47th Annual CMA Awards Complete Preview
THE 47th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS
” When: 7 PM Central, 8 PM Eastern on ABC. Time delayed for the West Coat.
” Where: The Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN.
” Hosts: Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood (6th consecutive year)
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
More Traditional Country Than One Might Expect
The pop and glitz of the CMA Awards go without saying, but we may see more classic and traditional country represented than in recent years, principally a full-blown tribute from George Jones who passed away earlier this year. George Jones was famously wronged by the CMA’s in 1999 when they told him he could only sing part of his song “Choices,” and again earlier this year when the CMT Awards only spent 30 seconds on their tribute to the Possum. Expect dues to be paid here when Alan Jackson and George Strait perform the tribute, however much it makes the producers wince that they’re losing their younger demographic.
Kenny Rogers will also be given a tribute with the recently-established Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
And last but not least, Taylor Swift‘s performance of her song “Red” with an All-Star cast that includes Vince Gill, Sam Bush, and Alison Krauss may be one of the surprisingly substantive moments of the night.
CMA producer Robert Deaton told the Tennessean, “I think the biggest thing I want to strive for is balance. I’m talking about balance of who we are as a music and a genre because we are a lot of different things, you want to be current but you also want to pay tribute to the shoulders that we stand on.”
Kacey Musgraves To Push Boundaries
Nominated for as many CMA’s as anyone on the night with 6, Kacey Musgraves is slated to perform her progressive single “Follow Your Arrow” that mentions both rolling up joints, and kissing girls. You can mark these down as significant moments on the great country music timeline when the lyrical content of the traditionally-conservative format were pushed once again.
Cross-Genre Appearances
There will be on rappers, no Lil’ Wayne, no Kid Rock this year, unless the CMA’s are hiding something up their sleeve. Instead we get Dave Grohl collaborating with the Zac Brown Band, Kelly Clarkson, and the rather innocuous Jason Mraz working with Hunter Hayes.
THE PRESENTERS
Artists confirmed to present awards include Kellie Pickler, Jake Owen, Lee Brice, Kelly Clarkson, Brett Eldredge, Eli Young Band, Kip Moore, and Sheryl Crow. Thompson Square will announce the pre-telecast awards for Musical Event, Music Video and Musician that were announced on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Non performers confirmed to be presenting awards include Connie Britton, and Charles Esten from ABC’s drama Nashville, Jase and Missy Robertson from Duck Dynasty, and Lucy Hale from Pretty Little Liars.
THE PERFORMERS
Special Performances & Collaborations
” Taylor Swift is scheduled to perform her song “Red” with help from Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, mandolin player Sam Bush, bassist Edger Meyer, and percussionist Eric Darden.
” George Strait and Alan Jackson will perform a tribute to George Jones.
”Zac Brown Band will perform with Dave Grohl who is rumored to be producing the band’s new album.
” Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan will perform together to open the show.
” Rascal Flatts, Jennifer Nettles, and Darius Rucker will perform a tribute to new Country Hall of Fame inductee Kenny Rogers.
” Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban will perform “We Were Us” together.
” Sisters Lennon and Maisy Stella from the ABC drama Nashville will perform.
Other Performers
- Jason Aldean
- Eric Church – “The Outsiders”
- Hunter Hayes w. Jason Mraz
- Lady Antebeullum
- Little Big Town
- Tim McGraw
- Kacey Musgraves – “Follow Your Arrow”
- Brad Paisley
- Blake Shelton
- The Band Perry
- Carrie Underwood
SPECIAL AWARDS
” Taylor Swift will receive the Pinnacle Award. It is “given to an artist who has achieved worldwide success and recognition that’s unique to country music.” The award was created in 2005, and has only been awarded one other time to Garth Brooks.
” Kenny Rogers will receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was created last year to recognize artists that have “achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, record sales, and public representation at the highest level.” Willie Nelson was the inaugural recipient.
AWARD NOMINEES
(Read Saving Country Music’s Predictions and Prognostications)
”Already Awarded: On Good Morning America, both the CMA “Musical Event of the Year” and “Music Video of the Year” was awarded to Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban for “Highway Don’t Care.”
