It’s always interesting to see how music industry awards reflect (or don’t reflect) larger narratives in the industry itself.
If you’re interested in the narratives behind this year’s CMAs, look no further than the two men who’ve made the biggest strides on the ballot: Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean. Both show up in Entertainer and Male Vocalist, plus Album and Single, plus assorted other stuff. But the marketing approaches that have gotten them there are vastly different.
Shelton’s is the traditional wisdom: cover all media ground with an inoffensive product until the people buy in. So he’s a core act at radio; he’s on a popular TV show (The Voice); he hosted the ACMs; he was in a ton of magazines for his marriage; he Twitters a lot.
Then there’s the Aldean approach: make a distinct product, generate enough radio support to plant the seeds, then go straight to the fans, tour relentlessly, build up word-of-mouth – let the industry come to you. I think it’s the more effective approach, personally. Look at Eric Church, who has a fraction of Shelton’s ubiquity but beat him in first-week album sales and is still beating him cumulatively – no TV spotlights, no gossip mags, no Twitter.
And look at how many acts on this ballot started on indie labels. Aldean, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band, Thompson Square, the freaking Civil Wars. Major-label power still matters, but it seems to mean less all the time. Media saturation still matters, but it seems to mean less all the time. Music is the only thing that always counts, and even the highly political CMAs are starting to have trouble ignoring it.
Just my thoughts, anyway. What say you to this list?
Entertainer
- Jason Aldean
- Brad Paisley
- Blake Shelton
- Taylor Swift
- Keith Urban
Who’s In: Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift
Who’s Out: Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band
Male Vocalist
- Jason Aldean
- Kenny Chesney
- Brad Paisley
- Blake Shelton
- Keith Urban
Who’s In: Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney
Who’s Out: Dierks Bentley, George Strait
Female Vocalist
- Sara Evans
- Miranda Lambert
- Martina McBride
- Taylor Swift
- Carrie Underwood
Who’s In: Sara Evans
Who’s Out: Reba McEntire
Vocal Duo
- The Civil Wars
- Montgomery Gentry
- Steel Magnolia
- Sugarland
- Thompson Square
Who’s In: The Civil Wars, Thompson Square
Who’s Out: Brooks & Dunn (historical moment!), Joey + Rory
Vocal Group
- The Band Perry
- Lady Antebellum
- Little Big Town
- Rascal Flatts
- Zac Brown Band
Who’s In: Nobody
Who’s Out: Nobody
New Artist
- The Band Perry
- Luke Bryan
- Eric Church
- Thompson Square
- Chris Young
Who’s In: The Band Perry, Eric Church, Thompson Square
Who’s Out: Easton Corbin, Jerrod Niemann, Zac Brown Band (won)
Notes: Bryan and Young are both on their second nominations here, but for once there’s no obvious frontrunner. Thompson Square pick up the category-filler nom from Jerrod Niemann. This reminds me: where has Easton Corbin gone?
Album
- Blake Shelton, All About Tonight
- Jason Aldean, My Kinda Party
- Taylor Swift, Speak Now
- Brad Paisley, This Is Country Music
- Zac Brown Band, You Get What You Give
Notes: Shelton’s is a low-selling EP. Uhhh.
Single
- Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
- Zac Brown Band, “Colder Weather”
- Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
- Blake Shelton, “Honey Bee”
- The Band Perry, “If I Die Young”
Song
- “Colder Weather” – written by Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, and Coy Bowles
- “Dirt Road Anthem” – written by Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford
- “If I Die Young ” – written by Kimberly Perry
- “Mean” – written by Taylor Swift
- “You and Tequila” – written by Matraca Berg and Deana Carter
Notes: Nice to see there are still some Matraca Berg fans out there amid the Brantley Gilbert ones. Interestingly, Swift’s first nomination in this category.
Musical Event
- “As She’s Walking Away” – Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson
- “Coal Miner’s Daughter” – Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert
- “Don’t You Wanna Stay” – Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
- “Old Alabama” – Brad Paisley with Alabama
- “You and Tequila” – Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter
Notes: I’m troubled by the fact that “Don’t You Wanna Stay” is nominated for Single and “As She’s Walking Away” isn’t.
Music Video
- “Honey Bee” – Blake Shelton
- “If I Die Young” – The Band Perry
- “Mean” – Taylor Swift
- “Old Alabama” – Brad Paisley featuring Alabama
- “You and Tequila” – Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter
Notes: The worst Brad Paisley video ever to be nominated here, I think.
