2008 CMA Winners « FOR THE RECORD

To me the real winners of any awards show are the artists who can consistently pull off great performances or who bring something incredible to the program.

My winners this year: George Strait, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, and Reba’s short solo with B&D.

The rest were okay and a couple were downright awful.

I wonder sometimes that what appears to be the best thing the country format has going on right now may simultaneously be the worst thing for its future.

I would have loved to seen artists like Alison Krauss and Union Station, Lee Ann Womack, Pat Green, Josh Turner, and Vince Gill perform. Artists who bring an authentic country roots flavor to the mix. And where the heck were the legends? Are we just too ashamed of the pioneers and influences anymore? Were they sitting in the upper level of the Somet? Yeah yeah, I know – Ratings.

I did think it was cool to see John Anderson on stage with Strait.

It seems Mary Kay knows who the core Country demo is. Can’t say that about everyone.

Overall it was a pretty decent show with loads of performances. The big award winners were almost identical to last year, so that made the presentation segments uneventful.

Here is the rundown of the 2008 Country Music Association prizes:

Entertainer of the Year: Kenny Chesney
Male Vocalist of the Year: Brad Paisley
Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
Song of the Year: “Stay,” Jennifer Nettles
Album of the Year: “Troubadour,” George Strait
Music Video of the Year: “Waitin’ on a Woman,” Brad Paisley featuring Andy Griffith
Music Event: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Vocal Group of the Year: Rascal Flatts
New Artist of the Year: Lady Antebellum
Single of the Year: “I Saw God Today,” George Strait
Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland
Musician of the Year: Mac McAnally