Although he didn’t win anything, Tim McGraw (pictured) managed to provide two of the key highlights of Tuesday night’s Academy of Country Music Awards show, broadcast from Las Vegas. One of these peak moments had McGraw getting on stage for an unexpected performance of a brand new song that had audience members simultaneously wiping away tears (because of the moving nature of the song) and scratching their heads (because they were trying to figure out if they’d ever heard it before, and why he wasn’t shilling his current single). As for that other high point, McGraw didn’t even have to get out of his seat.
The latter bit was mostly the work of 17-year-old Taylor Swift, who has one of the genre’s biggest hits of the year with "Tim McGraw," which has sold over 500,000 units as a digital download in addition to her 700K in album sales. Earlier that day, I found Swift in her makeup chair, where she discussed her plans for the evening: "I’m not gonna be playing it with a band. I’m gonna do it on an acoustic guitar. I’ve never met Tim" — not counting a phone conversation — "and he’s gonna be sitting in the front row. So I’ll be walking off the stage and playing it two feet in front of him. I think right afterward, I’ll be like, ‘Hey, I’m Taylor.’" Surely he would be in on it? "No, he doesn’t know," she insisted. "It’s a complete surprise." But what if, I suggested, always eager to propose the worst-case scenario, McGraw just up and bolted? "Hopefully, I’m not that scary. Hopefully." If you’ve ever seen her, you can safely guess that McGraw did not, in fact, flee the scene in terror. (Actually, her 5′11" stature can be intimidating, but there are compensating factors.) Their oft-postponed introduction turned out to be a Great Moment in Awards Show Hokum.
Swift wasn’t the only one with a surprise up her sleeve(figuratively speaking; sleevelessness becomes her). Just beforeshowtime, McGraw and Faith Hill had done the red carpet together(actually, at the ACMs, it’s traditionally an orange carpet, in honorof… I don’t know what). "I know what he’s performing, but we want itto be a surprise," she told me. Hill was set to perform a new single,"Lost," that she recorded for an upcoming best-of just last week, so noone would’ve guessed that McGraw would debut a new tune, too, much lessone that hadn’t even been put down on tape yet. But toward the end ofthe three-hour telecast, McGraw appeared sans introduction and sang awar-themed ballad that only the next day were we able to confirm istitled "If You’re Reading This." It’s in the form of a letter intendedby a soldier to be opened by his widow upon his death, with lines like"Lay me down in that open field on the edge of town" and "If you’rereadin’ this, I’m already home." At the end, the lights went up on acrowd of people gathered behind the singer, some holding up pictures offallen soldiers, while the legend "Families of Fallen Heroes" appearedon screen overhead. A scan of the front row showed fellow artists likeMartina McBride drying their eyes, but you could see the puzzled lookson other faces: Did he really just give up a shot to push his newalbum, in primetime? Honest, spontaneous sentiment trumping careerism?No wonder we were all a bit confused.
I wasn’t sure what to make of another tribute, this one offered byRascal Flatts. Their quasi-gospel tune, "He Ain’t the Leavin’ Kind,"ended with photographs of all the Virginia Tech massacre victimsprojected on screen, followed by a printed message of sympathy signedby "Rascal Flatts." Reasonable enough. But the first part of the songcomplained about the infamous case a few years ago where the 10 Commandments were removed from a judge’s courtroom in Alabama, completewith video footage of pro-Commandments protesters being arrested.Should sympathy for the Virginia victims really be conflated with acontroversial conservative political position? The conjoining of theseunrelated and highly charged causes felt awkward, at the very least.
Thank God, then, for the kind of greatness that all Americans canagree on, by which, of course, I mean the sublimity that is BradPaisley’s "Ticks." That and Miranda Lambert’s "Famous in a Small Town"certainly lead our list of 2007’s best country songs, no matter whatthe nominations show this time next year. And, perhaps notincidentally, Paisley and Lambert were among the half-dozen acts (outof 20) who performed completely live; the other 14 had live vocals butband members miming to pre-recorded backing tracks. (Here’s a roll callof the brave six: Lambert, Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill,McGraw, and of course, the solo-acoustic Swift.) Though they didn’tquite qualify in that totally-live category, Big & Rich also tooksome chances and mixed it up, inviting R&B star John Legend — whoguests on "Eternity," a different song on their about-to-be-releasedalbum — to join them as a duet partner and (live) pianist on "Lost inThis Moment," their current single. But for rocking out, there was nobeating Gill’s climactic raveup, "Sweet Thing," which climaxed with aguitar solo lasting exactly 90 seconds. (When was the last time youheard a minute-and-a-half rock guitar solo on TV in any context? Justcurious.)
