CMA Awards 2009 Live Blog and Photos!

Taylor has a bad voice, but she is one hell of a performer.

Is there a live broadcast?

When is Taylor ever in tune

Is there a live broadcast?

Yes, on your local ABC affiliate. It began at 8 p.m. ET.

I didn’t care for Taylor’s performance, I don’t think that she can sing very well.

Carrie looks great, and I am happy for Lady Antebellum.

Also, Danny wasn’t on the red carpet show, on CMT, but here is a picture of him from tonight. I think that he looks good.

http://www.daylife.com/photo/04z9eB02DhbIG?q=danny+gokey

Carrie and Brad are doing pretty well

The writers sure are making Brad do a lot of touching of someone other than his wife, lol. I think so far I prefer the Kanye reference, but love them singing stuff with the melody of well-known songs.

Carrie looks great, and I am happy for Lady Antebellum.

Also, Danny wasn’t on the red carpet show, on CMT, but here is a picture of him from tonight. I think that he looks good.

http://www.daylife.com/photo/04z9eB02DhbIG?q=danny+gokey

Thanks for the link to Danny1:-D. He does look good. I’m happy, too, for Lady Antebellum. I trust that the song they wrote for Danny will bring them some more recognition, too.

Aww shucks Randy didn’t win for ITYS

Dear god if Taylor wins female vocalist of the year after that hot mess I’ll throw shit at my TV.

I have a felling Taylor will sweep just so they can have the press tomorow. In reality, she is the weakest of any of the females

Interesting tweet from someone at the CMA’s

d_stout: Danny Gokey and Dianna DeGarmo just embraced right in front of me!
about 1 hour ago from txt

Gotta say, Taylor live was beyond painful.

Danny is looking good here
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0fmkbqf2jB5rI?q=danny+gokey

Danny was interviewed but wasn’t shown on TV. CMT only showed interviews with nominees, presenters and performers which is normal. No worries. Danny’s looked good in the pics I saw from the red carpet.

mj, I found some pics of Diana DeGarmo for the CMA gallery. She’s there too.
http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=2&language=en-US&family=editorial&p=diana%20degarmo&assetType=image#1

Interview with Danny on Nashville station. First time he has confirmed the story some of us had heard about an upcoming radio tour.

http://www.fox17.com/newsroom/top_stories/wztv_vid_1951.shtml

Aw, Danny looks so cute! Love the close-up Steph – I am envious of his skin, he has the prettiest complexion. I like the tousled hair, I like that so much better than when he has it standing straight up. I don’t like that style on Adam either.

Danny was interviewed but wasn’t shown on TV. CMT only showed interviews with nominees, presenters and performers which is normal. No worries. Danny’s looked good in the pics I saw from the red carpet.

I’ll try and hunt for a link, lol.I’m sure at least someone in Milwaukee will have one up.

Steph,

Just listened to the interview with Danny on the red carpet on a local Nashville station. Danny says “It’s Only” was released to radio today and talks of an upcoming radio tour. Also mentions living in Nashville and traveling to Milwaukee and possibly New York (What’s in NY).

Thanks for posting that link steph, I am glad that Danny confirmed the radio tour, and I think that it’s great that the single was released to radio today. I hope that he gets lots of airplay.

Will someone please tell me what Danny was doing wearing THIS?!!!

http://www.daylife.com/photo/0dPi6ZXeIHeYn?q=danny+gokey

IMO, Lady Antebellum has given the best performance of the show so far.

I love Lady Antebellum!

Lady Antebellum was hot

Taylor Swift was out of tune when she sang live on AI this past season too.

Where is Kanye when you need him? (Just kidding… well, maybe not entirely.) Of course, Kanye can’t sing in tune either so the two of them have that in common.

Taylor is never in tune live

Carrie and Brad did a great job … pretty funny stuff. Ditto what everyone said about Taylor Swift … out of tune. Lady Antebellum was great. Not a big fan of country music, but the show’s not so bad.

WOW Carrie

Lady Antebellum is cleaning up tonight. I love both of their songs “I Run To You” and “Need You Now” Danny sure hooked up with good people to write his first single. They definately are new country music – there songs sound more like soft rock than country.

Will someone please tell me what Danny was doing wearing THIS?!!!

Danny often wears vests. The duster coat isn’t something he has done before or I’d expect to see a lot in future, but I think it works here for this occasion. Looks good to me.

More photos here http://www.daylife.com/search?q=danny+gokey

Holy shit Carrie!! OMG dayum girl!

Carrie sounded great – but she always does.

What has happened to The Judds? What have they done to their faces??? I am horrified.

I thought Carrie was great! She got ahead of the beat a few times but that seems like a very tough song to sing and she sounded great! Fun to see her incorporate some choreography, too.

And she wasn’t that ackward dancing!!!!!

Congrats to Darius Rucker – I Love him!!!

See country music fans accept you if your music is good…

OH no Carrie. Just stick to singing. Leave the dancing to the Pop singers.

Brad Paisley was good. I love Lady Antebellum also. (still ouch’ing from Taylor though, lol)

Carrie was great…. Looked WOW and sounded and moved very well. Love her more and more.

Darius Rucker wasn’t a hard sell for country fans. Hootie and the Blowfish were a southern act that already had a base of fans who also like country.

That said, it’s weird to see a multi-platinum artist given a “new artist” award.

steph6449
11/11/2009 at 9:07 pm
Will someone please tell me what Danny was doing wearing THIS?!!!

