Swift wins CMA's biggest honor
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 – Taylor Swift scored the biggest honor of the night at the 45th Country Music Association awards - Entertainer of the Year.
Swift jumped to her feet and gave hugs to her mother and Tim McGraw.
"I'm so happy right now. This is for fans who filled those stadiums...all over the world this year. This is so amazing."
Swift spoke of the camaraderie from artists who sang with her during her tour, including McGraw, Usher, Jimmy Eat World, Justin Bieber and Kenny Chesney.
"You have made my year," she said. "Thank you so much."
Miranda Lambert took home the Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year over a group including Taylor Swift.
"Seriously?" said Lambert. "Thank you so much. I did not expect to get this. I'm very humbled to get this in front of these amazing females." After congratulating her husband, Blake Shelton, Lambert said, "It's going to be a good night tonight baby."
Shelton won the Country Music Association male vocalist of the year in continuation of a great year for the singer.
This was the second time Shelton won the award. "I didn't think y'all would let me get away with this two times," Shelton said.
After thanking his label, his wife Miranda Lambert, and a few others, Shelton thanked "most of all, all you freaking, crazy people out there."
Shelton took the honor over Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean and Kenny Chesney.
The Band Perry had a strong night winning Best New Artist and Single and Song of the Year. The Single and Song awards were for If I Die Young. The single honor also went to producer Paul Worley. The song honor went to
Kimberly Perry, who wrote the song. "I truly believe that if 'I Die Young' would have been written with or without me, it was a song that was meant to be," she said. "But I was so excited to have pen and paper in hand when it was ready to come to earth."
Aldean took home two honors. He won Album of the Year for Aldean won album of the year for the first time for "My Kinda Party." Musical Event of the Year went to Aldean and Kelly Clarkson for Don't You Wanna Stay.
Lady Antebellum scored with Vocal Group of the Year.
Musician of the Year was given to guitarist Mac McAnally.
Music Video of the Year was awarded to You and Tequila by Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter and directed by Shaun Silva.
Sugarland took the Vocal Duo of the Year award. "I would love to dedicate this to the fans this year," said lead singer Jennifer Nettles. "Thank you, guys. Thank you to the good folks in Indiana."
More news for Blake Shelton
CD reviews for Blake Shelton
Based on a True Story
After Blake Shelton won his first CMA for Best Male Vocalist, he finally began to think he was one of the artists that would influence the direction of country music. If his latest release "Based on a True Story" is any indication, the genre is headed toward records featuring super catchy songs with homogenous themes. Every number has an infectious melody with lead single potential. The trade-off for the sonic pleasantry is a 12-song collection that is short on meaningful material, but long on fun. »»» |
Cheers, It's Christmas
For his first Christmas album, Blake Shelton goes for the traditional approach. For a guy that can be a real loose cannon when appearing on The Voice, Blake sure comes off conservative throughout this 14-song collection. Most of these tracks feature full orchestrations, and it sure doesn't sound like any down home holiday celebration.
Shelton is at his best, and country-ist, when joined by fellow Okie Reba during the western swinging Oklahoma Christmas. In fact, that classy red head even »»» |
Red River Blue
With the right set of songs, Blake Shelton can sound really great. "Red River Blue" just might be that right set of songs because Shelton has never sounded better. There are moments on this set where Shelton goes country-soul, a la James Otto, most notably with Ready To Roll and Drink On It, and also places where that The Voice guy voices a few power ballads, such as on I'm Sorry.
A big part of Shelton's appeal with viewers on The Voice is the way Shelton seems to think and »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: Size doesn't matter to Winslow-King –
Luke Winslow-King may have a fine new CD out ("The Coming Tide") on a long respected indie country/roots label (Bloodshot), but that didn't mean the throngs were going to fill the club. In fact, in a second night of shows in the Boston area, Winslow-King drew a handful of people. Well, make that literally two handfuls of people.
As in 10 people.... »»»
Concert Review: McGraw has plenty of fight left –
Despite the fact that Tim McGraw is five years sober, fit as a triathlete and touring behind a number one album, he is still in an unenviable position. As he approaches 50, McGraw has to stay a step ahead of the current crop of young country hunks with TV shows, cross format radio airplay and wider appeal. But as he proved at First Niagara's... »»»
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Some folks listening to Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison's new duet album, "Cheaters Game," may well exclaim, 'Well, it's about time!' after finally hearing these two talented country singer/songwriters recording music as a pair for the first time. Willis has built quite a following for her independently-minded feminine perspective, while Robison has written hits for the Dixie Chicks ( Travelin' Soldier) and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill ( Angry All the Time), as well as penning the ultimate Willie Nelson tribute, What Would Willie Do? and recording it as a solo act.
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Wilderness
"Wilderness" is another twisted menagerie of The Handsome Family songs. Once again, husband Brett Sparks sings their songs, sometimes in a bellowing gravedigger voice, after adding music to wife Rennie's lyrics. This time out, each and every tune is named after an animal, insect or other such nature creature. However, Rennie studies animals the way Flannery O'Connor wrote about humans, which is with the weirdness and character flaws in primary focus. »»» |
Love Is Everything
George Strait may have reached his seventh decade, but he shows zero signs of slowing down. In fact, Strait seems to be getting even more consistent as he gets older. Strait doesn't stray all that far from the formula that has resulted in superstar status. First and foremost, that means his sonorous voice is mixed far above the music, a very good thing. »»» |
Dark Dirty Mile
Jason Boland and the Stragglers have released a new country album that sounds old. This isn't to imply that the sound is aged in a negative way; they have a classic country maturity that isn't heard too much these days with the exception of Jamey Johnson. For those not familiar with the music of Boland, the first track is a great way to decide whether this is your kind of country music. The title track is a mid tempo country song reminiscent of the late Waylon Jennings. »»» |
Golden
Lady Antebellum probably needed a change in direction after "Own the Night" dropped in 2011. The material was overly geared towards taking dead aim at the radio jugular. That isn't the case this time out on the trio's fifth release because most of the songs veer away from being obviously radio fodder (except for the current single Downtown with its soulful beginning and strong vocals from Hillary Scott), but that also doesn't man that this was the right change. »»» |
Annie Up
For those who thought "Hell on Heels" was a one-off side project for Miranda Lambert (along with sidekicks Angaleena Presley and Ashley Monroe), think again. The Annies, aka "Lonestar Annie" (Lambert), "Hippie Annie" (Monroe), and "Holler Annie" (Presley), are no novelty act. Instead, they tackle material that you just are unlikely to hear on mainstream country radio both in subject matter and sonics. »»» |
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