Musician
- Paul Franklin
- Dann Huff
- Brent Mason
- Mac McAnally
- Randy Scruggs
Who’s In: Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas
Who’s Out: Brent Mason, Randy Scruggs
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Why is Blake in there?!
Female Vocalist field was mostly what I predicted, but I would have swapped out McBride for McEntire.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that “Dirt Road Anthem” is up for Song of the Year. SINGLE of the Year I could almost get, but SONG? Seriously? On principle, I’m pulling for Berg and Carter, but I could be Kimberly Perry taking it instead.
Enjoyed the reflections. Very interesting and insightful summaries on the artists’ varying strategies.
It’s really enough to make you nauseous when you see it laid out that some of these categories represent the theoretical “Top 5” in their respective categories over the year. The Album of the Year list is pretty rough, with ZBB’s being IMO the only worthy one (and I would consider that their third best major release, behind their live album and then their debut).
There is merit to the hype vs. work ethic means of growing a fanbase, but at the core it is still the same product, just different packaging and access points. It would be one thing if the Shelton vs. Aldean debate was founded upon artistic differences. At the end of the day though, each performs safe, uninteresting, and unchallenging music. Aldean happens to be a little louder, Shelton a little snarkier. Whether it is promoted through a Tweet or a show in a dive bar is mostly irrelevant in my eyes. At the end of the day, it just needs to be better if it truly wants to make an impact outside of a 2-year window.
I think McBride’s nomination is because she’s actually cracked the top twenty recently, while McEntire’s last two singles didn’t even do so. I could see how McEntire loses a nomination in the FVOTY category this year.
Again, I think the group of nominations has improved slightly compared to last year, and in most categories you could say that the past year has been appropriately reflected.
If this reflects a trend that will continue where lesser known acts (who don’t succeed at radio) that have good music earn nominations, then that will be great. But I do think that being nominated doesn’t really matter compared to who wins, which the major labels will probably win out in the end.
I’d like to see Jason Aldean emerge victorious for EOTY, as he was the only act that seemed to be largely popular at radio in the past year.
Personally, Sara Evans’ comeback is making me root for her 2nd and 3rd CMAs in FVOTY (LONG overdue, in my opinion), and Single Of The Year for “A Little Bit Stronger” (in which I am also rooting for Zac Brown Band’s “Colder Weather”).
Vocal Group, I am rooting for the long-overdue Little Big Town, but on success, I feel Zac Brown Band deserves to win.
New Artist, either Chris Young or Band Perry is fine with me, the former being my preference.
Not hearing ZBB’s album, I don’t know how to compare it to the only other worthy winner in the Album category (Taylor Swift’s Speak Now, despite being a more pop-ish album, was one of the best country albums I’ve heard in the best year.
For video, the clear winner for me is Swift’s anti-bullying anthem “Mean.”
(I do wish Sunny Sweeny was nominated for “From A Table Away,” though).
I’m way more of a Jason Aldean fan than anyone should be, so I’m delighted to see him here.
Reba is more deserving that Martina IMO, she did at least hit Number 1 at the start of the year. Teenage daughters barely hit top 20. Im rooting for Sara this year, the first year Carrie won Should have been Sara’s year! At least the ACM’s got it right that year!
I’m not too surprised by any of the nominations, with the exception of all the (premature) Blake Shelton nominations.
How the heck did he get nominated for one of the biggest industry awards with a six-pack that went Gold? Ridiculous.
Furthermore, Blake is still an opening act who doesn’t have the touring stats to make up for his lackluster album sales, either. The fact that he probably got a nomination because of all the hype from his judging stint on “The Voice” pretty much sums up the rationale of the CMA voters.
Also, Rascal Flatts should’ve been nominated for something other than Vocal Group. Both Flatts & Kenny have played to over 1 million fans this year, plus RF had a platinum album, two solid videos, and two-to-back number one singles. I really thought the move to Big Machine might benefit them come awards show time, but obviously they still only have eyes for the Golden Girl.
That reminds me, how the heck did Taylor get two nominations for “Mean,” especially for Song Of The Year? It’s an immature, poorly written song, and the only thing that remotely resembles “country” music on “Speak Now.”
It doesn’t surprise me at all Big Machine had the ego to submit such a poor, immature, trainwreck of a song.
“Mean” and “Honeybee” earning video nods over “Colder Weather” and even Rascal Flatts “Why Wait” or “Easy?”