Entertainer of the Year
- Blake Shelton
- Jason Aldean
- Taylor Swift
- George Strait
- Luke Bryan
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Jason Aldean
- Luke Bryan
- Blake Shelton
- Keith Urban
- Eric Church
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Kelly Clarkson
- Miranda Lambert
- Kacey Musgraves
- Taylor Swift
- Carrie Underwood
Single of the Year
- “Cruise”; Florida Georgia Line; Produced by Joey Moi; Republic Nashville
- “Highway Don’t Care”; Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban; Produced by Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw; Big Machine Records
- “Mama’s Broken Heart”; Miranda Lambert; Produced by Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, and Chuck Ainlay; RCA Nashville
- “Merry Go ‘Round”; Kacey Musgraves; Produced by Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves; Mercury Records
- “Wagon Wheel”; Darius Rucker; Produced by Frank Rogers; Capitol Records Nashville
Album of the Year
- Based on a True Story: Blake Shelton; Produced by Scott Hendricks; Warner Bros. Records
- Blown Away: Carrie Underwood; Produced by Mark Bright; 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville
- Red: Taylor Swift; Produced by Jeff Bhasker, Scott Borchetta, Nathan Chapman, Dann Huff, Jacknife Lee, Max Martin, Shellback, Taylor Swift, Butch Walker, and Dan Wilson; Big Machine Records
- Same Trailer Different Park: Kacey Musgraves; Produced by Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves; Mercury Records
- Tornado: Little Big Town; Produced by Jay Joyce; Capitol Records Nashville
Song of the Year
- “I Drive Your Truck,” Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, and Jimmy Yeary
- “Mama’s Broken Heart,” Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves
- “Merry Go ‘Round,” Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne, and Shane McAnally
- “Pontoon,” Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, and Barry Dean
- “Wagon Wheel,” Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor
New Artist of the Year
- Brett Eldredge
- Florida Georgia Line
- Kip Moore
- Kacey Musgraves
Vocal Duo of the Year
- Big & Rich
- Florida Georgia Line
- Love and Theft
- Sugarland
- The Civil Wars
- Thompson Square
Vocal Group of the Year
- Eli Young Band
- Lady Antebellum Other Potential Winner
- Little Big Town
- The Band Perry Winner
- Zac Brown Band
Musical Event of the Year
- “Boys ‘Round Here”: Blake Shelton (featuring Pistol Annies); Warner Bros. Records
- “Cruise”: Florida Georgia Line (with Nelly); Republic Nashville
- “Highway Don’t Care”; Tim McGraw (with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban); Big Machine Records – Winner
- “The Only Way I Know”; Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church; Broken Bow Records
- “Don’t Rush”: Kelly Clarkson (featuring Vince Gill) 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville
Music Video of the Year
- “Blown Away,” Carrie Underwood; Directed by Randee St. Nicholas
- “Boys ‘Round Here,” Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies; Directed by Trey Fanjoy
- “Downtown,” Lady Antebellum; Directed by Peter Zavadil
- “Highway Don’t Care,” Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban; Directed by Shane Drake – Winner
- “Mama’s Broken Heart,” Miranda Lambert; Directed by Trey Fanjoy
- “Tornado,” Little Big Town; Directed by Shane Drake
Musician of the Year
- Sam Bush (Mandolin)
- Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
- Dann Huff (Guitar)
- Brent Mason (Guitar)
- Mac McAnally (Guitar)
November 6, 2013 @ 9:55 am
FGL = Da 1 & only rill country muzik artiss on dat list!!!!
Yall donet no wot country even iz! Haytrzzzzz gunna hayt!!! (<——2 Possible Future song / album concepts)
November 6, 2013 @ 10:10 am
Looking forward to the Jones tribute with AJ and King George.
November 6, 2013 @ 10:19 am
Just a heads up, on the first line that should be 8 PM Eastern, not 6 PM.
November 6, 2013 @ 10:37 am
“There will be no rappers……”
Uh, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and all those other assholes say “hi”.
November 6, 2013 @ 12:22 pm
Ha!
I get what you’re saying, but I think that the hip hop community would agree with me: those dudes can’t rap.
