Performances by Taylor Swift and Kanye West at last night’s MTV Video Music Awards are spurring more internet discussion today than Lady Gaga’s armful of moonmen trophies. Both artists debuted songs written in reaction to last year’s incident at the same awards show where West interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech. See videos of Swift’s and West’s performances.

The New York Daily News calls the debacle the “gift that keeps on giving for Swift. Last year, it transformed her from a very successful pop star into a household name.” The paper goes on to say:

Call it “Taylor vs. Kayne: Round 2.” On last night’s Video Music Awards, the most over-discussed couple from last year each had their say in their own way – with new songs that doubled as statements on the great debate. Naturally, the performances also served as well-placed promos for each of their upcoming CDs, which will contain the cuts.

The Wall Street Journal points out specifics in Swift’s song that lead the listener to conclude is about West.

It’s difficult to say what it’s really about–and sometimes even artists themselves evade such questions or don’t even really know. But it’s pretty clear from the lyrics that [Swift’s] new tune, apparently titled “Innocent,” has something to do with the Kanye confrontation. There are references to his age at the time, the month the VMAs took place, and other tell-tale signs… West’s song “Runaway” was more confessional and confrontational. He seemed to be attacking the whole culture of celebrity—something he willingly participated in—that led to his acting out and barging in on Swift’s moment.

The LA Times music blog says the artists “gave MTV more than the network deserved this year by agreeing to resolve their differences musically, turning themselves into willing pawns in a cynical grab for publicity.”

Swift, made up to look like Grace Kelly in “To Catch a Thief,” strummed a National guitar and never once cracked a smile as she sang “Innocent,” a ballad based on her encounter with West. It was a somber attempt to forgive her offender, but it fell horribly flat. With lines like, “It’s okay, life is a tough crowd/32 and still growing up now,” the song came across as more condescending than empathetic. And with her small, wavery voice, Swift couldn’t muster the drama that would have made it transcendent. This consummate professional has rarely seemed so uncomfortably young.

West did something harder to accept, but more interesting to contemplate: He confronted his mistake in a song that begged for forgiveness on the surface, but on another level, made the case for flawed character as a motivator for great art…The spareness of West’s song quickly gave way to a sunny tune reminiscent of early 1970s soul, and an extremely off-color chorus in which West both made cruel fun of himself and implied that fools such as he do play an important role in keeping art interesting. Unlike the grim and visibly nervous Swift, West smiled as he lacerated himself with epithets.

Photo credit: Rick Diamond/WireImage

Kenny Chesney is the latest superstar to tape an installment of CMT’s Invitation Only. On the episode premiering Monday, September 27 (10 p.m. ET/PT) the singer will debut five new songs from his forthcoming album to be released the next day (9/28).

Taped before a small studio audience in Nashville, the one-hour special includes Chesney performing hits like “When The Sun Goes Down,” and “Out Last Night,” as well as new songs from Hemingway’s Whiskey, such as the title track, and lead single “Boys of Fall.”

While answering questions from fans, Chesney reveals the strangest gift he has ever received from a fan, gives his advice to new artists and discusses what stands out about his new album.

Other new episodes of Invitation Only will debut this fall, with Toby Keith on Friday, October 8 and Rascal Flatts on Monday, November 15.

Invitation Only is a High-Five Entertainment production, with Martin Fischer and Edie Lynn Hoback serving as executive producers. Margaret Comeaux and John Hamlin serve as executive producers for CMT.

Country brother and sister duo, The Roys, made their national TV debut on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon held in Las Vegas over Labor Day weekend  and joined a large group of TV/film/stage and music celebirities that donated their time to help raise funds for MDA’s lifesaving mission. The Roys performed “ Right Back At You,” a song that will appear on both of their upcoming CDs, on Pedestal Records.

(L-R) American Idol runner finalist Ace Young with Elaine Roy and Lee Roy.

Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys jammed Wednesday evening with Bluegrass banjo virtuoso Ned Luberecki at a release party for Joe’s latest book, From My Perspective (Journey Press, September 1, 2010). The new book is a collection of Joe’s entertaining reflections on life, music, patriotism, and God. The event was held Wednesday evening, September 8, at UPtown’s Smoke Shop in Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser

(L-R) Ned Luberecki and Joe Bonsall

Tickets for ReTune Nashville’s Benefit Concert and Art Auction Event on October 23 at 7 p.m. at Soundcheck are on sale beginning today (9/10) at retunenashville.org for $35 in advance. Founded as a Tennessee nonprofit organization in May 2010 by Nashville photographer Sheri ONeal, ReTune Nashville’s mission is to provide relief to uninsured musicians in the industry through the sale of artwork created from flood damaged musical gear.

The October 23 event is a kick-off to ReTune Nashville’s global online auction of more than 70 original art pieces created from flood-damaged music instruments. Light hors d’oeuvres and wine will be available during the art viewing and live art auction portion of the event, where a small selection of “ReTuned” gear will be up for bidding. All other “ReTuned” items will be auctioned off online each month leading up to the anniversary of Nashville’s devastating floods. There will also be a silent auction of other items donated from Nashville artists and musicians.

Due to the size of the venue, only 600 tickets will be available for public purchase. Tickets purchased the day of the event will be $45.

ReTune Nashville t-shirts can also be pre-ordered in conjunction with event tickets at a discounted rate of $15. T-shirts are limited to one per ticket.

ReTune Nashville is a 100% volunteer effort, and all proceeds from ticket sales, auction items and merchandise will directly benefit Nashville’s musicians through MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief and the Nashville Musicians Association Flood Relief Fund.

More information regarding performers and online auction details will be announced soon.

Click here to visit ReTune Nashville’s blog and view the progress of art pieces. To purchase event tickets or to see how you can become a sponsor, visit retunenashville.org.