Nashville’s week to shine.. CMA Award week in review
It was quite a week in Nashville leading up to country music’s biggest night,The 44th Annual CMA Awards Show. Before we get to the big night… lets look back at some of the things that happened this week…
Many events leading up to the awards are what make CMA week so much to look forward to. On Monday, Big Machine hosted a night at the Tin Roof with Adam Gregory… Kenny Chesney & The Wailers (Bob Marley’s band) had an impromptu show at Tootsies Orchid Lounge and Kid Rock & Lil Wayne made appearances at both Tootsies & The Stage… Tuesday afternoon, Universal South served lunch and showcased Randy Houser & Jonathan Singleton while Kevin Costner & Modern West performed later that evening on the outdoor stage. Tuesday night, Adam Gregory had a more private party for the visiting radio folks at his managers loft on 2nd avenue where Gregory played an acoustic set in the living room… but Dierks Bentley out did himself hosting an outdoor shindig on his property including a bon fire, BBQ, ATV 4-wheelers and of course, music. Wednesday morning, if you were sleeping on the north side of the Hilton, you didn’t sleep past 3am when crews began sound checking for Miley Cyrus’s appearance on Good Morning America at the Chevy Stage located between the Hilton & the Sommet Center. The free show began around 6am. Now whether Miley’s show was so electrifying or Murphy’s Law is unclear, but around 11am, the power went out all down the strip leaving The Sommet center, The Hilton and all of Broadway and 2nd avenue in the dark. Some clubs sent its employees home and never re-opened… other clubs like The Cadillac Ranch which was hosting its own viewing party & after party later that evening proactively rushed out to get an industrial sized generator. But the show must go on and indeed it did as Nashville Electric Service had everything up and running before the big event to take place at 7pm.
At 6pm, ,The 44th Annual CMA Awards Red Carpet hosted by Chuck Wicks & Sarah Buxton saw your favorite stars decked out in their best… well most of them… save Kid Rock… but at least he had a shirt on… and where Taylor Swift talked about how her “400 lb dress made of rocks” was hard to walk in. It was rumored that Bruce Springsteen would make an appearance… but although the boss had something else to do, we saw Billy Ray embrace another surprise artist… Shania Twain… who later brought the house to its feet when she presented the Entertainer of the Year award… said “Trust me, it’s great to see all of you too!”
No real surprises on stage as far as awards go… Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood not only took home matching Male & Female Vocalists of the year awards, but also did an amazing job at hosting for the first time… Brad did a great job with a few cute lines about Taylor sneaking out to see the show and George Strait being around to see the many changes like the invention of the wheel & when Sugarland was a trio. Kenny Chesney tied Garth Brooks with most Entertainer of the Year awards with his 4th win last night. Carrie teared up towards the end of her song where we later learned it was because her mother was sitting near the front crying during the performance. George Strait now has a record 22 CMA awards, surpassing the previous record of 19 held by Brooks & Dunn when he accepted his awards for album & single of the year… and the most surprised last night was Lady Antebellum who apparently never expected to win repeating “Oh My Gosh” a hundred times on stage. Another great moment we cant forget was when Brad Paisley came from backstage after being named CMA Male Vocalist, jumped down hugged & kissed his wife, actress Kimberly Williams and then kissed her baby bump… the one with their second child in it. Somewhere in Oklahoma, I’m sure Toby Keith was unimpressed by any of it… if he was even watching… and who could blame him… he was snubbed again this year by the CMA’s with not even a nomination… although he was the #1 ticket seller & album this year surpassing Kenny Chesney…
After the awards… stars and fans flooded Broadway to celebrate in their ceremonial best. While the Big Machine party was the closest after party… located in the Jack Daniels bar on the suite level of the Sommet and hosted the labels stars like Jack Ingram, Jimmy Wayne, Taylor Swift, Reba, Kid Rock, Emerson Drive, Lady Antebellum & Reese Witherspoon… The Sony / BMG party was gearing up at The Nashville Schermerhorn Symphony Center and celebrating with another big Kenny, Brad & Carrie win… who were also present along with the rest of their artist roster… with an elaborate tented area filled with fountains, red carpets, live music and great eats. Across town producer extraordinaire, James Stroud filled a performance room with delicate curtains, comfy couches & chairs, a yummy spread and entertainment from Stroud’s new label “Stroudavarious”. Guests included Chris Young, Darryl Worley, Aaron Tippin, Richie McDonald & Lorrie Morgan among others.
All and all it was a great night for country music, the artist, the fans and Nashville… now the planning begins… not only for next year but for Nashville’s next big event… The 2009 CMA Country Music Festival coming in the summer of 2009… Tickets are still available at http://www.cmafest.com/2009/
Gotta question for those of you reading this… What do YOU think about Toby Keith not being nominated? Do you care? Do you think he was robbed? Feel free to post your thoughts!!
