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Review of '09 ACM award winners; Carrie Underwood voted Entertainer of the Year
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Entertainer of the Year Underwood performs "I Told You So" at the '09 ACMs in Vegas. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
A constellation of stars, from country stars and TV stars, to film stars and even a supermodel, turned out for the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 5, 2009, to serve as both performers and presenters for the live-TV event.
With the ever-capable talents and star power of country vocalist-turned-actress Reba McEntire, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas became a VIP country-music hotspot, albeit for only an evening. But, boy, what an evening!
ACM Vocal Event of the Year: "Start A Band"
In the Vocal Event of the Year contest, an award that goes to the winning artist, producer and record company, “Start A Band” a duet by Brad Paisley and Keith Urban (Arista Nashville), which was produced by Frank Rogerswinners, won.
The contenders for this prize were “Another Try” by Josh Turner and featuring Trisha Yearwood (MCA Nashville), produced by Frank Rogers; “Cowgirls Don't Cry” by Brooks & Dunn and featuring Reba McEntire (Arista Nashville), produced by Kix Brooks, Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn; Down The Road by Kenny Chesney with Mac McAnally (Blue Chair/BNA), produced by Buddy Cannon and Chesney; and “Life In A Northern Town” by Sugarland featuring Little Big Town & Jake Owen (Mercury), producer not listed.
Top Vocal Duo: Sugarland
The Top Vocal Duo trophy--and there were no real surprises here--was scored by Sugarland. The act has been on a long hot streak, and it continued here. Those competing this year for the honor were Big & Rich, old pros Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry and Can You Duet TV-success story Joey + Rory, who were first-time nominees.
Top Vocal Group: Rascal Flatts
Again, no change or big upset here, with Rascal Flatts taking this one yet again. Contenders in this year's Top Vocal Group category included a talented pool of country; namely, Lady Antebellum, a trio that won its first-ever ACM in '08,as well as Little Big Town and newcomers the Randy Rogers Band and The Lost Trailers, respectively.
Top Male Vocalist winner: Brad Paisley
Four-time ACM winner Martina McBride presented this year’s Top Male Vocalist trophy to Brad Paisley, who beat out Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, George Strait and Keith Urban. Paisley thanked fans via satellite so he could be with his actress-wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley, who's set to give birth to the couple's second child anytime now.
Top Female Vocalist winner: Carrie Underwood
Dierks Bentley presented the Top Female Vocalist category, with hot-ticket Carrie Underwood walking away, once more, a winner. To win, she bested Lone Star songstress Miranda Lambert, Heidi Newfield, teen sensation Taylor Swift and the always-first-rate vocalist Lee Ann Womack.
Top New Artist winner: Julianne Hough
The 2009 Top New Artist honor was awarded to dancer-turned-country starlet Julianne Hough, who managed to beat out category two other category contenders, Jake Owen and Zac Brown Band. This year, the trio of contestants for this particular prize were culled from three other fan-voted categories: Top New Male Vocalist, Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group.
Top New Female, Top New Male & Top New Vocal Group or Duo winners
Thus, although only one went away with the Top New Artist prize, an overall win, that category’s remaining nominees also were winners this year, with Julianne Hough beating sister newcomers Ashton Shepherd and Sarah Buxton for Top New Female Vocalist and Jake Owen securing Top New Male Vocalist over Jamey Johnson and James Otto. Subsequently, Zac Brown Band was this year’s fan-chosen Top New Vocal Duo or Group, overcoming the competition of Texas-based Eli Young Band and The Lost Trailers.
ACM Single Record of the Year: "You're Gonna Miss This"
Single Record of the Year, an honor that goes to the artist, producer and record company of the winning single, was awarded to “You're Gonna Miss This” by Trace Adkins (Capitol Nashville), produced by Frank Rogers.
Other cuts contending for this year’s trophy were “Gunpowder & Lead” by Miranda Lambert (Columbia), with production by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke; “In Color” by Jamey Johnson (Mercury), with production overseen by The Kent Hardly Playboys; “Johnny And June” by Heidi Newfield (Asylum-Curb), produced by Tony Brown; and “Waitin' On A Woman” by Brad Paisley (Arista Nashville), produced by Frank Rogers.
