Johnson’s Redemption and Sugarland’s Oversight
It’s the day after the CMA Awards show, and I’m thinking about Country Music Hall of Fame members and Jamey Johnson and Sugarland. Thank goodness, the Country Music Association and the awards show producers had a change of heart and devoted a short segment to this year’s Country Music Hall of Fame inductees -- Ralph Emery, Vince Gill and Mel Tillis. This was the first year the formal inductions didn’t take place on the awards show telecast and some people were downright pissed off when they heard that the CMA wasn’t even planning to acknowledge the newest Hall of Fame members during the show. The quick video retrospective was efficient and much better than nothing at all.
It was good to see and hear the references to Hall of Fame member Porter Wagoner, who died recently. But as Chet Flippo points out in his latest Nashville Skyline column, why was there no mention of Hank Thompson, a Hall of Fame member who died this week? Granted, his name isn’t as familiar as Wagoner’s, but you’d think somebody at the CMA would have ensured that Thompson’s passing was mentioned.
It was also good to see Jamey Johnson win the song of the year award with co-writers Buddy Cannon and Bill Anderson. After his acceptance speech for co-writing the George Strait hit, “Give It Away,” Johnson will be known as the guy who thanked his ex-wife for being such a good mother to his kids. Johnson released a fine album on BNA Records in 2005, scored a hit single with “The Dollar” and then got dropped from the label shortly thereafter, so it must be gratifying to win his first CMA trophy. He’s selling his new album, That Lonesome Song, via iTunes and his MySpace page.
And when Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush accepted their vocal duo award, you’d think they’d have thanked Kristen Hall, the singer-songwriter who was part of the act when their first album was released. I contend that Hall was largely responsible for their win in this particular category. Hell, if she hadn’t left the band, Sugarland wouldn’t even be a vocal duo in the first place.
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Audrey Nolen says:
First, I was very disappointed in this years show. I am a avid fan of country music. I really find it hard to believe that not one minute could be taken to go through the stars which have passed this year. Whats wrong with the Grand Ole Opry? That place alone is the root of country music.
Second, I do like the country rock, but I like straight country, as well as bluegrass. Is the only thing that is important was to have stars perform rather than to give out all the awards.
Thirdly, the Hall of Fame new inductees were cheated. Is their contribution of no importance? CMT really let the fans down last night.
I have never felt the need to write down my comments before, but the show was sadly lacking in the heart and soul of the music.
B.W. LaRoy says:
This was a real Blog. Hooray. I only watched the first half of the show, but you know what???…that’s all I needed in order to get that yearly reminder…this is a television program…ntohing more…and a live one at that. The stars of music and television are not used to live…at all. Even in a live concert…the entire outcome is rehearsed rehearsed rehearsed until it’s a cookie cut-out formula show. This is SHOW BIZ folks. And when it’s live…down and dirty…it’s not really alive like SHOW BIZ does it best…edited and packaged and promoted well, but not LIVE. Faith McGraw, the queen of showing her real self LIVE…didn’t even have the guts to be LIVE this year. Too bad. Cuz that kind of LIVE is where the rubber hits the road baby! B.W. LaRoy
JG says:
I totally agree about Sugarland. I love their music but how can they not thank Kristen??? And how are they in the Vocal Duo category anyway. Jennifer sings all the leads.
Eileen says:
I loved the show, the Eagles were great! Everyone looked nice except Jennifer Nettles. I watched her on the red carpet, and she looked very nice. But what did she do to her hair when she performed? Oh my goodness! My hair looks better than that when I wake up!! Jennifer the Grunge look is totally history!!
Lindy says:
What a sad sad comment on country music today..that they could not take five minutes out to remember one of the REAL country music greats Hank Thompson. But then most of these “country” singer today have no idea who the greats are that paved the way for them in REAL country music..these people are too busy making it pop.
Tom N,J, says:
Hey JG,
Ever hear of Ronnie Dunn he sings all the leads in whats his name _________ & Dunn. Sugarland is the best in the land and without the powerhouse vocals of Jennifer Nettles they would have went no where. At least Kristian can sing thats more than ________ of Dunn solo can. There is only one Ronnie Dunn and only one Jennifer Nettles. Hazel Smith needs to understand that also