CMT Blog: Archive

Jason Aldean brings a video of a live hit, Brooks & Dunn show up with a musical drama and Caitlin & Will journey to the stars in three of the five new videos screened for the CMT New Music Video Evaluation Team. And Colbie Caillat returns to the beach and newcomers Due West check in with a showcase video.

Artist: Jason Aldean
Video: "Big Green Tractor"
Director: Ivan Dudynsky

Jason Aldean gives his latest hit, "Big Green Tractor," the live, high octane treatment. So ... a Saturday night date on a tractor still works?

Panelists' comments: "That song is really hanging on." "A sure-fire hit." "There has to be a better audio track than this." "We'll get one."

Artist: Brooks & Dunn
Video: "Indian Summer"
Director: Shaun Silva

In a dramatic short video drama, B&D present the very familiar story of a high school couple in love. They follow the well-known route to a bottle of wine and a motel room. And on to the very predictable, but still emotional, outcome.

Panelists' comments: "Wow." "So, she leaves him and has the kid?" "Well, he got what he deserved." "I guess he shouldn't have scored that last touchdown." "I guess!"

Artist: Caitlin & Will
Video: "Address in the Stars"
Director: Steven L. Weaver

Caitlin takes the lead vocal in a heavily atmospheric song and video that is exactly what the title says. Will chimes in on guitar and vocal, while wandering in a dark, woodsy setting outfitted with many, many small lanterns hanging from the trees. So -- there's a new address out there in the stars.

Panelists' comments: "Holy cow!" "Caitlin sings the hell out of that." "That's a really good performance."

Artist: Colbie Caillat
Video: "Fallin' for You"
Director: The Malloys

The sun is always shining on Colbie Caillat as she's back at the beach living in a little aluminum trailer. Her date shows up, and he's hopelessly out of shape, out of fashion, and seemingly out of luck. Wait and see.

Panelists' comments: "Wouldn't it be nice if Colbie was really pretty?" "And if she could really sing?" "She is just so good. I just wish she were a little bit country."

Artist: Due West
Video: "I Get That All the Time"
Director: Glenn Sweitzer

Tim Gates, Matt Lopez, and Brad Hull -- all from somewhere else -- formed their group in Nashville. This is their first single. And Gates is one of the few lead singers in country music history to wear eyeglasses -- not shades -- while performing.

Panelists' comments: "That's nice. That's a good family song." "Who ever wears glasses in music?" "Radney Foster is one. He's done OK." "I like the lead vocal. Reminds me a little of Marty Roe." "Or Marty Raybon."

Consensus: Brooks & Dunn's "Indian Summer" debuted in heavy rotation on CMT on Monday (July 27). Caitlin & Will's "Address in the Stars" debuted on Monday in medium rotation. Jason Aldean's "Big Green Tractor" debuts in medium rotation on Wednesday (July 29).