Congrats to Sara, Jason, and TBP; they deserve all the love they’ve received this year.
Blake Shelton for ETOY? Seriously? I just don’t see it. Obviously his TV exposure on The Voice helped in that regard. Too bad all of Carrie Underwood’s TV exposure last year didn’t help her the same way (but then I’ve been known to hold a grudge).
Mean for song of the year? Again I say – seriously? I don’t know what’s going to have to happen for country music to wise up to pop princess Swift and her immature, he-didn’t-take-me-to-the-prom songs. But I hope it happens sooner than later, cause I’m getting real sick of hearing her name called for COUNTRY awards. Like the old saying goes, you can put your boots in the oven but that don’t make ’em biscuits. And calling Taylor Swift country doesn’t make it so. Nice girl … probably means well … but c’mon. Enough is enough.
And Jason Aldean … I just don’t see it. He has all the presence of a cooked turnip with no butter. But a nomination as ETOY? That’s way too premature and so not deserved IMHO.
I won’t deny that I’m a diehard Carrie fan, so I don’t understand her being overlooked for vocal event (for pretty much ANYTHING she has done) or video with Brad, unless those were outside the eligibility period. Can someone clarify that for me? I would have liked to have seen her get an ETOY nod to make up for last year’s debacle, but pretty much figured that wasn’t going to happen. Still stings a little though …
The CMAs are really starting to lose relevance for me. If, as someone said in a prevous post, it’s become all about the music, then I’m pretty scared for country music right now because the music some of these nominees are putting out is pretty pathetic, again IMHO.
Oh well, onward and upward.
“Remind Me” is eligible for next year, so one of two things happened:
-it was submitted this year and the CMAs overlooked it, which is a possibility seeing as they’ve verified their stupidity time after time again.
-Arista didn’t submit it for nods so it could peak and sell and get submitted for next year’s show.
Anyways, EOTY – Blake. I’m dying. C’mon, CMAs. Blake? Really? I think Brad or Taylor will take it, even though Jason deserves it.
MVOTY – Nothing shocking. Brad’ll win again.
FVOTY – nothing shocking, and it’s a race between
Carrie and Miranda. I think Carrie may actually get it back this year. Miranda’s had one song out during the eligibility period. That alone can’t warrant her a win, but like I said before, this is the CMAs were talking about.
Group – Lady A, as per usual.
Duo – Sugarland. LMAO at anyone else thinking someone other than Jen & Kristian could take it.
Album – uhhhh… Blake’s EP, which barely cracked 200k, is nominated? Yikes! Anyways, Jason or Taylor will win.
Song – “Mean”? Again, yikes! Anyways, The Band Perry or ZBB better win.
Single – Jason/Kelly vs. Blake, but it’ll go to Jason/Kelly.
Video – none of them are good, but Taylor will probably win.
Musical Event – Jason & Kelly have already won.
I can’t figure out why All About Tonight got any sort of nomination. Even as a giant Blake Shelton super fan, that nomination just doesn’t make sense. Clearly Red River Blue didn’t fall into the proper time frame, but All About Tonight is over a year old at this point, and not even a real album.
As far as EOTY, it was probably a year early for Blake. But as everyone has said, the increased exposure from The Voice has propelled him, and in a way, he served as the face/ambassador for country music as a whole there. Since the whole basis of EOTY is so ill-defined, I suppose that could be worthy of a nod. Actually, now that I think about it, I don’t care if he ever wins that award or gets another nomination. I kinda prefer it when acts stay fairly small. They can take more chances and be more personal that way.
How in the heck is Luke Bryan considered a new artist? He’s on his third album already, is that really new?
If Dirt Road Anthem wins over You & Tequila then Matraca Berg and her talents will have been truly defamed and disgraced!!! There is absolutely no way both lyrically and in production, that a song like Dirt Road Anthem can ever come even close to carrying the bags of You & Tequila. They’re miles apart in terms of everything, especially in producing and showcasing a well written lyrics. I’ll never have credibility in a country awards show again if that song wins Song of the Year. Never!
Great to see Sara nominated again, and in two categories. I hope it’s finally her year for CMA Female Vocalist.
But I’m actually pulling for ZBB’s Colder Weather for each of it’s categories including Single. Too bad that Zac and James Taylor didnt record their duet of Colder Weather and make it eligible for Vocal Event.
Brad for entertainer and male vocalist.
Old Alabama for video.
My initial reaction is also to root for “Colder Weather.”