Danny often wears vests. The duster coat isn’t something he has done before or I’d expect to see a lot in future, but I think it works here for this occasion. Looks good to me.

More photos here…

No thanks. THIS was all I could take. Don’t mean to sound rude, but I’ve not been able to look at DG since Renegade.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0dPi6ZXeIHeYn?q=danny+gokey

LOve them in the wheelchairs

I like Daughtery but I’m not really liking this song.

DG’s outfit looks like his “Sunday Go to Meeting” clothes or did he have a funeral b/f the show?

Sorry wrong thread

alaadam
11/11/2009 at 9:19 pm
DG’s outfit looks like his ‘Sunday Go to Meeting’  clothes or did he have a funeral b/f the show?

Nobody wears stuff like that at church OR funerals!! Doesn’t he have a manager?! *scratches head*

How To Be A Carpetbagger. Danny Gokey’ ¦pay attention!, Look how fast I can play, ma’ ¦, Strait sings ‘Twang’ ’ ¦While Danny Gokey does not, Erm Wynona? Say no to the tanning salon, mmmkay?, YAY DIVERSITY!

Great commentary, MJ! Thanks for the chuckles!

Daughtry’s Tennessee Line — dull and boring.

Yum…Tim McGraw!! Keith Urban was pretty good too…even if he likes a certain idol that I can’t st… uh don’t like.

From Brian Mansfield twitter at USA Today:

usatodayidol Talked to Danny Gokey and Lady Antebellum’s Dave and Charles about ‘It’s Only.’  I’ll post about it later.

I’m liking Keith Urban tonight.

From Brian Mansfield twitter at USA Today:

usatodayidol Talked to Danny Gokey and Lady Antebellum’s Dave and Charles about ‘It’s Only.’  I’ll post about it later.

Thanks for posting this Tweet monte

I am definitely interested in seeing what Brian posts about what Danny and Charles and Dave of Lady Antebellum said about “It’s Only”.

I’ll be interested to read Brian’s article about Danny’s song. He’s usually had thoughtful pieces about Danny.
( sooooo shamed to admit, but never have loved Keith Urban. he looked good though when I saw the pre-show interview on CMT )

dmr,

good catch. lol

I love Sugarland, IMO Jennifer Nettles has a nice voice.

Carrie’s performance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXqN9DjjM1E

IMO Jennifer Nettles has a nice voice.

Can’t agree on that one. In parts of the song it sounds like she’s doing a bad imitation of Patty LaBelle.

Totally loved Daughtry and Vince Gill. I love that song so much – its my favorite on the album. And I think Kellie Pickler looked amazing.

And also, love Lady Antebellum and so thrilled they won!

Didn’t catch that part of the show if she just sang tonight, but speaking generally — Jennifer’s awesome.

Shocker Taylor won

Ick. Where’s Kanye? I kinda wish he would show up again.

Congrats to Taylor

Funny thing about Taylor Swift is that she doesn’t have the best voice but her songwriting skills are great and I like a lot of her songs.

Carrie was on fire! And I loved the Daughtry/Gill performance!

Funny thing about Taylor Swift is that she doesn’t have the best voice but her songwriting skills are great and I like a lot of her songs.

Then let her write songs for people who can really sing lol.

I love Jennifer Nettles. Watched her in concert and she is a great performer.

Taylor Swift WTF? Can’t sing in tune, can’t hold a note. I wasn’t a fan before but was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. The girl can’t sing.

My favorite performances tonight were Daughtry and Vince Gill and Keith Urban.

ETA: I can’t believe Swift just won this award. America’s taste in music has completely jumped the shark.

I have enjoyed the show though. What a novelty – the artists are actually singing and not lip syncing. Take note all the so called pop stars. Music is actually about SINGING. LIVE. AND sounding he same or better than you do on your album. A lot of people might not like country, but they are real. I’m not familiar with current country because there is not a country radio station in or near NYC. From what I’ve heard, today’s country sounds a lot like pop, but the artists are real.

Heading off to buy Daughtry’s Tennessee Line. I was never a Daughtry fan, but I really enjoyed that song.

Then let her write songs for people who can really sing lol.

Amen!

If this chick wins Entertainer of the Year, I’ll never watch this show again. It would be the equivalent of Madonna being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Yep, if that happens, today’s music has jumped the shark.

Thought Taylor Swift looked awful in that dress. Skinny and bad posture. Out of key on her song. I don’t get her. Oh well.

mj, did you see the AMA advertisement with Adam’s face shown?

Am trying to watch Glee and the CMA’s at the same time. Country music is such a joke these days. Why don’t they say what it really is…rock n roll lite. Some of those singers are hot, though.

steph6449
11/11/2009 at 9:35 pm
dmr,

good catch. lol

Funny thing about Taylor Swift is that she doesn’t have the best voice but her songwriting skills are great and I like a lot of her songs.

Then let her write songs for people who can really sing lol.

From any evidence I’ve seen with her singing live, she can barely sing at all. She’s cute though, and the songs are catchy when I’ve seen videos of her on CMT. I’ve never bought her songs, but I guess the recordings by themselves must sound ok (presumably after a “lot” of help in the studio/production process).

I saw some people were praising her performance but I thought she looked skinny and awkward as well as sounding bad. I’m sure she won’t care what I think though, as she’s collecting her awards tongiht.

