CMT Blog: Archive

Sugarland delivers a live two-fer performance, Lee Ann Womack shows off her sultry side as a nightclub chanteuse and Katie Armiger chases her dream in three new music videos screened by the CMT New Music Video Evaluation Team.

Artist: Sugarland
Video: "Nightswimming/Joey"
Director: Shaun Silva

Sugarland in concert segue effortlessly from R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming" to their own "Joey," which Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush wrote with ageless country artist and songwriter Bill Anderson. He told them as they wrote it that this teen death lament could be a hit or "absolutely nothing."

Panelists' comments: "That's a bit long at six minutes, but it really works." "Sugarland loves their fellow Georgia groups." "Did you see the skull and crossbones on Jennifer's guitar strap?"

Artist: Lee Ann Womack
Video: "Solitary Thinkin'"
Director: Trey Fanjoy

Lee Ann Womack returns to her familiar haunts with a sad and moody song set in a dimly-lit club. She also, as a continuing theme in this video, has a microphone cord that seems about three miles long as she walks outside and down the street, still singing.

Panelists' comments: "A great, great song. And she sounds really good in it." "She looks great. I love those heels." "Someone needs to tell Lee Ann that they make wireless microphones now."

Artist: Katie Armiger
Video: "Gone"
Director: Traci Goudie

Katie Armiger sings a brave song of defiance as she leaves home and sets out in search of her destiny. At the end, what seem to be members of her family emerge to give her a big hug.

Panelists' comments: "I think that may be Katie's sister and her family." "I like the ending." "She sings the heck out of it."

Consensus: Sugarland's "Nightswimming/Joey" debuted in hot shot rotation on CMT on Tuesday (Aug. 4). Womack's "Solitary Thinkin'" debuted Monday (Aug. 3) in medium rotation. Love and Theft's "Runaway" moved from the hold file to medium rotation on Monday.