Sunday, November 19, 2017

~ New Music Monday ~ November 20th, 2017 ~ CMA Review ~ Performances, Winners, and Snubs ~


There is so much to discuss about the 2017 CMA's that I am not 100% where to start. I'm currently watching the AMA's and hoping that country music sent Keith Urban as a representative and not FLGL Line. I can't even help it. I'm sure they're wonderful human beings, but I. Just. Can't!! I guess that is where we will start, let's get the less than positive thoughts out and on the table. Of course, I MUST begin with performances and what became the scene stealing performance of the night, Garth Brooks lip syncing his current track and just after winning ETOY.

Now, before you get all huffy I need you to know I am a HUGE Garth fan!!!! I have loved him, his music, and Tricia Yearwood since the beginning!! I am even willing to look past that moment in time where he released an album as an different person and it flopped. That's the kind of love I have for that man. That said, I believe true love includes the truth not just the rosy easy moments, making what I have to say next very difficult for me. I think that Garth made the wrong call in lip syncing at the 2017 CMA's. I do. He stated after the show that he indeed was lip syncing and had chosen to do so because his voice was not at 100% after just coming off a 12 shows in 10 days run. Perfectly understandable that ones voice would be worn after that. He said he thought country music deserved best foot forward and so instead of singing with a less than on point voice he chose to lip sync. Later he would walk away with Entertainer of the Year. It is of my opinion that as a past winner and current nominee for EOTY Brooks should have passed up the performance and allowed another artist to perform in his slot. I think it would have been received far better, but hey, you live, you learn. On to the next.

Garth was not the only artist to cause a little chatter this year. Sturgill Simpson, one of my favorite renegades, stood outside the Bridgestone Arena with his acoustic guitar, a few political home made signs, and his Grammy and performed for any passer by that wanted to hear. Several posted vids to socials and I admit, I love it. I don't think it will garner him a future invite, but I get what he was doing. How does a Grammy winning artist from the genre not get ONE nom?! I'm baffled too, Sturgill.

from Youtube


Miranda Lambert - "To Learn Her"
fr "The Weight of These Wings"
LIVE at CMA 2017
 
One of the highlight performances for me of the evening was Miranda Lambert and her performance of "To Learn Her". It is from her double disc album, "The Weight of These Wings" and it was distinctly traditional country with a slide guitar twanging through out the tune. I absolutely LOVED this performance. Combine it with the Alan Jackson performance and it was almost like a time machine of country music awards gone by. Queen Ran took home for the SEVENTH year in a row Best Female of the Year and deservingly so. I like that Ran has chosen to perform varied tracks from her double album instead of just sticking with the singles released to radio. There is no way that all the tracks where going to get the time they deserved on radio and this is a great way of giving them the attention they deserve.
 
Another very notable performance was Carrie Underwood's performance of the hymn, "Softly and Tenderly" dedicated to those we lost this year including the victims of the Vegas Shooting. I know that I had tears in my eyes and from the footage shown it would seem there wasn't a dry eye in the arena including Carrie's as she became emotional during the performance, and rightfully so. I think it was a good call for Carrie to be the one for this dedication. It was her only performance of the night other than what her co-hosting duties required. I would have loved to have seen Carrie in the ETOY category and have high hopes that in the years to come it will become more balanced in female representation. Carrie rocked her "Storytellers" tours, both her in the U.S. and abroad. She toured with Keith Urban on the Australian leg of the "Rip Cord" tour. She has multiple contracts such as Almay, Callia by Carrie, etc. that have her representing the country music community on a variety of stages. If Blake Shelton won because of his work on the voice in addition to his touring, etc. then I feel the same should be considered when someone like Carrie is out there doing all she does for the genre.
 
 
 
 
While we are on the topic of EOTY, my vote would have been for Eric Church. And keep in mind my love for Garth!! But y'all!!!!!!! He toured SOLO!! Three hours of nothing but Church!! Sold out Red Rocks two nights in a row, has been nominated for the past several years, Mr. Misunderstood has cranked out amazing track after amazing track. I have to ask............what's a fella gotta do to get a Entertainer of the Year WIN???!!!! Lip Sync??!! I for real love Garth, but I just can't let it slide.
 
