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Women win big at the ACMAsIf my AfterEllen pseudonym doesn’t give it away, I’m a southern girl through and through who’s spent all her life in Carolina and Tennessee. Thus, it is probably no surprise to you that in addition to being a pop culture addict, I am an avid country music fan. So to say my level of anticipation for Sunday night’s Academy of Country Music Awards was high would be an incredible understatement. The event, held in Las Vegas, was hosted for the tenth time by Reba McEntire.
Though Carrie Underwood opened the show performing her newest single, “Last Name,” her time to shine came later in the show. In a very poignant tribute to the recently passed Eddy Arnold, she and the winner for Video of the Year and Top Male Vocalist, Brad Paisley, sang Arnold’s 1965 hit “Make the World Go Away.” Though the standing ovation that followed was clearly for the fallen legend, I can’t help but wonder if they would have garnered the same reaction regardless. The two of them sounded absolutely fantastic together — and she didn’t look too terrible, either. Oh, and did I mention that Ms. Underwood also walked away with Top Female Vocalist honors? Yeah, I told you she had a big end to the night. But this wasn’t just The Carrie Underwood Show. On the contrary, there were actually many surprises on the night, each resulting in a win for the ladies. One of my all-time favorite singer-songwriters — Jennifer Nettles — won huge on the night. As one half (formerly one-third, before out lesbian Kristen Hall left) of Sugarland, she won Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Stay.” It is actually quite a feat that the two top honors for a song were given to “Stay” because it is entirely acoustic, which isn’t something often heard on country (or any other kind of) radio. Also, both categories were greatly lacking in female representation: Nettles was the only female nominated for Song and only one other woman (Miranda Lambert for “Famous in a Small Town”) was selected for the Single category. If you have never heard it, I suggest watching the video, which was also nominated for an award.
Additionally, the group gave one of the best performances on the night when they debuted their new single “All I Want to Do.” It was fun, it was well sung, and it gave me a chance to see Nettles swing her hips. You’re not getting any complaints from me! The award for Top New Female Vocalist went to the prodigal Taylor Swift, to no one’s surprise but her own. Personally, I find Swift to be a very accomplished song writer (especially for an 18-year old), but cannot for the life of me grow to enjoy her voice. However, I let go of the fact that she beat out former American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler when she gave an adorable speech thanking her mother.
Apparently I wasn’t the only one surprised, either. As she walked up on stage, Lambert let out a very visible “Oh, s---!” to which I laughed quite hard. I’m sure somewhere out there members of the FCC are crying. You can check out the complete list of winners here, but please do let me know if you all enjoyed it as much as I did. Am I alone in the AfterEllen universe with my love for all things country? I know I can’t be! Submitted by on May 19, 2008 - 5:00pm. |
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absolutely not!
I love all things country, too... I let out such a huge cry when Carrie Underwood won, that my dad actually came running up the stairs to see if I had hurt myself xD
I was a little bummed that Kellie Pickler didn't win, but I like Taylor Swift, so it wasn't all bad... And Carrie Underwood just keeps surprising me, she's awesome!
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I must admit I'm a bit of a
nope...
im an indie music junkie with a secret passion for country. especially old school reba / tanya tucker / etc. (the heart wont lie, with vince gill, will never stop being awesome)
so glad carrie underwood won!
also, i love that the male winners of american idol seem to fade away, while the women are still rockin' hard.
As a born Texan...
I have to say I do love me some country western singin'. Though I have to say I'm still preferring of the female voice! So I love the Dixie Chicks and actually I find Underwood fun too. Lambert said something about her boyfriend telling her that she could still be herself in this biz I think. It might have been another woman...but I think it was her. So, I was wondering how NOT religious she is...I think it was in reference to that. Anyway, I did enjoy the show!
P.S. Of all the southern accents, I love a Tennessee lilt WAY more than a Texan twang.
I was really excited for
I was really excited for the ACM's too! I love watching country awards shows, and having Reba host is always a plus. I actually like them so much that I have the last few ACM's CMA's, and CMT Video Awards burned on DVD. I also agreed with most of the winners. I'm glad Carrie won "Best Female Vocalist" again because she deserves it. The last couple of years Tim & Faith should've been nominated for Entertainers of the Year because their co-headling tour was in the top 5 (all music) grossing tours for both summers.
Brad & Carrie did sound wonderful together. On Brad's latest CD they had a duet called "Oh, Love" and it's really good. I thought it was so awsome that they had Carrie open the show...that's big deal! I think Rascal Flatts opened the last few years.
Im also a big Jennifer Nettles fan. The video and live awards show performances she's done of "Stay" are just incredible. I remember reading somewhere that she wrote the song in response to Reba McEntire's, "Whoever's In New England"...kinda the flip side of things. Ilove how JN is so passionate when she performs...and so sexy!
At the moment I'm trying to decide which country concerts I'm going to go to this summer...so many choices! Anybody have any suggestions? I saw Carrie Underwood last Febuary and it was incredible!
Thanks for the kudos,
Thanks for the kudos, coffeesky. And yeah, I was amazed, not amazed but wowed, that Carrie opened the show. I probably will never buy her albums but there is no denying that she can sing and she has mad stage presence. I just hope she continues to grow as an artist and stray a bit away from the country pop thing.
