CMA Awards

I've been meaning to get around to writing my review of the CMA Awards, but things were a little busy around my house right after, so I kept forgetting. Now that we're approaching "award season" in Hollywood, I figured now was as good of a time as any.

First off, let's talk about the red carpet! Everyone knows that truly is the most important part of any awards show. It's also usually the most exciting! Everyone looked gorgeous, but I had a few favorites that stood out.

Jana Kramer

Lucy Hale

Taylor Swift 

Carrie Underwood

Lauren Alaina

I still have not watched Carrie and Brad's opening in its entirety, but from what I saw, it was pretty hilarious. I love their comedic timing and just their friendship in general. I think it really shines through when they write their jokes and plan out what they're going to do every year. I'm telling you, they should take their routine on the road or at least do a holiday variety show. I know I'd like to spend the holidays with Carrie and Brad.

As for the rest of the night, I was a little disappointed. Maybe it was just the fact that I was watching from the hospital room that threw things off, but I wasn't happy about most of the winners, and not just because of the fact that no one by the last names of Underwood, Swift or Antebellum didn't win. The last few years, they might as well have just called it the Blake and Miranda show, because they win everything anyway. The one I really don't agree with is Blake Shelton, and not just because I'm not a big fan. I don't think he has deserved it yet. He hasn't been doing much this year, other than The Voice, and he sure hasn't toured like the others have, when you consider all of the touring and promotion that Taylor, Brad, and Kenny have done. I just don't understand what the association is looking for. Apparently, you have to be on a reality show to win now.

Here's the complete list of winners, thanks to USA Today: 

Entertainer of the year

Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
WINNER: Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift

Female vocalist

Kelly Clarkson
WINNER: Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Male vocalist

Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
WINNER: Blake Shelton
Keith Urban

New artist

Lee Brice
Brantley Gilbert
WINNER: Hunter Hayes
Love and Theft
Thompson Square

Vocal group

Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
WINNER: Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Vocal duo

Big & Rich
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
WINNER: Thompson Square

Single

Dirt Road Anthem, Jason Aldean
God Gave Me You, Blake Shelton
Home, Dierks Bentley
WINNER: Pontoon, Little Big Town
Springsteen, Eric Church

Album

WINNER: Chief, Eric Church
Four the Record, Miranda Lambert
Home, Dierks Bentley
Own the Night, Lady Antebellum,
tailgates & tanlines, Luke Bryan

Song (award goes to songwriters)

Even If It Breaks Your Heart, performed by Eli Young Band
God Gave Me You, performed by Blake Shelton
Home, performed by Dierks Bentley
WINNER: Over You, performed by Miranda Lambert
Springsteen, performed by Eric Church

Musical event

Dixie Highway, Alan Jackson featuring Zac Brown Band
WINNER: Feel Like a Rock Star, Kenny Chesney (duet with Tim McGraw)
Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die, Willie Nelson with Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson and Jamey Johnson
Safe & Sound, Taylor Swift featuring the Civil Wars
Stuck on You, Lionel Richie (with Darius Rucker)

Music video

Come Over, Kenny Chesney
Over You, Miranda Lambert
Pontoon, Little Big Town
WINNER: Red Solo Cup, Toby Keith
Springsteen, Eric Church

Musician

Sam Bush
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff
Brent Mason
WINNER: Mac McAnally

Another highlight for me was waiting to see what Carrie Underwood wore. She had twelve wardrobe changes! There were a few I wasn't too crazy about, but it's always fun to see what she chooses, since it's such a flashy night! My top two were the second and the last dresses in the picture below. 

I really did enjoy Taylor Swift's performance of Begin Again, though. I loved that it was more toned down, and the setting was adorable; fitting perfectly with the song, which I love about Taylor's set designs and the way she strategically plans for these award shows. 