I was stoked to see Brothers Osborne take home two trophie's. Best Duo, FINALLY I think the reign of Florida Georgia Line is over!! I'm sorry, I just, I mean, I just can't with those guys!!!!! Bros Oz also took Video of the Year for "It Ain't My Fault", which they also performed during the show. I was torn between their video and Thomas Rhett with Maren Morris and "Craving You". I am happy with this win!! Check out Brothers Osborne Best Video, "It Ain't My Fault", from their album, "Pawn Shop", below. I hear the guys have been working on new tunes so, I think that we may be gearing up for closing the "Pawn Shop" chapter and starting a new one. I am honestly so stoked to hear what they create next I'm unsure I can wait for official releases. I may have to go rouge and start searching the dark web, lol!!

 






 
 
The evening was closed by Alan Jackson returning to the stage for the last performance. Alan Jackson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame just weeks ago making his return to the CMA stage appropriate and honestly, needed. I think in the midst of arguments over what defines a genre, fear of attending live shows because of vigilante's, an unprecedented amount of access to music that doesn't even require the purchase of a actual in hand album or download. In a time when you can cherry pick singles to stream or purchase someone like Jackson who made entire albums that were stream worthy I think his closing the 2017 CMA's was a wonderful reminder. A reminder of what Country Music and really music in general use to be and should be.
 
I appreciate the right now effect of streaming a new single or pre-ordering an album and getting instant downloads leading up to the full album release. That said, I love, no, I am OBSESSED with walking through the music isle in a store. I am addicted to going to shops like McKays and flipping through the vinyl, the "scratched" or "damaged" CD's for gems that are a quarter and only in a scratched case. I like the noise that the c.d. cases make as I flip through them looking for that one that is out of print and is so old that the only way to find it is in a second hand shop. I like reading the booklets inside a c.d. case. I STILL OWN TAPES!!!! This is just who I am and the Alan Jackson performance reminded me of that and how wonderful that is. I fear the current generation is going to miss out on so much that music of all genre's has to offer simply because they chose to stream or download it and never get the actual in hand album. Wonder if this is what folks thought when eight tracks went out?!


 
 
One last performance from the 51st CMA Awards, Reba and Kelsea Ballerini singing Kelsea's, "Legends" her first track from her new album, "Unapologetically". Kels didn't go home with any trophy's, but I would consider this a win!! Reba is epic!! She is a performer through and through and one of the true legends that I would say define women in country music and really women in music in general. Reba also handed out the last award of the night, EOTY to Garth Brooks. In his accpetence speech he acknowledged McIntire and her iconic performances.
 
What performance did you love? Hate? Who did you wish was there and or nominated? Any fashion love for anyone ? There was so much good fashion and accessories on the red carpet this year. I know I already shared this, but Lindsay Ell's ear cuff was legit the accessory of the evening for me. Girl rocked it!! I can't close this post with out discussing a few of my fave looks of the evening. As you know I did some virtual styling via my Instagram and I was amped to see that I wasn't far off on my fashion predictions.
 
 

 
Mkay, I am gonna close this years CMA Review with someone that I feel deserves to have been nominated as well as have had a  performer slot, Kip Moore. It is only appropriate considering Mr. Moore will be releasing his second single, "Last Shot" from his newest album, "SLOWHEART" on this New Music Monday. Along with the release of his next single he will also be releasing to Youtube and I presume his site, etc. "The Journey to Slowheart", a video that fans who pre-ordered "SLOWHEART", got to see several months ago. I have watched it probably a solid half dozen times. I don't say that like a creeper, I swear!! Honestly, I am so excited that this is getting released for everyone to have access that I very well may explode. Kips bestie, Life in Rewind's, P.J.Brown,  has done it again in capturing Kip in some of his most natural elements. I think if you aren't a fan of Kip prior to watching "The Journey to Slowheart", he will win your heart by the time the credits roll. It is a bit of insight into his rarely shared personal life as well as his professional. He allows us to meet some of his family, his closest friends, and takes us traveling with him to his home town, Tifton, GA, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and Iceland. It's truly a beautiful way to spend thirty minutes of your Monday!! I think that 2018 will be Kip's year come award season. I truly don't believe he can be ignored any longer. Listen to Kips newest single, "Last Shot" and judge for yourself! Kip will be finishing his first leg on the "Plead the Fifth Tour" in a few weeks, but in February he, along with another of #NMM's fave, The Cadillac Three will be opening for Luke Bryan on a small set of month long dates. Then it is back to the "Plead the Fifth Tour" as it heads to the west coast. If you haven't gotten "SLOWHEART", it would make for a wonderful stocking stuffer!
 

