Regardless of who takes the trophies, CMT awards promise to be a party

By PETER COOPER
Staff Writer


Published: Sunday, 04/15/07

Seems like there are an awful lot of music awards shows out there, and it's tough for one of them to stand out as something distinct from the rest.

Most years, the CMT Music Awards show is quite distinguishable, though. Teary acceptance speeches are ditched in favor of a smiling, sometimes cheeky approach, and host Jeff Foxworthy aids in the merrymaking. Country's biggest stars do tend to show up and perform, and the sound is usually better than is heard on some other awards shows.

In any case, here's an awards show that doesn't attempt to position itself as something altogether serious or important. It's more like an all-star game than a championship contest, which seems to suit everyone just fine.

By the way, have you ever tried to handicap an all-star game? It's essentially futile. Instead of a bettor's guide, then, we'll take a look at some of the things to watch for at this year's show:

1) Who will win Video Director of the Year?

Well, there is at least one category that is taken quite seriously: this one. Video directors don't typically get a lot of time in front of the cameras, and this is a big moment. Wes Edwards' work on Jason Aldean's "Amarillo Sky" provided for a country video that looked like a big-time, cinematic production, and Shaun Silva saw to it that Kenny Chesney's "You Save Me" was as adventurous as has been attempted in country. But Roman White is perhaps most likely to take this prize, for directing Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats," even though there's at least one note of unreality in that vid. Wouldn't Carrie have used an aluminum baseball bat to mess up her dude's car instead of a wooden Louisville Slugger?

2) Will a serious tribute steal this irreverent show?

A centerpiece of the CMT Music Awards this year appears to be the all-star presentation of the Johnny Cash Visionary Award to Country Music Hall of Famer Kris Kristofferson. Rosanne Cash, Gretchen Wilson, Keith Urban, Luke Wilson, Martin Scorsese, Russell Crowe, Willie Nelson and Don Was will be featured in a tribute to Kristofferson, who is credited with being among a small group of singer-songwriters who changed the language and subject matter of country music.

3) Will Idol allure win out over fan club power?

The CMT Awards are fan-voted, which leads to a lot of fan clubs working overtime to get their favorite artist to win. American Idol, though, exists beyond the fan club world, giving bat-wielding Carrie Underwood and high-heeled shoe-wearing Kellie Pickler — Idol alums, both of 'em — a chance to compete against artists with well-oiled fan club machines.

4) Will the Dixie Chicks return to the country fold?

Exiled from mainstream country by a combination of personal choice and corporate mandate, the Dixie Chicks won a slew of Grammy Awards in February. The Chicks are nominated for group video of the year, though it would seem that Rascal Flatts' powerful fan club and mondo-commercial success would make for an easy victory. On the other hand, the Flatts guys are competing against themselves, since "Life Is a Highway" and "What Hurts the Most" are both nominated in the category. Could those songs split the Flatts vote and make for a Dixie Chicks victory? (Survey says: no way)

5) How will the best video category break down?

Here's the drill: Eight videos — from Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, George Strait, the Dixie Chicks, Carrie Underwood, Sugarland and Keith Urban — will be whittled down to a final pool of four at the beginning of the show. Then fans (or, we suppose, bored non-fans) may vote on the final contestants during the telecast.

6) What song will open the broadcast?

Online voters registered their votes for which song Rascal Flatts should perform at the show's opening: "Life Is a Highway," "Fast Cars and Freedom" or "Me and My Gang." Last year, the buzzword at the CMT Awards was "badonkadonk." This year, if "Me and My Gang" wins, we'll be able to see a show that includes the promise that the Flatters will "rock this thing, cock this thing." Ah, that good 'ol country music.

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl.../704150318/1005



I'm watching just for the Kris Kristofferson tribute, to see Rosanne Cash show everyone what a real singer sounds and looks like. And for the possibility that maybe, just maybe, the Chicks won in just one of the categories they were nominated in.

Thanks Sandi for the info. I wasn't sure I would watch it, but for Kris Kristofferson (and Rosanne) - I think I might try to catch that part. Thanks again Sandi.

Good to see the CMT folk honoring Kristofferson, since he is fairly atypical of Nashville in terms of his songwriting content (and he's also not half-bad a movie actor, as his turn as Billy in PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID will attest).

As for the Chicks--they probably won't lose any sleep, regardless of whether or not the CMT forgives them. After all, as John Lennon once quipped, time wounds all heels (LOL).

I doubt I will the awards but will be interested in the Kris Kristofferson honoring - it's about time!
As for Rascal Flatt's remix of Life is a Highway, sorry just doesn't do anything for me. The Dixie Chicks will probably not be there and I'm pretty sure they won't lose any sleep if they don't win an award after the way Country Music radio and the Association has treated them. That's just my own two cents.

