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The 2011 CMA Awards

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Carrie and Brad have some fun with Miss Piggy.

The 2011 CMA Awards aired Wednesday night LIVE on ABC from the Country Music capital of the world. The CMA Awards are a long-lasting tradition to honor and celebrate the men and women who enhance the lives of millions of global fans. These artists yield the songs that become the soundtracks to our lives and the anthems we pass along, swearing our musical taste is superior to those of subsequent generations. With catching harmonies, heart pounding bass lines, electrifying drum solos, and synergistic musical accompaniments, upholding the value and virtue of Country Music is always the common goal.

“The 45th Annual CMA Awards” was a showcase of musical talent and countless industry feats. From the exhilarating pyrotechnics of Miranda Lambert’s “Baggage Claim” to the breathtaking acrobatics of Sara Evans’ “A Little Bit Stronger,” the performances further demonstrated the power of Country Music and the propensity of its stars go above and beyond in support of the genre…and each other.

Little Big Town pose with music icon Lionel Richie on the Macy's Walk of Stars Red Carpet.

Sure there were actual families among the night’s lineup including sibling trio The Band Perry (who earned Single of the Year for “If I Die Young” and New Artist of the Year, plus Song of the Year for writer Kimberly Perry), and a slew of industry marriages like Tim McGraw and performer Faith Hill, reigning Male/Female Vocalist victors Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, and the couples of Thompson Square, Steel Magnolia, and Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town. But performances like Jimmy Webb, Vince Gill, Keith Urban, and Brad Paisley’s touching tribute to Country Music icon Glen Campbell, who silently mouthed the words from the crowd, left fans and artists alike with a true understanding of the indelible camaraderie permeating the Country community. Backstage, that sense of southern hospitality even superseded genre distinctions as Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum raved about rocker Grace Potter and her undeniable talent as she performed “You and Tequila” with four-time Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney. Chesney himself echoed this reverence and explained, “’You and Tequila’ is such a tortured soul song about being addicted to a person who is not very good for you…The chemistry [between him and Potter] was evident from the moment we walked into the studio.”

Jason Aldean accepts Album of the Year honors for MY KINDA PARTY.

It’s this sense of amity that allows four-time hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood to poke fun at fellow industry members, even inciting Hank Williams Jr. to join them on stage after Paisley lampooned  controversies surrounding the Country legend. Barbie Doll effigies of Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, a surprise guest appearance Little Jimmy Dickens as a less-than-accurate depiction of sensation Justin Bieber, and some recent social commentary by comedic actor Eric Stonestreet further illustrate Carrie’s claim that Brad is “the single biggest and most shameless wiseacre on either side of the Mason-Dixon line.” With Awards doled out, entertainment appetites satiated, and an impossibly stronger appreciation for Country Music, we congratulate and thank the nominees, performers, presenters, volunteers, technicians, media members, fans, and viewers for supporting Country Music’s Biggest Night!

Did you know…

The 45th CMA Awards were the first time that…

  • Jason Aldean claimed a CMA Awards? In fact he earned two: Album of the Year (My Kinda Party) and Musical Event of the Year (“Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson)
  • The Band Perry received 3 Awards for New Artist, Single, and Song of the Year
  • Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter win Music Video of the Year for “You and Tequila”
  • Faith Hill has performed on the CMA Awards stage in 5 years
  • Miss Piggy attended as a presenter

The 45th CMA Awards were the second time that…

  • Taylor Swift won Entertainer of the Year (she joins Barbara Mandrell as the only female artists in CMA history to be names EOTY twice)
  • Miranda Lambert won Female Vocalist of the Year
  • Blake Shelton won Male Vocalist of the Year
  • Lionel Richie performed (first time was with Alabama in 1986)

The 45th CMA Awards were the third time that…

  • Lady Antebellum has scored consecutive wins for Vocal Group of the Year

The 45th CMA Awards were the fourth time that…

  • Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood were hosts
  • Mac McAnally has taken home consecutive wins for Musician of the Year

The 45th CMA Awards were the fifth time that…

  • Sugarland has won Vocal Duo of the year

The 45th CMA Awards were the forty-fifth time that…

  • CMA has hosted Country Music’s Biggest Night as the pinnacle of achievement in the Country Music industry

CMA Awards Artist Spotlight: CHRIS YOUNG

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Chris Young hits the Black Carpet at the 2010 CMA Awards in Nashville.