I like Taylor. She’s a sweet girl, she’s cute, she has amazing songwriting skills, and she has a pretty good voice too. And she’s a good sport.

I enjoyed Darius Rucker and happy he won. Also enjoyed Keith Urban who’s yummy and can sing. Loved Daughtry’s performance which is no shock for me but thought thought Chris & Vince’s voices blended beautifully.

I haven’t watched every bit of the show but found myself cringing several times with Brad’s and Carrie’s lines. I think she’s doing a pretty good job but blame the writers.

Did anyone else love the Kanye diss at the beginning? I thought it was perfect.

I will eat my shoe if Taylor doesn’t win Entertainer of the Year. With the way the show’s announcer was pimping her in the commercial bumpers and the fact that she has two performances in tonight’s show, it’s inevitable at this point.

I won’t even be disappointed if Taylor wins Entertainer of the Year. The girl is having one hell of a year and I like her a lot.

But I will be disappointed if she wins Female Vocalist of the Year. I think Carrie should get that one as she is a far, far superior vocalist.

A lot of people might not like country, but they are real. I’m not familiar with current country because there is not a country radio station in or near NYC. From what I’ve heard, today’s country sounds a lot like pop, but the artists are real.

I think a lot of people who can sing and want to be really heard singing their songs have almost been driven out of pop. Or at least, the fans who want to really hear vocals have moved out of pop, and are often in country now.

I love Sugarland!

Agree about Taylor Swift. Also saw her on Saturday Night Live- yikes she could not stay on key.

I thought Danny Gokey looked Smoking Hot! Love the hair, the lilac shirt and the funky Duster Coat. Not too country, but very handsome.

Disappointed in the farewell Brooks and Dunn performance. Was hoping for a medley of some of their songs (and without ZZ Top).

ETA: Why did this talented duo get one song while Taylor gets two?

I know it’s probably not true, but wiki aleady has Carrie down as the female vocalist of the year

I’ll be checking out Idol Chatter tomorrow to see if Brian writes about his interview with Danny and Lady Antebellum and “It’s Only”. Brian has always been supportive of Danny and has good contacts with those inside Nashville.

I think a lot of people who can sing and want to be really heard singing their songs have almost been driven out of pop. Or at least, the fans who want to really hear vocals have moved out of pop, and are often in country now.

I totally agree. Today’s country sounds like pop. I happen to be old school and love old time country (along with classic rock). You could immediately recognize who the artist was after the first note, they chose songs that were unique and had some integrity. I still keep hoping that the Adam Lamberts, or Kris Allens, or any other new and struggling artists can bring those missing ingredients back.

ETA: Why did this talented duo get one song while Taylor gets two?

How many songs did they sell this year though, compared to Taylor? Whether she sings better or not, it may be the $$ and current popularity that count most on that, as well as expectations for who may rack up awards tonight.

Omg, just heard more screeching on the tv, and went to look. Guess who’s back. She looks so cute though.

That right there is why Taylor is so popular and successful. They relate. That’s the bunch that make people stars.

ETA: I really like her too. Something about those songs…I sing along every. time.

MUTE, I’m so over the pimping of this girl. She is a pop singer for one

I won’t even be disappointed if Taylor wins Entertainer of the Year. The girl is having one hell of a year and I like her a lot.

But I will be disappointed if she wins Female Vocalist of the Year. I think Carrie should get that one as she is a far, far superior vocalist.

ita ita

Okay, I totally don’t get this. Why is she being portrayed as iconic with young people today? Do I need to look up her lyrics? I just don’t get it. Probably never will.

Lee Ann Rimes needs to talk to Carrie’s stylist. REally.

Let’s hope Carrie wins female vocalist of the year. Taylor won for album and I understand that – she did outsell almost everyone.

Lee Ann Rimes needs to talk to Carrie’s stylist. REally.

Adam could give her some tips re: the eye shadow. Really dark purple eye shadow on my TV. Weird.

One more thing. I really don’t like that lead singer from Sugarland. Her voice is soooooooo nasaly (spelling?). Carrie is really the best at this type of music. Can you tell I don’t like country music? Sorry and good night.

Do I need to look up her lyrics?

She is a great storyteller and most county songs are telling a story. That’s a lot of it, I think. Her songs are also very sing-along-able.

LOL that crotchety old man with carrie and brad doing the kanye put down was Little Jimmy Dickens, an icon in country music. TS will prob get EOTY for her sell out tour but if she gets vocalist, country music should hang its head in shame. Martina just butchered Barbara Mandrells song, and Im a huge Martina fan. Kellie P has to ditch the red hair, its not complimentary. On CMT red carpet preview tonight, the little boy in the Boots On video said his date for the night was Kellie Pickleler. lol Our satellite was out the whole first hour so I don’t know what i missed. Glad I didnt miss Reba, love her new single. Hate that I missed Carrie. Why George Strait keeps getting a nom for EOTy when he only does 2 dozen concerts a year will always be a mystery to me, same as Darius Rucker getting a nom for male vocalist. I would think Trace Adkins, who had song of the year last year, numerous number ones and tours would get a nom before a newbie. Its all politics, as Ive heard numerous country stars on tv state.

