CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

The special - that airs on ABC at 8pm on 12/1 - was filmed the day after the CMA's.

Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland hosted.

Some of the highlights:

• Sugarland performing a part-English/part-Spanish "Silent Night"
• Darius Rucker sings "Winter Wonderland"
• Lauren Alaina - backed by an orchestra - singing "Grown Up Christmas List" to a group of small children
• Vince Gill & Miss Piggy duet on "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (bet that's funny)
• Scotty McCreery sings "The First Noel"
• Little Big Town sings "Santa Claus is Back In Town" with a blues spin and Keith Urban on guitar
• Rascal Flatts performs "White Christmas"
• Faith Hill and Martina McBride also perform before a huge finale ends the show.

BILLBOARD TOURING AWARD COUNTRY WINNERS

If you've seen Jason Aldean I don't think you'll be surprised to hear that he won the Breakthrough Award.

Taylor Swift won the Billboard Concert Marketing and Promotion Award for her Speak Now world tour sponsored by Cover Girl.

Kenny Chesney's Goin' Coastal tour (which played for more than 1.3 million fans) with Zac Brown Band, Uncle Kracker and Billy Currington won Top Package.

COUNTRY JAM

The 3-day Festival in Eau Claire is July 19th - 21st.

Signed on? So far...

• Jason Aldean
• Trace Adkins
• Luke Bryan
• Chris Young
• Jerrod Niemann
• LoCash Cowboys
• Justin Moore

How far is Eau Claire from Horicon?

CMA LIVE BLOG #12

That grecian inspired dress Carrie is wearing reminds me of I Dream of Jeannie.

Congrats to Reba going in the Hall of Fame - and Bobby Bradock. Reba looks amazing.

Entertainer of the Year is Taylor Swift - and I love that dress!

CMA LIVE BLOG #11

The Glen Campbell tribute is so moving.

I wish I could see him in Wausau next month. I know it will be one of my biggest regrets.

Hey, Brad & Carrie were just talking about the Oscars - like I suggested earlier - they would be great hosts!

Faith Hill - not crazy about this performance, but know I will like the produced version of Coming Home. Really hate her hair, and those pants!

Dierks Bentley (should be performing!!) and Emily VanCamp (ABC's awesome Revenge) present Female Vocalist of the Year.
Miranda Lambert - who looks smashing in her pink dress. Very funny giving Blake a shoutout saying, "It's going to be a good night." Then seeing him rub his hands in anticipation with a gleam in his eye.

CMA LIVE BLOG #10

I thought Jason was kinda boring - didn't engage me.

Reese Witherspoon is a doll. Lucky her gets to introduce Male Vocalist of the Year.

And the winner is...
Blake Shelton! YAY!

Now it's the beautiful Martina's turn, with a beautiful song.

CMA LIVE BLOG #9

Time for Remind Me on TV for the first time ever.

I like Carrie's dress and hair. Her legs are so shiny though they are a bit distracting.

Awesome performance - Carrie can really belt it out.

New Artist of the Year time! Lucky Lauren Alaina intros it with Jake Owen.

It's The Band Perry! Big night for them.

Scotty McCreery was cute - next year he'll probably sing a full song.

CMA LIVE BLOG #8

I really like the new one from The Band Perry. All Your Life was wonderful live.

Billy Currington! Say my name, say my name, say my name! I like LeAnn Rimes dress.

Vocal Group of the Year = Lady Antebellum. Knew it, though Zac Brown Band was my pick.

LOL Zac has a Red Solo Cup!

Oh yeah, Sugarland and Matt Nathinson! Run is a sexy little number. Love her jacket and those shoes!

Craig got the Video of the Year correct with You & Tequila from Kenny & Grace Potter.

CMA LIVE BLOG #7

I've lost track of the number of Carrie's dresses, but this one would be better with out the black layered neck thing?

Heeheehee - Little Jimmy Dickens as Justin Bieber.

Lionel Richie with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts & Darius Rucker.

No surprise - Little Big Town sound and look amazing.

Darius Rucker sounded good on Stuck On You.

Heard Rascal Flatts do Dancing On the Ceiling at Country USA this year, so already knew how good it was going to be. Better with the real thing as oppose to the video/hologram.

CMA LIVE BLOG #6

The Miss Piggy bit was great! ROFLMAO! I'm guessing Brad adlibbed that line about touching her there when he realized where his hand landed! LOFL

Lady A are amazing! Kristin has tix to see them at Summerfest - Jealous!

Erin Andrews and David Freese - I really have no idea who they are - yes, I know Erin's name and story, but just the basics.

Album of the Year = My Kind of Party - Jason Aldean - no brainer!

Kenny Chesney & Grace Potter sound great on You & Tequila - goosebumps as Michelle said.

CMA LIVE BLOG #5

SQUEEEEEE - it's Luke Bryan!!!!! Why did I pick the Band Perry to win? Can I change my pick now to Luke? He is skyrocketing! What was I thinking? Standing O!

