The 2009 Academy Of Country Music Awards Are Handed Out
Altho I’m not a Country Music fan by any means, the 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV last night attracted their fair share of non-Country Music folks to get my attention … and also clued me into the fact that the amazing Carrie Underwood (my Oklahoma homegirl) had herself a pretty spectacular night at this year’s ACMs (as did Taylor Swift, whose talent also impresses me). Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals last night (you will note that LeAnn Rimes showed up all by herself as her hubby was nowhere to be seen … Miley Cyrus was also flying solo, leaving manfriend Justin Gaston at home) along with a couple photos of Carrie and Taylor proudly hoisting up their two ACM awards in the press room last night:
The 44th Academy of Country Music Awards swung political, personal, playful and patriotic on Sunday and ultimately opted for popular in bestowing its top honor on “American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood, naming her entertainer of the year over veteran male performers George Strait, Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. “I’ve had a lot of good moments in the past four years,” the Oklahoma-born Underwood said at the climax of the three-hour event at the MGM Grand Arena, “but this one takes the cake.” The award was determined for the second year by popular vote during the show at CBS.com instead of being determined as it had been in past years by the performer who sold the most concert tickets during the previous 12 months, which would have given a fifth title to Chesney. But the ACM, in striving to boost ratings and make the event more interactive for fans, opened the voting for entertainer and new artist to the public. That helped TV-friendly faces such as Underwood and former “Dancing With the Stars”-turned-country singer Julianne Hough, who took home the new artist trophy. It was a big night as well for Internet-savvy teen phenom Taylor Swift, who sold more albums in 2008 than any other artist in any genre, passing 5 million. Her overwhelming success contributed to her sophomore album, “Fearless,” which has topped 3 million since its release in November, being named album of the year. The giddy singer and songwriter from Pennsylvania clapped her hands over her mouth and danced in her signature cowgirl boots upon learning she’d been chosen by the academy’s 4,000 voting members over Strait, Underwood, duo Montgomery Gentry and newcomer Jamey Johnson … The CBS telecast also looked to give more fans … to latch on to with a performance by Miley Cyrus, timed to plug the new “Hannah Montana” movie, even though the daughter of country singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus wasn’t nominated for any awards. Tough economic times coupled with strong sentiment over the war in Iraq figured into two of the night’s most powerful musical performances. John Rich, half of the duo Big & Rich, sang a solo version of his new single “Shuttin’ Detroit Down” that elicited cheers several times from the 11,000 fans in the MGM Grand Arena as he railed against federal bailouts to troubled corporations while family farms continue to fail by the thousands. U.S. troops got a salute from Trace Adkins as he was joined by the West Point Glee Club with a new song recognizing what soldiers have sacrificed from the Civil War through the ongoing fighting in Afghanistan. The ACM announced that proceeds from the downloadable version of the performance will go to Wounded Warrior, a Florida-based organization the helps injured troops once they return home. Jamey Johnson’s “In Color,” an homage to those who weathered the Depression, fought in World War II and sustained long-term marriages, was named song of the year. Johnson’s album “That Lonesome Song,” which has drawn comparisons to the work of Waylon Jennings and others of the ’70s country Outlaw movement, had been chosen 2008’s best by a poll of country music critics. Reba McEntire hosted the show for the 11th year.
While I do not consider myself a Country Music fan per se, I still have a small place in my heart for the genre due to my years spent living in Oklahoma. Down there, you can’t escape Country Music so it’s best to just enjoy it for what it is — emotionally driven, heartfelt songs that have a pretty good way of tearing at heartstrings in order to illicit a response. I’m not ashamed to admit that I have my fave songs. I am prolly Carrie Underwood’s biggest fan who doesn’t own any of her albums. I have a few tracks but I’m most impressed with her singing abilities overall. She is truly the best thing to come from American Idol since Kelly Clarkson. I’m so happy that she continues to enjoy so much success. She’s a woman who works hard for what she has, it’s great to see her being successful. Taylor Swift, as well, strikes me as a very talented girl. The thing that I prolly like most about Country Music is that it is a genre that’s really driven by talent. Many of the biggest Country Music stars can play instruments … which cannot be said for a lot of pop/rock or rap musicians.
While all eyes were on the Country Music stars on the red carpet, there were quite a few celebs who showed up at the awards that have nothing at all really to do with Country Music as a craft. As you can see above, Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves were in attendance and I understand that comedian Carrot Top was there as well. Additionally, new celeb couple Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy chose the ACM Awards as their official coming out party as a couple:
I find it curious that they were both wearing all white … could they be trying to tell us something? The night wasn’t without it’s own drama as well … Tim McGraw ended up pulling out of performing on the show at the very last minute due to reported “problems” with production. See, even Country Music has their own divas. In any event, much congrats goes out to all the winners at this year’s ACM Awards!
