Here's a quick recap of the winners - my winning picks are in bold - I did pretty well :)
Entertainer of the Year – Kenny Chesney
Male Vocalist of the Year – Brad Paisley
Female Vocalist of the Year – Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year – Sugarland
Vocal Group of the Year – Rascal Flatts
Best New Artist – Lady Antebellum
Single of the Year – “I Saw God Today” George Strait
Song of the Year – “Stay” Sugarland
Musical Event of the Year - "Gone Gone Gone" Alison Kraus & Robert Plant
Hello, and welcome to my live CMA blog. I am just going to blog along as I watch and try to fill in during the commercials. So if some details are skimpy sorry. I don’t have TiVo or DVR.
Brad and Keith begin the show with “Start a Band.” Man, they make t-shirts look good! Brad’s guitar is a glittery blue. They soooo need to tour together. Wow, loved the part where they both bent way back while playing. It was a little like The Limbo.
I like the video screens behind them showing pix of the CMA nominees and presenters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs5qrh-AJzE
Brad and Carrie are hosting and since he started the show with Keith he’s gotta change, and he proves that he is the quick change artist, tucking in his shirt and fixing his tie while coming out. Carrie jokes with him about it.
OMG I Hate Carrie’s dress! WTH were they thinking putting her in that thing – she has no figure in it! It is a gorgeous color blue, with a colorful row of beads at the top, but yikes! Her hair and makeup are great thou. This isn't a bad picture of her in the dress, but I still hated it.
Brad is talking about the big boots that he has to fill and then says that Dolly Parton once hosted the show so Carrie would have something big to fill to…LOL…the look Carrie gave Brad when he said that.
Audience flashes reveal that Taylor Swift looks beautiful, and George Strait still gets my heart going pitter patter.
Brad the smart-aleck…“Nobody here is a loser…yet.”
Brad introduces the artist who will present the Single of the Year. It’s the stars of the new movie (opening November 26th) Nicole Kidman (aka Mrs. Keith Urban) and Hugh Jackman. One of Brad’s lines goes something like this. “Nicole has grabbed Keith’s heart and since they just had a baby together I’m guessing everything else.” hehe, naughty!
“Good day Nashville!” (**sigh** that accent Hugh Jackman. Just read anything and I’ll listen. And I am suddenly thinking “Wolverines!!!” Oops that was Red Dawn and he was Wolverine in X-Men.
Single of the Year
“I Saw God Today” George Strait – his 3rd win and 12th nomination in this category.
Such a pretty song – I don’t know how the judges picked a winner they were all sooo good.
I am starting with a goose egg since I picked Trace’s “You’re Gonna Miss This.”
George’s speech was so nice. Tony Brown just lets the King talk.
Brad cracks me up! “Kellie Pickler is singing her new song she wrote with her BFF Taylor Swift.
Millions of teenage boys would give up their right gametroller to be in that room – just to write of course.” (paraphrased a bit) LOL Kellie is going to sing “The Best Days of Your Life.”
Holy crap Kellie is HOT! That camera better not go lower or we’ll see if she’s wearing undies. Love her hair and makeup. And those boots!
To the right you'll see her on the red carpet. She described her dress as "Old World Hollywood" and I agree. Va-Va- VOOM!!
Kind of a weak performance for me. When she is belting it she sounds great, but the slower lower parts seemed drowned out. I think she shouldn’t have moved around so much, it must be very hard to sing and walk in those boots, and she also climbed a bunch of stairs. I thought it seemed as if she lost her breath a little in spots.
Now it’s time for Alan Jackson to perform his last number one song “Good Time.” He is so much fun, and you can just tell he’s having a good time, which gets even better when dancers come down and line-dance in the aisles. It looks like the stars are getting a kick outta it. lol I think I see a new trend for Alan’s concerts next summer. I better start practicing.
To the right is Alan on the red carpet with his red hot wife Denise.
Now it’s time for the Song of the Year. Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus are presenting. BRC seems like he’s been having a good time, but is he drunk? He seemed a bit strange opening the envelope. lol I hate Miley’s dress! Once I really saw it I thought it looked terrible on her, and way to old for her too. She should be wearing something fun.
“STAY!” Yes, God, that song! So deserved. Jennifer is just lovely. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlgpfZSWN3g
Carrie’s changed and this short dress is much better! Quite lovely, and looks to be in a Greek style, over one shoulder with a nice pin. Nice color on her.
Nice intro for Miranda Lambert to perform “More Like Her.” 
Wonderful, touching performance. I love her on the red carpet!