November 6, 2013 @ 11:12 am
I could actually see Kacey Musgraves win album of the year, because of all the buzz she has received in the press. I don’t think any of those other albums were necessarily considered great albums, even in the mainstream world. I would not be shocked at all to see her win, because all the critics and indie people seem to love her. Plus she is singing about a few issues that are so popular in society right now and songs like “Follow your Arrow”, will get her a ton of backing. I know people don’t think the country music world is as open to these issues as the pop and rock world is, but I think they are more open than what people might think, especially if it’s coming from a female singer. I think this stuff would be much more taboo in country if it was a male singer singing about these things and portraying an image of two guys being together.
November 6, 2013 @ 11:26 am
It’s going to be the first CMA award show I plan to sit down and watch since 2008. It use to be one of the biggest nights of the year for me, however recently I just youtube performances I’d like to see the morning after and save about 2 1/2 hours of my life.
The only award I’m looking forward to is Entertainer of the Year. I’m hoping for a career achievement win for George Strait.
I’m a huge Foo Fighters fan. So, I’m interested to see /hear Dave Grohl’s performance with the Zac Brown Band. I’m not a ZBB fan, but at the same time don’t dislike them.
November 6, 2013 @ 11:37 am
Trigger, I’m glad you always give a blow by blow account of the show. That way I don’t have to waste two hours of my life. (by the way, you talked me into not watching at Duck Dynasty) Thanks for taking one for the team!
November 6, 2013 @ 11:54 am
That’s who’s opening the show, huh? I wonder how many minutes I need to wait before even turning on my tv.
Go George!
November 6, 2013 @ 2:56 pm
To not get discouraged to early, I will be watching the opening acts “muted.” I suggest the same.
November 6, 2013 @ 3:07 pm
That’s what I would do. (Plus, if the show is closed-captioned, I’ll be able to read the lyrics while in “mute” mode — might be good for some laughs…)
November 6, 2013 @ 11:56 am
I am really interested in Taylor’s performance tonight. I am anticipating a bluegrass version of her song “RED.” Also for her winning the pinnacle award… Do you think its too soon for her to win this? I mean she really hasn’t been in the industry for as long as Garth was when he won the award.
November 6, 2013 @ 12:21 pm
It really depends on how you want to perceive the “Pinnacle Award.” This is only the second time it has been given away, so beyond the criteria of “given to an artist who has achieved worldwide success and recognition that”™s unique to country music” I think the award remains a little ambiguous.
Aside from the obvious arguments on if you want to label Taylor Swift as country or not, if the award is meant to be given to artists who achieve the “pinnacle” of success in music, meaning that you really can’t get any higher than where they have gone, then on those criteria, I do think she deserves it. But since she arguably achieved this “pinnacle” by releasing pop songs, especially from her last album, I think the argument could be made that she doesn’t hold the country cred to win this type of award in the country realm.
In the end, this may have just as much to do with Taylor’s $4 million gift to the Country Music Hall of Fame, which after all is an institution governed by the CMA.
Honestly, I kind of don’t have a problem with it. I perceive it as a prestigious award, but sort of an obscure one as well, meant to recognize major commercial success, which Taylor Swift has clearly achieved, regardless of arguments on genre or taste.
November 6, 2013 @ 12:05 pm
So, looking at the nominees, it seems like Kacey and Brandy are the only dogs we have in this fight? Other than the musicians award, that is.
November 6, 2013 @ 12:07 pm
One thing I will say about Grohl is the guy is enthusiastic about making music and will do whatever the hell he wants whenever the hell he wants.
November 6, 2013 @ 5:09 pm
I like Dave Grohl for the same reason I like Jack White: they have an undeniable passion for music regardless of the genre.
And they have a respect for all the components of its craftsmanship. Grohl is just as content being a follower (drumming for Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age and Tenacious D, for instance) as he is a leader (lead vocalist of the Foo Fighters). And, it’s a huge plus to me that he doesn’t take himself too seriously unlike most other uncharismatic, dour, pretentious “post-grunge” band members.
I actually think him and the Zac Brown Band are a promising and probable solid fit. One criticism I’ve had of the Zac Brown Band as of late is that, in spite of their exquisite musicianship………..they still usually come off sounding like a reincarnation of James Taylor on more intimate songs and a hippy-dippy jam band on the more loose tracks. They can’t help but struggle breaking those perceptions, and I think Grohl will help stretch them outside of that while respecting their core band identity.
