Well, it’s the day after Country Music’s Biggest Night, and fans were treated to a seemingly endless parade of talent, some expected, some not.
Blake Shelton opened the show with “Footloose,” the title track from the newly released remake of the 1984 hit movie. He was joined onstage for the last verse by Kenny Loggins, who co-wrote and performed it for the original.
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood were delightful co-hosts in their fourth consecutive year. Their opening dialogue was so hilarious my wife, a confirmed awards-show hater and Metallica fan, considered watching the show with me! They poked fun at Hank Jr., then cut loose on Kim Kardashian with little mercy, borrowing from the Randy Travis hit and taking some liberty with the lyrics along with presenter Eric Stonestreet: “I’m going to love you forever, or 72 days Amen, as long as Justin Bieber is not a conceiver, as long as Taylor Swift is with her current boyfriend. I’m going to love you for 20 million dollars, for a hit TV series or pics in Us Weekly, for 72 Days, Amen.”
An elated Taylor Swift accepted the prestigious Entertainer of the Year statue, the second of her career, presented to her by Reba McEntire, a member of the most recent class of inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert continued their enchanted year winning Male Vocalist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year respectively, both for the second year in a row. The couple was just married in May.
The Band Perry was the night’s big winner, going home with 3 trophies, one per member. They won for New Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for their monster hit “If I Die Young,” while writer Kimberly Perry won Song of the Year honors, also for "If I Die Young." This group of twenty-somethings seems poised for a bright future.
Jason Aldean took home his first two CMA awards: Album of the Year for his hugely successful “My Kinda Party,” and for Musical Event of the Year for his duet with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” He also provided one of the biggest surprises of the night during his performance of “Tattoos on This Town,” when he ignored the apparent black-and-charcoal dress code and took the stage in his trademark Wrangler shirt, Resistol straw hat, and jeans!
Vocal Duo of the Year went to Sugarland for the fifth year in a row, and Jennifer Nettles dedicated it to their fans in Indiana. Seven people died when the stage collapsed just before their August 13 concert in Indianapolis. She told reporters backstage that they were looking forward to resting now that their two-year marathon "Incredible Machine" tour has concluded.
Lady Antebellum took their third consecutive Vocal Group of the Year award. Director Shaun Silva took Music Video of the Year for “You and Tequila,” with Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter. Guitarist Mac McAnally got his fourth consecutive Musician of the Year award, citing his work with Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffett, among others.
There were too many performances to mention, but some standouts included:
· Zac Brown with special guest Gregg Allman presented one of music’s all-time great compositions, “Georgia on My Mind.” Written in 1930 and recorded by too many artists to list here, including Ray Charles and Willie Nelson, it is an ambitious undertaking, and this performance did not disappoint. Brown displayed a remarkable soulfulness.
· Martina McBride wowed the crowd, and me, with “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” her heartfelt ballad about a young woman with breast cancer and her husband’s unshakeable devotion.
· Judging by the standing ovation from a country audience, Lionel Richie was a crowd favorite. He performed duets with Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, and Rascal Flatts. He has a country duet CD, “Tuskegee,” being released very soon with some of the biggest names in country music.
· Vince Gill, Keith Urban, and Brad Paisley provided the highlight of the evening with a medley of iconic Glen Campbell hits. It was the perfect tribute to the living legend who recently announced to the world that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and is currently on his farewell tour. I doubt there were many dry eyes in the house.
And then there was the Red Carpet moment of all time: Attendees all autographed a 2012 Chevy Camaro on their way into the event. It will be sold at auction with proceeds going to support Keep the Music Playing. Since 2006, CMA has donated 4.6 million dollars to the charity, whose mission is to keep music education alive in Nashville area public schools.
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