Kip Moore - " Last Shot"
fr "SLOWHEART"
Live at Paste Studios

 
Have a beautiful, relaxing, and yummy Thanksgiving!!
We will catch you next week when the turkey coma wears off.
 
 
 


Saturday, November 18, 2017

~ They Hate You Cause They Ain't You ~

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~ Insta Blog ~ November 11th, 2017 ~ He Has Provided for You ~

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 I Believe that the Lords Provision Extends Beyond the Tangible or Financial. His Provision Includes Time, Joy, Rest, Healing, the Ability to Worship, The Space to Worship, Rest & Heal. God, Our Savior & Ultimate Provider is Keenly Aware of ALL Our Needs.
Today He Reminds Me That Includes Time. Praise Him for All He Has Done.
Praise Him for All He Has Yet to Do. Shine For Others to See b/c of Both.
 

~ New Music Monday ~ November 12th, 2017 ~ CMA Review Coming Soon ~

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Am I High?! Am I Seriously the Only One Who Sees It?! I Should Probably ask a Different Set of Folks the First Question, but Feel Free to Answer the 2nd?!
Anyway, #NewMusicMonday & #GlamBag Will Return THIS Monday w a @cma Review fr #RedCarpet to Performances to Winners/Losers/Snubs & More. And Yes, Of Course I Have Feelings About the Garth Performance & Yes, I Plan on Sharing Them.
So, Stay Tuned!! Have a Beautiful Week!! Catch Ya on Tha' Flip.
 
 
 
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~ Glam Bag ~ November 14th, 2017 ~ MAC Admitt It, You Wanna Be Besties!! ~

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When You Post #GlamBagMustHaves in April & They Appear on @maccosmetics Holiday Must Haves in November. Again, @maccosmetics Lets Be Besties?!?! We Clearly Think Alike!! Matchy Matchy Best Friend High Five!!
 
To Check Past #GlamBag Posts Just Head to #TheFaithJournals #LinkInBio & Type "Glam Bag" into the Search Bar for This Must Have Post & Much More!! Stay Tuned for #HolidayGlam Posts!!
 

~ New Music Monday ~ November 15th, 2017 ~ Music Advisory Pannel ~

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This Will Be Fun! Fellow, Local, Music Addix - Interested in Giving Feed Back on Tunes We Hear & Don't Hear on @wivk1077 ?! Head to #WIVK @twitter & Follow the Link to Sign Up!! Happy Wednesday! 
 

~ Glam Bag ~ November 15th, 2017 ~ My Cosmetic Spirit Animal ~

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When You Realize You & @marenmorris Just Might Be Your Cosmetic Spirit Animal!!!! Girl, Rock That Blue Eyeliner!!!!  The #GlamBag Series Has Several Past Posts on Pink, Blue, Purple, Pencil, Liquid, etc. Eye Liners so Feel Free to Head Over to #TheFaithJournals #LinkInBio to Check them Out!! This #RockStar #Glam that Maren's Been Weeerking on the #HeroTour Only Solidifies My Thoughts on Eyeliner Going Beyond Black or Brown. Don't be Afraid to Try a Lil' Somethin' New!!
 
My Blue Liner is by @lorealmakeup & Currently there's a Rebate on the #IbottaAp & the Pink is by @wetnwildbeauty. @hardcandylife is My Silver Liner & Also Has a New Line of Bold Liners I'm Dying to Try!! So, When I Do, Cause We All Know I Will, I'll for Sure Report Back. Until Then, #RockWhatYouGot!!
 

~ New Music Monday ~ November 16th, 2017 ~ Troll Patroll ~

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Musgraves Only Has ONE "U" !!
 
 
 
Dear #TrollPatroll ~ For Those Constantly Harassed by Trolls, Wanna Be Accounts, Etc. I'd Like to Remind You of #NMM Philosophy of Dealing....#Report #Block #MoveOn #RepeatAsNeeded. We Will More Than Likely Never Rid the Net of Haters, but We Don't Have to Play into Them Either.
 
