CMT Blog: Archive

The CMT New Music Video evaluation team had a mammoth viewing session this week, popping seven new entries into the massive Viewtron apparatus. And there's a lot of variety in these seven mini-movies: from barroom to church to live stage to the side of the road. The team members voted for popcorn and beer anytime there's five or more videos in the future.

Artist: Kenny Chesney
Video: "Got a Little Crazy," from Lucky Old Sun: Deluxe Edition
Directors: Chesney/Silva

A classic live set of sequences from a Kenny Chesney concert, recreating the high-energy vibe. Along with director Shaun Silva, Chesney largely assembled and sequenced all the footage himself.

Comments: "That's a great depiction of his live show." "It's obvious that he enjoyed putting this together." "That looks like a quick shot of when he got his foot caught on stage [in a stage elevator earlier this year in South Carolina]."

Artist: Sara Evans
Video: "Low," from the movie Billy: The Early Years
Directors: Benson/Pistole

Sara Evans lends her talents to a song from the new movie about evangelist Billy Graham. As you'd expect, the video is a period piece, with dirt roads, vintage Fords and a tent revival meeting.

Comments: "She looks and sounds great." "Sara is obviously feeling very comfortable with this." "It's not obvious from the video that this is about Billy Graham." "And the movie title just has the word ‘Billy' in it." "People need to know who it's about."

Artist: Trace Adkins
Video: "Muddy Water"
Director: Trey Fanjoy

The video opens with actor Stephen Baldwin as a hitchhiker being dropped off in his old hometown and making his way to his childhood church -- where he seeks baptism. Trace Adkins is waiting for him inside and takes him to the preacher and congregation waiting in a muddy creek. I won't spoil the ending for you.

Comments: "Great visuals." "I love the song." "Audiences will dig seeing these two guys together." "Trace's awareness has really taken off since the Trump show." "It's a bit weird seeing him slap Stephen upside the head." "Just a friendly tap." "The dialogue sometimes slows the music down a little."

Artist: Patty Loveless
Video: "Crazy Arms"
Director: Roger Pistole

Loveless, one of the best country singers ever, sings another flawless version of a great, timeless country classic. The opening shot sets the tone: Scattered by the side of the highway are a wedding ring, a bride's veil and smashed bride and groom figures that should be atop a wedding cake.

Comments: "Nice!" "She sounds great!" "A classic performance of a classic song." "Not an easy song to cover." "Wasn't that a Ray Price original?" "Yes." "Very classy imagery."

Artist: Kid Rock
Video: "Roll On"
Directors: Deaton Flanigen

His last video showed Kid Rock piloting a fast speedboat. Now he's slowly rolling through the streets of hometown Detroit in a vintage Lincoln Continental convertible, greeting his friends and constituents. The song itself is a celebration of life, and the video is a shout-out to Detroit and all the other declining American cities.

Comments: "I love seeing him sitting on the steps of Hitsville, the old Motown building." "He's staying true to his city." "It's surprised some people that this would be the next single after ‘All Summer Long,' but it was a good choice." "Good song."

Artist: Randy Houser
Video: "Anything Goes"
Director: Rick Surad

This gritty black-and-white video opens with Houser singing his equally gritty song of regret in a desolate bar. Don't miss the dramatic shot involving a guitar and a burning trash barrel.

Comments: "Great song!" "He's a great live performer." "Strong vocals." "I can't wait to hear the whole album." "Great voice; reminds me a little of Ronnie Dunn."

Artist: Miranda Lambert
Video: "More Like Her"
Director: Randee St. Nicholas

Miranda Lambert shows her tender side with a moving delivery of a song about loss and regret. No gunpowder and lead in this one. Just a melodic acoustic guitar lead-in and a nice, nice vocal.

Comments: An appreciative silence for several seconds. "I'm a little choked up." "Mmmmm." "She really makes you feel all the emotion of the song." "This feels like it could be a big hit, but it may be a slow starter." "She looks a little like Dolly at 21."

Consensus: There's room for three adds this week. Let's go with Trace Adkins in heavy rotation and Sara Evans and Kenny Chesney both in medium rotation.