CMT Blog: Archive

The new video from Taylor Swift was rushed over to CMT for viewing by the channel's video evaluation team, who liked what they saw. And there was plenty more to consider this week by the panel. James Otto did a hot vocal, despite the frigid temperatures. The Eli Young Band brings in a lively performance, Dan Evans from The Biggest Loser checks in, and Katie Armiger shows off her latest.

Artist: Eli Young Band
Video: "Always the Love Songs" (Live)
Director: Eli Young Band

The fast-rising crowd favorites Eli Young Band do a revved-up live version of "Always the Love Songs" here. You know already, of course, that there is no Eli Young. The band name came from singer Mike Eli and guitarist James Young.

Comments: "That's a great song." "They're building a huge fan base." "They're on the way to becoming a touring phenomenon." "Let's try it online." "I think they have a concept video coming very soon."

Artist: Taylor Swift
Video: "White Horse"
Director: Trey Fanjoy

Taylor Swift is rapidly growing up in her videos. In "White Horse," she's no longer a teenager with crushes on boys. She's now a young woman grieving over what seems to be a serious breakup. "I'm not a princess/This ain't a fairy tale," she sings. The cello adds a lovely tone to the song.

Comments: "Beautiful song, beautiful video." "If she were my daughter, I'd kick that boy's butt!" "Taylor is really looking and acting age-appropriate here." "She's showing some acting here." "Taylor's looking grown-up."

Artist: James Otto
Video: "These Are the Good Ole Days"
Director: Ryan Smith

Reports are that the temperature was 9 degrees on the set when James Otto shot this video, and you can see the foggy clouds his breath makes in the air. And this shoot was not long after his recent shoulder surgery. Even if it weren't a good song and a well-executed video, he gets an "A" for effort alone.

Comments: "I love it!" "That's a very well-done video." "I agree. It's very simple but very effective." "Good song. Good vocal."

Artist: Katie Armiger
Video: "Trail of Lies"
Director: Stephen Shepherd

Sultry Katie Armiger gives a cheating former love interest the lecture of his life, and she seems to really enjoy doing so. "Trail of Lies" is the third single from her second album Believe.

Comments: "This is the best video that she's done." "She's young, and she's trying very hard." "Let's put it online and see what the impact will be."

Artist: Dan Evans
Video: "Goin' All Out"
Director: Wes Edwards

Dan Evans is a very likable young man who gained fame through his appearance on The Biggest Loser (his mother also competed on the weight-loss show). Now his debut album is out, and the first single is a watch-out-world-here-I-come sort of brave announcement.

Comments: "Not bad!" "It's way better than I expected it to be." "I thought the same thing." "I'm kind of impressed by him." "He's really trying hard." "Worth putting online to see what people think."

Consensus: Taylor Swift's "White Horse" receives its world premiere on Saturday (Feb. 7) at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT and will go into hot shot rotation. Immediately after the premiere, it will also be available online on CMT.com. James Otto's "These Are the Good Ole Days" will receive its world premiere on CMT on Monday (Feb. 9) in hot shot rotation.

The videos from the Eli Young Band, Katie Armiger and Dan Evans videos have already been added for online viewing at CMT.com.