An Official Artist/PublicFigure Will Have a Blue Circle w a White Check Beside Their Social Handle Verifying That Specific Socials Outlet Has Verified That Person is Who They Say They Are. All Others, Unless Noted as a Fan Page & Even Some of Those are Shady, Can Be Considered Fake, Wanna Be's, Haters & Trolls. No Artist is Going to DM You Asking for Dolla Dolla Bills, Yo!! Nor are They Trying to Avoid Their Management & Have a Secret Acct No One Knows About.
 
Please, for the Love of Music & All Other Arts, Use a Bit of Common Sense.
Logic, Reason, Both are Great When Sorting the Real fr the Fake.
 
 

~ Glam Bag Philosophies ~ November 17th, 2017 ~ You Can't Sit W Us ~

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Heading into the Weekend I Just Want to Encourage You to #BoldlyBeUniquelyYou!! Its O.K. To Not Fit In. I See Magazine Covers & More Often Than Not I Find Myself Asking What Makes One of These Cover Models Any Different fr the Next? They Appear Interchangeable to Me. Same Flawless Skin, Perfect Frizz Free Hair, Chizzled Whatever it is That One Chizzles, etc. There is Nothing Unique or Distinctiv...e About Their Outward Appearance. Beautiful? Yes. Wish I Had Chizzled Whatever is Suppose to be Chizzled? Duh! But, BUT!! Would I Trade the Things That Make Me Uniquely Me to Look Like Everyone Else?! I Want to Say No, but it All Honesty I Suppose it Depends on the Day, LoL!! What Am I Saying?! Before You Go Cursing Your Red Hair, Little Nose, Long Legs, etc. Stop & PTL for Them. I Have Honestly Found That it is the Things I Tend to be Most Insecure About That End Up Being What I Am Complimented On. We are Not an Accurate Judge of Our Own Image. Blame Adam & Eve. I'm Like 99% Sure This Traces Back to Them Some How, Lol!! Love Yourself!!

In Addition to My Challenge on #BoldlyBeingUniquelyYou I Would Like to Add in a #FlawlessFriday. Post a Pic of Yourself That What You Want to Do is List all the Problems w It, but Instead What You Do is Look Past the Odd Facial Expression or Flawed Skin & Instead Look at it as Flawless. Flawless as in You are Exactly How He Created You to Be in This Moment. Here's Mine. Lots of Things I'd like to Edit & Filter the Business Out Of, but I Choose to Accept My Own Challenge.

Be Proud to Not Fit In!! Boldly. Be. Uniquely. You. You are Loved. You are Prayed For.

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I Challenge @agivens10 @bwarned3 @kellybrindley !!!
Challenge Three Flawless Unique Beauties in Your Life !!
 

~ Glam Bag ~ November 17th, 2017 ~ Black Friday Preplanning w $5 Off @ e.l.f. Cosmetics ~

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One Week fr Yesterday is the Biggest Shopping Day of the Year, #BlackFriday! And Especially For My #GlamBag Followers I Have a Prize to Help You Get Started w Your Personal #HolidayGlam or #GlamGifting. A $5.00 OFF Your Order Coupon @elfcosmetics  Online!!!! Also, e.l.f. Currently is Offering Free Shipping for the Holidays!! So, it's Totally Worth Adding
Some Glam to Your Gift List!!
--> http://i.refs.cc/9BtmOqz0 <-- Follow This Link!!
 
 Have a Great Time Stocking Your or a Friends #GlamBag!!
 Merry Christmas & Happy Shopping!!Any Questions Feel Free to Let Me Know!! Also, Don't Forget, if You Begin Your #Elf Shopping via @ebatesshopping You Will Also Get a Percentage of Your Final Total, BACK!! Check #TheFaithJournals Past Posts for a Referral Link to Score A Freebie fr #Ebates!!
 

Thursday, November 9, 2017

~ Insta Blog ~ October 31st, 2017 ~ You are Not Your Own ~

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1 Corinthians 6:19 "....You are not your own." 
 