I think Kelly will be here next year, I have a felling her next album will go country

Okay, country music has been vindicated. Barbara Mandrell has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Justice has been done. True talent has been recognized. I don’t have to watch this show anymore. The perfect ending would be if George Strait wins Entertainer of the Year. But it seems like they’re judging talent based on what the miley cyrus crowd is listening to. I guess it’s not their fault since that is what is being fed to them on the radio. If you feed people hot dogs, that’s what they’ll eat. But if you give them steak……well I hope you get the idea.

edit: ACTUALLY you’re going into moderation

God is great, beer is good and people are crazy.

‘Bout says it all.

George Strait is gettting old. I remember having such a crush on him as a kid, and now he has a turkey neck.

I’m going to laugh so hard if Swift wins Female Vocalist. I’ve taken my niece to both her’s and Miley’s concerts, and honestly Miley can sing slightly better, and that’s saying something.

This is a slap in the face to all the female vocalist in country music. What the CMA’s is telling them is that “We have turned into a popularity contest and only care about rating” Taylor is the least deserving of the bunch

I am old cause Kris Kristofferson is old. When did that happen?????

That should not have happened because she cannot sing. Carrie should have won booooo!!!!

I don’t think that Taylor should have won for Best Female Vocalist. I think that she is definitely going to win Entertainer Of The Year now.

Ooh, Billy Currington’s up. Always liked him, he’s sounding pretty good.

I like Billy Currington too.

I see Danny’s photo in MJ’s blog post and his name in her commentary (yep, he is going to have to take some “poking” about his newbie status on the country scene, that’s ok), so I think he is on topic.

Following this show has reminded me that there really are a lot of country artists who I admire. I hadn’t paid any attention to it in a long time, hence my status of probably being the last person in America who hadn’t heard Carrie’s “Jesus Take the Wheel” until the other day when I looked it up when people were comparing Danny’s single to it. I started paying attention to it when Danny decided to go that route, and I’m finding that there are other artists who are doing things that I will probably be interested in. And I’m reminded of people I liked long ago, like Vince Gill.

I pray to God that Taylor will actively pursue vocal lessons during the ensuing year – and for long as it takes. Even tho’ this is a FAN award, it is so hard to reconcile with reality.

It all is a big publicity stunt and I can’t believe they would do this. If Kanye would not have did what he did, Taylor would not have one this award. Your going to get what you want CMA’s, the press, but your probably going to lose a couple viewers until you start giving awards based on TALENT!!!!!

I wanted Carrie to win. But congrats to Taylor I guess.

Good for Taylor – she deserved it after having numerous hits and her album selling so well all year long.

I love Taylor and I won’t pout if she wins EOTY but VOCALIST of the year over Carrie???!!!! BS.

Female vocalist of the year…Taylor Swift?! Are you serious? She can’t sing at all.

BOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! If the award was Female recording artist or something, fine, but vocalist?!? Taylor Swift cannot sing. Like at all. Like worse than Miley. She is bad! Like Kim of Tardy for the Party fame bad!

What a joke. Taylor winning for AOTY I understand, but vocalist? In no way in hell should she be awarded for being a vocalist when she can barely sing on key. She might be a great songwriter, have catchy songs and have one of the biggest selling albums of the year but her singing blows.

I really like this duet with Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews. They sound really good together – nice to see Dave Matthews.

Lord I love Dave Matthews. Hear that little scratchy raspy in his voice? That’s my wheelhouse.

After what she has done this years, she deserves Album and Entertainer of the year. But the female vocalist is based on your voice not how many fans or albumns you have/sell. Taylor probably has one of the worst voices in country music, but she is one hell of a song writter/performer (had to put something positive in her )

I think this is only the second time since she arrived on the scene she has left a country award show empty handed

Taylor winning Entertainer of the Year was not a surprise.

Sad….

So staged

Taylor probably has one of the worst voices in country music, but she is one hell of a song writter/performer (had to put something positive in her )

terps, it’s so interesting, because I have always thought of country music as kind of the opposite. Sometimes the songs can be a bit formulaic, but the voices are usually distinctive and very beautiful. I have to admit I don’t know much about Taylor’s work, but it sounds like people must really appreciate what she is bringing to the table, in terms of her songwriting especially perhaps. She seems to have a very likeable persona which is also important of course, but maybe over time (as the “cute” fades, you know what I mean) perhaps she’ll gravitate to the songwriting side, and let those bigger voices do the singing, which sounds like it would be the best of both worlds.

I’d love to see the Zac Brown Band doing DWDTG! Those guys can play, I was amazed at how great that cd is.. there are some serious musicians on thar.

Great band.

He said in one of his interviews tonight that his single was released to radio today and that he will start his radio tour.

I didn’t know that Danny’s single had been released to radio yet. I thought that was going to happen later in the month. That’s good to know.

Did Carrie win anything?????

Nope

I didn’t see this, but I have to wonder if Taylor won because of all the hype from the VMA’s. Kanye may have done her a huge favor. Honestly, I don’t even consider her music really country when you get down to it. It’s pop. Nothing wrong with that, but it is what it is.

Her vocals are okay on stuff that doesn’t require a huge range.

This is nothing new for award shows, though. Millie Vanilli won a Grammy. And no, I’m not comparing their lack of talent with her obvious talent. Just making a comment on music award shows in general. I’ll shut up before anyone accuses me of going all Kanye. CARRIE HAS THE BEST VOICE EVER! Ahem.