Quote by TRISHAFAN4LIFE re. Rascal Flatts:



Same here. Then again, I never cared too much for Rascal Flatts anyway. And after they showed a complete lack of understanding of "Hotel California" and "Life In The Fast Lane" on (what passed for) the tribute to the Eagles on the Grammys, I really don't give a d**n for them now.

I doubt the chicks video will make the final 4 for video of the year. Which is sad, seeing it was clearly the best country video of the year.

The Kris Kristofferson tribute was beautiful.

Overall, the show was good. Jeff was hilarious as usual. How funny was the opening with the "mini-stars"? The Kristofferson tribute was definitely the highlight. Loved Sugarland's performance.

Kristofferson honored for innovation and vision
By BEVERLY KEEL
Staff Writer


Published: Tuesday, 04/17/07
Kris Kristofferson was presented with the Johnny Cash Visionary Award by Rosanne Cash Monday at the CMT Music Awards in a week when the late legendary singer has been on the minds of so many.

"God bless you, John, for the love and joy you've given and the living inspiration you are," Kristofferson said after accepting the award onstage at Belmont University's Curb Event Center. "Bob Dylan said it best. He said John was like the North Star. You could guide your ship by it."

Songs are legend

Kristofferson, 70, a Country Music Hall of Famer, is considered one of country music's greatest songwriters for works such as "Sunday Morning Coming Down," "Me and Bobby McGee," "For the Good Times" and "Why Me."

He sang as one of the Highwaymen with Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, and has enjoyed an impressive acting career. Cash was his mentor and close friend for much of his life.

Cash is missed

"John was probably the biggest reason that I'm standing here today," Kristofferson said backstage after accepting the award. "He was my hero . . . he was my inspiration and my champion. He stood up for me when a lot of people didn't. He meant so much to me, his integrity and his power. To be holding this today is like some kind of dream that I wouldn't even have the nerve to dream."

Kristofferson said receiving the award Monday — given in Cash's name to honor innovation and vision in creating music — was a bittersweet moment because of Cash's 2003 death and last week's fire that destroyed the Cash house in Hendersonville.

Many pay tribute

Willie Nelson, actor Russell Crowe, director Martin Scorcese and producer Don Was were among those paying tribute to Kristofferson in a taped presentation.

Before the show, Rosanne Cash said, "I wanted to give it to him. I said, 'You'd better not ask anyone else to give this to him because he is more deserving than anybody I know.'

"It's also bittersweet for me to come here. I'm going out to the see the house tomorrow that we lost. Kris is taking me, which is very gentlemanly of him. And so it's a mixture of a lot of bittersweet things, this visit for both of us, but I don't want to focus on that."

"I am so proud of Kris and so happy to be giving this to him," Cash said. "There are not many men like him in the world. Forget about songwriters; there aren't many men like him in the world."

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...ENT01/704170340

That's a great article, thanks for sharing it! I didn't see the show last night,(wild dogs couldn't make me sit through it) so I missed seeing the tribute, but I'm sure Rosanne did a Great Job presenting it, I can just imagine how emotional that was for them! Kris definately is deserving and it's great to see him recognized this way!
I can bet today, going to visit the remains of the house will be very trying and emotional as well, I'm glad they are going together and can lean on each other.

The Kristofferson tribute was beautiful. Was anyone else crying when he and Rosanne hugged when he accepted his award? I thought it was so fitting for a man who was so close to Johnny to receive an award with his name on it. Anyway, the rest of the show was good, although extremely predictable. I did love Sugarland's performance...that's one of my favorite songs of theirs. I was kind of wishing there would have been some other "new" songs performed. And seriously, could Blake Shelton be any funnier?!

I think I cried through the entire tribute, from the moment Rosanne started speaking. She is not just an amazing songwriter, but writer in general, and knows the art of delivery. The difference between her, and the others on the show, was unreal. She is so, so classy, poised, and commands respect. You could really see the bond between her and Kris.

Blake was funny, he's such a joker. I loved when he was on the Jeff Foxworthy show on CMT, talking about his tatto. Hysterical!

The Kris Kristoferson tribute was terriffic!!! The performances of the evenings, imho, were Sugarland and Martina McBride. Martina sang the heck out of "Anyway," man that woman can SING! She looked beautiful too!!! And Sugrland's song "Stay," omg, what a great song! Jennifer Nettles has such a unique voice that I come to respect the more and more I hear it! She sang that song with such emotion and conviction, it was great! Unforunately, I missed Keith Urban, but what I caught of the show, I did enjoy!

Many Blessings,
-Sarah Liz

Okay, the BEST part of the ENTIRE Show? Imho, Jeff Foxworthy's speech! The next time someone gets on me for liking country music (my musical choices have never been popular around my friends-LOL) I'm giong to refer them to Jeff's speech. He said it so incredibly well with tact and respect. The entire speech was great; espeically the part about us listeners being the backbone of this country, believing in God because we do, and families. Wow! I was so impressed. What a great reminder of why I'm still such a huge country music fan! Go Jeff!!! "....real music sung for real people by real people," thank you very much!

A Proud Fan w/ Blessings,
-Sarah Liz

Why I Like Country Music by Jeff Foxworthy:

"I like country music because it is about the things in life that really matter.
It ain't about bragging about how you are going mess someone up or how somebody ain't respecting you. It is about love, family, friends, with a few beers a cheap woman and a two timing man thrown in for spice.

It doesn't take political sides even on things as ugly as war instead it celebrates the brave men and women who go to fight them, the price they pay to do it, and the longing we have for them to return home to the ones they love.

It's about kids, and how there aint nothing like them. I get tired of hearing about how bad our kids are today because there are a lot of great kids today that just need someone to love em and believe in them. Country folks love their kids and they will jack you up if you try to mess with them.

People in country music people do not forget the people who allow them to do what they do for a living, they sign autographs and take picture with the fans because they know without them, most of us entertainiers would have to get a lot dirtier in the course of our work day we are thankful that people want to hear the songs and jokes we write.

Country music doesn't have to be politically correct we sing about God because we believe in Him. We're not trying to offend anybody, but the evidence that we have seen of him in our small little lives trumps your opinion about whether or not He exists!

We love Country music because it touches us where we live. It's about mommas and when they were hot, and when they were unnapreciated, and when they were dying. It's about daddies and the difficulties they sometimes have in telling the people that they work so hard to protect and provide for, and how they feel about them.

Country music is about new love and it is about old love it is about getting drunk and getting sober. It is about leaving and coming home.

It is about real music sung by real people for real people, the people that make up back bone of this country you can call us redneck if you want we are not offended, because we know what we are all about. We get up and go to work, we get up and go to church, we get up and go to war when necessary. All we ask for is a few songs to carry us along the way and that is why I love this show, because it isn't some self-important hollywood hype with the winners determined by somebody else in this show you decide who goes home with a trophy, and you get to dance and sing along with the people that bring you the songs of your life."

Notice, though, that the "You Might Be A Redneck" guy didn't mention some of country music's other timeless themes, which, in this age of political correctness and consistency in trying not to offend anyone, are all but absent from country radio. To paraphrasse David Allan Coe, Foxworthy didn't mention anything at all about Momma ("The Sweetest Gift")...or trains ("Wabash Cannonball")...or trucks ("Six Days On The Road")...or prison ("Folsom Prison Blues")...or gettin' drunk. And there's no mention about the fact of the genre's history that is rich in traditional songs about murder, adultery, or the lives of real cowboys, ranchers, and farmers--now there's the real country music. And not all of it is politically correct; nor is a lot of it inoffensive. But it's all real, which I believe is what largely separates the country music of the past from what passes for it today.

Jeff Foxworthy had an awful opening monologue at the CMT Awards, part of which included (yet again) bashing the Dixie Chicks.

And I beg to differ on various aspects of that piece that was posted, as well.

Sorry Sandi, I liked that part! LOL (I watched the performances and Jeff-I fast forwarded every award and speech-LOVE TIVO)! I haven't seen the whole thing yet, but hopefully later this week.
Anyway, I enjoyed Jeff, thought he did a pretty good job hosting. Better then some anyway...
Erik, I disagree. I think he covered things pretty well, old and new. I believe Mommas are a part of Family, so yeah, he did mention it-when he said country music is about family! He also mentioned it again: From Saras post:
-"We love Country music because it touches us where we live. It's about mommas and when they were hot, and when they were unnapreciated, and when they were dying. It's about daddies and the difficulties they sometimes have in telling the people that they work so hard to protect and provide for, and how they feel about them."--

As for getting drunk: heres his mention:
"Country music is about new love and it is about old love it is about getting drunk and getting sober. It is about leaving and coming home."
But I'd say this comment pretty much covers it best:
-"It is about real music sung by real people for real people"-love that line!

:shrug:

Things like this are the main reason why the "incident" is never going to go anyway.

Oh, let me clarify-my dislike of the DC has Nothing to do with "the incident" I like some of their songs, but have never liked them...

Quote by Tammy:



I probably missed that part, so I stand corrected.

Having read over what he said again, however, he still didn't mention songs about trains or trucks or prison, or the long-standing tradition of songs about murder or adultery that are a great part of country music's history as well. Leave any one of those things out, and it's not an accurate portrait of country music, just a politically correct and inoffensive one. And if people in country music don't try to find out about the genre's rich history, that to me is an extremely bad sign for country music's future.