Image Credit: Etahn Miller/Getty Images
The real winners were announced last night at the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. But here are a few more honors from the telecast you should feel free to weigh in on: READ FULL STORY »
Tag: The Band Perry (1-10 of 13)
Apr 8
2013
11:56 AM ET
Dec 19
2012
09:51 AM ET
Best and Worst 2012: The year in country music
Image Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Ah, what a year in music it’s been! Here at EW, we’ve been in retrospective overdrive, looking back at the best and worst albums, singles, lyrics, and soundtracks that 2012 had to offer.
But since I’m already primed to hop onto a plane and head home down South for the holidays, I thought it might be fun to take let my music tastes do the same and take a deep-dive into the country music world. Here’s my take on the year that was — country music style:
BEST: Little Big Town The hard-working quartet has always had the respect of Nashville for their on-point harmonies and sumptuous live performances, so it was nice to see them find true mainstream success in 2012. “Pontoon” was a fresh, tongue-in-cheek summer smash that motorboated all the way to No. 1.
BEST: Eric Church With a sand-papery voice, a trademark baseball cap (which have now officially replaced cowboy hats), a drink in his hand, and some genuinely great melodies, Eric Church joined country’s A-list this year. “Springsteen” was a wide-open crossover hit that gave his confidently country disc Chief the mainstream appeal it deserved. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Chief won the CMA Award for Album of the Year, either. READ FULL STORY »
Nov 2
2012
12:06 PM ET
CMA Awards: Best and worst of the broadcast
Image Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images
The real winners were announced last night at the 46th Annual Country Music Association Awards. But here are a few more honors from the telecast you should feel free to weigh in on:
Best Hosts: There really aren’t enough superlatives to describe the effervescent duo of Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood — they’re simply the best. If you were to look through the last five years of Oscar/Grammy/Tony/Emmy telecasts, you’d be hard pressed to find one joke that could compete with Paisleywood’s opening monologue. Their goofy (and increasingly saucy) hosting style always brings the laughs, and they keep the show moving briskly. On top of that, they both performed their own singles, delivered heartfelt tributes to Andy Griffith and Connie Smith, and demonstrated impressive “Gangnam Style” technique. Do better than that, Seth MacFarlane.
Best performance: I’m a sucker for the CMA Awards’ tribute performances (I still get a little teary thinking about last year’s Glen Campbell effort), and this year’s Willie Nelson-centered medley was no exception. Charles Kelly and Hillary Scott (of Lady Antebellum) sounded terrific on “Always on My Mind,” as did Blake Shelton and Keith Urban on “Whiskey River” and Faith Hill and Tim McGraw on “Good Hearted Woman.” The whole thing felt so warm that when Nelson himself took the stage and sang ”The life I love is making music with my friends,” (from “On the Road Again”), you really believed it was happening in that moment. Watch below. READ FULL STORY »
Nov 1
2012
12:42 PM ET
Who should win at the CMA Awards? -- POLLS
Image Credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage
Tonight is country music’s biggest night. The 46th annual Country Music Association Awards will air at 8:00 p.m. on ABC, and it’s already shaping up to be a great show.
Why? Well, because the CMA Awards are always a great show. In an overcrowded field of country awards (ACAs, I still haven’t warmed up to you), the CMA Awards remain the most prestigious — and most entertaining — of the bunch.
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, who have become quite the formidable comic duo, are returning for a fifth year as hosts (check out their interview about the show here), and performances from stars like Kelly Clarkson and The Band Perry, both of whom will perform new singles, as well as Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean will keep the night rocking.
But at the center of the awards are still, believe it or not, the actual awards! We’ve already given you our thoughts on all the nominations (as well as all the snubs and surprises), but now let’s handicap who might win in the major categories. READ FULL STORY »
Oct 31
2012
03:01 PM ET
The Band Perry are still fixated on dying young on new single 'Better Dig Two'
Just in time for tomorrow night’s CMA Awards, breakout country act The Band Perry, whose self-titled first album went platinum and spawned the crossover smash “If I Die Young,” is back with a new single called “Better Dig Two.” It’s the first song released from the sibling trio’s upcoming second album, set to hit retailers in early 2013.
“Better Dig Two” is a sly, banjo-plucked confession of love (read: obsession) that’s amped up by a gigantic dose of crazy. “I told you on the day we wed / I was gonna love you til I was dead,” Kimberly Perry drawls with a newfound edge in her voice. Unable to bear the thought of being separated from her man, Perry continues, “If you go before I do / I’m gonna tell the gravedigger that he better dig two.” It’s all teetering on the edge of insanity, and it’s all great.
