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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > November > 12
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
2008 CMA Awards kinda like 2007 CMA Awards
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the Country Music Association Awards, voters decided 2008 was a lot like 2007.
In all the major non-song categories, repeats bounded.
Kenny Chesney took home entertainer of the year for the fourth time in five years. Brad Paisley won the male vocalist of the year for the second year in a row. Carrie Underwood took home female vocalist of the year for the third year in a row (beating out fast-rising Taylor Swift). Rascal Flatts took home group of the year for the sixth year in a row. And Atlanta-based Sugarland continued its hot streak as vocal duo of the year for the second year in a row.
Lady Antebellum, which features one Georgia member Dave Haywood, also won in the new category of new artist of the year, a revised version of the formerly named Horizon Award. The trio beat out fellow Georgian Jason Aldean, “Idol” finalist Kellie Pickler as well as James Otto and hit-maker Rodney Atkins. “It’s not supposed to happen this way!” Haywood said on stage.
George Strait, the living legend, proves he’s still generating great music, taking home two more CMA Awards with his single of the year “I Saw God Today” and his album of the year “Troubadour.”
-“Well, thank you very much. I love writing songs. I love performing them and I love the fans who come out to see what we write… it was a gift from the beginning and it was a gift to write. I hope it was a gift and touched your hearts.” — Jennifer Nettles, after winning the CMA for Song of the Year for “Stay”
-“Oh my gosh, I’m shaking!” — Kristian Bush, male partner in Sugarland after winning duo of the year again.
-Georgia native Alan Jackson, at age 50, does a rollicking “Good Time,” which starts a bit slow but livens up once they get a few hundred folks to do some line dancing in the aisles, alluding to his video.
-Sugarland joke from Brad Paisley, who was noting how long George Strait has been around: “He has seen so much happen over the years. Fire. The wheel. A man landing on the moon. Sugarland when they were a trio. It’s incredible how much has changed since he’s been around.”
-After winning the duo of the year award, Sugarland decided not to pimp its latest single and went with an album cut (that might be the third single) simply called “Love.” As usual, Nettles proved her vocal mettle and ever hyper Bush even got to throw in a few lines himself.
-Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country” is a sturdy slab of Southern rock bacon — comforting if not terribly groundbreaking. ‘
-Sure, it’s easy to make fun of pop artists crossing over to country (see Jessica Simpson, Jewel), but Darius Rucker is actually doing it without snickers. He performed his No. 1 hit “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” the first African-American to top the country charts since Charley Pride many decades ago.
-That Kid Rock song “All Summer Long” managed to become a crossover top 40, rock and country hit over the summer. Now that it’s fall, the song remains irritating with its forced nostalgia and blatant pandering use of “Sweet Home Alabama.”
-I’ve never been a huge fan of Kenny Chesney but you have to give the man credit: he exudes charisma on stage and his vocals are impeccable. And it was fun watching him pay homage to Bob Marley with “Three Little Birds.”
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See Butch Walker Tonight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just a reminder, Atlanta’s A-list singer,songwriter, producer and rocker Butch Walker is doing an in-store performance this evening at 7 p.m. at Criminal Records.
(And chances are he will be playing material from “Sycamore Meadows,” the CD that hit stores this week).
Have you been over to Criminal’s new location - and if so, what do you think? Will you stop through tonight to see Walker (pictured above at his Criminal in-store in 2006)? Heard his new album?
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Sugarland and Emily Saliers Join Forces
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In other Sugarland news (Atlanta’s superstar country duo was mentioned in the previous post about tonight’s CMAs) Jennifer Nettles has launched Common Thread, an event described as “a celebration of Jennifer’s philosophy of balanced living through music, yoga, eco-consciousness and most importantly, giving back.”
“I’m hoping Common Thread will be a multi-genre diverse bill under the ‘common thread’ of activism and community organization,” Nettles (top photo) explains in the press release. “I do believe that one action can cause a ripple and make a difference. So, if you inspire some of your fans to go out into their own communities and effect change, then that’s success.”
The first dates will feature Sugarland, Emily Saliers (bottom photo) of Atlanta’s Indigo Girls and Amos Lee doing individual and group acoustic performances in the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek Nov. 20; Wheeler Opera House in Aspen Nov. 21; and the Santa Fe Armory for the Arts.
Tickets — on sale now — are $50-$150 with VIP tickets priced at $250 and $500. VIP ticket holders will be able to attend a silent auction champagne reception with the artists. That auction will feature one of a kind artist paintings, exclusive artist packages, Epiphone acoustic guitars signed by all 4 Artists, photographs, spa packages, exclusive resort stays, signed memorabilia and lifestyle packages. And all proceeds from the event and auction will be to each performing artists’ charity of choice.
Nettles’ proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. Kristian Bush’s will go to the American Liver Foundation and Saliers’ benefit Honor the Earth.
Think this is something you would like to attend/support?
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Pick Your Hometown CMA Winner
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This year’s Country Music Association Awards won’t be handed out until 8 p.m. this evening, on ABC — but don’t let that stop you from weighing in on the act with local connections that you think deserves this genre’s highest honor.
Here are the categories with Georgia contenders (italicized):
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Sugarland (above)
Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
New Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Lady Antebellum
James Otto
Kellie Pickler
Vocal Group of the Year
Eagles
Emerson Drive
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town (above)
Rascal Flatts
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers
Single of the Year
“Don’t Blink,” Kenny Chesney
“Gunpowder & Lead,” Miranda Lambert
“I Saw God Today,” George Strait
“Stay,” Sugarland
“You’re Gonna Miss This,” Trace Adkins
Album of the Year
“Carnival Ride,” Carrie Underwood
“Cowboy Town,” Brooks & Dunn
“Good Time,” Alan Jackson
“Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates,” Kenny Chesney
“Troubadour,” George Strait
Song of the Year
“Good Time,” Alan Jackson
“I Saw God Today,” Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell and Wade Kirby
“Letter to Me,” Brad Paisley
“Stay,” Jennifer Nettles
“You’re Gonna Miss This,” Ashley Gorley, Lee Thomas Miller
Musical Event of the Year
Josh Turner featuring Trisha Yearwood (above) - “Another Try”
Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney - “Every Other Weekend”
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - “Gone, Gone, Gone”
Sugarland featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen - “Life In A Northern Town”
Kenny Chesney (duet with George Strait) - “Shiftwork”
Music Video of the Year
“Don’t Blink” - Kenny Chesney
“Good Time” - Alan Jackson
“Stay” - Sugarland
“Waitin’ On A Woman” - Brad Paisley
“You’re Gonna Miss This” - Trace Adkins