Lady Antebellum is up. Carrie calls them “Country music latest power trio.” They are good.
Now Brad is out. Has he changed clothes? I didn’t notice. LOL
Brad talks about the next performer yelling at her kids, saying that having her scream at them in 3 octaves in 3 different keys must be amazing.
Looks like Martina went with the boots. (if you heard my show Wed then you know that she was debating between boots and heels and said it would be a last minute decision. It was a good choice, but I’m not really crazy about that outfit. Her hair looks great, long and full. You know, I’m not crazy about this song. Maybe it was just the performance, but it just didn’t do it for me. Brad after cracks, “Good job there pipes.” lol 
Rodney Atkins is up to sing a new song! Hmmm, how can I put this? I thought his belt buckle looked great. ::wicked grin:: OK, now this is a song I like! I can’t wait till it hits the studio so I can play it for you. Seems like a perfect song to release for summer so it’s interesting that he’s singing it now. Of course when it takes off it’ll be after Christmas and then we’ll need to think about warm things (especially if those wooly caterpillars are right.)
Time for the Vocal Group of the Year presented by Heidi Newfield and John Rich. “Wowsa” to that low red number Heidi is wearing. Let’s see if Rascal Flatts makes it 6 in a row. Yep. The rest of the nominees just need to break out a bit more, so I think we could seriously look for an upset next year.
Well the boys look great. Love Joe Don’s white tie. Jay is a stitch with the flowery blazer and the shirt and tie that match it. Then says they have to wrap up early so he can “get meemaw’s curtains back,” so yes, he is very aware that his outfit can’t help but make you laugh. Gary thanks the fans nicely, and Joe Don interrupts for a great “Aww moment” and that is that this is the first time he can thank his son Jagger Donovan. AWWWWWW!
Taylor Swift time. Yay! OMG what a wonderful performance of “Love Story.” The set, the dancers, the costumes, it’s like a fairy tale. Wow. So sweet. Ahhh, she has another clothing change on stage. The dancers hover around her, the lights strobe and presto! She has a lovely white gown on, and…oooooo…Romeo walks out to her. Nice! It’s going to be all over the net tomorrow, people wondering who he is. 
To the right is Taylor on the red carpet looking gorgeous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SccDkRFUmlA
Now Carrie is back out to introduce the next act. Fire whoever is styling her puh-lease! Another shapeless dress on her. This one is more toga like, not as bad as the one she wore when the show opened, but UGH! She is introducing the song we heard “All Summer Long.” Kid Rock. Yes, Kid Rock on the CMA’s. Not a great start, but Kid seemed to get better as he went along. Stronger. Oo oo, I want to be one of his dancing girls. I can do that! Lil Wayne is performing with him. Love the Joe the Strummer t-shirt. Wow it finished great! I was really worried when he first started, but that was a blast! 
Carrie and Brad tussle a little while introducing George Strait, who’s singing a new song. “Rollin’ on the River of Love.” A little cheesy, but overall good stuff.
Time for Jason Aldean to sing his new song “She’s Country.” Oh yeah, that’s a winner.
Here comes Taylor to present the Best New Artist. I like her one shoulder (which is very trendy this year) simple black dress. She wants Kellie to win, and I do just to see their reaction. OMG it’s Lady Antebellum! I wasn’t expecting that at all. haha They are so cute accepting.
Back from break with Brad playing guitar (and he has changed – looks good). He salutes Jerry Reed.
Carrie looks terrific in the new dress. Short and frilly with nice bling strap.
Brooks & Dunn are singing “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” with Reba!! I really like this song. Wow Reba really brings it home at the end. LOVE IT! I really want that version to play.
Some up and comers are here to present the Vocal Duo of the Year. Julianne Hough, Jimmy Wayne, and Jake Owen. Julianne’s dress is pretty and the boys look good too.
Vocal Duo of the Year is…WHOOOOO!!! Sugarland!!!! WHOOOOO!! Yayayayayayayyay! Now I hope they win Entertainer of the Year.
Here's a shot of Julianne Hough on the red carpet. Very pretty in pink!
Musician of the Year went to Mac Macanally. If that name sounds familiar it’s because he is Kenny Chesney’s duet partner on his new song “Down the Road.”
Time for Hootie and the Blowfish, I mean Darius Rucker. Singing his debut number one “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.” I just love his voice. I always said he had a “toe curler,” meaning it was so good and deep it curled my toes. 
Carrie is sweet introducing Brad’s performance of “Waitin’ on a Woman.” Brad can play guitar for me anytime. (what? All I gotta do is listen to Play.)