 I accepted a call long ago that would mean giving up the dreams/ideals I had for myself & to take on instead the ideals My God might have for me. The Lord is faithful & quick to remind me that my life is not my own. Accepting His love, forgiveness, & making that public profession of faith by baptism I was not only confirming for myself & God that my life was His, but to the world watching. I do not always get it right. Actually, I probably get it wrong more than anything else, but my goal, my heart, my passion, is that even that in my wrong, God would somehow use it to bring Himself glory & to bring fellow believers and/or those searching, a little hope.
 
Tonight as I do my devos He has reminded me once again & in no uncertain terms that my life is not my own if I want Him to use it. He also brought to my attention through Exodus3:5 the idea that when we are called to a place, ministry, job, relationship, crisis, etc. we are on holy ground. Not because He has necessarily walked it, but b/c HE is who brought us to it. If He has called you to a mission, big or small, until He is done w it, that space is Holy!! Holy b/c we represent His hands & feet. Holy, b/c He called us there. Holy b/c He is w us there. Holy b/c He, not we, He is going to do a work there. Holy b/c our lives are not our own!! Glory!!
 
Praise Him for the Highs & Praise Him for the lows for it takes both to truly learn Him. You are loved friends/fam/followers. You are prayed for.
I challenge you to consider the Holy Ground He has assigned to you for now.

~ New Music Monday Goes Glam ~ CMA Glam Bag ~ 2017 ~




#NewMusicMonday will be posting a review of the 2017 @cma in a few weeks. Until then, lets talk #GlamBagFashion!! @kelseaballerini went floral & fem on the red carpet as we predicted. She looked gorge & the dress kinda went w the cover art of her new album, #Unapologetically. #GlamBag #VirtualStyling chose a edgy look for @marenmorris & while she didn't wear the exact dress we chose, it was pretty close in that it was sparkly, unconventional & a hint of peek a boo in both the material and cut. Both women are winners in our book!

#GlamBag is Gonna Go Ahead & Call Best Accessory of the @cma Night, @lindsayell's ear-cuff. If That Ain't #EdgyGlam then IDK What Is. Way to Own That Style @lindsayell !!!! You Rocked the #RedCarpet!! ~  #InstaGlam #GlamBagFashion #Glam #VirtualStyling #BlingBling #GRLPWR #Fashion #CMA2017


Stay tuned to #TheFaithJournals for more #NMM & #GlamBagFashion from country's biggest night. What was your fave of the evening?! ~  #InstaGlam #Glam #CMA2017 #RedCarpet #Fashion #WhoAreYouWearing #NextWomenOfCountry #WhatsYourNextSingle

Gonna leave you with a beautiful performance by the one and only, Queen Ran, who BTW won her SEVENTH Female of the Year award!!

Miranda Lambert - "To Learn Her"
Live at the 2017 CMA's
fr "The Weight of These Wings"

Friday, November 3, 2017

~ New Music Monday ~ November 6th, 2017 ~ CMA Predictions ~

Carrie Underwood - "Dirty Laundry" @ CMA's 2016
w  all female band and BGVs including Lindsay Ell, Runaway June, just to name a few.
Yet another reason/example to why she should be in the EOTY Category!!

Happy CMA Week Music Lovers!! Are you as ready as I am to watch some red carpet coverage of the 2017 CMA Awards? I have fashion, performance, as well as winner predictions ready for you. If you follow my Glam Bag posts on Instagram, then you have already seen some of my red carpet suggestions for some of our favorite females. Head to @StacieTennessee to check out those past posts!!

For today, we are gonna discuss performance and winner predictions. Starting with Maren Morris and Niall Horan's duet slated for the live show. The duo has a song on Niall's recently released album, "Flicker", and it already has done rather well on the iTunes charts. Considering no official video has been dropped and I haven't heard it on radio it speaks to the power of name and reputation. Maren will join Niall in 2018 on tour. I'm not sure if "Seeing Blind", is gonna be a single for Niall or what, but it is a interesting step for this former One Direction-er. Especially considering Kacey Musgraves will be touring in Summer 2018 with Harry Styles, also a former One Direction member. Styles also recently performed at the Rhyman in Nash and his cover of Little Big Town's, "Girl Crush", crushed it and is charting online as it he made the live performance cut of it avail for fans everywhere!! Now, you all know that normally I raise kinds of cane over cross-genre awards show performances. I am making an acception as Maren has flat out ROCKED every duet she has done thus far. "I'll Be The Moon" w Dierks, "Craving You" w T. Rhett, with Alicia Keys on the Grammy's, I mean.....girl can do no wrong. So, I am amped to see this performance and have high expectations for it.



