ACM Awards Show Is All About Exposure
Kenny Chesney might pull down the entertainer of the year trophy at Sunday’s 43rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards for the fourth straight year, tying Garth Brooks for the second-longest run in history. Rascal Flatts might well nab its sixth consecutive honor as top vocal group, tying Alabama for the all-time mark.
That’s interesting stuff, but what the awards mean more than anything is exposure. Artists hope exposure will generate album and concert-ticket sales, while CBS hopes to expose the show to enough people to drive up ratings and future advertising. That leads to an interesting interplay. The people who program these shows often want familiar music to guarantee viewers will stay tuned. The artists like to use awards shows to instantly create familiarity for new material.
In one of the ultimate showdowns over this issue, the Country Music Association in 1999 refused to let Faith Hill debut a new song, instead insisting that she perform the established “The Secret of Life.” She threatened to not perform, and she ultimately won out. It proved a key moment in the marketing of that next song. Maybe you’ve heard of it? “Breathe.” Last year’s ACM show (May 15, 2007) succeeded in a couple of similar ways. Host Reba McEntire joined Kelly Clarkson to debut a new song, “Because of You,” which MCA released to radio the very next day. Instant hit. Tim McGraw debuted “If You’re Reading This,” pondering the realities of the war in Iraq. It wasn’t originally released as a single, but radio airplay of that live performance turned it into one.
The same approach is being taken this year. Sugarland’s “All I Want to Do” gets its TV premiere on the show and the studio version will be made available to radio that night. Kellie Pickler will also debut “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” the first single from her second album. Will it work? We can’t possibly know yet, but history says what you hear for the first time Sunday (May 18) might be what you hear on your radio for months to come.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
kayefun says:
I’m sure this will be a GRAND night, the first and biggest reason I’ll watch is REBA, followed by hoping to glimpse Trace Adkins.
Deborah Merritt says:
I am watching the ACM’s to see #1 Trace Adkins perform.
For some unknown reason he did not receive an ACM nomination?
#2 to find out who gets entertainer of the year (first time fans gets to vote) this should be interesting. It’s always the same person over and over, give someone else a chance and that’s what happened this year.
I hope Brad Paisley wins!!
#3 I love Miranda Lambert. I am anxious to find out if
she wins. Hopefully she’s performing?
and of course the RED CARPET before the ACM’s!
kayefun says:
Good Blogging Deb, I felt the need to add just one more thing, if that RED CARPET isn’t RED, don’t say it’s RED, CMT. The CMT Awards had a beautiful purple carpet worthy of country music royalty with ‘red carpet coverage’ probs because they think the term ‘red carpet coverage’ would be more easily understood. Please, if the RED CARPET isn’t RED, don’t say it is. Thank you for allowing me to feel better on this subject.
Janiece Logan says:
I would like to know ow to get a hold of Joe Nichols. I have a suggestion for him and I don’t want to just throw it out there for someone else to get and take the credit for. I reaqlly thiink that Joe would do this and I want him to hear it from me.. Please have him E-Mail me sp I can let him know what my suggestion is,
Thanx so very much,
Janiece Logan
Bakerswfield, California
Deborah Merritt says:
I am anxious to see Trace Adkins and his wife Rhonda walk down the orange carpet at the ACM’s. Trace will be performing!
kayefun says:
LOL Deb, seeing Trace and Rhonda is much more important than the carpet or carpet coverage color, sorry I got carried away. Got my priorities straight now.:-))
Janet says:
Not watching and i have been watching for decades. The way the awards have turned into what label you are with and the muscle the big labels use makes the whole show a joke. For one particular artist that without a doubt should of been a nominee the last year fews for Entertainer to be snubbed is shameful. For one particular song that you even mention in this article to not receive a nod fro Song of the year is shameful.
Can’t believe I’m saying this but I hope the ACM’s tank in ratings if would serve them right.
Deborah Merritt says:
To Janiece
I would recommend you find his fan club-that will be a start for you.
As far as Joe Nichols sending you an email, that is not going to happen.
Maureen McCole says:
I’m anxious to see George Strait walk away with Male Vocalist and Vocal Event of the Year (with Kenny chesney).
I think George should win EOTY; but doubt it will happen with this new voting.
Shelley says:
Keith Urban is singing an unreleased album song Tu Compania with Sarah Buxton, who wrote his other song Stupid Boy.
Going against the standard “advertising the next single” - playing something fresh and fun.
That’s a great reason why he should be entertainer of the year. KC and GS only tour about 6 months of the year, and only in certain areas of the US. I don’t think that’s enough anymore to qualify you as an entertainer of the year.
And, they really don’t play their guitars in the show, more for just a prop.