Kudos to Taylor for her songwriting ability and videos, but I’m sad that she won vocalist over Carrie. Carrie has a much better voice, and technical singing ability.

aek, this is the CMA red carpet interview where Danny was talking about his single, and also confirming an upcoming radio tour which some of us were suspecting based on tweets from people in Nashville.
first time I know that Danny or anyone associated to him has confirmed it though.

http://www.wztv.com/newsroom/top_stories/wztv_vid_1951.shtml

I didn’t see this, but I have to wonder if Taylor won because of all the hype from the VMA’s. Kanye may have done her a huge favor. Honestly, I don’t even consider her music really country when you get down to it. It’s pop. Nothing wrong with that, but it is what it is.

There is no doubt in my mind that is the reason she one. They will get what they want, and that is the press tomorow. EVERYONE will be talking about how little Taylor Swift came up from the ashes. Just look at the show, they brought up Taylor and Kanye like 50 times

is this the one voted on by the public or the industry. i’m always confused. i feel like there are 5 country music awards each year.

I echo what many others here have already said – Taylor Swift winning ANY “best vocalist” award is a joke. I hope everyone in attendance at the awards tonight who voted for her and heard her out-of-tune performance feels deep shame for choosing her over those who can actually sing.

No fans don’t vote on this one, Carrie would of won if they did. The pre-show had a pole up in which 71% of people thought Carrie would win.

Blech, Taylor Swift can’t sing! She sucks at singing and her songs are generic country/pop.

Fie and for shame I say, Fie!

I thought to get Top Vocalist you had to at least carry a note?? Have the rules changed?

Re fashion: Someone just tweeted this about Danny Gokey’s apparel:

you got an A- on your outfit according to yahoo cma red carpet report card nice job

Not too bad!

Woohoo! Congrats Taylor! This is awesome. I don’t care, I love her and her singing and her songs and apparently, so does the academy! Yay!

This seems to be the Yahoo fashion grade for “dapper” Danny, lol.

http://omg.yahoo.com/photos/2009-cma-red-carpet-report-card/3387#id=14

Ouch! I see Diana DeGarmo got an F! They were pretty hard on people, lol.
I guess an A- is pretty darn good!

Thank you, MJ for the great details! I am more into dancing, and also I didn’t want to miss Glee.

I will admit I was surprised Carrie didn’t win any awards tonight. I also don’t think Taylor Swift should have won the ‘Entertainer of the Year,’ but what do I know about Country music? She really is not that good of a singer or entertainer.

Guess this has already been said: Taylor Swift is sweet, her songs are neat and she didn’t deserve that Kanye moment (though I agree with whoever said he may have done her a great favor in the end), but she is NO vocalist of the year. Her live performances tonight did her no favors, and now the top folks of country know that more than anybody.
I’ll be interested to read Ann Powers’ review. She was pretty fangirly in her tweets on Taylor, though she did mention the lack of pitch.
Too bad Kanye wasn’t there tonight to distract people from her singing.

Terps– didn’t watch. I had no idea that they kept milking Kanye when i made the comment that he did her a big favor. Country music loves a story arc, and having her be triumphant against the big bad rapper fits perfectly. *shrugs* She was hella funny on SNL though. I’m not hating on her.

Seriously… if Kanye hadn’t been an asshole to Taylor at the VMA’s… does anyone think she would have won vocalist of the year? I’m honestly curious. Carrie can hold her own against Taylor in the sales department. She’s also a better singer.

I think the country community, or much of it at least, may be happy that Taylor is expanding country music out into the pop arena so successfully. It’s probably good for the genre to be growing its boundaries.
But she so really can’t sing live. Thin screechy off-tune voice, eek.

Ouch! I see Diana DeGarmo got an F! They were pretty hard on people, lol.
I guess an A- is pretty darn good!

Ouch indeed. Don’t know much about Diana DeG. but having your shoes called “hoof-like” can’t ever be a good thing.

http://omg.yahoo.com/photos/2009-cma-red-carpet-report-card/3387/12#id=15

Steph, Country has been going pop for decades. Remeber Shania Twain? I just don’t see how Taylor is country at all. That’s my issue as a lover of country music. My tastes run towards old school and alt country now. Carrie is also crossover, but you can still hear the country roots.

Ahh I’m sad for Carrie. Taylor – as much as I enjoy her music – was the least deserving out of the 5 women nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year.

pj, I don’t disagree with you, on either point, but I do think that pop has gotten narrower/more niche-like which has pushed a lot of vocally / lyrically oriented music and artists into country (or AC, maybe).

Carrie gets called a crossover artist quite a lot, but in all reality she reminds me quite a lot of the traditional country divas.

I saw Taylor Swift, live. Went with a friend and her 2 little girls. Her show is amazing! She was on stage for 2 hrs. 15 min. I was blown away!

Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” is the most monotone song I have ever heard. As for other songs that she has written, they sound like she just made them up on the spot.

I wish SNL would have spoofed her singing while she was hosting the show. THAT would have been hilarious.

Taylor Swift also wins Entertainer of the Year. This is why I didn’t feel bad for her after the Kanye flap. Taylor is crying, and she brings her band up on stage. Great big group hug!

MJ how did you not feel bad for her after what Kayne did and what does one thing have to do with the other? I’m confused. Taylor is the biggest touring act in music right now… probably bigger than britney even.. she’s got the hottest selling album outside of Michael Jackson and she’s had a string of hits. That was all a fact before Kayne was a douche on the VMAs.

