Thoughts on the CMA awards show
Iknow the CMA ceremonies were held last week but I didn’t get the chance to comment on time for my Friday column. I am usually disappointed because it is never country enough for my taste. Here are a few things that got my attention at this year’s ceremony.
Miranda Lambert performed a traditional country song titled ‘To Learn Her’ from her album The Weight of These Wings, singing into an old stand-up mic reminiscent of the Patsy Cline era.
The performance of this superb ballad was breathtaking with the song’s lovely harmonies and beautiful slide guitar. Lambert was a reason good enough to watch the broadcast. It was a sober moment of pure delight showcasing the talent of this artist.
Of course, the participation of the new Hall of Fame inductee Alan Jackson also made this evening worth watching. Seeing and hearing him perform reminded us why he has been having such an enduring career.
Jackson performed his 1990 hit single ‘Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow’ and everyone sang along, offering a standing ovation at the end. Today, when modern country artists are taking a more pop music approach to the genre, Jackson showed that traditional and classic country music will always remain the best.
Jackson then performed another oldschool hit, 1991’s ‘Don’t Rock The Jukebox,’ to close out the show with co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. Needless to say that it was a delight.
The tall singer 59, recently released a nostalgic single called ‘The Older I Get,’ which is slated for his new album that will be released in 2018. Can’t wait to get this new collection from Alan Jackson.
We also got the chance to witness a special reunion. Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush (Sugarland) came together to introduce the nominees for Vocal Duo of the Year. The duo has released its fair share of hits, including ‘All I Want to Do,’ ‘Already Gone,’ ‘Stay,’ and ‘Stuck Like Glue.’
Sugarland has received the CMA Award for Vocal Duo of the Year a total of five times. While they were presenting the award at this year’s ceremony, the two made a comment about how they may win the award again in the future. As you would expect, that comment got fans’ hopes up that a real reunion would be coming soon.
Sugarland hasn’t released a new album as a duo since 2010’s The Incredible Machine. They continued to perform together for a couple more years, but went on hiatus to put emphasis on their individual careers in 2012.
During their time off from the duo, Nettles released two solo albums and a Christmas collection. She also took the role of Dolly Parton’s mother Avie Lee Parton in the made-for-television movies ‘Coat of Many Colors’ and ‘Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.’
As for Bush, he released a solo record of his own. He also released multiple singles, and recorded a theme song for the popular television series ‘Say Yes to the Dress.’ After all of that buzz, it didn’t take long for the duo to confirm the news that they are indeed releasing a new album.
Something else created a huge buzz among artists and fans as well. The sixtime CMA Entertainer of the Year, Garth Brooks, lip-synced during his performance at the 51st annual CMA Awards on November 8.
Garth Brooks, newly crowned CMA Entertainer of the Year, admitted to lipsyncing for Wednesday night’s show, explaining that he’s in the middle of 12 shows in 10 days, and his voice was shot.
“We decided to lip-sync it because my voice just isn’t going anywhere, and we wanted to represent country music the best we can,” he said to reporters after the show. However, not everyone thinks lip-syncing was the best path.
Some artists and fans did not take it easy on him, but he did have two country music stars defended him. Blake Shelton and Randy Travis spoke their minds on the matter, and Brooks should be happy that they’re in his corner.
Unless you have been in this situation, you can’t understand that performing as many shows in just a few days as Brooks did, can take a toll on your voice. I’m not a huge fan of lipsyncing, but let’s be honest. We know that many artists do it on the awards shows. Not to mention, we all know Garth Brooks can sing, and if his voice pays the price because he’s giving it all to his fans, then so be it.
Finally the last thing that really got the attention at the CMA Awards is the wardrobe changes of co-host Carrie Underwood. This year 10-time host Carrie Underwood showed that not only can she bring a crowd to tears with her fascinating voice, but that she can make fashion statements.
Underwood hit the stage in one gorgeous look after the other; the star changed 11 times and each outfit topped the one before it. She also did a wonderful job as a co-host. Hope you got the chance to watch it.