Ten New Music Videos From Reba, Lady A and a Bunch of Others
New videos from 10 different artists, making up CMT Big New Music Weekend, were screened this week by the CMT New Music Video Evaluation team. They saw new works from Lady Antebellum, Reba, Alan Jackson, Danny Gokey, James Otto, Jessie James, LeAnn Rimes, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins and Gary Allan. Ten very different songs and video treatments. Let's roll 'em.
Artist: Reba
Video: "If I Were a Boy"
Director: Eric Welch
Beyonce made this song famous with a spectacular performance on this year's Grammy show. And it still sounds good, especially with the added mandolin.
Panelists' comments: "That's a great song." "Beyonce and Reba both know what's a good song." "The more I hear that, the more I love it."
Artist: Lady Antebellum
Video: "Stars Tonight"
Director: Adam Boatman
Lady A's latest video was shot during the group's performances at several different venues and includes much crowd footage and backstage scenes, complete with wacky poses from the group.
Panelists' comments: "You know, I still like everything they do." "Good melodies and good singing can do that for you." "I like behind-the-scenes videos. They let fans know what it's like backstage."
Artist: Tim McGraw
Video: "Still (Live)"
Director: Sherman Halsey
This is a live performance version of McGraw's "Still." It relies heavily on background lighting and effects for its attention-grabbing quality.
Panelists' comments: "What can you say? It's Tim, and it's a good song and a good performance."
Artist: Alan Jackson
Video: "Hard Hat and a Hammer"
Director: Theresa Wingert
Jackson's latest video from his Freight Train album is "Hard Hat and a Hammer" in which he plays an anvil. He hits it with a hammer. This video required 16 different on-location shoots.
Panelists' comments: "Good ol' Alan. You can always depend on him." He's never spectacular but, boy, he gets the job done." "Amen."
Artist: Gary Allan
Video: "Get Off on the Pain"
Director: Stephen Shepherd
This video presents a very dark and intense version of the title song from Gary Allan's current album, Get Off on the Pain. There are some very realistic and painful-looking bull-riding scenes from a rodeo.
Panelists' comments: "There are no stunt doubles -- that's a real bull rider." "Gary is getting better and better." "I love the song."
Artist: LeAnn Rimes
Video: "Swingin'"
Director: David McClister
Rimes returns with a high-energy dance video of the John Anderson hit, "Swingin'." It's hard to believe it's been 14 years since she hit Nashville with "Blue" as her first hit.
Panelists' comments: "Hot!" "I still like John Anderson's version better." "Did you know that Vince [Gill] produced this song?"
Artist: Trace Adkins
Video: "This Ain't No Love Song"
Director: Michael Salomon
Adkins shares his star status here with a bedroom, a lovely young lady and her lingerie and bathtub.
Panelists' comments: "Trace has really got his groove on here." "Look out! He's going to dance!" "I like the song."
Artist: Danny Gokey
Video: "I Will Not Say Goodbye"
Director: Wes Edwards
Gokey returns with his second country music video after "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me." This is one American Idol graduate who is rising above his third-place finish on that show.
Panelists' comments: "Would you believe he was a church music director?" "The guy has got one hell of a voice." "This is a sad, sad song, but I love it."
Editor's Note: These comments were previously attributed to the Alan Jackson video. We regret the error.
Artist: James Otto
Video: "Groovy Little Summer Song"
Director: David McClister
"Groovy Little Summer Song" is from Otto's upcoming Warner Bros. Nashville album. The video is all about the beach and the joys of summer love.
Panelists' comments: "That was shot on a beach in South Carolina, I think." "This is a modern-day shaggin' song." "Did you know that he is Jay DeMarcus' brother-in-law? True."
Artist: Jessie James
Video: "Boys in the Summer"
Director: Roman White
Jessie James, who was born in Italy (on an American military base), comes with her fourth video. She has been writing in Nashville for years with Kara DioGuardi and others.
Panelists' comments: "That's the tightest tube top I ever saw." "Groovy song." "A lot of skin in this one."