Like a handful of the other 2011 CMA Awards nominees (Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Steel Magnolia, Kelly Clarkson) Chris Young made his start on television. In 2006, he won the fourth season of the popular Country competition series, Nashville Star (USA), earning Young a deal with RCA Records in Nashville. While it’s easy to group him with so many budding artists who have broken out from reality TV, the past five years have set Chris Young apart as one of Country’s shining new talents. Young joins The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Thompson Square as a New Artist of the Year nominee – his second consecutive nomination in the category.

More about Chris Young

Growing up in Murfreesboro, Tenn. just 35 miles from the Country Music capital of the world, it seemed destined for Chris Young to wind up in Music City.  So it came as no surprise to friends and family when Young was declared the winner of Nashville Star in May 2006 and released his self-titled debut album shortly after. The album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and produced the Top-50 singles, “Drinkin’ Me Lonely” and “You’re Gonna Love Me.”

Chris Young’s sophomore album, The Man I Want to Be, was the start of many “firsts” for the Country newcomer.  It became Young’s first Gold-certified release and generated his first No. 1 single with “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song),” which also earned Young his first GRAMMY nomination in 2010.  The album also produced the hit singles “The Man I Want to Be” and “Voices” which both claimed the top spot on the Country Songs chart.

On July 12, 2011 Young released his third studio album on RCA Nashville, titled Neon. It sold over 70,000 units in its first week, peaking at No. 2 on the Country Albums chart and No. 4 on the Top 200 all-genre chart. The album showcased Young’s clear talent as a songwriter, co-writing seven of the 10 tracks, including the No. 1 hit “Tomorrow” and the current single, “You.” Young has opened for Country superstars like Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts and Blake Shelton, as well as opening dates for fellow CMA Awards nominee, Jason Aldean, in October.

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CMA Awards Artist Spotlight: LUKE BRYAN

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Luke Bryan on the Red Carpet at the 2009 CMA Awards.

Luke Bryan returns to the “45th Annual CMA Awards” in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 9 as a nominee for New Artist of the Year. Bryan, along with fellow nominee Chris Young, was previously nominated for the Award in 2010. No different from previous years, 2011 brings fierce competition in this category of rising stars, which also includes The Band Perry, Eric Church and Thompson Square.  While it might be easy to assume some friendly rivalries among the Country artists, Bryan was humbled by the nod and the opportunity to sit alongside his fellow nominees:

“These moments are life changing and I am very thankful to have this opportunity to represent the future of our format along with the other four nominees who I not only consider my peers, but my friends as well.”

More about Luke Bryan

Like so many young hopefuls before him, Luke Bryan moved to Nashville in 2001 with the dream of becoming a Country star. While it would be years before Bryan landed a record deal, he became a successful songwriter in his early career in Music City, writing cuts for artists like Travis Tritt and Billy Currington. In 2007 Bryan’s break finally came when he was signed with Capitol Nashville. His debut album, I’ll Stay Me, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and produced the single, “All My Friends Say,” which became Bryan’s first Top 5 hit.

Bryan’s sophomore release, Doin’ My Thing, hit stores on Oct. 9, 2009 and quickly turned Bryan into a chart topping success. While the album itself peaked at No. 2, Bryan’s hit singles “Rain Is a Good Thing” and “Someone Else Calling You Baby” claimed the top spot on the Country Songs chart, solidifying Bryan as one of Nashville’s most promising artists.

Now almost a decade after he made his way from small town Georgia to the Country Music capital known as Nashville, Luke Bryan’s star shines brighter than ever.  His newest album, Tailgates & Tanlines (August 2011), debuted at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, selling over 145,000 units in its first week.  The albums lead-off single, “Country Girl (Shake It for Me),” became Bryan’s best-selling single to date, with over 1 million digital downloads sold.  In September, Luke Bryan embarked on his “2011 Farm Tour” traveling the country to play beaches, farms, fields and fairgrounds. On Feb. 24, 2012 Bryan will open Jason Aldean’s highly anticipated show at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

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CMA Awards Artist Spotlight: ZAC BROWN BAND

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Zac Brown Band earned the CMA Award for New Artist of the Year in 2010.

Reigning CMA New Artist of the Year Zac Brown Band has scored a multitude of success over the past two years, making the band a prominent fixture in the world of Country Music.  They return to the “The 45th Annual CMA Awards” on Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8|7c on ABC) with four nominations (Vocal Group of the Year, Album of the Year for You Get What You Give, Single of the Year for “Colder Weather,” and Musical Event of the Year for “As She’s Walking Away” with Alan Jackson). In addition to the band’s numerous CMA nods, band members Zac Brown and Coy Bowles are also nominated for Song of the Year for penning the band’s tune, “Colder Weather.” The band ties fellow Vocal Group of the Year nominee, the Band Perry, for second-highest number of nominations in 2011.