The competition is always high. But of all the shows, Keith and Brad are the biggest entertainers now, IMO
john says:
Country performers have always been known for their quality of performance but tonight many sounded flat or off key like they couldn’t hear themselves through those microphones they have in their ears. These types of events should be held in Nashville where sound quality is always good.
Amy says:
I was thinking the same thing with the way the performers sounded tonight. Just didn’t seem like the quality sound you usually hear. all seemed fine until Rodney Atkins sang and then they all sounded really flat or off. That’s a shame for all the great performers in this show.
Max Solomon says:
I like most of the country singers but Rodney Atikins, Garth brooks, carrie underwood, kenny chesney, god i’m naming them all brad paisley, rascal flats, if i kept going i’d name a little more than half the list.congratz to you all. I hope you all come next year.
jz says:
I heard Kellie Pickler’s - “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful”, and loved it. It has a nice melody that goes around in your head making you want to sing along over top of a dreamy back ground. I’m convinced I’m buying the CD now.
Cathie says:
For cryin out loud..will someone please tell the EOTY (Kenny) to lose those god alwful polyester ‘old man’ gray pants!!! He wore them last year which was bad enough …but to drag them out again was painful! And what happened with the sound system? Did anyone notice how the performers kept touching their ears? It was like they couldn’t hear themselves or the music. Disappointed in the sound. Miranda “I can scream louder than anyone” Lambert winning the Album of the year? She has never had a top ten hit..please!
MISS AMANDA says:
If anyone is deserving of Album of the Year it absolutely IS Miranda Lambert. Did you happen to pick up ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’??? DO IT before you KNOCK IT…and listen closely. Have you ever hard of Carrie Underwood writing, playing, and singing her OWN music? Miranda has been playing bars and tiny venues in Texas all her life in hopes of making it big. Nashville Star did that for her, brought her to the forefront, gave her a little credit…. Only to be in the shadow of America’s Idol. When you’re career is based on the kind of exposure American Idol gives, of course Carrie is a hit factory. (And I love her songs, dont get me wrong…she’s fantastic) But Miranda wasn’t some chance enounter. She’s a true musician and she absolutely deserves the award. Pick up on of her albums… you’ll see why she gets the recognition. There isnt a song that doesn’t speak volumes of her talent. And to this point, she hasn’t won didly. So why say she doesn’t deserve it? She’s paid her dues and fanlly gets some recognition. YAY MIRANDA! WE ARE ALL SO HAPPY FOR YOU!
Amelia Gonnia says:
Hey I am Amelia hehehaha well I think you rock!
Jacqueline says:
Deborah, Let me 1st say that the reason the same person keeps winning it over in over (ie Kenny Chesney)- is because no one can entertain an audience like him. No other country artist can sell out football areanas that hold on the average 50,000 - 75,000 people! He had the highest grossing tour last year, followed by Rascal Flatts and the The Soul to Soul Tour. The doubled both of those venues. If you have never been to one of his concerts that you won’t understand. No one else even comes close. George Strait has hardly even toured. THe fans voted this year - so that should say something - since the ACM’s always vote. Maranda Lambert did not deserve winning album of the year with only. She only sold 408,000 copies in the US. Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney demolished her album sales. She has never even had a top 10 hit! SO this one was out of left field.
Sugar Land deserved their awards for sure they are a great duo and I have seen them many times in concert as well. Kudos to Brad Paisley! Tired of Carrie Underwood, she seems like she expects to win - she is not humble in the least - you can’t deny her record sales and AI following.
Taylor Swift is awesome and will have a long career!
Jacqueline says:
Miranda does write her own music and plays instruments which Underwood does not. No one denys her talent - however Album of the Year??? Just he wrong award for her with the talent level of all the others 408,000 albums sold in not alot. As far as Kennys pants I agree. I saw them last year too - Stay with the jeans Kenny - those pants do age him. I hope he saves them for church and not any future award shows.
Elaine L. Acosta says:
I agree with Kenny Chesney - I’m glad he made a statement about the award today. Having fans “elect” certain people has no validity about it. Your peers are more qualified and are able to take various conclusions from a variety of information.
If you want to celebrate, make it the Country Music Night - they are just there to entertain the public and if Las Vegas has to be the spot fine. I’d rather it be somewhere else. Just get a better sound system next time - MGM was not equipped for this show and I’ve heard the same complaint from friends about the terrible sound!
Thank You For Allowing Me To Comment - Elaine L. Acosta
Tracy says:
Did anybody hear what the fan yelled out when Brooks & Dunn came out after Taylor Swift? I rewound and rewound but couldn’t figure it out.
ceecee says:
Hey ya’ll! Where were Faith and Tim this year? I did not watch but looked at photos online and did not see them in one picture! Why weren’t they there this year? Its not the same without Faith and Tim!