November 6, 2013 @ 12:08 pm
I feel crazy for even thinking this, but I think George Strait may actually win Entertainer of the Year. MCA has been pushing for it, and there seems to be genuine buzz.
I’m okay with it being a sort of “lifetime achievement” but he did earn it with a strong tour this year. And while I’ve always been a fan of his low key, no frills shows, he did put more effort into them this year by including older songs, interacting with the audience more (telling stories about older songs), and dueling with Martina Mcbride in the middle of sets.
tl;dr I think the good will and support is there, and you can’t deny that it would be unwarranted. The fact that he was nominated seems like a good indication.
November 6, 2013 @ 5:12 pm
I wouldn’t be bothered if he did win, even though I have to say “Love is Everything” is by far one of the weakest albums of his entire recording career and the single fact that “Give It All We Got Tonight” only reached #1 on Mediabase was attributed to a nearly-unprecedented shameless payola push after many consecutive weeks of struggling on the airplay chart………….STILL infuriates me.
That said, one guy that irritates me even more is Blake Shelton, and I would love to see him dethroned.
November 6, 2013 @ 1:21 pm
To its credit, the CMA features much less pop and glitz than the ACM or CMT awards.
November 6, 2013 @ 2:35 pm
If Kacey loses to FGL for best new artist I might choke a panda
November 6, 2013 @ 2:43 pm
If Kacey loses to FGL for best new artist, we should launch a boycott of the CMAs. Knocking down their ratings would be the best way to send them a message.
November 6, 2013 @ 5:02 pm
I already feel sorry for the Panda…
November 6, 2013 @ 3:07 pm
Chris Stapleton will be performing with Luke Bryan on Luke’s new song Drink a Beer. It will be awesome to see Chris on there just wish it wasn’t with Luke.
November 6, 2013 @ 5:19 pm
Chris Stapleton: (muttering: “I’d rather be drinking a bottle of the leaking waste at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation!”) 😉
November 6, 2013 @ 3:13 pm
And hold up, why isn’t Brad nominated for best male vocalist? Didn’t he have an album and a couple big singles and HOSTING the damn thing? I’m a huge Eric Church fan but but he didn’t put out anything this year Paisley should be in his place.
November 6, 2013 @ 4:00 pm
Check out msn.com for “5 Reasons we love Florida Georgia Line” just to get the bad taste into your mouth before the show starts!
November 6, 2013 @ 5:00 pm
How in the world is “Pontoon” nominated for anything again?Isn’t that thing like 3 yrs old now,or is it just that horrible that’s what it seems?
I sure hope Sam Bush wins Musican Of The Year.I seen him this year,the guy knows how to do it.
November 6, 2013 @ 5:23 pm
3 hours of wasted airtime… This farce will once again be so predictable.
Sickens me that AJ & GS are doing a tribute to George… Country turned their back on him long ago, and now they wanna honor him??? I’m sure AJ is torn but will do it anyway cuz of George Jones.
This show is such a train wreck … A mishmash of all the country pop tarts & dirtbags in one event…lock the doors and NEVER let them out.
If FGL doesn’t win I will be Very surprised. T Swift will come out & auto tune a song for everyone… Oh, but so will most of em. Wonder if that blonde pinhead from FGL even has his mic or guitar plugged in….
November 6, 2013 @ 6:10 pm
Lance, the show is just a symptom of our pop culture that has gone south, as in down the sewer.
November 6, 2013 @ 7:27 pm
You got that right Karen… We’re in big trouble 🙁
November 7, 2013 @ 9:43 am
Trigger’s predictions proved very accurate. Miranda is now tied with Reba for FVOY …4 years in a row.
Humility does not mean that you over elaborate…”I don’t know why we keep winning”. The minute the winning stops you will be very, very upset at the downhill slide.
Shock face will be replaced with Rascal Flatt face and Jason Aldean face.
Auto tune can be replaced with off key caterwauling when the system goes down.
Be thankful and gracious and someone get the hook when FGL goes on and on and on….. 😛