More about the Zac Brown Band

In 2009, the Zac Brown Band offered a rousing rendition of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."

Success and stardom may have seemed far off in the distance for Georgia-bred Zac Brown in 2001, while playing local bars and restaurants around the University of West Georgia campus. Fast forward a decade later and he and his band have become one of the most popular Country Music groups of their generation.   Their major-label debut, The Foundation, launched the band into stardom in 2008, producing four No. 1 singles, including hits like “Toes,” “Free,” and “Chicken Fried,” (for which they were nominated for CMA’s Single of the Year and Song of the Year in 2009.)

The Zac Brown Band exceeded expectations with their Sept. 2010 release, You Get What You Give, debuting at No. 1 on both the Billboard Top 200 and Top Country Albums charts. Their first single, “As She’s Walking Away” (nominated for Musical Event of the Year,) featured Country Music icon Alan Jackson and earned the band their fourth consecutive No. 1 single. The second single from the album, “Colder Weather,” is up for CMA’s Single of the Year. The band scored yet another No. 1 with the album’s third single – the tropical-escape tune “Knee Deep,” a collaboration with ”Margaritaville” singer Jimmy Buffett.

The band embarks on a headlining tour this fall throughout October and November, which includes hosting their very own 3-night festival in Charleston, SC, appropriately titled the “Southern Ground Music & Food Festival,” and features fellow CMA Award nominees, Eric Church (New Artist of the Year,) and Levi Lowrey (Song of the Year, “Colder Weather.”)

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CMA Awards Artist Spotlight: LITTLE BIG TOWN

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The four members of Country harmonizers Little Big Town have been hard at work this year promoting their newest album The Reason Why and touring with friends Sugarland on the 2011 “Incredible Machine Tour.” But the group took a quick break from their hectic schedules to recognize their sixth consecutive nomination for Vocal Group of the Year for “The 45th Annual CMA Awards,” which airs live Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 8|7c on ABC.

“@LBTmusic: We are honored and excited to be nominated for CMA Vocal Group of the Year. Thank you!”

Little Big Town performs "Boondocks" at the 2007 CMA Awards.

Little Big Town has received the prestigious nomination every year since 2006 and will face familiar competition from last year’s Awards ceremony including Zac Brown Band, The Band Perry, Rascal Flatts, and reigning winner Lady Antebellum.

More About Little Big Town

If you ask the members of Little Big Town for an insider’s tip on how to make it as a vocal group in a notoriously tough industry, don’t be surprised if the response is relatively simple: music. It may seem like a cliché or an oversimplification but for the Country quartet, a shared dedication to making music gave them the strength and tenacity needed to overcome some jarring personal tragedies and group disappointments since they formed the band.

Before presenting the 2010 Album of the Year Award, Little Big Town acknowledged Taylor Swift's 2009 winner by harmonizing on "You Belong With Me."

Founded by members Kimberly Roads Schlapman and Karen Fairchild, the foursome was complete with the addition of Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet in 1998. Early in the collaboration, a volatile period for any developing group, the members of Little Big Town experienced a succession of serious breakups, divorces, and the unexpected death of Kimberly’s husband in 2005. Professionally, two label changes within the first 5 years of the group’s alliance did little to mitigate already turbulent waters.

Yet the group leaned on one another for support and used the experiences to enrich their music. Tides began to change with the release of the group’s second album The Road to Here, which is certified Platinum and yielded two top 10 country singles “Boondocks” and “Bring It On Home.” In 2008, the group hit the road to open for Carrie Underwood and promote its third studio album A Place to Land. In 2009, the group launched a headlining tour of their own, and that year they received their fourth CMA nomination for Vocal Group of the Year.

In 2010, the group released its fourth studio album The Reason Why, which debuted at No. 5 and eventually became its first No. 1 Billboard Country album. The album features several singles including the top ten hit and lead-off “Little White Church,” the group’s fastest rising single, plus its newly-released poignant “Shut Up Train.” With numerous accolades, critical favor, and more than 1.5 Million albums sold to date, Little Big Town has come a long way since their inception. To top it off, all four members are now married and have had children within the last five years. Members Fairchild and Westbrook, who married in 2006, welcomed their first baby boy last year. Along with Sweet’s 3-year-old and Schlapman’s 4-year-old daughters, Little Big Town is quickly becoming a big family themselves. One with an inspiring story and a promising future.

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CMA Awards Artist Spotlight: THE BAND PERRY

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In 2010, The Band Perry made their CMA Awards debut, performing "If I Die Young," which is nominated in 2010 for Single and Song of the Year.