I just don’t think it’s fair to dismiss all that Taylor has accomplished nor should what Kayne did be brushed off simply because she was also deserving on the CMA awards. JMO of course…

and if we’re being honest… Jennifer Nettles should win Female Vocalist of the Year since she sings circles around those ladies every single time she steps on stage

I posted on another topic but will add my comments here. Taylor Swift is a great commercial songwriter but she sucks at singing. And note I said”commercial” songwriter. I would be willing to bet her music will not live on. She seems sweet and appreciative(if she ever hears the replays of her live performances she ought to be appreciative).

Oh well I don’t get the music buying public I guess.

I think Carrie has improved as a performer but she seems so formulatic(?) to me. No real charisma.
Again I don’t get it

Ok I get maybe Taylor Swift getting best Album…I’ll even go with Entertainer of the Year…..But Best Female Vocalist?….. What a frigging JOKE…. Yes I think Carrie should have won but every other woman voted in that category are much better singers then Taylor. I would have been ok with any of the others winning… But what a travesty to have her win after we had to hear her sing….Worst we hear some of the other sing and they were great. It really is all a joke.

Ok I need to see that Sugarland performance again because Jennifer Nettles tears it up every time she’s on stage.

Congrats to Taylor, I guess. She’s had a big year, that’s for sure.

It’s like the CMA’s saying to Carrie

“Sorry, we have Taylor now. You may go”

Ha, Ha, @amiroamor “Sorry, we have Taylor now. You may go”.
Hee, That was so polite and, of course, just not the case. Our lovely
Taylor does not have Carrie’s talent as a singer as well as many other singers (female lead Lady Ante Bellum, Jennifer of Sugarland etc.)
Taylor is a good songwriter and a really good performer. She can act and she (as we know now,does have great comedic timing). She is blessed not only with a big heart, but graciousness, and, a whopping dollop of Charisma. She is 19 and this will probably be her biggest year
ever…….Helped along by one egotistical Idiot who made her a household name almost!!!!
Yeah, Carrie will sing on for life. Maybe one day, taylor’s songs will mature with her and maybe Carrie will sing one and take it stratospheric!!!!…..Well, Maybe!!!

My problem with Taylor Swift is that she is the Queen of Autotuner. I mean, seriously, have you ever heard her sing live? She SIMPLY CANNOT SING. Period.

^ Yeah I don’t mind Taylor winning Album of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and everything as she is well-deserving, but Female Vocalist of the Year? Really CMA? Not only was Carrie robbed, but I think all the other nominees were as well. Oh well. Life goes on. LOL

Taylor made my ears bleed at the start of the show. We don’t do country much at our house, but my husband and I just looked at each other with our mouth’s open. He said she’s have never made it to Hollywood Week singing like that.

Taylor made my ears bleed at the start of the show. We don’t do country much at our house, but my husband and I just looked at each other with our mouth’s open. He said she’s have never made it to Hollywood Week singing like that.

Well, Taylor’s made it not based on her singing but on being a very very good writer for a kid and being a good, feisty performer (being a cute blonde girl doesn’t hurt, of course). But of course all that’s why “vocalist” of the year shouldn’t really have gone to her, in my opinion. Especially in the country world, where there are *many* good vocalists. But I’m afraid that, even in country, we’ve passed the time where “vocalist” actually means that you can, you know, vocalize any more. Now it just means “performer.” Which is a pity.

EW’s Best & Worst from the CMAs

Some love for Carrie and Brad, no love for Taylor getting a vocalist award.

I love Taylor Swift, but man, singing on tv does not help her any. She sounded great on SNL, but maybe something about the awards shows makes her nerves get the better of her.

I noticed that Carrie, Miranda Lambert, Reba and Jeffer Nettles of Sugarland are pretty much the only femlae singers who sound the exact same live as they do on their records. Proof that real singers don’t need auto-tuned.

Red carpet video interview by a NC tv station from the CMAs, Danny appears briefly toward the end with a mention of his debut country music single

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=330410915105&id=57780972549

Another longer CMA week interview also showing up from a country music station in Tampa Bay. Interesting to hear Danny describe in person that incident with Randy Travis approaching him behind the scenes during country week to consider country music.

http://wqyktv.tampadigital.com/video/F9BE93055F/new-danny-gokey-cma-2009

If they were going to award her the Female Vocalist award they really shouldn’t have let her sing live. That’s just embarrassing.

Wow, I can’t believe all the Taylor hate on here and I only read one page. Fact this girl has done alot to pull in new fans to the genre. She sells out show after show in MINUTES and has hit after hit. She has accomplished alot in a short period of time. I think she deserves everything she won last night. Oh, the vocalist categories hardly ever go to the best actual singer.

The CMAs might as well have given the Best Female Vocalist award to AutoTune instead, since that’s the REAL vocalist, where Taylor Swift is concerned, isn’t it?

This seems like a good time to re-post the YouTube video, “How to Create a Sexy Pop Star”.

I think she deserves everything she won last night. Oh, the vocalist categories hardly ever go to the best actual singer.

So you agree she’s not the best vocalist, yet somehow she deserved that award?

I’m a big fan of country. I knew Taylor would win something, but was not expecting Entertainer of the Year. I figured after the Album award, they were done. But, I do think she earned it. Does Chesney really need to win it AGAIN?

I started out being very skeptical about Taylor but she has won me over. No, she’s not a “vocalist” but it’s really refreshing to see a young female country singer writing and singing personal songs she’s written and connecting with her audience (Miranda Lambert is another I really like but gets less attention). I kind of laughed when George Jones took his shots at Carrie and Taylor. Country has always had it’s traditionalists and its vocalists. These two sounds have pulled back and forth in country for a long time now. To me, Taylor is actually very much in the Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton tradition of female singer-songwriter. Confessional songs that connect particularly with female listeners who feel wronged and misunderstood by their men. Young girls LOVE her. And I actually think the fact that she doesn’t sing, say, as well as Carrie, has played a part in her success. To young girls, Taylor feels like one of them, telling their stories. Her less than spectacular voice makes her seem more vulnerable, relatable.

For all of Carrie’s talent, and I do love her voice, her “perfection” can make her sometimes seem distant. Country music is all about being down to earth. I love listening to the girl sing, but it’s hard to relate to a girl, I would imagine, who looks, talks, sings, acts perfectly all the time. ha!!

As a side note, the Zac Brown Band was OFF THE HOOK. I had no idea they had that kind of talent. A personal observation, Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, not crazy about that performance. What was that high note she was hitting in the chorus? I wouldn’t even call that a note. Some sort of nasally screech. I like Sugarland, but I often find Nettles’ vocals entirely too mannered–her exagerrated country phrasing drives me bananas.

I don’t think the CMA voting public takes the term “vocalist” is literally as the AI crowd does. The dictionary definition of vocalist is “singer”, period. So ppl just voted for their favorite female singer. According to sales charts, that’d be Taylor.

Also, some might interpret vocalist to mean favorite vocal stylist. Taylor’s vocal style is very forward, earnest, girly, no-vibrato, and almost spoken instead of sung. She definitely sings the way she does for effect. Again, according to sales, a lot of ppl like the way she does it.

I liked her TOMG but I’ve grown quite weary of her voice & vocal styling being overplayed on the radio. I usually change the dial when she comes on.

I hope she doesn’t have a stratospheric rise followed by a crash & burn at such a young age. She reminds me of Alannis Morisette, who also became a phenomenon at ages 17-19 (15 yrs ago) for her songwriting and unusual & earnest vocal styling, which eventually became grating after being overplayed.

ETA: Loved Carrie’s outfits. Not the Cowboy Casanova peekaboo outfit though. TMI for me. Funny, if it had been Rihanna, I’d think she was overdressed. Not fair, I know…

Her less than spectacular voice makes her seem more vulnerable, relatable.

houstonrufus. ITA with your whole post. I think that fact that her songs are more personal lets people connect. There’s more to being a vocalist than singing notes the best. I’m a Carrie fan but I’m starting to feel like she’s putting on an act or a persona with the songs she’s put out lately.

And yeah, kind of glad someone besides Kenny won.

Keith Urban’s hotness should be illegal. Just sayin’.

Oh, yeah. And the man puts on a damn good show too. I’ve seen him live twice and would go see him again and again and… well, you get it. Oh, and the guitar playing. Wow! Must go rewatch him on my DVR.

IMO, there is a place for the Carries and the Taylors. I like both. I am a beautiful voice junkie, so I love listening to Carrie sing. But I’m also a songwriter junkie, so I love when someone can craft songs that say something new or that appeal to people or certain demos in a very personal way.

Having said that, I’m not sure how I would have voted for the “vocalist” award had I been voting. I agree with a post above, though, that the CMAs “Female (or Male) Vocalist of the Year” award is more about a singer’s whole body of work/success for that year rather than actual vocal technique. Otherwise, Carrie, Martina, and those types would win every year until the end of time. Ha!!! Obviously, the truly great singers have an edge on the vocal awards, but this is more like the CMAs saying, “Taylor Swift is our choice for the Female artist of the year.” One could also argue that Brad Paisley isn’t the best SINGER among the men who were nominated for Male Vocalist. But he’s won three years running now, if I’m not mistaken.

Otherwise, Carrie, Martina, and those types would win every year until the end of time. Ha!!!

Until this year they pretty much had. Chew on this: Shania NEVER won Female Vocalist Of The Year even when she was crossover queen with the huge tours and sales and all that. The people who were winning were Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, etc.

I think it wouldn’t look so bad if Taylor hadn’t sounded so bad on both her songs especially compared to the other 4 ladies who were nominated and sang. It’s obvious that the vote was because she’s taken over the world but it’s out of keeping with the way they’ve usually voted this particular award and not in a good way. Gretchen won this one once but even she’s a pretty solid singer. Taylor’s consistently weak.

houstonrufus. ITA with your whole post. I think that fact that her songs are more personal lets people connect. There’s more to being a vocalist than singing notes the best. I’m a Carrie fan but I’m starting to feel like she’s putting on an act or a persona with the songs she’s put out lately.

So putting up a persona on songs is worse than begin a complete faker and poser like Taylor Swift? She says whatever is convenient for her. My idol is X person depending on whether she’s talking towards a Pop-oriented crowd or a Country-oriented audience. She is the fakest person in Country and there’s not a shred of Country in her and she should get out of the genre.

Danny Gokey???? Ugh!!!

So putting up a persona on songs is worse than begin a complete faker and poser like Taylor Swift?

