BMI Song of the Year, with BMI President Del Bryant (R). (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI)
Songwriter of the Year: Taylor Swift
Publisher of the Year: Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville
Song of the Year: “You Belong With Me,” written by Liz Rose and Taylor Swift, published by Sony/ATV Tree, Taylor Swift Music, Wagnerville Music
BMI Icon: Billy Sherrill
••••••
Taylor Swift became the youngest person ever to be named BMI Country Songwriter of the Year last night (11/9) at the organization’s annual Country Awards. Swift, 20, earned the award thanks to her self-recorded compositions “Fifteen,” “White Horse” and “You Belong With Me,” as well as “Best Days of Your Life,” recorded by Kellie Pickler.
“You Belong With Me” also earned Swift her third consecutive BMI Country Song of the Year trophy, making her the only songwriter to win the award three years in a row. Co-written with frequent collaborator Liz Rose, the song is published by Sony/ATV Tree, Taylor Swift Music, Orbison Music LLC, and Wagnerville Music.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville earned its ninth consecutive BMI Country Publisher of the Year title at the black-tie event staged at BMI’s Music Row offices.
Ronnie Dunn performs. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI)
Billy Sherrill, the father of the contemporary country sound, was named a BMI Icon [see video below]. An all-star tribute paid homage to Sherrill’s genre-shaping work as a producer and songwriter. Ronnie Dunn performed “The Most Beautiful Girl”; Martina McBride delivered “’Til I Can Make It on My Own”; Faith Hill contributed “Stand By Your Man”; and George Strait offered “My Elusive Dreams.” Sherrill has received more BMI Country Awards than any other songwriter in history, and was named BMI Country Songwriter of the 20th Century in 1999.
BMI President & CEO Del Bryant hosted the gala with Jody Williams, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville. Awards were also given to the songwriters and publishers behind country music’s most-performed songs of the past year.
In 2008, Swift became the youngest songwriter to win Country Song of the Year, and earlier this year she became the youngest individual to pen the BMI Pop Song of the Year.
Keith Urban and Sheryl Crow. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI)