CMA Awards give Lady Antebellum, Sugarland plenty of love; Zac Brown shut out
This was clearly Taylor Swift’s night at the Country Music Awards. She was not only the youngest person to ever win Entertainer of the Year at age 19 but she was the first female solo artist to take home the award since Shania Twain in 1999.
“Everything I”ve ever wanted just happened to me,” a teary-eyed Swift said.
Among Georgians, Sugarland and Lady Antebellum’s (above) were winners.
Lady Antebellum, which features two UGA grads and Augustans, took home Vocal Group of the Year and Single of the Year, beating out the likes of North Georgia’s the Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town (which includes a Georgian), Rascal Flatts and the Eagles.
Atlanta’s own Sugarland also won vocal duo of the year for the third year in a row.
The first Georgia reference came during a parody version of Tammy Wynette’s “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” in which co-hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Praisley duet. It was about Brooks & Dunn’s planned breakup. The pair won the best duo CMA award 14 times. Thus, the punchline: “Kix and little Ronnie will be going away,” Carrie sang. Brad added: “Everyone is sad… except for Sugarland.”
Sugarland later performed their latest single, a lovely ballad called “Keep You,” which has yet to chart. Both wore black. Jennifer Nettles hit her high notes perfectly.
After gently mocking Tim McGraw’s fragrance (yes, there is one for sale), Paisley introduced the first presenter of the night Kid Rock: “It’s a pungent yet fragrant blend of whiskey and Waffle House.” (Yes, that infamous 2007 Waffle House scuffle won’t go away, will it?)
Single of the year featured three acts with Georgia ties: the Zac Brown Band (”Chicken Fried”), Lady Antebellum (”I Run To You”) and Billy Currington (”People are Crazy”). Lady Antebellum, which features two UGA grads Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, won best new act last year and are clearly Nashville favorites.
Song of the year (which is a songwriter’s award) also featured two Georgians: Billy Currington and Zac Brown again. Jamey Johnson won with “In Color.”
Sugarland lost album of the year to Taylor Swift.
I wasn’t much of a fan of Hootie & the Blowfish and had a miserable interview with Darius Rucker a few years back but I got to give props for the great country songs he’s had this past year, landing him three No. 1 hits including the jaunty “Alright.” It’s also always great to see a black person at the CMAs. Amusingly, he won “new artist of the year,” despite the fact he’s been around in the pop-rock world for years. He’s new, of course, to country.
“Wow, what a year!” Rucker said at the dais. “To the fans, thank you for accepting me. I think most importantly to coutnry radio. You took a chance on a pop singer from Charleston, S.C. and God bless you for that!”
Rucker beat, among others, the Zac Brown Band, who at least got to perform. They decided to cover the Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” instead of one of their own hits. While it was fun and showed why they’re such a great live band, why waste a chance to promote yourself to a national audience with a cover song?
There was the inevitable Taylor Swift/Kanye West joke. Brad fake accepted an award for best video and Little Jimmy Dickens (an old-time country singer who has been a foil in Paisley’s videos) came out and said Taylor Swift’s videos are better. Kind of lame, kind of funny. Later, when Swift won for Female Vocalist of the Year, she thanked everyone for not running up on stage.
Jason Aldean of Macon wasn’t nominated for anything but he did get to perform his recent No. 1 song “Big Green Tractor,” his third chart topper. He’s not exactly a showstopping stage presence. ]
A few minutes later, Billy Currington from Rincon, Ga. played a live version of “People are Crazy,” which was also his third No.1 hit. The song was nominated (and lost) for single of the year, song of the year and video of the year.
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83 comments Add your comment
Dan Deacon
November 12th, 2009
1:39 pm
Read and see how classy people act Kanye…..Taylor has class and Kanye’s just an a**.
The cream rises to the top and Kayne continues to fall off peoples radar. Way to go Taylor!
KitCat
November 12th, 2009
2:00 pm
If your not familar with how the system works for these award shows you will be surprised at last nights reveal. The CMA is an organization that anyone in country music can become a member. Most of the music business companies in Nashville require all their employees to become a member then come award time the “company” cast the votes for who they want to receive the award. So basically the winners are picked by the top executives of the “major” music companies in Nashville. So who do you think they are going to pick- the one who can generate an industry that is barely hanging on by the skin of their teeth- or the best talented artist that is not generating as much revenue? This is why Taylor Swift won the awards last night! Besides isn’t she Country’s Sweetheart?
war eagle
November 12th, 2009
2:31 pm
Darius Rucker? That was not even country! Martina could have won the award or Reba. Miranda Lambert performed well. I do miss Alabama-that was a good group. Wish Lee Greenwood would have been invited to sing his famous song. Loretta Lynn, Dolly, Emmy Lou Harris, Lynn Anderson (Rose Garden) now THOSE were the queens of Country! Throw in the Mandrell sisters too. Alan Jackson, Toby Keith-where were they? kanye is nothing but an afro thug! Get back to the roots country.
Cynthia
November 12th, 2009
2:43 pm
TRISH: WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM!!! — THE PUBLIC LOVES HER!!! THAT’S WHAT ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR MEANS!!! CHILL
Matt
November 12th, 2009
2:56 pm
Taylor did NOT deserve that award. I am a big Jason Aldean fan, but it seems all his appearances have been less than appealing. He sings like he is just going through the motions and has no heart in what me is singing. Jamey Johnson. Buy the album. THAT is real country music.
Debbie
November 12th, 2009
3:27 pm
Wonderful show last night. Taylor was deserving of all her awards in my opinion. She effectively communicates the soul of her music, which is what “Country” is all about. Her creative song writing, consistant sold out performances, work ethic, video and record sales, appeal to fan base, and amiration as a role model, are additional reasons that she deserved to win. Carrie Underwood was a good show host, beautiful as always until she compromised herself and doned slutwear for her big number. She didn’t need to do that. It wasn’t good for her or the perception of female country artists. Hopefully Carrie will understand this, and resolve to be who she is….a woman of class and good taste.
Canadian2
November 12th, 2009
3:30 pm
For all of you giving Taylor Swift a hard time, when was the last time you were 19 and had to stand in front of millions of people and sing?
Nerves affect your voice and she is still just a teenager. She will mature and I look forward to seeing how far she can go.
Blackberry Cobbler
November 12th, 2009
3:51 pm
Canadian2
November 12th, 2009
3:30 pm
For all of you giving Taylor Swift a hard time, when was the last time you were 19 and had to stand in front of millions of people and sing?
Nerves affect your voice and she is still just a teenager. She will mature and I look forward to seeing how far she can go.
That’s what I’m talking about– just how far will Taylor go? ……………..
dee
November 12th, 2009
3:51 pm
Taylor Swift sounded awful on the CMA last night. I thought she had a good voice when listening to her on the radio but last night proved she cannot sing live.
PerspiringSongWriter
November 12th, 2009
3:52 pm
Being an ex-Georgian and having lived in NashVegas, as it is known here, for 10 yrs. now, I have learned a lot. Trust me, it is just like many other high profile things, it is all about politics and who you know. That is, unless you have money to get started on your own. Some people do get “lucky” but those are usually the really talented ones. On the main subject, I have suggested 2 or 3 times to the entertainment editor at the Nashville newspaper that they do a column on the home states of all country entertainers say since maybe 1980. I think that would be very interesting and I do believe GA would be at the top of that list. Texas, of course, would be a close second. So far, they have not done it, probably a little jealousy involved because of what it would show. Also, I was disappointed in the sound quality last night. I had to keep adjusting my volume up and down and some songs sounded muffled. I know it’s not my TV as it is fine today and on other shows last night. I have a feeling it was ABC’s audio technicians producing it and they needed to turn it over to the experts here in Nashville.
K rock
November 12th, 2009
4:03 pm
jamey johnson is the mother flippin man!!! but where was mr. eric church? he s awesome and a hell of alot better perfomer than TAYLOR!george should have won every one he was nominated for and i think millions would agree! oh yeah MY NAME IS KIIIIID!!!!!!!
Steve Keller
November 12th, 2009
4:06 pm
People who say what they saw last night wasn’t “country” have been saying this very thing for all my 29 years in broadcasting. “Shania isn’t country”. “Hank Jr. isn’t country”. In 1962 people were saying Patsy Cline crossed the line with Crazy…”not one single steel guitar OR fiddle!!!! THE NERVE!!!!” We all have our tastes and our likes. Taylor Swift captures the hearts and minds of a new generation and she’s sold gazillions and she carries a bright torch for non-country fans to check out the rest of the genre. In 45 years people will complain about how country isn’t the same like those great Taylor Swift songs were.
Janet from Colorado
November 12th, 2009
4:58 pm
I didn’t watch the awards. After reading today how Tayor Swift won so many awards. I’m glad I didn’t have to watch this happenning. She has such a weak voice this is incredible that she beat out the likes of Martina Reba and everyones favorite blonde girl Carrie Underwood. Now those three can really bring it.
roger
November 12th, 2009
5:01 pm
Wow. I have been watching and enjoying the CMA Awards for over 20 years–I am 45–but last night’s travesty was sad. Taylor Swift is a non-talent who only appeals to children and teenagers. There is NO WAY she deserved to win anything except Album of the Year since it sold so many copies. But she…yes, it’s been stated plenty…CANNOT SING. She is assisted in the studio with technological tricks. Entertainer of the Year? Puh-lease. I would rather see the homeless guy in the subway who sings for coins win that honor than Taylor “I’m Like A Disney Chick” Swift.