Except that I don’t think Taylor is a faker or a poser. She writes her own song about he experiences. And I don’t think Carrie’s Cowboy Casanova or even Before He Cheats is any more country than Taylors stuff. I also don’t get that she “says whatever is convenient for her”. She has pop idols and country idols and I don’t see anything wrong with that.

MalwareDie you obviously don’t like Taylor and I do and neither of us is going to change the other person’s mind so I will leave it (and this thread) alone now.

And I don’t think Carrie’s Cowboy Casanova or even Before He Cheats is any more country than Taylors stuff.

I couldn’t disagree more. Before He Cheats is classic honkytonk/blues country. Like EW said it just so happened that its hook was catchy enough to transcend its twang. EW quoted a pop DJ in New York saying BHC is so country “it’s comical” but they played it anyway. Cowboy Casanova has a country line dancing melody but (and IMO this is the one thing I don’t like about it) the production is rock. Also Carrie proved yet again last night that her voice is indubitably country in the style of the greats of the genre.

Taylor Swift is a pop supernova with a genius marketing team. She started out with a country feel to some of her songs (like Tim Mcgraw) but the reality is her voice has never been country and these days her songs aren’t country at all and she remixes them for pop and international anyway. Even her own record label says she has more in common with Avril Lavigne and Miley Cyrus than country (there’s a quote in a Billboard article from somebody who’s handling her global promotion).

Obviously the people in the country business have decided they need a bigger umbrella. That’s their prerogative. But I died a little inside when Taylor said on that Robin Roberts special that the best country song of all time is Faith Hill’s This Kiss. In rock you’re supposed to know your history. Same with R&B. Same with country. As someone who loves country music it’s sad that the person who’s supposed to be the standardbearer today for country music has such a shallow understanding of its very rich history.

There’s nothing wrong with being pop by the way. It’s no better or worse than being country. I’m just saying that IMO there are VERY clear differences in that Carrie is naturally country with some other pop or rock influences compared to Taylor who is pop with rare country influence.

In my opinion, the person overlooked on this show last night was Keith Urban!! ’nuff said.

And I actually think the fact that she doesn’t sing, say, as well as Carrie, has played a part in her success. To young girls, Taylor feels like one of them, telling their stories. Her less than spectacular voice makes her seem more vulnerable, relatable.

Nail meet head! Bingo. I was in the car listening to the radio one day a few months ago, and one of her songs came on and I listened to the lyrics, Love Story possibly (?) it was so poignant, so pure, and honest, and just so sparse in a way alot of music is not anymore. I can see her appeal. I felt it, and the only person that still calls me a girl is my grandather. I think she has tapped into that and hit the mother lode. Not arguing over whether she can sing, or not. I can sing better than she can, but I believe more people are connecting with Taylor right now, and it wasn’t the Kanye crap either. She has been kicking ass, and taking names this entire year. She is country’s new queen. Also, this saying what country is and isn’t has gone on for some time. It just doesn’t make any sense to me as most genres have blurry edges, pop rock, soul-R&B-RAP, HipHop, etc. Genres and sub genres. It’s just that Taylor is crossing over so strongly so she is gonna get alot of fire. I think she can handle it.

In my opinion, the person overlooked on this show last night was Keith Urban!! ’nuff said.

I totally agree!!!

Taylor Swift doesn’t deserve any awards with her cheesy non-warbling out of tune voice! I am beginning to wonder if money changed hands to get her these awards. It doesn’t make any sense at all.

I’m calling the CMA’s Rigged. You can’t knock all those Heavey Weights out and be realistic. I not sure I’ll be watching the awards again. BOO!!!!

but this is more like the CMAs saying, ‘Taylor Swift is our choice for the Female artist of the year.’ 

Precisely why they should just change the name of those awards to Male and Female Artist Of The Year instead of Vocalist.

Taylor Swift doesn’t deserve any awards with her cheesy non-warbling out of tune voice! I am beginning to wonder if money changed hands to get her these awards. It doesn’t make any sense at all.

Is it really difficult for you to understand why she might have gotten the awards, based on her being the top selling artist across ALL genres of 2008 and maintaining her fanbase through this year? I mean, it’s understandable if you don’t think that’s a fair/good reason for her to win, but it’s not like she’s Paris Hilton or something. It’s easy to see *why* she was given the awards, even if that why isn’t superior technical vocal ability.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Taylor Swift’s singing – I think it’s all the different microphones she uses that are out of tune!!

Is it really difficult for you to understand why she might have gotten the awards, based on her being the top selling artist across ALL genres of 2008 and maintaining her fanbase through this year? I mean, it’s understandable if you don’t think that’s a fair/good reason for her to win, but it’s not like she’s Paris Hilton or something. It’s easy to see *why* she was given the awards, even if that why isn’t superior technical vocal ability.

Is it so difficult for you to see that is everything is always bent in Taylor Swift’s favor? Shania Twain had huge album sales but that didn’t result in any Album of the Year awards at the CMAs despite her blowing out the competition. The CMAs were actually held in high regard before this because commercial success wasn’t everything. And as windmills has already pointed out, Swift isn’t Country and thus, she shouldn’t be awarded at a Country music awards show. There is outrage all across the internet with her wins and that’s not a coincidence. Also, many of the winners in the past weren’t known for superior technical vocal ability but none of them are as vocally lacking as Swift. I sing better than her and I don’t even approach mediocre.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Taylor Swift’s singing ‘“ I think it’s all the different microphones she uses that are out of tune!!.

Facepalm.