Ha! I got the musician of the year right!

CMA LIVE BLOG #4

Prince Charming & Snow White introduce the Vocal Duo of the Year - SUGARLAND!!!!

LOL to Jennifer shouting out to Greg Allman that it was her on the red carpet. I love Jen's dress.

OMG - there's Brad's $2000 camo jacket!!!

Time for some New Artist of the Year action.

Eric Church is so great! I think the fair should bring him back!

Thompson Square sound pretty good. Shawna has a very intersting dress on - I can't decide if I like it or not.

Chris Young!!! I wish he was singing Tomorrow even though Voices is terrific.

Taylor's song - This Love Is Ours - was so sweet. She sounded wonderful.

WTF is Carrie wearing?

CMA LIVE BLOG #3

Hmmm - not crazy about dress #3 for Carrie.

Oooo - Miranda! Wow - look at that jewel thing on the middle of her shirt. I love the fringe! Ooo - like the airport info on the video screens. Miranda looks good! And she sounds good! Can I get a pink microphone for the fair next year?

Yummy - Emmit from Twilight! And Kellie looks so great! They get to give out Song of the Year. I had picked The Band Perry - but man, I love Zac Brown Band.

Well, I got that one!

Song of the Year = If I Die Young - The Band Perry.

A standing O for the very deserving Zac Brown Band and Greg Allman! Wow! That was just an amazing performance of Georgia On My Mind.

Up now it's Rascal Flatts & Natasha Beddingfield with Easy - They sound so good.

CMA LIVE BLOG #2

Love dress #2 for Carrie - with matching shoes.

Keith Urban performing - You Gonna Fly!

Brad changed his outfit! Intro's the lovely Sara Evans and her #1 A Little Bit Stronger. Interesting - there are ariel acrobats spinning around on fabric during the performance. I love the dress Sara was wearing on the red carpet.

CMA LIVE BLOG #1

The opening was great! Footloose was fun & Brad & Carrie were very funny - can they host the Oscars? Love that funky dress Carrie's wearing - and those shoes!

Single of the Year = If I Die Young!

Beautiful song - bet it wins more awards!

CMA NOMINATIONS & LEZLI'S PICKS

Entertainer of the Year

Jason Aldean
Brad Paisley - Lezli's Pick
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean (this could be his year - but...)
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton - Lezli's Pick
Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert - Lezli's Pick
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Album of the Year
All About Tonight - Blake Shelton
My Kinda Party - Jason Aldean - Lezli's Pick!
Speak Now - Taylor Swift
This Is Country Music - Brad Paisley
You Get What You Give - Zac Brown Band

Musical Event of the Year
"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 featuring Alabama - Lezli's Pick
"You and Tequila" - Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter

New Artist of the Year
The Band Perry - Lezli's Pick
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Thompson Square
Chris Young

Music Video of the Year
"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

Single of the Year
"A Little Bit Stronger" - Sara Evans
"Colder Weather" - Zac Brown Band
"Honey Bee" - Blake Shelton - Lezli's Pick
"If I Die Young" - The Band Perry
"Don't Want to Stay" - Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson

Song of the Year (songwriters award)
"Dirt Road Anthem" - Grant Lee Gilbert and Colt Ford (Jason Aldean)
"If I Die Young" - Kimberly Perry (The Band Perry) - Lezli's Pick
"Mean" - Taylor Swift
"You and Tequila" - Matraca Berg and Tina Carter (Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter)
"Colder Weather" - Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrett, Levi Lowrey and Coy Bowles (Zac Brown Band)

Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Lady Antebellum- (It will prolly be them, but...)
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band - Lezli's Pick

Vocal Duo of the Year
The Civil Wars
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland - Lezli's Pick
Thompson Square

Musician of the Year
Sam Bush - mandolin
Jerry Douglas - dobro
Paul Franklin - steel guitar
Dann Huff - guitar
Mac McAnally - guitar

PRE-CMA SHOW

Check out Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville tonight on ABC. Robin will sit down and chat with Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Sugarland, Scotty McCreery, and Lauren Alaina. It's all in anticipation of the CMA's tomorrow night.

NEW WILLIE CD

The latest from Willie Nelson is due November 21st. Called Remember Me, Vol 1, it features songs Willie picked that he considers country's most definitive. The songs go back 70 years! This Vol (Vol 2 comes next year!) comes from Willie's sessions with his friend and producer James Stroud (the two volumes will feature 30 songs).

Each track features the work of Nashville's top musicians. Eddie Bayers on drums, David Hungate on bass, Brent Mason on electric guitar, Biff Watson plays acoustic guitar, Mickey Raphael is on harmonica, Sonny Garrish plays steel guitar, John Hobbs does the piano/keyboard work, Aubrey Haynie is on the fiddle/mandolin and Wes Hightower along with Cindy Walker provide background vocals. Jerry Puckett and Chris Collins are also guests.