Niall Horan w Maren Morris - "Seeing Blind"
from "Flicker"
 

Other performers include Co-Host for the evening, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Little Big Town, Queen Ran, Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi and many more. I am of course disappointed to not see artists like Maggie Rose, RaeLynn, Aubrie Sellers, Kip Moore, The Cadillac Three, and Drake White on the list of performers or nominee's. Kip's, "More Girls Like You" has been number one for the last two weeks on the country charts. If for no other reason that alone should have assured the Slowhearts a last minute add to the performance or presenter list. That's just New Music Monday's opinion on the matter.

Nominee's this year is a mixed bag, per usual. A lot of folks who should be nominated, aren't, and some who maybe shouldn't, are. Let's begin the predicting.....

New Artist of the Year -
The only female in the category and in my opinion the most deserved for a win, my vote for best new goes to American Idol runner up, Lauren Alaina. She got her first number one this year with, "Road Less Traveled", debuted her acting chops in a film, dropped her full length album both of the same title. I really think it's her turn and it is earned and deserved.

Lauren Alaina
Old Dominion
Luke Combs
Brett Young
Jon Pardi

Thomas Rhett w Maren Morris - "Craving You"
 
Video of the Year -
I am torn!! I love both Bros Oz and T. Rhett w Maren's video's. They were just SO AWESOME!! Can we call a tie?! Watch both and share in the comments who get's your vote.

Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris - Craving You
Brothers Osborne - It Ain't My Fault
Little Big Town - Better Man
Keith Urban - Blue Ain't Your Color
Miranda Lambert - Vice

Brothers Osborne - "It Ain't My Fault"
 
Musical Event of the Year -
So, this will be the first live performance with both Kenny and Pink, of their hit, "Setting the World on Fire". This track was the last track added to Chesney's latest album. Subsequently it has been nominated at all awards shows for best country single and/or duet. It has yet to win a trophy, but this very well could be the setting for that. I love Pink so, I am interested to see how this performance goes live. While I love Pink and Kenny is from my neck of the woods, the song it's self is one that I felt was a toss in. I question if the duo has ever even met in person prior to the rehearsals for this. I think it was added simply for the publicity of a cross-genre collab and the publicity it might get. Added in with the fact that "Noise", the first single off the album, did not do as well as Team Chesney more than likely expected. We will See.
 
I would like to see Faith and Tim Win or Glenn and Willie.
 

Glenn Campbell w Willie Nelson
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw
Thomas Rhett w Maren Morris
Eric Church w Rhiannon Giddens
Kenny Chesney w Pink

Duo of the Year -
Last year the awards show gods regained a bit of my affection by giving this win to the Brothers Osborne instead of the expected and already won enough times, Florida Georgia Line. My feelings have not changed. I would like to see the Bro's take it or Maddie and Tae. Both duo's would be well earned and deserved wins in my opinion. It's been a minute since a female duo has taken this category so for history's sake I would really love to see Maddie and Tae win.

Maddie and Tae
Brothers Osborne
Dan+Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LOCASH

Group of the Year -
For me this is either LBT or Lady A's win. Both produced stellar albums, tours, and varied performances through out 2017 that has truly served the country music community well. I think it is too soon for Old Dominion, the Flatts have a shelf full, and ZBB while still an amazing band, I feel they haven't been "seen" much in 2017. To me those kinds of things are apart of the equation for an awards show.

Little Big Town
Lady Antebellum
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Rascal Flatts



Dierks Bentley - "Black"

Male Vocalist of the Year -
When it comes to Male and Female of the year the category is usually stacked with those deserving of the title. I think that it is truly hard to guess who will win, but I would LOVE to see Dierks get this one. It's been a long time coming and again, I think it is earned as well as deserved. I however probably won't be mad about any of these fella's adding to their trophy collection with this one.