On September 6th 2011, three Country newcomers from The Band Perry joined music comrade Jake Owen on ABC’s “Good Morning America” to announce the final nominees for “The 45th Annual CMA Awards.” If revealing the finalists was not honor enough, The Band Perry walked away with four nominations, while songwriter Kimberly Perry earned a fifth for penning the smash hit “If I Die Young.” The acknowledgement comes a short two years after the release of the group’s debut single in August 2009. The nominations (New Artist of the Year; Vocal Group of the Year; and three nominations for the smash hit “If I Die Young” in the categories of Single, Song, and Music Video of the Year) mark the beginning of a very promising career for the trio of siblings. In response to their nominations:

“We are thrilled and humbled to have received these nominations and even more so to be able to play a role in sharing the good news of nominations for our peers on ‘Good Morning America.’ Being a part of the Country Music community is like having a very large extended family and it means the world to us.”

More about The Band Perry

Growing up, the trio found themselves naturally gravitating towards each other to share musical insight, write, and play. While strong musical pedigree surely pervades this gifted family, Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry each bring their own unique knack to the group as well. Kimberly, the eldest, specializes in lead vocals, guitar, and piano; Reid, the middle, plays the bass guitar and sings background vocals; and Neil, the youngest, incorporates mandolin, drums, accordion, and vocals into the trio’s synergistic sound.

In 2005, Kimberly, Reid, and Neil joined forces and officially became The Band Perry. Soon after, the Coca-Cola Bottling Company invited the group to open the “New Faces of Country” tour that year.  In 2008, the Perry family moved to Nashville and since then, the siblings have taken the Country scene by storm.

Upon its release in October 2010, The Band Perry’s self-titled album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling nearly 53,000 copies in its first week. The album features the No.1 hit single “If I Die Young,” which went double-Platinum and earned the group nearly as many awards nominations as it did airplay. Two additional singles off the album, “You Lie” and “All Your Life” have further proven the talent inherent in this musical threesome.

In August 2011, The Band Perry set off on a 75-date tour that includes its own headlining shows as well as support dates for Keith Urban and Reba. So just how popular is this up-and-coming group? Their Nashville show, slated for February 2012 at the Ryman Auditorium, sold out in less than 20 minutes. However, even in the midst of tremendous career highs, The Band Perry is first and foremost a family. Says Reid of his relationship with Kimberly and Neil: “Blood runs thick. The music business can be hard, but the three of us are committed to not only our lives in music, but to living them together.”

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7 MILLION Country Fans ROCK ‘CMA Music Festival’ on ABC!

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You know it’s a party when 7 MILLION of your closest friends show up!

Thanks to the fans who watched the 2011 “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” on ABC Sunday night!  Y’all helped Country Music have a BIG SHOWING to a national TV audience.  In fact, with 7 MILLION viewers, last night’s telecast earned ABC its most viewers in the time period in five years!  That’s 7 MILLION fans who relived the excitement we experienced here in Nashville back in June, 7 MILLION fans who caught amazing performances by the likes of Trace Adkins, Alabama, Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson, Sheryl Crow, Sara Evans, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Shania Twain, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Zac Brown Band!

Here are some of our favorite tweets from friends during the show:

  • @Opry: WOW @Lauren_Alaina w/ @MartinaMcBride & @ScottyMcCreery w/ @joshturnermusic together!
  • @GACtv: @taylorswift13 showing off some mad banjo skills on the CMA Music Fest: Country’s Night to Rock special on ABC tonight. #cmafest
  • @FollowCMT: I always want to go sit on a beach when I hear @ZacBrownBand. Who’s with me? #CMAfest
  • @JoeDonRooney: Thx so much to all you #CountryMusicFans for making #CMAfest such a #Success this year! #KeepOnRockin
  • @cmilove: I wish @kelly_clarkson would make a full country record. She’s got one of THE BEST voices in all of music. #cmafest
  • @adrianftaylor: love how @DierksBentley announced so many great artists #cmafest country music’s night to rock! CMA knows who the fave is to see! #Dierks
  • @LBTmusic: Loved singing with @rascalflatts on #cmafest… so cool.
  • @MusicRow: Country girls, are you shaking it? Luke Bryan sez so. #cmafest
  • @MartinaMcBride: Thanks 4 all the sweet comments re. One Night @ #CMAFest.
  • @manderho: Little Big Town makes everything sound that much better #CMAfest

So, what was your favorite performance or moment from the special?  We want to hear it.  Sound off below!

