Country music.

(Lady Antebellum ... love them.)

So. I want to talk a little bit about the CMA's (Country Music Awards) that were on last night. McCall and I usually remind each other when they are on (well, McCall is usually the one who has to remind me since I forget everything) because we love the live performances. I didn't grow up liking country music as a rule because so many of the artists were way too twangy sounding for my taste. Like Reba McIntire ...  I really do like her as a person, but I just don't think I could listen to a whole album of hers.  (She should ask Nicole Kidman if she could spare some of her collagen for her lips.  Reba - not enough plump in that top lip. And it isn't like she is against plumping ... hello?!  But Nicole - what is she thinking?)

These days, on the other hand,  there are tons of country artists that I enjoy and I thought the awards show last night was pretty darn spectacular.  Those country folks sure know how to have a PaRtaY!!!

Here are my thoughts about the show:

I loved the stage.  I thought it looked sophisticated and modern and classy.  And I loved how they had a smaller stage in the center of the audience. When Martina McBride sang (she is such a classic country queen) it was one of my favorite parts of the night ... the audience was all dark but at least every other person held up their cell phones (think lighters back in the day) and she looked like she was surrounded by bright stars in the night sky.  I don't even think the producers could have staged that number any better.

Faith Hill sang.  Where has she been?  Loved it, love her.  To me, she is one of the most beautiful women that has ever lived.  But she was a little too skinny.  (Yes, you can be too skinny.  Not me mind you, because that would never happen, but there is such a thing as too skinny.)

I would venture a guess that most people haven't even heard of the group Little Big Town, but they are one of my very favorite country bands.  They sang last night too. Hot, HOT harmonies.  They are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

Rascal Flatts ... oh how I LOVE.  I have loved them for years, but have never seen them in concert because, frankly, they usually kind of choke during their live performances on these awards shows.  Last night, they were right on.  I especially loved their duet with Natasha Bedingfield, who I am also a fan of, and I was crazy about the song they did with Lionel Ritchie.

I know - Lionel Ritchie on the CMA's?  Random, but so awesome.  His songs and voice sounded great with anyone who was singing them.  It was a nice tribute to one of the music industry's "greats".

I thought the same thing about the tribute they did for Glen Campbell. Glen Campbell was one of those country artists that I actually did like back in the 70's.  And one of his hit songs, (that Keith Urban, my main country man, sang last night) Witchita Lineman, has one of the most romantic lines of all time in it -

 And I need you more than want you ... and I want you for all time.
  
(I think it is about the sweetest line ever.)

There have been quite a few random country duets in the last few years which have been pretty good.  Like Kelly Clarkson with Jason Aldean, Sheryl Crow with Kid Rock, Sugarland with Jon Bon Jovi ... I thought Sugarland was great last night too.  I went to a Sugarland concert this summer, mostly because Sara Bareillis was the opening act.  They were fantastic live, but I have to admit, we left early ... she has a great voice, but just a little too twangy - can't take it for too long.

One of my very favorite country voices is Vince Gill.  It was good to hear him last night.  I think he is doing more behind the scenes stuff so he isn't recording much anymore.  Oh, except as a backup vocalist for Carrie Underwood on her cd's .  And Carrie Underwood?  Come on.  How flawless is she?