I want Sara for Female Vocalist, The Band Perry for New artist (since they are the better of the two who are actually new), Taylor or Zac Brown for album, and for the sake of God please have song of the year be “If I Die Young” for Kimberly or the exquisite, incredible, and beautiful Matraca Berg for “You and Tequila” if those happen I’ll be happy with a some what lackluster line up.
Russell said:
“It would be one thing if the Shelton vs. Aldean debate was founded upon artistic differences. At the end of the day though, each performs safe, uninteresting, and unchallenging music. Aldean happens to be a little louder, Shelton a little snarkier….
…At the end of the day, it just needs to be better if it truly wants to make an impact outside of a 2-year window.”
I’m no Aldean fan, but from talking with those who are, I think they genuinely see him as offering something distinct in country music. And I can agree with that, even if I think his distinction mostly amounts to being the loudest and most vocally skilled of the crass “country party boy” crew. Shelton, to me, is just a less extreme member of that crew. The casual country fan wouldn’t be able to tell his material from Luke Bryan’s or Dierks Bentley’s (the bad Dierks stuff, anyway) or so on.
I can see why “Don’t You Wanna Stay” was nominated for Single of the Year. It actually did really well! #1 for 3 weeks (in the US), #1 for 4 weeks (in Canada), Top 10 HAC, Top 5 AC (still currently at #4), and it’s officially the highest-selling country collaboration in digital history. I would love to see them win Single, but I think The Band Perry will take it. However, I’d say they’ll win Musical Event.
I like Zac for vocal group, album, single, song & event.
One of my favorite singles this year is David Bradley’s “Hard Time Movin’ On” (featuring Rodney Crowell). It got a great review over at MKOC this past March but apparently went nowhere near the top 40.
Furthermore, Blake is still an opening act who doesn’t have the touring stats to make up for his lackluster album sales, either. The fact that he probably got a nomination because of all the hype from his judging stint on “The Voice” pretty much sums up the rationale of the CMA voters.
That’s probably what factored into his nomination, EOTY is not just limited to radio and sales but also supposed to include TV appearances and such (which still doesn’t make sense as to why Underwood has never been nominated)…… I fear politics behind Underwood’s lack of nominations.
The fact that the horribly awful Dirt Road Anthem was nominated for song of the year worries me. Does nobody listen to real music anymore?
…is there really no category for susie brown to be nominated: best make-up clip on youtube, tightest fitting jeans of music city usa, being simply to die for, probably best mute vocal duo – c’mon cma there must be somethin’!
i’m inclined to believe that keith urban will be a nominee as etoy in 2048 still.
hoping that kenny chesney will win something for “you and tequila”. i know, it’s kinda weird thinking, but he’s put some country miles between him and his sexy tractor.
the “honey bee” nominations definitely make sure there’s no doubt that the cma’s are a little more country than one would have thought. and why is the girl in that video not wearing a bikini – continuing that great ol’ country music video tradition?
cma awards – the most perfect imperfect awards show in the music business, bless ’em.
If Paisley wins Entertainer again and “You and Tequila” wins song of the year I’m content :)
I can see the argument for Shelton as an Entertainer nominee, I guess. His sales suck, but it’s been a long time since country music has had lots of consistent mainstream representation on TV. And he’s a good personality. But I wouldn’t want him to win.
“Mean” is a great song. The only people who don’t like it are probably the people who feel like she is talking to them. It is well written, has a great hook and is all kinds of catchy. Everything a song is supposed to be.
I told you guys Taylor Swift would be back. She put out an album that was even more critically acclaimed then fearless and has a bigger tour this year with “Speak Now” that will top well over 100M, “Fearless” tour I think did in the high 75M range.
I’m glad to see The Civil Wars taking the Bellamy Brothers spot for “we need enough duos to fill out this category.” They should probably win the Vocal Duo award, considering their album was light years better than Sugarland’s, but it’s better than nothing.
What was the eligibility period for this year’s nominations? Because if those were the five best albums, it was a weak year for country music. I’d say the only the Taylor Swift and Zac Brown Band albums really deserve to be there.
Was the Jamey Johnson’s The Guitar Song outside of the eligibility period. It was released September 14, 2010.
Don’t forget that “Entertainer of the Year” is for more than just touring stats. It incorporates that, hit records, multi-media representation of country music, etc. So in that case, Blake Shelton most certainly was one of the top Entertainers of the Year. He won’t likely win so it’s really arguing about nothing. If this award goes to anyone but Swift, Paisley or Urban, I’d be surprised.