Remember Me, Vol. 1

• Remember Me (Ernest Tub, 1950, #5 Country)
• Sixteen Tons (Tennessee Ernie Ford, 1955, #1 Country & Pop)
• Why Baby Why (George Jones, 1955, #4 Country)
• Today I Started Loving You Again (Merle Haggard, 1970)
• I'm Movin' On (Hank Snow, 1950, #1 Country)
• That Just About Does It (Vern Gosdin, 1989, #4 Country)
• This Old House (Rosemary Clooney, 1954, #1 Pop)
• Sunday Morning Coming Down (Johnny Cash, 1970, #1 Country)
• Smoke That Cigarette (Tex Williams, 1947, #1 Country)
• Slowly (Webb Pierce, 1054, #1 Country)
• A Satisfied Mind (Porter Wagoner, 1955, #1 Country)
• Roly Poly (Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, 1946, #3 Country)
• Release Me (Ray Price, 1954, #6 Country)
• Ramblin' Fever (Merle Haggard, 1977, #2 Country)
• More and More (Webb Pierce, 1954, #1 Country)

CMA PERFORMERS & PRESENTERS - UPDATE

The show is November 9th at 7pm on ABC.

Presenters

• Lauren Alaina
• Dierks Bentley (should be singing!)
• Billy Currington
• Jake Owen
• Kellie Pickler
• Reba McEntire
• LeAnn Rimes

Performers

• Sugarland & Matt Nathanson (who has been out with them a lot on the road :) - they'll sing Run a song Matt wrote with Sugarland.
• Faith Hill - she'll sing her new single Come Home
• Lionel Richie will perform with Little Big Town, Darius Rucker & Rascal Flatts (songs from his upcoming country duets album Tuskegee)
• Lady Antebellum
• Miranda Lambert
• Band Perry
• Jason Aldean
• Blake Shelton
• Taylor Swift
• Keith Urban
• Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood - they'll sing (for the first time on TV) Remind Me
• Thompson Square

HILLARY SCOTT ON REDBOOK MAGAZINE

Check it out! She's gorgeous!

In the magazine she talks about her future wedding to Chris Tyrell. She says, "Everything's brighter" since she became engaged. Chris "embraces" her for herself, and makes her feel "more comfortable in [her] own skin." The wedding should be sometime early next year.

THROAT SURGERY FOR KEITH URBAN

Later this month Keith Urban will have surgery to remove a polyp from his vocal cords. He has had to cancel appearances where he would need to sing multiple songs - those shows will be made up next year. He will be honoring his commitments for one-son performances, so we will see him next Wednesday at the CMA's. (YAY!) He, along with Vince Gill and Brad Paisley will be honoring Glen Campbell at the big event Wednesday, and I know Keith wouldn't want to miss honoring someone he calls a "guitarist (I LOVE that!). Someone who has probably been one of his biggest influences.

Best of luck to Keith with the surgery.

ACA's

The American Country Awards will be back on FOX December 5th.

Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, (solo and with) Pistol Annies, Thompson Square, Eli Young Band, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, the Band Perry, and co-hosts Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth are all performing.

You can vote until 11/11 - except the Artist of the Year voting goes until 12/2.

Vote at TheACAs.com.

CMA NEWS

The 45th Annual CMA's are next Wednesday at 7pm.

Lionel Richie will perform some of his songs from his country duets album Tuskegee - which is coming out in March. Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, and Rascal Flatts will perform with Lionel at the CMA's.

On Tuskegee you can also hear duets with, among others, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain, Jennifer Nettles, Billy Currington and Willie Nelson.

Can't wait to hear some of these songs!

Also, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban will pay tribute to Glen Campbell.

CARRIE IS ONE HOT BLONDE

(or yellow hair as Tina Fey would say :)

NTBlondes.com has awarded Carrie Underwood the title of Hottest Blonde for 2011. It's their first ranking of the 100 hottest celebrity blondes.

Here's the Top 10.

1. Carrie Underwood
2. Charlize Theron
3. Brooklyn Decker
4. Heidi Klum
5. Paris Hilton
6. Cameron Diaz
7. Blake Lively
8. Beyonce
9. Gwyneth Paltrow
10. Reese Witherspoon

INSPIRATION AWARDS

The 17th Annual Inspiration Country Music Association's Faith, Family & Country Awards happened last Friday night.

Lady Antebellum's "Hello World" won the Video award.

Justin Moore's "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away" won Mainstream Inspirational Song.

Joey + Rory won Vocal Duo award (I'm thinking not for their song "Cheater, Cheater" :)

Ricky Skaggs won Entertainer of the Year.

Jeff Bates won Mainstream Country Artist. (um, OK)

The Roys won Inspirational Bluegrass Artist.

Carrie Underwood's feature film debut Soul Surfer won Faith & Family Movie.