Re concerts, I'm up here in NYC and we don't get too many big acts except in some venues in New Jersey, the CT casinos and such. I missed Chesney when he played the Garden. But I did see Keith Urban at the Continental Arena in NJ last year and he was great. Also saw Marty Stuart at BB KIng's place. Marty is old school which I love and his passion is great.
If I could, I'd see Brad, B & D, Miranda and of course, Kenny. Oh, and I absolutely love Dierks Bentley! I truly believe that he is going to stick around a long time. He is a must see for me. Also, Gary Alan. I love him. He'll probably never be big like Keith and Kenny, but he is very talented.
Also Rascal Flatts looks like a fun time.
Got to add, that I am feeling this Ashton Shepherd. She's like Gretchen Wilson, only 100 times better. http://www.cmt.com/music/unplugged/performance/shepherd_ashton/1582620/performance.jhtml
I am a HUGE Jennifer Nettles
I love country...
as well as a lot of other different styles :)
It's hard for me to keep up with the latest and greatest country music though, since I live in the Netherlands and Country rarely makes it into the charts here... But that's where I love having the internet :D
I heart Sugarland
I just adore Sugarland and am so happy they won...I was hoping they would take the Duo category as well - maybe next year!
I was introduced to them throught the Indigo Girls song Rise Up when they sing about getting tickets to see Sugarland. Of couse I had to go find out who was Sugarland. I've been hooked ever since! I even went to see them open for Sara Evans who opened for Brad Paisley...I dragged my girlfriend to the show just for their set! After they were done we gave our tickets to some girls with bad seats and then went to Denny's! :-) It was well worth it!
I really want to see them now that they're a duo. Unfortunately the closest they come to Columbus is Jamboree in the Hills. Nothing I can do will make my girlfriend go to an all day country festival! :-(
I heart Carrie
I enjoy most Carrie Underwood's performances, but this one was great!!
Im am very glad that she won, she deserves it!
"You motherf---in' liar! F--- you, you lyin', lowdown, nanny-f---in' motherf---er"- Kit porter
"You can take it or leave it, but I'm not going to change, not for anyone."-Christina AguileraCarrie!!
crazy Carrie fan here! :D
Yee Haw!!
As one might infer from my moniker, I love me some country music. I need to say just how excited I was that Miranda won Best Album. I love her to pieces. Have both her first one and the current one. She's sort of an enigma b/c while critics and fans love her, she has taken a back seat to the Carries and Taylors of the world. Plus she's apparently never had a Top 10 record. But she will be around a long time. Even if she never becomes a big singles act, I predict a long career a la Emmylou Harris and Roseane Cash.
Feeling the Jennifer Nettles love as well. Love Sugarland and she's becoming an iconic figure in the genre. She sings with such joy and power and sincerity and man, she couldn't deny being country if she wanted to. That natural twang in her voice is what charms the hell out of me.
But can I just say that there's something about Kristian that irritates me. It's like he tries too hard to show that he's having such a good time. I try to tune him out. I always thought, even before Kristin left (and btw, does anyone agree with me that perhaps the real reason for her leaving was b/c Music Row wanted her to maybe lose some weight and downplay the queer angle? Not that she flaunted it, but she's not exactly closted.), that Jennifer would break out on her own and go solo. Let's face it, without Jen, Sugarland in its current form, is not much. It would always be Jennifer Nettles and Sugarland.
Lest anyone think I dismiss Carrie and Taylor, fear not. I respect Carrie and man, she can sing her asss off. I see a Faith Hill-ish future for her, but with a little more fire. But Taylor Swift? The girl has the goods! Saw an interview with her on GAC and she is funny, honest, and just a big kid having the time of her life! And I love that bottom lip of hers. Adorable.
I usually avoid awards shows except the Oscars. The CMT awards kind of irritate but these ACM's...I was psyched for it. Love the women artists coming up but I have a serious crush on Kenny Chesney. I used to not like him...he was a Jimmy Buffet/Garth wanna be. But more and more he amazes me. I actually voted for him ( I never do that stuff) b/c he *is* the Best entertainer in Country. Now I love me some Keith Urban and I'm smitten with Paisley and Brooks and Dunn (Ronnie's tenor is the most amazing thing. When he does "Believe" I always get teary eyed.) but KC is in another realm.
I love all music from Sinatra to Springsteen to Snoop to Salsa. But I am always amazed at the relationships between fans and artists in this genre.
Can somebody please tell Rodney whatshisname to lose the beatup baseball cap at these things? Either wear a Stetson or go hatless.
Play Something Country!!!
Great Post! ITA about
Great Post!
ITA about Ronnie singing "Believe"...it gets to me every single time! It totally deserved to win song of the year a couple yrs ago at the CMA's. As much as I love Brad Paisley, I did vote for Kenny as Entertainer of the Year because these days he totally is. I also feel the same way regarding Sugarland...Kristian tries too hard, and that group wouldn't be anywhere without JN, they're putting out their 3rd albumn soon, but if she wanted to leave and go solo she wouldn't have any trouble. Have you seen their blueglass version of "Irreplacable"...it's pretty cool. I really thought that Kenny Chesney's "Don't Blink" was going to win best single or song (it's still placed constantly on the radio), but I LOVE "Stay" and I was really happy that it won. Sugarland did actually win best duo over Brooke & Dunn at last years CMA's so I was actually surprised that they didn't pull off the upset again.
Great Post! ITA about
*double post*
Sugarland band