@Leeann,
Yes, it was eligible. No, I don’t know how it wasn’t nominated.
Don’t forget that “Entertainer of the Year” is for more than just touring stats. It incorporates that, hit records, multi-media representation of country music, etc. So in that case, Blake Shelton most certainly was one of the top Entertainers of the Year.
If that was the case then Carrie Underwood should certainly have been nominated last year, considering her representation of country music across all mediums. But she wasn’t. Personally I think this is all driven by record labels and block voting groups. And yes, I think there’s some definite politics going on. But she’s good enough to host to get ratings. Still holding a grudge (as you can tell).
If that was the case then Carrie Underwood should certainly have been nominated last year, considering her representation of country music across all mediums. But she wasn’t. Personally I think this is all driven by record labels and block voting groups. And yes, I think there’s some definite politics going on. But she’s good enough to host to get ratings. Still holding a grudge (as you can tell).
One of the biggest mysteries in CMA History, alongside the fact there have only been 7 female acts who have ever won the EOTY trophy itself (Barbara Mandrell winning twice). It’s the same kooky thing as to why Carrie Underwood was not nominated for ACM EOTY this year, when she clearly deserved a nomination (I suspect it had to do with the fact that the ACM’s didn’t want Carrie to win a third fan-voted entertainer award).
I agree there are some major politics happening in this case of Underwood’s lack of a CMA EOTY nomination, I think that Kevin wrote an article on this site along the lines of this subject a couple of years ago.
I typically prefer the CMAs over any other award show but this group of nominees do nothing for me. I’m very happy to see The Civil Wars in the Duo category even if it is just to fill it out.
I’ve also never understood the CMAs not nominating/voting for certain artists. Tim McGraw won EOTY in 2001 but has been overlooked for a nomination too many times. How he and Faith weren’t nominated in 2006 is a complete mystery to me.
Dang. “does nothing for me”
I agree there are some major politics happening in this case of Underwood’s lack of a CMA EOTY nomination, I think that Kevin wrote an article on this site along the lines of this subject a couple of years ago.
This, perhaps? :)
https://www.countryuniverse.net/2010/09/03/cma-2010-female-trouble/
Don’t forget that “Entertainer of the Year” is for more than just touring stats. It incorporates that, hit records, multi-media representation of country music, etc.
When Carrie was the biggest name in country music 2-3 years ago – outselling every single nominee in the EOTY category, getting multi-week #1s, getting prime performance spots at prime awards shows, getting cross-over hits without remixes – people argued she didn’t deserve an EOTY nom because she was not a touring force yet. Apparently, Kenny deserved all those EOTYs because he had the biggest tour. Not because he was the biggest name or best representative of country music. Toe to toe on other “stats” during that period, Carrie had outsold him on albums and singles, had several multi-week #1s and even blocked some of Kenny’s songs from getting to the top, and was the face of country music in the media more than Kenny was. The only upperhand that Kenny had was he could sell arenas and stadiums.
Now that she’s also a touring force, on top of all her other accomplishments, all of a sudden, the EOTY has become “much more” than just a “touring” award.
Seriously. It’s like people are just going to invent more “criteria” and “stats” (otherwise known as excuses) just to never give Carrie that award, or even a freaking nomination.
Ditto, Jon.
Jon,
You point out this hypocrisy, but are you sure that it’s the same people saying both things?
In fact, though I’m not a personal Carrie Underwood fan, I’ve felt she’s deserved a nomination for awhile now. I am, in fact, baffled by Blake’s nomination, despite his television appearance. Perhaps that’s because I’ve never watched an episode of The Voice.
I actually wasn’t surprised at all at Carrie’s lack of a CMA EOTY nomination this year. Her visibility hasn’t been high in 2011, as she hasn’t released a solo single to radio since “Mama’s Song” last fall. Plus, she hasn’t announced any release date for her next album, which we now know she’s only halfway through recording. Even though she deserves a nomination, this wasn’t her year.
On the other hand, Blake Shelton has been everywhere. His nomination comes on the heels of his high visibility not just with The Voice but with his singles “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” and “Honey Bee” which turned out to be the biggest country hit this past summer, logging four weeks at #1. He also has the title song on the “Footloose” soundtrack and status as a genuine superstar now. Only his lack of a headlining tour is keeping him just below the likes of Keith, Brad, Kenny, and Taylor. He’s done much more in the past year than Carrie Underwood and rightfully deserves his nomination.