Josh Turner and Lee Ann Womack present Album of the Year. I like Lee Ann’s silver dress and Josh’s black shirt and tie with gray suit. It’s George Strait’s Troubadour! Ha! Tony Brown is the producer and he is stoked that they won! Hilarious. Looks like he has been partying. He isn’t being subtle with the shades on, the tie undone and funniest of all the points to his friends. lofl
Did they just say "Waitin' On a Woman" won video? I was kinda zoning out.
Keith Urban is performing a new song, “Sweet Thing.” Brad says he thinks he knows who this is about when he introduces him. I really like this song! So fresh and different.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsusE5Vf57c
Now something very special. I know I missed some stuff here, but I was mesmerized so am just writing what I remember.
Her name is Leslie Ponder and her husband was Trey. He was killed in Afghanistan in June 2005 and Carrie’s song has helped her through. She receives a standing ovation and it’s time for Carrie’s “Just a Dream.” How do you perform after that emotional introduction? Powerfully. I am crying. I love her dress, and the necklace is really wow. I am not happy with the director who keeps shooting her from the distance and we get blinding shots of the white light behind her (this really is an issue throughout the night – not good). She gets a standing O and Brad Paisley says “now that is what country music is all about.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYyAtSk_6X4
Brad Paisley introduces Vince Gill who is wearing a lime green shirt, but we can only see the collar and cuffs so it looks good. Vince is introducing the Hall of Fame inductees.
Now he is going to announce the Female Vocalist of the Year. Will Carrie make it 3 in a row? Yep, she is still the best. Love her saying, “Mama it’s real hard to sing when you’re in the 2nd row crying.” Her thank you is aimed at the industry of country music that embraced her even though she had that unusual start (American Idol). And she is so cute as they go to commercial she does a little happy shimmy and kisses it.
Brad is cute introducing Sugarland. Not really sure I like that top Jen is wearing, wait, is it a one-piece? Oh, they are singing “It’s Love” Man, can she sing! They soooo deserved that Vocal Duo award. Whoooooo, that was great!
It’s Brad and Carrie and she is wearing a new dress. This one short and white with red flowers and a big black belt. I like it. Brad asks, “How many dresses?” Carrie says 6 for the show, 7 with the red carpet. Brad asks if she was “up to 150,000 yet?” Love it! LMFAO Then Brad screws up the next joke and wants to start again because “it’s funny.” He “shares dressing room with the next guy, and he’s getting tired of the sand…Kenny.” It’s funny the way he says “Kenny.”
Amazing performance from Kenny Chesney and The Wailers! “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven.”
Awesome, now it’s Trace and “You’re Gonna Miss This.” Love him and this song! Doesn’t he look great? Again with the bizarre camera angles, they actually make him look small. 
Here come Reese Witherspoon in an off the shoulder gown. Like the top part, but not the whole thing. She is presenting the Male Vocalist of the Year. Alright! It’s…Brad Paisley. Oops, the doggies are giving me the eye for all my clapping. LOL He runs down to the front row to kiss his wife, but Keith Urban is standing next to her, so he actually hugs and kisses him first. Then he’s kissing Kim and her pregnant belly. 2nd AWWWW moment of the night.
Commercial break side note – love the new Christina Aguilera song – and her as a super hero.
Another side note.
LOST
LOST
LOST
Sorry, just felt the need to chant that after seeing the commercial and Jack screaming “We have to go back!” January 20th is a great day ‘cuz the Moonlight DVD’s come out. January 21st is a better day with a LOST recap and then 2 new episodes! Look for me to do nothing on January 23rd. Maybe I should just take a vacation day. Lol
Excellent, it’s The Eagles doing “Busy Being Fabulous.” They are FABULOUS!! Soooo good. Brad really gave them a poetic introduction.
One more dress for Carrie, a gold number that I can’t really explain, but I think I like it. She is introducing the special guest who will hand out The Entertainer of the Year.
Wow it’s Shania Twain! She gets a standing O. She looks fab, but is almost wearing my high school mullet.
Entertainer of the Year is Kenny Chesney! Win number 4 ties Garth Brooks. Oh, he’s gonna cry. Suddenly he turns and says “You look really good” to Shania which lightens the mood and saves his mascara from running. He thanks a couple of people he’s never thanked before. How gracious and wonderful he is.
So that’s it for another year. Pretty good overall. Some of the performances were a bit weak, but they all seemed to end with a good punch.
Best Performance of the Night – man kinda tough – Keith Urban “Sweet Thing” followed by Taylor’s “Love Story.”
Worst Performance, sadly, Martina McBride’s “Ride.”