Academy of Country Music Awards - Part 1

Welcome to the ACM Awards blog. As you know, I like to blog awards shows. It's what I do instead of having a productive hobby or reading literature or anything else productive. It starts with Blake Shelton & Luke Bryan, your hosts for the evening, joined by Sheryl Crow (who I found out last week made a country album, out soon!), Pistol Annies (Miranda wore something that fits finally and looks 1000x better), and Brad Paisley on guitar. It's actually a pretty fun song called Boys Round Here, and it perfectly describes a lot of guys I know from Alabama and Arkansas. Wow, Luke Bryan's teeth are very very white, it's like a Crest commercial. Starting off a little bit frat boyish, but not too surprised. Now, Little Jimmie Dickens in beachwear. Oh wait, that's Kenny Chesney. Eh, they are about the same height. One day, Kenny will officially turn into Jimmy Buffett, but tonight it's a bit like country-rock-rap. What's with the folks in the pit slowly waving those pirate flags. They are like these weird robots without rhythm. I do like that the ACMs and CMAs aren't shy in packing in as many performances around the awards. I think it's what the fans like & expect, and country delivers.

Now, Luke & Blake are at some fan jam event. I don't understand why it's in Vegas though. When I think country, I don't think Vegas. How many rednecks are in Vegas on a daily basis. Now Brad Paisley is performing and apparently has some high school intern playing guitar with him, unless that's Hunter Hayes. That kid looks like a middle schooler. Dierks Bentley joins him too. But hey CBS, TURN UP THE GUYS' MICS. I can't hear em!! Fun song about partying in a field, from what I could hear. Now, yet another performance, still no awards. But, who cares, George Strait is about to perform. He's the king of modern country music and this song will be his 60TH #1 hit and he's 60 as well. He still awes me. Unlike at the Grammys, Taylor Swift isn't being shown singing along to every performance. But did you see the lady behind Sheryl Crow. Looked like she was headed to prom. Bless her heart haha. Hey look, Jewel is there too. Where ya been, girl? I have to say, country music performers sure don't look the same as they used to. Where are the big hair & sequins and cowboy hats? For shame :(

Now, Eric Church and his hair are performing his new ballad "Like Jesus Does". It's shot in black & white with the only color is his green guitar. It's a more traditional country song because it mentions: Jesus, whiskey, and the love of a good woman. The new version of David Allan Coe (mama, trains, trucks, prison). Very sparse arrangement. Nice. Now Florida Georgia Line is performing sounds like some more lake rock music (music perfect for rocking out at the lake). That one guy needs a haircut and to ditch that stupid vest. Yes, I'm now an 80 year old man.

Now Lady Antebellum are performing their song Downtown. They started to annoy me over the past couple of years. Will that trend continue? SUSPENSE! I've never understood group members sharing a mic on a note or 2. Really, that's not very sanitary, especially in cold & flu season. Eh, not too bad. Now, the first award at 8:46pm. Now 49ers QB Colin Kaepernik is there presenting with a lady from Young & Restless. He looks about as comfortable as he did at the end of the Super Bowl. GO RAVENS! Anyway, Thompson Square wins. Now another new artist nominee, Brantley Gilbert. No cowboy hat, but he does have a baseball cap and his drummer has a mohawk! Once again the sound is off and I couldn't understand a dang word he sang. 

Anyway, that's hour #1. Nothing too outrageous or embarrassing, but the hosts haven't been on since the very beginning. That's a bit odd. Anyway, hour #1 highlight? George Strait of course. As if there was doubt. On to hour #2!