The “All About Tonight” album nomination was the only of Blake’s five I didn’t get. I understand the need to hit it on all fronts, but nominating a low-selling six-pack seems like an excuse just to give Blake another nomination. I would’ve gone with Kenny Chesney’s album instead. While I’ve never heard it, the four singles have all been huge radio hits and he already has three #1s from the project. To shut it out was in poor taste.
What baffles me though is Zac Brown Band. While they continue to have major success and #1 hit after #1 hit, and a prime spot on Kenny’s 2011 tour, they’re left out of the EOTY race, for which I thought they were a lock. I’ve seen them in concert and they represent what the award is all about. Plus, it’s about time they best Lady A in the Group category.
And Dan did a great job of explaining the “narratives behind this year’s CMAs.” I hadn’t thought of Jason or Blake’s approaches like that but he’s so right.
Jon,
You point out this hypocrisy, but are you sure that it’s the same people saying both things?
No, but I’m highly annoyed by the fact that all of a sudden, EOTY is “much more” than just a touring award now because it’s convenient to use for some of the people nominated.
I actually wasn’t surprised at all at Carrie’s lack of a CMA EOTY nomination this year. Her visibility hasn’t been high in 2011, as she hasn’t released a solo single to radio since “Mama’s Song” last fall. Plus, she hasn’t announced any release date for her next album, which we now know she’s only halfway through recording. Even though she deserves a nomination, this wasn’t her year.
I don’t mean to belittle Blake’s “biggest” year or whatever, but truthfully, even Blake’s biggest year doesn’t match what Carrie has done in her biggest years. Some may argue her biggest year was the SH era. Some may argue that was last year. In any case, she got all bases covered and has still outhit Blake by a mile. She has deserved the nomination in the year Sugarland got their nom (not that Sugarland didn’t deserve the nom, but they’re the only act that stood out to me that year, since all others were quite interchangeable and apparently cannot be “unseated”), and last year.
Judging from Blake getting his “biggest year”, and Miranda and LA getting their “biggest year” last year on the way to EOTY noms, does this mean EOTY has just become a glorified “Breakthrough” award then?
Jon,
You point out this hypocrisy, but are you sure that it’s the same people saying both things?
No, but I’m highly annoyed by the fact that all of a sudden, EOTY is “much more” than just a touring award now because it’s convenient to use for some of the people nominated.
I actually wasn’t surprised at all at Carrie’s lack of a CMA EOTY nomination this year. Her visibility hasn’t been high in 2011, as she hasn’t released a solo single to radio since “Mama’s Song” last fall. Plus, she hasn’t announced any release date for her next album, which we now know she’s only halfway through recording. Even though she deserves a nomination, this wasn’t her year.
I don’t mean to belittle Blake’s “biggest” year or whatever, but truthfully, even Blake’s biggest year doesn’t match what Carrie has done in her biggest years. Some may argue her biggest year was the SH era. Some may argue that was last year. In any case, she got all bases covered and has still outhit Blake by a mile. She has deserved the nomination in the year Sugarland got their nom (not that Sugarland didn’t deserve the nom, but they’re the only act that stood out to me that year, since all others were quite interchangeable and apparently cannot be “unseated”), and last year.
Judging from Blake getting his “biggest year”, and Miranda and LA getting their “biggest year” last year on the way to EOTY noms, does this mean EOTY has just become a glorified “Breakthrough” award then?
Jonathan,
I agree with Jon about the EOTY nomination being given to some artists now that seem to have the biggest hype at the moment. As far as Carrie goes, I too did not expect an EOTY nomination this year especially since she did not get one last year with all she had done. Yes she has been a little quite this year but the CMA eligibility period is from July 1 through June 30. Even though Carrie is not doing a major tour this year she did in fact do over 50 shows on her Play On tour during Sept. through December which was in fact in the CMA eligibilty period. She actually toured more than some of the artists this year. She also co wrote a song in the Narnia Movie that came out in December and it was nominated for a Golden Globe nomination. She was also in a movie this year which wss Soul Surfer which came out in April of this year. She has been the spokes person for Olay and she has had the duet Remind Me with Brad during this year. She also has done numerous fairs and festivals this year instead of a major tour. Actually, when you do take all of this into account Carrie really has not been all that quiet this year.