On their first album, The Band Perry showcased a Southern gothic thematic, and they seem to have augmented those vibes while steering them into new sonic territory (bring on the drums!) on “Better Dig Two.” Sure, it’s not as melodiously pretty as singles like “All Your Life” or “Postcard from Paris,” but I’m thrilled by the idea of a more dangerous The Band Perry.
Give the song a listen below: READ FULL STORY »
Oct 17
2012
01:00 PM ET
How Mumford & Sons and Taylor Swift are causing a seismic shift in the music industry
Image Credit: Kitra Cahana/Getty Images
The biggest debut of 2012 doesn’t belong to a glossy pop act like One Direction or Justin Bieber.
Sure, those boys have hordes of teenage girls ready to download their music at the drop of a tweet, but they’ve got nothing on the scruffy gents of Mumford & Sons, whose new disc, Babel sold 600,000 copies in its first seven days. (The next-best opening? Bieber’s Believe, with 374,000 in week 1.)
Babel‘s success (it has now led the chart for three weeks and sold 865,000 copies total) is indicative of a larger shift within the music industry. As pop music morphs into a glow-stick dance party, country acts have adopted the traditional pop sound. That leaves Mumford and the burgeoning Americana and folk genres (think acoustic guitars, banjos, and innumerable fitted tweed vests) to fill the country void. Did you get all that? Allow us to break it down. READ FULL STORY »
Sep 5
2012
10:43 AM ET
CMA Awards: Eric Church leads noms (and Snoop Dogg's in the house!)
Image Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Nominations for the 46th Annual CMA Awards (airing live on Nov. 1 on ABC) were announced this morning on Good Morning America. Eric Church led the way with five nods, including Male Vocalist and Album of the Year, along with Song, Single, and Video of the Year for his hit “Springsteen.” (Not a country music fan? Give that one listen and get back to us.)
Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert scored four noms a piece while Taylor Swift, who earned three noms, was the lone female to make the Entertainer of the Year category. Kelly Clarkson’s nom for Female Vocalist of the Year is slightly less of a surprise than Snoop Dogg popping up in Musical Event of the Year (listen to Willie Nelson’s ”Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” featuring Snoop, Kris Kristofferson, and Jamey Johnson). The full nominees list: READ FULL STORY »
Jun 7
2012
10:34 AM ET
CMT Music Awards: Best and worst of the broadcast
Image Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images
The actual winners were announced last night at the CMT Music Awards. But here are a few more honors from the telecast that you should feel free to weigh in on:
Best Overall Performance Willie Nelson assembled an all-star crew to help him sing the hilarious “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.” The ponytailed veteran was joined by Darius Rucker, Toby Keith, Zac Brown, and Jamey Johnson, all of whom looked delighted to be sharing the stage with the legendary toker.
(Honorable Mention Little Big Town, who always sound fantastic, delivered a fun rendition of their summer single “Pontoon.” On a night when A-listers like Kenny Chesney, the Zac Brown Band, and Luke Bryan delivered competent but forgettable performances, theirs might legitimately have earned the quartet a few new listeners. Also, props to Kellie Pickler for her “Motorboatin’” introduction.) READ FULL STORY »
Apr 23
2012
01:12 PM ET
CMT Music Award Nominations: Little Big Town must win for 'Fix You' cover -- VIDEO
Image Credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Nominations for June 6′s CMT Music Awards were announced this morning, with Carrie Underwood leading the pack with five nods, followed by Miranda Lambert, who received four.
See the full list below, which also includes three nominations a piece for Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, and Thompson Square.
If there’s one category we feel strongly about, it’s CMT Performance of the Year, which honors the best live performance that aired on a CMT show, series, or special. Little Big Town has to win for their cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You” on the Music Builds: CMT Disaster Relief Concert. It starts at 2:40 in the clip below; you’re guaranteed to get chills. READ FULL STORY »
Apr 2
2012
11:51 AM ET
ACM Awards: Best and worst of the broadcast
Image Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
The real winners were announced last night at the 47th Academy of Country Music Awards. But here are a few more honors from the telecast that you should feel free to weigh in on:
Best hosts: They’re no Brad and Carrie, but Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire (or is it just Reba these days?) maintained a playful rapport and charming competitiveness throughout the telecast. During the opening bit, Blake nailed Taylor Swift’s trademark suprised face while joking about her upcoming perfume. “Oh my gosh! I can’t believe I smell this good!” he imitated as he put his hands to his cheeks. Reba roasted Blake a bit for his old mullet (never forget!), and in return, Blake offered a few barbs about her age — although she’s looking mighty fine at 57! Blake’s humor just ever so slightly delved into the mean territory (I could have done without the Randy Travis and Tim Tebow jokes), but he still garnered big laughs throughout the night. Why is it that country music award shows seem to be the only type that prove hosts can actually be funny? My guess is that they don’t take themselves so dang seriously! READ FULL STORY »
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