Consensus: Videos by Gary Allan, Lady Antebellum, LeAnn Rimes, Reba and Trace Adkins debuted on CMT on Friday (June 18) in Hot Shot rotation. Videos by Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Danny Gokey, Jessie James and James Otto debuted in heavy rotation on Friday.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Ken says:
Wow that really speaks alot about Jessie James video “”That’s the tightest tube top I ever saw.” “Groovy song.” “A lot of skin in this one.”
Sounds to me like it belongs in the adult section of a video store rather then CMT and then you put in heavy rotation. Wow thanks for looking out for todays youth CMT.
JosieInSeattle says:
It looks like you have Danny’s comments in Alan Jackson’s section.
Annie says:
Seems to me the panelist comments for Danny Gokey’s videos were posted in the wrong place? Appears these comments were for I Will Not Say Goodbye, vs. for Alan Jackson unless something about the hard hat or the hammer made the panelists sad :)
” Panelists’ comments: “Would you believe he was a church music director?” “The guy has got one hell of a voice.” “This is a sad, sad song, but I love it.” “
Lizzy says:
I am very happy to read you plan to put danny pokey’s video into heavy rotation. The video is powerful, emotionally and vocally it’s true that it is sad but I think all of us have lost someone we love and can relate. I love the video.
CountryFan says:
Just watched Trace’s video. Love it. Trace is looking good. Has his hat off more than usual and he looks great. Love the video. Trace, you are hot!
Lizzy says:
Dang iPad - I meant Danny gokey’s
Cheryl says:
Good choice of songs. I am especially touched by Danny Gokey’s new single. What a heart-wrenching song. He is amazing on those power notes. I rarely cry watching videos, but this on brought me to tears.
yoli says:
disappointed in lady A video, the only video I really liked was Trace, the others not so much.
Katlee says:
I Liked Lady A and Tim McGraw, Loved Danny Gokeys video powerfully sung with heart and emotion. It showed his range and how connected he is with his songs. What a great voice. Loved it. I also enjoyed Swinging.
Ana says:
I love Danny Gokey’s new video. First time I saw it, it made me cry. After watching it repeatedly, the effect is still the same.
Powerful, goosebumps voice… awesome!
lifetime says:
don’t care for Danny Gokey, but Tim and Lady A video’s were good!
Annie says:
Personal stuff aside, I liked LeAnn’s video quite a bit. Also like to see Tim on CMT, he was great at CMA Fest. So was Danny Gokey, whose video still resonates after seeing it yesterday. Very powerful song, he does an awesome job with it.
Sandy Jo says:
Absolutely loved Danny Gokey’s video - very moving and emotionally!! His voice is AMAZING!!!
Sherry says:
I love the I Will Not Say Goodbye video, it is so touching, Danny’s performance is fantastic and his vocals are simply stunning! Danny’s My Best Day cd is great music. Every song Danny sings always sounds even better because he is singing it. Congratulations Danny on an amazing video and cd.
Marian says:
Alan Jackson hits a high note with this video of Hard Hat and a Hammer to all hard working men and women. Especially the miners who really give it their all every day. The Strayhorns are also in great form. Congratulations for this message as we support our American men and women workers.
Tim says:
speaking of Reba and Lady Antebellum, will they be replaying the Brooks and Dunn tribute on television? Does any know or have a date?
Reba says:
Love Trace video, one of his best!!!!!!!!!
Wanda says:
Love dannys new video
barb b says:
you dont like danny because he is from
american idol
Gwyn says:
Danny’s, Trace’s and Alan’s videos were great. I won’t be intentionally watching the others again.
chearts77 says:
Annie, I was about to say the same thing. The panelist comments for Danny ended up under Alan Jackson’s video. Danny was a church music director, has one hell of a voice, and the song is sad and touching and beautiful and no one could do it like Danny.
For these videos, I like Danny’s best, followed by Alan’s and Trace’s.
ruth walker says:
Where were all the country entertainers to help out with the Jimmy Buffet concert? Thanks to CMT