Anyways, I am not sure why she has not received an EOTY nomination at the CMA’s. I have pretty much come to the conclusion that she may never get one. I don’t really know what she has to do to get one to be honest.
Also, last year Keith Urban did not do a major tour and he was working on his latest album and he still got an EOTY nomination. Granted he is on a different label than Carrie but he still got one.
Dolly,
You’re right. She has done a lot this year. I forgot to factor in her acting (SS wasn’t close to a blockbuster) or “There’s A Place For Us” and I didn’t even think to factor in her deal with Olay. But that being said, I still wouldn’t have given her a nomination for EOTY. She just wasn’t visible enough for me in the media or on country radio. In 2011, CU was more of an after thought than BS who was everywhere.
She would’ve had to do more in my book like release another solo single or even an album. That would’ve put it over the top for me. This just wasn’t her year and she made that choice herself. She decided to take the year off and after all she’s done since winning Idol that was more than a little deserved. But she’ll be back soon and hopefully score a nomination in the future. If Faith Hill can score a nomination, CU can.
I think Keith Urban was nominated on principal. To see the category without him in it would’ve been strange. (Much like not seeing KC) And he could win again this year if the CMA are looking for someone other than BP or TS but aren’t planning to give BS or JA the award their first time out. We’ll just have to wait and see.
I think Keith Urban was nominated on principal. To see the category without him in it would’ve been strange.
See that’s the thing. A man can get nominated on “principal”. Why not a woman? Why does a woman have to work like a horse and doubly harder than a man just to get recognized? Why couldn’t it feel strange not seeing CU or TS instead in that category every year since they burst on to the scene? But somehow it feels “strange” not seeing Chesney or Urban there. Like someone pointed out earlier, both Keith and Kenny had some some kind of a “year off” when they were making their albums, yet they had no problems getting nominations in the past years. Seriously, if all Keith ever did in a year was appear in one McDonalds’ commercial, he’d still get nominated. If a guy had Carrie’s SH era, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he actually swept the CMAs that particular year and sweep in a sense that even that guy would have won FVOTY.
I think Carrie has mostly been a victim of timing in EOTY. At the peak of her popularity (late Some Hearts, early Carnival Ride), when she truly was the hottest act in country music, the award was stuck in a doldrums of Paisley, Urban, Chesney, Strait, with other established acts like Rascal Flatts rotating out the fifth slot. With that mindset, Carrie probably seemed too new. By the time the CMA finally started doing course-correction on the doldrums (which was only last year), Carrie’s popularity had waned somewhat – maybe not among her fans, but among the public at large.
Dan,
I have to disagree with you on Carrie’s popularity. Granted she may not be the hottest act in country music right now but neither is Keith, Kenny, or Brad. Carrie outsells these guys by miles in albums and digital downloads and her singles have never charted lower than no. 2 on the country charts. Again, I too think this is more a problem with the fact that she is female. Also, last year she should have been nominated for EOTY. She had tour, sales, and singles success and was certaintly visible. Again, the reasons that are brought up as to why she has not been nominated for EOTY just don’t seem valid to me.
I meant to have a part 2 to my comment but didn’t finish it before I had to rush out. Though I think timing has been the decisive problem in Carrie scoring a nod, the gender bias does play an undeniable role, too. The CMA has shown that it’s willing to nominate women for Entertainer when it’s merited; it just won’t nominate more than one at a time (Hillary Scott and Miranda Lambert being an exception, but not really). There have certainly been years where Carrie should have been nominated alongside Taylor Swift or Sugarland, but because she’s a woman and has to compete for one female slot, she’s suffered from the timing of everything in a way the guys haven’t.
I also suspect that some of the impressions that lead to an EOTY nod are formed early and never challenged. Keith Urban and Brad Paisley both emerged as highly polished entertainers. Some CMA voters were probably wowed by them early on and just vote for them by default each year without bothering to update their scope of the field. So that’s keeping things clogged up.
I for one, do not get excited for award shows like I use too. Things have changed so much in the last couple of years and there is just no prestige to getting the awards like there use to be or at least that’s how I feel. I’m an older lady and I personally would not pay 5 cents to hear or see Taylor Swift again. She has a lot of fans that love her, but she offers me nothing. I don’t care for her shows or her songs or how many outfits she wears during her spectacle(not a country concert, or at least like the ones I love to attend). I know the industry now, seems to go with who is making the most money, not who is the better performer. I know each fan loves their favorite artist, so that is why I think there should be no fan voting. It should be the industry people making the decisions on talent, touring,public appearances….not who the flavor of the month is.