PROFILE: The Band Perry

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CMA Music Festival welcomed The Band Perry to the LP Field stage in 2010, when the group offered its rendition of the National Anthem before Friday night’s show.  This year, siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid will rock the stadium with a full set.  And the group leads our 2011 series of artist profiles.

The Band Perry performs the National Anthem at the 2010 CMA Music Festival (6/11/10).

Forming TBP

With influences of equal part rock-and-roll and Country, and music in her blood, Kimberly Perry formed her first high school band at age 15.  While that band didn’t include her two younger brothers quite yet, it set in motion a career we fans are enjoying today.

As Kimberly worked to make music, she enlisted Reid (at the time 10) and Neil (8) for road duties.  It wasn’t long before the glamour of changing guitar strings and carrying instruments began to fade, so the brothers formed their own band to serve as an opening act for their big sis.

As each sibling worked to hone their craft and develop a style, each night they’d come home and sing harmonies to the Country songs they loved.  It seemed inevitable that the trio would perform together at some point.  They were just waiting for the stars to align.

In 2005, The Band Perry was officially brought together.  That same year, Coca-Cola Bottling Company asked TBP to open on the “New Faces of Country” tour.  After three years of touring, a chance meeting with longtime Garth Brooks manager Bob Doyle led to TBP creating music in Nashville.

Success to Date

The group’s self-titled debut album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart, and at No. 4 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart.  First single, “Hip To My Heart” cracked the top 20 and was followed by the No. 1 fan favorite, “If I Die Young,” which the group performed at the 2010 CMA Awards last November.  The Band Perry’s current single, “You Lie,” is climbing the charts now.

The Band Perry's self-titled CD debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart.

Get tickets for the 2011 CMA Music Festival now!  Priced from only $115 ($28.75 per day), tickets can be ordered at Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) or 1-800-745-3000.  In addition to The Band Perry, stars already announced include Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Sheryl Crow, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Reba, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton and Keith Urban.  Many more will be announced SOON!

CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade: New Route, Debut Attractions, More Stars and Plenty of Excitement

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For five years, fans who didn’t want to wait for Thursday morning have begun the CMA Music Festival party one day early. The Festival’s Kick-Off Parade does that and more, with veteran and fast-rising new artists riding classic Chevy vehicles through the streets of Downtown Nashville.

This year, though, visitors can enjoy fresh perspectives on the action along a new route. From the corner of Second Avenue North and Church Street, the all-star procession winds two blocks past the restaurants and businesses that line Second Avenue and then turns right. From there, it rolls down Broadway toward an afternoon of great – and FREE – music at the Chevy Music Stage on the Bridgestone Arena Plaza.

Following right behind a huge inflatable musical note, signifying the start of the Parade, Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee leads the way as Grand Marshal. Dozens of artists follow in an array of vehicles supplied by Carl Black Chevrolet and members of the Nashville Corvette Club. The lineup this year includes Lynn Anderson, Katie Armiger, Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry, Bo Bice, Ash Bowers, Carter Twins, Jeff Cook, Diana DeGarmo, Fast Ryde, Colt Ford, Brantley Gilbert, Gloriana, Josh Gracin, The Grascals, The Harters, Buddy Jewell, KingBilly, Jesse Lee, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, Jerrod Niemann, James Otto, Danielle Peck, Point of Grace, Marty Raybon, Pam Tillis, Trent Tomlinson and Chuck Wicks (artists participating subject to change).

Many favorites from past parades are back this year, from the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to the Nashville Sounds, Nashville Predators and Tennessee Titans mascots. But new participants will join the fun too, among them the Pryme Tyme Athletics cheerleaders, young members of the Nashville Children’s Theater, the Color Guard and Honor Guard from the Metro Nashville Police Department and more. In total, there are approximately 20 more units in this year’s Parade than in 2009, according Parade Coordinator Dell Courtney.

“Part of our task was to increase the efficiency of how the parade moved down the street, by making sure everything was in the right order and to make sure our volunteers are properly informed of what needed to be done and when it needed to be done,” said Courtney, who owns VisionWorks, a Louisville-based company that specializes in planning major events such as parades, festivals and trade shows. “Then we added elements to make the parade a little different – for example, we have a very strong patriotic element this year – without taking away from what the fans come to see, the artists in Corvettes and Silverado trucks.”

The Chevy vehicles, the Big Kenny, Luke Bryan and Wrangler/George Strait trucks, the Music City Drum & Bugle Corps, the rowdy Nashville Rollergirls and ever-civilized Geico Gecko and all their parade-mates hit the road at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, June 9.