Opening the show with a brief monologue, returning host RebaMcEntire riffed on the "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" mantra,noting, "It sure didn’t stay here last year when I made a few jokesthat were talked about everywhere" — presumably referring to some gagsshe made at the Dixie Chicks’ expense that didn’t go over universally wellin ‘06. Playing it safer this time, McEntire was saddled with some of thegroaningest — albeit completely inoffensive — one-liners conceivable.(Example: Britney Spears has a new country band called "RascalFlattop"… The all-male list of nominees for entertainer of the yearreminds her of West Hollywood… Brooks & Dunn’s trophy room "ismore crowded than Angelina Jolie’s supper table"… Oy.) For the loveof God, Reba is a gifted comedienne who had a successful sitcom onanother network for several seasons; can’t CBS shell out just one nighta year to supply the poor woman with some professional comedy writers?
Reba also participated in what should’ve been, and nearly was, aperformance highlight: a duet with Kelly Clarkson on "Because of You,"the leadoff single from the host’s forthcoming duets album. McEntire,the most consummate of consummate professionals, was completely onpoint, as always… but Clarkson was strangely muted, as if she thoughther role was to be a backup harmonizer, not full vocal partner. We’llsee if things seem more equal when the studio version of the singlehits radio this week.
The winners? You care? No, really? Not surprisingly, Kenny Chesneywon the top entertainer of the year prize again; also not surprisingly,in a typical example of spreading the wealth, Chesney gave up thelesser best male vocalist prize, this time not to Keith Urban but tofirst-time winner Paisley. Carrie Underwood, picking up three awards(best album, best video, best female vocalist), was hardly a surprise,though it was a slight shocker that, for single of the year and bestsong, her run of smashes was passed over in favor of George Strait’sgreat, droll, sad-sack divorce anthem, "Give It Away." Other winnersincluded: Rascal Flatts, best vocal group; Brooks & Dunn, for vocalduo, vocal event, and a charitable honor; Lambert, best new femaleartist; Rodney Atkins, best new male; Little Big Town, best new group.
No one takes the ACMs quite as seriously as the CMA Awards in November(to the extent that any of these are taken seriously). But as KelliePickler enthused to us on the orange carpet: "This is more laid backthan the CMAs — more casual, and a lot more fun, because we’re inVegas!" Of course, those who did win will be hoping the public memory of what happened there won’t completely stay there.
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What’s so great about Miranda’s new single? I swear critics like anything she does. It doesn’t have a great hook, and there isn’t much special about it as a single.
Yeah I agree, Kelly Clarkson was definitley “muted” last night. She didn’t get a chance to do anything with the song. She did one verse and sang harmonies and backup. Kind of dissapointing. Don’t like this new version of Kelly’s hit.
Now, I’m not a hater toward either of the following things, but I do belive that if Miranda Lambert ever showed up on “Lost”, Entertainment Weekly’s collective head would explode.
Apparently “country remake” means Reba’s heavy heavy accent, and “duet” means Kelly doing back-up. Yay!(Sarcastically)
Granted, not a great hook in “Famous in a Small Town, but check out the rest of Miranda’s album–hooks EVERYWHERE. Awesome.
So, was anyone impressed by the singing ‘talents’ of Taylor Swift? She plays better than she sings. Now if she actually wrote that song, then I’m impressed.
And Kelly Clarkson can sing circles around Reba, who’s voice is a bit on the annoying side.
Kind of a boring show, really.
Yes, Taylor did write “Tim McGraw,” along with all the songs on her album.
You guys don’t hear a hook in “Famous in a Small Town”? It may be hard to wrap your head around on a first listen, because there’s a little more to take in there melodically than in some other country hits. But I am all about the hooks–believe me, I wouldn’t be that into it if it were missing one.
I am so glad I know the name of that song now. I have been gong crazy all day trying to figure it out.
I’m going to write about what I liked and disliked about the show!
Please, this is my opinion and I don’t want any hate comments on my behalf if you don’t agree with me.
