John Denver Ignited CMA Controversy in 1975
She should've won. He shouldn't have. This artist is too old. That one is too new. Why wasn't she nominated? Who voted for him? This is fixed. Controversies and questions surrounding this year's CMA Awards are endless. But it's certainly nothing new. Back in 1975, when John Denver won the CMA Award for entertainer of the year, the reigning titleholder Charlie Rich opened the envelope -- and set fire to the card in disgust. Despite earning the most votes, Denver wasn't considered a true country artist by many Nashville insiders, according to The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Denver wasn't there, thank God, so he didn't have to walk up onto that fiery stage and embrace that awkward moment on national TV. So now we have a bit of history repeating itself, with artists and fans weighing in on whether or not the right person won the top award last week. But all I know is, as long as nobody pulled a lighter out of their pocket at last week's show, we are keeping it classy.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Always Right says:
I wish someone would have pulled a lighter out!
Music man says:
ENOUGH ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT. The stupid sketches on the award shows are ridiculous, and why did she need to perform twice on the show last week? Was it because her first performance was such a flop? The girl is talented, but way overexposed. And the more exposure she gets, it seems she loses her talent. All t5his exposeure is a turn off at this point. And her attitude toeards boys is a bit odd. Is she a stalker? And she stated if a boy doesn’t want her to write bad things about them, then they shouldn’t do BAD things. What if someone wants to break up with her?
kayko says:
Music man, what sketches are you talking about? If you’re implying that taylor did any sketches you were watching the wrong awards show.
howdie says:
I just read somewhere that it’s called “show business” and not “show art” for a reason.
It’s all about $$$; more so during past 5 years. May be artists were neck-to-neck to each other (say Tim, Toby, Alan etc.) in early 2000. Before Kenny got big. May be Tim had biggest tours for years but awarded only once/CMA refused to award him. So with Toby. However, I do not remember those times. But I think CMA voters have gone a little too far.
But Taylor had a steller year, no doubt. A year any artist would dare to dream and hope for. I think business and artists accept the outcome but fan reaction is different. It’s not that they were pissed that their favourite did not win; this is general “pissness” against xxx/yyy.
me says:
i loved John Denver back in the day and never considered him country. i was not a country fan back then.
luckyoldsun says:
This old story is such a load of bull. There’s no evidence that when Charlie Rich burned the card, he meant it a a criticism of Denver.
Rich just didn’t know what to do with the card and thought that was a funny thing to do. He might have been a bit drunk, too.
Anyway, Rich was a blues guy and was also accused of not being country.
susie q says:
Enough about Taylor Swift. She cannot sing! All of her songs sound the same. I have had it with the hair too.
Mary Lou says:
I think the cma’s and the acms’ have forgotten what entertainer of the year means. You have to work hard to earn it, and it takes a long time to get there. Look how long Keith urban has been around, and also Brad Paisley.
Keith is still being ignored. he deserves to be entertainer of the year.
They didn/t get things handed to them, like these young girs.
even Kenny Chesney is overated.
When Garth brooks took entertainer of the year on both shows many times, he earned it. he did the concerts with his band and an opening act.
He didn;t need 5 acts on the his shows to become entertainer of the year. Things sure have changed.
I am 66 years old, and getting more and more disappointed
in what is going on in country music. I hope Garth gets back sooner on the road. Country music needs him.
for now I am not watching these award shows anymore.
Taylor is very talented but did not belong in the category.
Nor does Carrie Underwood. Also there are many people
who should be inducted in Grand old opry. that have earned it that aren’t in it.
Redmaz says:
You’re 66 years old and you still don’t know it’s called the “Grand Ole Opry”? Not “old”. Seems as though you know as much about today’s Country Music as you do the Grand OLE Opry. Are you dissapointed in Pop Country or today’s Roots Country? You didn’t specify, although all you mentioned were Pop acts. So…. how do you feel about Americana/Roots Music?