This was a complete travesty.
The CMA Awards WILL NEVER RECOVER. This is like when Milli Vanilli won Grammy Awards only to be ‘outed’ as fakes.
Sad. The CMA’s should sell themselves to the Disney Channel.
And I didn’t hear one real country song last night on the show except for George Strait. He’s the best and should win Male Vocalist and Entertainer next year or there is no going back…
NH
November 12th, 2009
6:00 pm
Taylor Swift.. is a JOKEEEE…she cant sing a bit in person, what do they do to her CD’s???.. Carrie Underwood was pretty.. love her dresses… I cant believe that Taylor got all them awards.. Lady Antebellum & Darius Rucker was amazing!!!
John
November 12th, 2009
6:10 pm
Rodney Ho- The National Audience watching the CMA Awards last night had ALREADY heard of Zac Brown Band…..they were nominated for 4 awards and had three #1 hits this past year. The show was terrible up until they took the stage and then they rocked it and got a standing ovation. They didn’t need to play one of their hit songs from this past year….we hear those songs 100 times a day on the radio. If people hadn’t heard of them or seen them at this point then those people must live under a rock.
Laura
November 12th, 2009
6:38 pm
Enter your comments here
Taylor Swift can not sing live. So many talented performers in country music that deserved the awards she won. CMAs are a joke.
Britt
November 12th, 2009
7:24 pm
I agree. Taylor Swifts wins are a joke. This girl cant sing!! Everybody was else was much more deserving. The CMA’s are a joke.
I can’t believe RAscal Flatts didnt win for vocal group. They deserved it. Just look at the statistics. a platium album, a #1 single and #2single, sold out venues ete etc. i could go on. the cmas are soooo biased.
Laura!
November 12th, 2009
10:25 pm
Taylor swift is an absolute genious! She’s an amazing performer and so many people relate to her songs! As a twenty year old college girl i believe that she’s unbelievably talented and an inspiration to girls of all ages everywhere! When I’m having a bad day I can listen to a Taylor swift cd and feel like I’m not the only girl who struggles with relationships or everyday dramas. Taylor swift sold more albums than any other person at the CMA’s last night! She deserved every award she received last night! As for her singing I thought she did a good job! I would like to see how well you would sing in front of millions of people! I love you Taylor swift! Your songs mean so much to me and you really are an inspiration to me!
RUSSELL
November 13th, 2009
12:41 am
I THINK KEITH URBAN SHOULD HAVE WON EOTY.
Relentless
November 13th, 2009
12:48 am
Zac was awesome last night. But,”Joe Fan”, he was born and raised in Cumming, Ga. I should know, because he grew up in my house. He did spend his senior year of school in Dahlonega.
aim
November 13th, 2009
12:43 pm
Taylor Swift is awful. There was so much talent at the cma awards. Taylor does not have talent, she can’t even sing. Who picks the winners, 15 year old fans. Not good, waste of my time. CMA’s biggest joke of the year!!!!!!!
Allison
November 13th, 2009
1:08 pm
Taylor Swift was the least person i thought should win female vocalist of the year. She shouldn’t even have been nominated. Carrie Underwood should have won. Taylor is NOT a good singer. she should be a song writer alone! She also should not have one entertainer of the year. And I am just as confused with her winning female vocalist and entertainer of the year as Lady Antebellum winning vocal group! Rascal Flatts should have won!!! This has been one of the biggest jokes of the acms ever.
Allison
November 13th, 2009
1:08 pm
Taylor Swift was the least person i thought should win female vocalist of the year. She shouldn’t even have been nominated. Carrie Underwood should have won. Taylor is NOT a good singer. she should be a song writer alone! She also should not have one entertainer of the year. And I am just as confused with her winning female vocalist and entertainer of the year as Lady Antebellum winning vocal group! Rascal Flatts should have won!!! This has been one of the biggest jokes of the cmas ever.
piscesmomof4
November 14th, 2009
3:13 am
The amount of hate here is pretty disturbing. While I agree that Taylor’s greatest strength is her heartfelt and real songwriting, she should be allowed to not be crucified for singing since they are her own songs! I can think of several other singers whose singing is comparable to Taylor’s or even less tolerable that have become SUPERSTARS because of their bodies-not their talent. I have no expectation of any of them spelling correctly much less putting a complete thought in a rhyme!
I am pretty sure that Kris Kristofferson was not treated or condemned this way and God love him, being brilliant(a Rhodes Scholar) couldn’t help him overcome the reality that on his best day, he simply couldn’t sing 5 notes without slightly mangling 2 of them. He wrote some of the best country songs ever though. Why should she give up the credit for her song? I doubt many people know that Billy Joel wrote “Shameless” not Garth. And if you do, would you have remembered it if Joel wasn’t famous already? Leave Taylor’s singing alone.
Sam
November 14th, 2009
2:32 pm
I’ve never been on this blog before, so I don’t know the characters here, but I’ve read through every post, and I really don’t think anyone “HATES” Taylor Swift or that they even don’t recognize she has oodles of fans! It’s just that the girl CANNOT SING WORTH A NICKEL! I’ll admit, I am one of those American Idol fans who has been listening to Country music only since Carrie won Idol. And then there was Kellie Pickler (who, by the way, can also outsing Taylor Swift any day (but has not won any award that I can think of), and she also wrote many of the songs on her first album)! So Taylor isn’t even the only talented songwriter! Personally, I think Taylor’s songs (about past boyfriends mostly) are sounding very much alike these days, and are becoming more boring by the minute! I do know why she is so popular though! She’s cute, friendly, plays the guitar and sings (??) ~ and little girls everywhere have crowned her their personal “princess” just like they crowned Miley before her. (These little girls love blondes, by the way.) And they love it when she “flings” that blonde hair all over the place. To them, it doesn’t matter that she can’t sing ~ after all, most of them can’t either ~ so she sounds just like them! So they run out and buy her records, and beg Mom & Dad to take them to her concerts ~ and so the $$$ keep flowing in! That’s how she makes all those millions! So the rest of the world (Country fans and Pop fans alike) must SUFFER like we did a few nights ago! It’s very sad, but true. Someone above said she’s nervous, and so young? Well, I could name a bunch of singers her age who sing beautifully, acapella. Youth has nothing to do with it when you’re a born singer!
Sam
November 14th, 2009
2:36 pm
Oops! Didn’t mean to hit “Send”
But anyway, Taylor is NOT a born singer! Her type singing can be heard in any bathroom shower in the nation ~ including mine!
Jerry
November 14th, 2009
5:09 pm
So you guys say that someone like MArtina has the best vocals so she should have won. Some people like her did NOTHING. Taylor Swift had the best year get over it. Blah Blah Blah its over she won.
Janie
November 14th, 2009
8:31 pm
Enter your comments here
It’s not hating Taylor Swift to say she didn’t deserve the female vocalist of the year award. She is a cute kid with lots of songwriting musical talent, but, in my opinion, she is really not a singer. The only award I really take issue with is the vocalist. Zac Brown Band is just awesome, so talented. I enjoyed their cover song but would have loved to heard one by them. Their new cd is great. Surely they’ll be winning next year. I don’t think anyone can out sing Carrie Underwood, just my opinion. Sugarland’s song was beautiful, and I liked the one with Vince Gill and Daughtry, beautiful. I agree with a previous poster, In Color, is an amazing song. All and all the show was entertaining, and I enjoyed it. I wish the best for Taylor Swift, but just don’t agree with the female vocalist award.
Larry
November 15th, 2009
4:43 pm
This is a funny site. I am with Tina and Really? and all of those who understand what Taylor Swift has accomplished in such a short time. She’s an awesome entertainer and talented songwriter. Funny site.
ZBB lover
November 17th, 2009
9:45 am
The Zac Brown Band was asked to perform The cover of Devil by the producer. They did not ask them to play one of their songs. You don’t get to decide what you want to play on these things they tell you.
Suzie Q
November 21st, 2009
4:36 pm
I have been reading all of your comments and we are all entitled to our own opinions. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In my opinion, Taylor Swift has immense talent and this is because she has crafted her very own sound. Her voice, yes is “small”, soft and she is definitely not a powerhouse vocalist. But I have news for you people out there who disagree with her wins at the CMAs: THAT’S SHOW BUSINESS, BABIES!!!! Lastly, Martina has won several awards. Carrie has won several awards. Most of the people she has beaten out have either been nominated many times (remember, it is always an “honor just to be nominated”)and/or won many times. They’ve had their shot at it for years. Let this young vivacious beautiful sweetheart of a young lady, who by the way exudes class, manners and wisdom beyond her years, have her day in the sun. Stop hatin’.
Jon D
November 28th, 2009
10:35 am
Ok so I just watched the CMA’s and do think there is a little politics going on. ZBB with no awards? What? These guys are great and really deserved an award. I wouldn’t have tried running against Charlie Daniel’s on Devil Went Down to Georgia but it was an interesting version of it. Regardless ZBB is an awesome talent all of their own and should have been rewarded as a break out artist. Anyway had to research the internet on why they didn’t get an award and still haven’t figured it out.