What I liked:
Carrie Underwood was the BEST there.
Taylor Swift was really good and realy brave to go out there with just only a microphone and a guitar. She has an amazing voice and she DID write the song Tim McGraw. It was an unforgetable performance.
Rascall Flatts was awesome.
I can’t think of anyone else I liked at the moment.
What I didn’t like:
Kelly Clarkson, she was pretty bad, I was looking forward to her performance and I was dissappointed. Reba is better at that song than Kelly is.
Faith Hill, She was off key and very annoying, I’m sorry but I had to put the TV on mute.
I’m sorry if you don’t agree with me but this is my opinion and I have a right to my own opinion.
To everyone on the ACM’s great job.
Very disappointed Sugarland didn’t get the duet upset. They have had a stellar year while Brooks and Dunn did…what exactly?
you didn’t mention that the duet with reba and kelly was kelly’s song that she wrote on her last album.
Hi Chris, I really enjoy reading your articles and blog postings. I did cringe a little with the Taylor Swift performance right in front of Tim, it seemed strange and uncomfortable to me. I really enjoyed the performances by Big and Rich, Miranda, Brad Paisley, and Vince.
I was glad to see Brad win Male Vocalist, and I think Keith Urban is leaving the country genre anyway, so he probably didn’t care if he won or not. I want more variety at these country awards shows, I’m tired of seeing some of the same people perform at every show, let’s expand the performance roster.
I’m sorry but Brooks & Dunn are not a duet. Kix Brooks never sings on Ronnie Dunn’s songs (check the liner notes). All the rest of the groups are actually duets (with Big & Rich an actual duet, switching up the vocals on almost every track, followed closely by Montgomery Gentry). Please Country Radio state obvious and only mention Ronnie Dunn from now on.
Being bias aside. I would like to know the mechanics of ACM winner selection. So it seems they spread the wealth but it doesn’t make sense where it goes to. Miranda for Top New Female Vocalist? Pickler and Swift have better songs and bigger achievements last year. I assume last is is how they qualify this year. CMA, ACM … who really cares? It’s country music, it’s supposed to be mellow, it is not BET or MTV Music Awards, or whatever awards pop genre can come up with. That’s why country music confuses me to death. Maybe they reward those who can put you to sleep fast. If not for Kellie Pickler, I wouldn’t be listening to any country music at all. They had a great time, that’s the bottom line. And you gotta give Rebba the thumbs up. That woman is a hoot!
Hey guys I ned help…is there a video of Taylor Swift performing Tim McGraw from the show? I have looked everywhere…please give me a link! pLease!
Reba McEntire rocks. CW, bring her sitcom back! It has several more seasons left in it, and the ratings were among the CW’s top 5!
Tim Mc Graw was at his finest. Taylor Swift? That Tim McGraw song seems a bit pandering to me. When she went down to where Tim and Faith were sitting I cringed. Tim looked uncomfortable as did Faith. Swift? Me thinks she’s got a little bit of the stalker glare in her eye.
Sara, here is a link to a clip of Taylor performing at the awards show.
Vince Gill ROCKS
I love Tim McGraw and Faith HIll. I saw both of them before they were very popular. How do I send them a couple of songs that I wrote for them to see if they like them? “Daddy,please don’t go!” “I’m a woman living a man’s life” and others. Please help. I’m from LA also. Thanks.
Nice article. Glad EW gives Miranda props. Seen some of you guys comments you all have the right to your opinions but my question is what is so great about lets say Carrie Underwood. She gets all these awards and props for things. Sure she is has talent. But her voice and songs are far from being so special she has to win every award on the planet. I for one don’t really like the song Famouse but the rest of her material is awesome.
See how the ratings for this show took a nose dive it doesn’t look like viewers were impressed with anyone that was chosen to perform or win awards. But then why should they when country music fans aren’t the ones picking alot of these losers to dominate the airwaves. This show was nothing more than a lame commercial showcasing what the record companies want to push on music fans whether they like the singers or not. I’m glad so many viewers showed their contempt for this drivel by not watching. The viewers showed these clowns what their awards are really worth which is nothing. The record companies and award shows may think country music fans are fools and will buy these hacks with little talent but the ratings and lower sales totals this year show otherwise. These companies better start listening to what music fans really want or soon they will be the only ones listening to these no talent hacks like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift.