The 44th Country Music Awards (CMAs) premiered on November 10th at 8 p.m. This year it was hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. Every year the CMA's seem to grow in both success and amazing performances. This year was no exception. Starting off the night to a huge array of live performances was the amazing Carrie Underwood with the song "Songs Like This."
This year Mac Anally walked away with the title of Musician of the Year, beating out guitar players like Paul Franklin, Dann Huff, Brent Mason, and Randy Scruggs. This year's Music Video Award went to Miranda Lambert's "The House that Built Me," something that came as no surprise as she also had another video in the running, "White Liar." Blake Shelton, the fiancé of Ms. Lambert, picked up the Musical Event of the Year for "Hillbilly Bone." Lambert also walked away with Song of the Year, "The House that Built Me,' written by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, as well as Album of the Year, "Revolution," produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke, with the label company Columbia Nashville.
Lambert beat out artists like Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, George Strait, and Dierks Bentley for Album of the Year, though Lady Antebellum did take away an award before the end of the night. They received the Song of the Year Award with their hit song "Need You Now." They also performed the song "Hello World," a track from their album "Need You Now." Lady Antebellum surprisingly also walked away with the award for Vocal Group of the Year, beating out artists like Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, and the Zac Brown Band. Next up was Duo of the Year. That award was handed over to the amazing duo Sugarland. With their newest release "Stuck Like Glue" blaring out of Country Radio speakers, it came as no shock.
Taylor Swift sang one of her newest releases "Back to December," from her latest album "Speak Now," playing the piano as snow fell softly down on her and the audience. She was wearing a gorgeous dress and I enjoyed the different sound of her playing the piano instead of a guitar.
Gwyneth Paltrow gave a stellar performance, singing her newest hit for her upcoming movie "Country Strong." She did an amazing job, for one of her first country performances.
Kelly Clarkson also made an appearance after having fallen off the face of Country Music for some time, singing a duo with Country Artist Jason Aldean. They gave a fantastic performance of the song "Don't You Wanna Stay."
As the night wound down, the tension wound up. The next award was Artist of the Year, given to the Zac Brown Band. And then only three remained. The three most contended-for awards fell in quick succession, starting with Male Vocalist of the Year. Miranda Lambert, already beside herself from an amazing night, jumped to her feet as Blake Shelton was announced as this year's winner. She wasn't the only one crying tears of joy; with her was Reba McEntire. It was then both shocking and expected that who should receive this year's Female Vocalist of the year but Miranda Lambert. This newly- engaged couple is off to a fantastic year and it only seems to be getting better. Overall it seems as though the CMAs were leaning towards a more heart-to-heart kind of theme this year. Miranda Lambert is known for her sentimental but also crazy songs. This year, she took the cake with her sentimental side. Her performance of her song, "That's the Way the World Goes Round" rocked the audience with a high-energy performance where the metallic scenery matched her outfit.
Finally, it was time to announce this year's Entertainer of the Year. In the running were artists Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, and the Zac Brown Band. Tim McGraw announced this award, shouting out the winner with a huge smile on his face. This year's winner was Brad Paisley. Paisley walked onto the stage with tears in his eyes and a disbelieving expression. For the first moments after his name was called he was struck speechless. He quoted Little Jimmy Dickens, saying, "If you ever see a turtle on a fencepost, he had help getting there." It comes as no surprise to me that someone like Brad Paisley can still find a way to tell a joke as he suppresses tears of joy.
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosted the 44th annual CMAs.