ACM Song of the Year: "In Color"
Meanwhile, one of this writer’s favorite award categories—the Song of the Year prize, which is bestowed upon a song’s composers, publishers and the artist—went to “In Color” by Jamey Johnson. It was penned by Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto.
Many of these songs have been duking it out not only on the charts, but also in other song competitions, such as in the 2009 Grammy and 2008 CMA contests. In turn, beyond the ACM-winning song, this year’s top-notch nominees included “I Saw God Today” by George Strait, which was written by Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell and Wade Kirby; Johnny And June” by Heidi Newfield, which was written by Deanna Bryant, Newfield and Stephony Smith; “Waitin' On A Woman” by Brad Paisley, penned by Don Sampson and Wynn Varble; and “You're Gonna Miss This” by Trace Adkins, crafted by Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller.
ACM Album of the Year: Fearless by Taylor Swift
As for the music, Album of the Year went to the record-setting Fearless CD by Taylor Swift (Big Machine), which was produced by Swift, Scott Borchetta and Nathan Chapman. The contenders for this prize included Carnival Ride by Carrie Underwood (19/Arista Nashville), produced by Mark Bright; Back When I Knew It All by Montgomery Gentry (Columbia), produced by Blake Chancey; That Lonesome Song by Jamey Johnson (Mercury), produced by The Kent Hardly Playboys; and Troubadour by George Strait (MCA), produced by Strait and Tony Brown.
ACM Video of the Year Award: “Waitin' On A Woman"
The ACM’s Video of the Year Award, which is presented to the winning clip’s artist, producer and director, went to “Waitin' On A Woman" by Brad Paisley (produced by Mark Kalbfeld and Jim Shea, with direction by Shea and Peter Tilden).
The clip, which featured a cameo by Andy Griffith, pulled ahead of video favorites “Johnny And June” by Heidi Newfield (produced by Karen Martin and directed by Eric Welch); “Just A Dream” by Carrie Underwood (produced by Randy Brewer and directed by Roman White); “Love Story” by Taylor Swift (produced by Trent Hardville and directed by Trey Fanjoy); and “Troubadour” by George Strait (produced by Dominic Cancilla and directed by Trey Fanjoy).
And Entertainer of the Year goes to ...
The always best-dressed Carrie Underwood was the lone lady running in this contest and the evening’s Entertainer of the Year prize-getter, overcoming competition from category nominees Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, recent first-time Grammy winner George Strait and and New Zealand-born Keith Urban. Underwood, who was a bit teary at the news, is only the seventh female to ever take home the coveted top ACM honor.
Prior females who’ve won this category are Loretta Lynn (1975), Dolly Parton (1977), Barbara Mandrell (1980), host McEntire (1994), Shania Twain (1999) and Dixie Chicks (2000).
For more information about who won other ACM categories, such as various studio musician prizes, the top venue prize, producer of the year honors and more, please click here.
FYI: Other ACM-related stories by this Country Music Examiner include Lady in red: Carrie Underwood's ACM dress causes a stir, Academy of Country Music honors LeAnn Rimes with Humanitarian Award, Country newcomers Julianne Hough, Jake Own & Zac Brown Band collect ACM prizes and ACM Radio Awards include 2 local winners.
Related country-music reading: Miley Cyrus and dad Billy Ray break chart record of Johnny & Rosanne Cash, Toby Keith's not afraid to confront a rude fan, but neither are Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Tim McGraw upset by Greatest Hits 3 CD, Will Tim McGraw campaign for governor?, Blake Shelton: Country's newest 'sexiest man', Country singer Jamey Johnson's In Color hit, Trace Adkins' biggest hit song, Country music's Miranda Lambert launches jewelry line, as does Big Kenny's missus, Heidi Newfield: Life after Trick Pony, Reba McEntire leaves MCA Records after 25 years, Senior community caters to country musicians
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