[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin, Wireimage; Source]
Tags: Camila Alves, Carrie Underwood, Jamie Kennedy, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes, Matthew McConaughey, Miley Cyrus, Nicole Kidman, Taylor Swift, The Academy of Country Music Awards
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April 6th, 2009 at 11:06 am
why the hell is j.love hewitt there?
fearless is an amazing album. taylor is one of the very few new country artists i love that has both talent and writes her own work. we need more of her.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Love my country music! <3 Great show- great night- great preformances.
Tim is still amazing- diva and all. ;) Thanks for the post Trent!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Oh Jamie Kennedy what do you think you’re rocking with that out fit. No. Just no. Why does Miley look about 25?
April 6th, 2009 at 11:31 am
I’m not a country music fan at all, but I find myself really LOVING Carrie Underwood as a singer and just as a person..I also really like Taylor Swift..FINALLY a young girl in the industry who is worthy of being a role model..
April 6th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Jennifer Love Hewitt has always been pretty cute (although she used to bug me a helluva lot more than she currently does), and Jamie Kennedy used to be kind of a dorky-cute back in the Scream days. But what the hell is going on with his hair? It looks like it’s extremely thinning and he’s wearing it longer to kind of cover up that fact, but it just looks bad. Homeboy needs to do something about it and fast.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Matthew McConaughey actually presented the award for entertainer of year (won by Carrie Underwood) and it was a great moment with a pretty funny story. Good show!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Carrie Underwood looks like an absolute star!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Trent – love you and your blog to death, but as a crazy grammar person i have to get this off my chest: i can’t stand it when you use the passive voice in your award show headlines! It should be “Academy of Country Music hands out their 2009 awards.” I know i’m about to get yelled at by the other posters and that’s okay. I do love your blog to pieces though :)
April 6th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Nice to see J love isn’t ashamed of her man.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I didn’t get to catch last nights show but I in general do try and watch at least a little bit… the country stars always amaze me in their outfit choices… some come all dressed up and others don’t understand that formal doesn’t mean wear your best jeans and cowboy hat! That being said though I do agree that they have a lot of talent in their genre… I am a fan of country music to a certain degree and the stars in that genre earned their place. Oh and the Leann Rimes coming alone doesn’t really shock me… I’m sure more people would be talking if she had actually brought her husband with her… or maybe they did a Bennifer 2.0 and he’s waiting inside.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Why is Miley Cyrus there?! Sure, her dad had a hit about ten or so years ago but still! So irrelevant. Anyways, uh, I don’t like country music all that much but I’ve been really digging Taylor Swift lately… I am sure she is going to take Carrie’s country crown pretty soon!
April 6th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Just to let you no Trent I am Carrie Underwood’s biggest fan who doesn’t own any of her albums you can be the second biggest!
April 6th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Not a country fan either, but I was kinda forced to watch the show because of where I was at when it aired. Anyhoo, I did kinda enjoy it. That crazy dress Carrie Underwood was wearing when she performed blew me away! She’s so gorgeous, totally Nashville Barbie. And I don’t mean she’s a dumb blonde – I know she’s bright and sincere – but she’s just so effing perfect looking.
MM’s story at the end was really fun and well-told.
J-Love looked great!
Miley irritates the snot AND the bejesus out of me.
I’m not big on Taylor Swift, but she really seemed to genuinely appreciate her awared so good for her.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I like Taylor Swift as much as alot of other people and I agree that shes talented but at the same time I can’t for the life of me realize why it is that no one ever comments on the fact that shes always sings in the same monotone fashion, never hits high notes, doesnt sway/dance to her songs gracefully???Let’s be honest with ourselves here…she really isn’t a good singer at all. The funny thing is I like the girl but she really cant compete with the likes of Carrie Underwood and honestly only deserves major props for her songwriting.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I don’t listen to country AT ALL but love their award show. I like how there is continuous entertainment and not so much talking. that just annoys me. The grammy’s should take note
@ danielthegreat: i agree that she isn’t the best singer but she’s charming and actually has the ability to play AND write songs. that can’t be said for a lot of singers and the thing about taylor is that she isn’t all country. at least not in the twangy nasal country sense. she’s more relatable you know?
April 6th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
My only problem with Taylor is that she is suppose to be “country” and yet the only songs of hers that got really big are ones that have had pop remixes. It seems like she is always credited as a country artist when most of her stuff has been more so pop Love Story has beaten Before he Cheats as best selling digital single for a country artist and yet it was the pop version that was big!
April 7th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Taylor Swift is a lovely young lady, but she is a boring singer with repetitive songs. Her voice drives me insane!
April 10th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
YAY TAYLOR!!!!
KEEP ON WINNING DEM AWARDZ!!!
U ROCK !!!