CMT Blog: Archive

Seven new entries -- from artists ranging from Jack Ingram to Willie Nelson -- were screened by the CMT New Music Video Evaluation Team this week. Conclusions from the videos: Summer is here and many artists think you really want to go behind-the-scenes.

Artist: Jack Ingram
Video: "Barefoot and Crazy"
Director: Stephen Shepherd

Let's see: We've got a Jack Ingram outdoor show by the water. What's next? We go "Barefoot and Crazy," of course. Another very summery-looking, very energetic video.

Panelists' comments: "Well, that's the video of the day." "The people looked real, not like they had been cast." "Well, I prefer well-placed hardbodies. Just kiddin'." "Looks like another 'All Summer Long' -- without the boat."

Artist: Whitney Duncan
Video: "Skinny Dippin'"
Director: Roman White

Let's see: We've got a sunny day out in the country, pickup truck, a young couple and a picnic by a river. What's next? "Skinny Dippin'," of course.

Panelists' comments: "That's the best song she has done." "Does she really sing 'bare white tushes' there?" "Yessir!" "Never heard that word in a country song before." "The video looks beautiful."

Artist: Dailey & Vincent
Video: "On the Other Side"
Director: Julian Smith

The bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent perform a lilting spiritual song, "On the Other Side," with a string quartet here.

Panelists' comments: "Beautiful singing, but that song is not the right vehicle for a video by them." "I love them, but this looks awkward." "Sounds great, but this just doesn't work for me."

Artist: Trailer Choir
Video: "Rockin' the Beer Gut"
Director: The Brads

This time out, the risk-taking trio Trailer Choir begin the video with an audience contest. They invited tryouts for "Rock What You Got," and we get to see all the results. Some are appealing. Some not so much.

Panelists' comments: "Oh, Lord, I'm so tired of seeing the worm." "It rocks out, but I dunno." "I like these guys, but this video is boring." "Their fans will love it."

Artist: Luke Bryan
Video: "Do I"
Director: Shaun Silver
(Note: this video will be available online at CMT.com on Tuesday, July 7.)

Luke Bryan sings about the domestic troubles of a young couple living in one of the sleek new high-rise condominiums in Nashville. He appears throughout the action.

Panelists' comments: "There's something confusing here. Luke looks almost like the actor here." "But he's younger." "I very much like the looks of this." "It sounds great."

Artist: Jimmy Wayne
Video: "I'll Be That"
Director: Todd Cassetty

Jimmy Wayne sings "I'll Be That" in shots that are intercut between rehearsals and live concert appearances.

Panelists' comments: "Good song. I like it." "That's a very up performance." "The audience response sounds like it was sweetened up a lot at the end." "The video sounds great, except for that."

Artist: Asleep at the Wheel, featuring Willie Nelson
Video: "Hesitation Blues"
Director: Zalman King

Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel take the viewer behind-the-scenes as they rehearse and then perform the old classic, "Hesitation Blues." To be sure you know what you're seeing, there are onscreen graphics telling you that.

Panelists' comments: "Those graphics are very distracting." "Yeah, this doesn't need that." "Great performance." "Nice to hear horns again." "It sounds great."

Consensus: Jack Ingram's "Barefoot and Crazy" has its debut in hot shot rotation on CMT on Monday (July 6). Whitney Duncan's "Skinny Dippin'" and Trailer Choir's "Rockin' the Beer Gut" both debut in medium rotation on Monday.