But it’s always going to be hard to sit back and see your favorite get the shaft, but that is the way it is always going to be from now on. There is just no pleasing everybody so I just go to the concert of my favorite artist and who I think is the best entertainer and leave it at that. To heck with who has just won Entertainer or vocalist. I go to each artist’s concerts and whomever’s show leaves me wanting more, that’s my entertainer of the year!!
Jon, you’ve been right on the money throughout the entire thing.
Carrie’s warranted a nomination at least twice throughout her career from the CMAs for EOTY. Last year, she warranted the nomination AND the win.
I have a question for you all…
Since Joe Galante resigned from President of Arista and the new person stepped in, do you think that person may have been the biggest factor as to why Carrie’s career has suddenly been…off? Ever since Galante left, they released “Mama’s Song” as a single, block voted for Miranda for the CMAs instead of Carrie (and caused her to get a measly two nominations and no wins last year when she warranted a nomination in every category she could’ve gotten one in), she got screwed over at the ACMs (even when she was the REIGNING EOTY and had the biggest year over everyone else), and now her album isn’t even getting released in the end of 2011, which is what was pinpointed by so many (and even Carrie herself at one point).
Before Joe Galante left, everything was picture-perfect and everything went fairly on the Arista label, especially for Carrie. She was nominated for what she should’ve been nominated for, and won what she should’ve won.
It’s just an observation of mine that ever since Arista got a new president, Carrie’s entire career has been majorly off. And now the label screwed “Remind Me” out of a deserving, and very possible, multiple-week #1 run because they wanted Jake Owen to get the #1, even after he was falling, so they pushed him over their two biggest artists on the label. It just seems like the new president has something over Carrie. It could just be very coincidental, but too much stacks up against him to make me believe that something isn’t going on behind the scenes that we don’t know.
And Dan, I thoroughly disagree with you on her popularity.
Are you implying that in 2010, where she was, by far, the largest act in Country music (even over Miranda – Miranda’s breakout year doesn’t equal the biggest year, which belonged to Carrie), she didn’t deserve a nod for EOTY? The girl has done everything and more to get the award, especially last year, and they nominated such undeserving acts like Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, and Miranda Lambert, who weren’t even headlining a tour yet.
The CMAs have proven time after time again that they make stupid, senseless, and completely illogical decisions in the nomination process.
First, I just don’t agree that Carrie was the biggest country act in 2010. Her sales, while still higher than most, had declined not only from the Some Hearts level, but the lower Carnival Ride one, too. The hits from Play On didn’t seem to strike as deep a chord as those from the earlier albums. Touring stuff notwithstanding, if anyone was the biggest act in country in 2010, it was Lady A. Which isn’t to say I think they should have won that award, either – personally, I was pulling for Zac Brown Band.
Second, I don’t think anything I said implied that I don’t think she deserved a nomination last year. I do, and he she gotten one, I probably would have supported her winning. I even said she’s been a “victim.” Just offering my take on how the nomination has eluded her.
I like Gloria’s mindset about all this – award shows are just award shows. They’re good for light entertainment and a few touching moments, but in the long run an artist’s career is much more important than the hardware he/she picks up.
I would have to say I’m happy to see Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean leading the CMA’s this year. They both come off as very strong, southern, prideful men and they represent country music to a T in my book. I would have loved to see “Remind Me” by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood as a nominee for best duet because it is such a breathtaking, meaningful song and it deserves an award, but hopefully next year.
I would like to see Brad Paisley or Jason Aldean win Entertainer of the year, and I don’t think Taylor Swift should be in this category since she has already won this award.
I was also very happy to see Sara Evans as a Female vocalist nominee for “A little bit Stronger” It is such a heartfelt, beautiful song and She has been through so much she deserves an award for that song for everything she has overcome. No matter what happens, They are all truly talented people and whoever wins an award or doesn’t, they all deserve recognition for representing the great world of Country Music.
Pride goes before destruction
I would like to see Brad Paisley or Jason Aldean win Entertainer of the year, and I don’t think Taylor Swift should be in this category since she has already won this award.
……..By your logic, Brad Paisley shouldn’t even be in the category.
I think the eligibility period now only applies to the other categories not relating to any single artist such as single, song, or album… I will change all the other categories, if i may do so, to:
Female Vocalist – Female Face of Country
Male – Male Face of Country
Entertainer – THE Face of Country
duhhh?!