Dierks Bentley
Chris Stapelton
Keith Urban
Eric Church
Thomas Rhett

Female Vocalist of the Year -
Again, a category full of deserving nominiee's. Reba, Carrie and Ran have all taken this trophy home before so, it is very feasible to think they might again. I think that even Miranda is kind of tired of winning. I know that sounds crazy, but girl has won, like, one million times in a row!! I truly believe she would be perfectly fine staying in her seat this go 'round. I am incline to think that this is going to be Maren or Kelsea's category this year simply because neither can be stopped right now. Both with number one's under their belts, records broken, Grammy nominated, representing the genre on a variety of stages, both with new music in the foreseeable future. Ballerini actually just dropped, "Unapologetically" her second full length album, this weekend. It is currently charting number 2 in all genre on iTunes behind Sam Smith. Kelsea will also be performing her single, "Legends" with a fellow nominiee and legend herself, Reba!! I am looking forward to this performance and feel anything will be better than the Nick Jonas incident with "Peter Pan". Again, I would not be bad about any of these ladies winning, but my prediction is Maren or Kelsea.

Maren Morris
Kelsea Ballerini
Carrie Underwood
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire

Kelsea Ballerini - "Miss Me More"
fr - "Unapologetically"
 
 

Sam Hunt - "Body Like a Back Road"
 
 
Song of the Year -
Song of the Year goes to the writers of a track. Sometimes that is the artist, sometimes that is the artist plus a few writers and sometimes it is an entire team of writers. Sam Hunt's, "Body Like a Back Road" has four writers credited including Shane McAnally, Josh Osbourne, Zach Crowell and Hunt himself. "Body Like a Back Road" has broken so many records that I would need to write a post about only that one song to fit it all in. I loved this tune immediately. I love Sam's delivery of it and his past awards show performance of it which included a trip into the audience to snuggle his new wife, Hannah. I do not see how this single will not win. All the tunes are great in this category and I love that Taylor Swift wrote "Better Man" with no collaborators, but, I just think this is "Body's" win this year.
 
Sam Hunt - Body Like a Back Road
Little Big Town - Better Man
Keith Urban - Blue Ain't Your Color
Miranda Lambert - Tin Man
Jon Pardi - Dust on My Boots
 
Album of the Year -
O.K. this is where it gets tricky. Jason Isbell's nomination is one for the history books. Similar to Sturgill Simpson in that he does his own thing and radio be damned. He is Grammy nominated, has a fan following that is fierce, and his nomination is historic considering radio basically never plays him. When it comes to "main stream", Isbell could not be further from popular. That said, this could be the Stapelton-esq dark horse win that keeps music lovers like myself watching awards shows and listening to radio instead of just streaming or downloading. Given Jason's lack of pop culture presence I think that Queen Ran could take a second Album of the Year trophy for "The Weight of These Wings". All of these albums are awesome so idk there is such a thing as a loser here.
 
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Nashville Sound
Miranda Lambert - The Weight of These Wings
Little Big Town - Breaker
Lady Antebellum - Heart Break
Chris Stapelton - From a Room Vol. 1
 
 
Jason Isbell - "Cover Me Up"
@ Austin City Limits
 

Little Big Town - "Better Man"
fr "Breaker" Written by Taylor Swift
 
Single of the Year - See Also my Explanation for Song of the Year
 
Sam Hunt - Body Like a Back Road
Little Big Town - Better Man
Keith Urban - Blue Ain't Your Color
Jon Pardi - Dust on My Boots
Miranda Lambert - Tin Man
 
Entertainer of the Year -
It is of my opinion that 1. Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert both deserve a spot in this category. 2. While all these gentlemen are stage professionals, had killer albums, represented the genre in a variety of venues this award is Eric Church's. Brother did a SOLO TOUR!!! No openers. nearly 3 hour set all in all, sold out back to back Red Rocks performances and so much more. Church has been in in this category before and it passed him by. I think, once again, that this should be his!!
 
Eric Church 
Chris Stapelton
Keith Urban
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan

 


Eric Church - "Holdin' My Own"
at Red Rocks
 
 
The CMA's air THIS Wednesday so, check your local listings for stations and time. I of course will be Tweeting in real time my own commentary. Please feel free to follow me @StacieTennessee to watch with or comment on the show!! Who are your predicted winners??!! Feel free to share in the comments!
 
Check you next week for another New Music Monday!!