I had so much hope for these awards, especially because they're my favorite. To me, the CMA's have always gone a different route than the others, and have truly honored the people that deserved it, whether it was who I wanted to win or not. They proved me wrong this year. So, hopefully the next few award shows, won't be quite as disappointing, and here's to the CMA's next year...May they be better than they were this time. At least Carrie and Brad made for an entertaining time. 

That's all for now,

Shelby

Nashville Series Premiere

Alright, I've been really excited about this show since they first started talking about it whenever. I was getting even more pumped for it after seeing Hayden Panetierre at CMA Fest to promote the show, and watching the first fifteen minutes of the pilot several nights in a row at LP Field. I tuned in tonight to watch, after hearing so many great reviews from my "country music" friends on Twitter.

Well, I love the scenery and the soundtrack, seeing as it is Nashville and all of the music is country. Right up my alley, so with that I was sold. I also love the concept that we've never seen something on a scale like this established as a TV show. It's only usually movies that we see the rock star lives portrayed; that alone makes this interesting to see how it will play out. However, the story lines are a bit hard to follow and right now the characters just don't seem very likable to me. It didn't feel like we were watching the pilot; it felt like we were seeing what would've been the second or third episode. There were a lot of back stories to each character that were only hinted around, but not quite fully developed, and they were jumping around so much, it was hard to stay straight with who was who, other than the main two. Or maybe it was just because my parents were talking in some of the important spots...Not sure.  

I'm sorry, but why do all of the plots in TV shows and movies about country artists  tend to be so stereotypical and dark? I get that there's always going to be a "business" side of Nashville/country music that we don't see, but is it really like this? Not all country artists (or artists of any genre for that matter) are fame hungry and deceitful behind the scenes. There are plenty of artists out there that are (shocker) still faithful to their spouses, live a normal life, have kids and take them to soccer practice, all while living out their rock star fantasies that they've had since they were five. It all ends up feeling very Country Strong; depressing and sad. I really hope that isn't the case with this one.

I look forward to seeing how things progress in the next episode and even the one after that to decide whether I really want to keep watching or not. I'm intrigued to see how some of the characters tie together and what becomes of it all. But, if nothing else, this show did remind me of my love for Nashville and made me replay some really incredible memories back there, as they showed clips at the Grand Ole Opry and The Bluebird Cafe. One of these days I will live back there, pursuing a career in Country music, somehow, someway. It will always have such a special place in my heart and I hope to visit again someday soon. If you've never been....What are you waiting for?!

That's all for now,
Shelby

I Wish I Was Here...

Bridgestone Arena, where the awards will be held!

Today, or this week in general, I wish I was in Nashville for CMA Week. I've made a lot of friends the past few years through Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, and they've all been posting so many exciting stories and pictures of being escorts, working backstage, songwriting award shows, and red carpets. It sounds like an absolute blast! I would love to go back there for CMA week rather than CMA Fest, if ever given the chance LOL. But, until then, I will live vicariously through everyone back there right now ;). Hope everyone is having a blast, making memories that will last a lifetime, and good luck to Carrie and Brad! This show is gonna rock!! :D

The Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry has had a special place in my heart for a very long time. Country music is a big part of my life, and always has been. From the time I was about five or so, I knew I wanted to be a singer, after watching a LeAnn Rimes concert on Disney Channel. That dream hasn't changed. And it's every young country singer's dream to play at the Grand Ole Opry, and mine is no different, though I'm no country singer..yet ;).

The very first time I visited Nashville, I was sixteen years old, and my eyes were in complete wonder of the place. My heart was so full of happiness that I was visiting the very place that so many of my heroes had moved to, in hopes of making it. That feeling of walking into the Opry hasn't changed over the past 3-4 years, and I don't think it ever will. It's one of the best places to be at any time, and I always look forward to that more than anything else while we're in Nashville, because that defines the city. It defines country music, and if I'm lucky enough, and if it's God's plans...someday I will play the Opry, and make my family proud.

The famous circle

 Tradition pictures in front of the sign: