The ACM Awards went down last night and it was a lotta fun. As always,Reba did a great job for the 18th time as host. Here are the most memorable moments:
1. The show started with a medley of hits from the six decades of the ACMs. Reba sang “Okie from Muskogee”, and we also heard songs from Clint Black . . . Wynonna Judd . . . LeAnn Rimes . . . Little Big Town . . . and Dan + Shay.
2. Eric Church rocked out on “Hands of Time” with his full band.
3. Bobby Bones had Jelly Roll sign a jar of jelly and then handed it to Nicole Kidman. Then he thought it cut to commercial, so he said, “You don’t have to keep that.” And Nicole handed it back.
4. Miranda Lambert brought out Ella Langley for a version of her song “Kerosene”.
5. Shaboozey wore some bedazzled gloves when he sang “Amen” with Jelly. It was his birthday, so maybe he was just being extra fancy.
6. Alan Jackson sang “Remember When” and then was awarded the Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award.
7. The Keith Urban tribute was really cool. Megan Moroney, Chris Stapleton, and Brothers Osborne all paid tribute to the Aussie before he was awarded the ACM Triple Crown Award. Keith even crushed a guitar solo before his speech.
8. Lainey Wilson and Ella Langley dominated the night . . . And once again, no love for Morgan Wallen. Maybe next year?
In case you hadn’t heard, the world premiere of the Dolly Parton musical is taking place this summer in Nashville. And a few days ago, they announced the three actresses that would be playing Dolly at different points in her life. Well now some fans are upset, because none of the three women were found during the highly publicized “Search for Dolly” open casting call that took place last year. During that online search, fans were bummed that certain favorites weren’t selected for the stage show. So now folks are saying it was all just a big marketing ploy to get more people talking about the musical. And maybe so, but can you blame them? It’s a lot of free press . . . and just because you’re auditioning, doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed anything. But the online casting process wasn’t totally pointless. Because there’s rumors that two people were actually cast . . . They just got smaller parts in the show, or might’ve been cast as Dolly understudies. So, for anyone saying they feel “bamboozled” by this casting news, you’ll be fine. The producers just went with the best actors and singers for the job.
The ACMs last night were a lotta fun. Here’s the full winner’s list:
• Entertainer of the Year: Lainey Wilson
• Male Artist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
• Female Artist of the Year: Lainey Wilson
• Album of the Year: “Whirlwind” by Lainey Wilson
• Song of the Year: “Dirt Cheap” written by Josh Phillips . . . performed by Cody Johnson.
• Single of the Year: “You Look Like You Love Me” by Ella Langley and Riley Green.
• Music Event of the Year: “You Look Like You Love Me” by Ella Langley and Riley Green.
• Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn
• Group of the Year: Old Dominion
• New Female Artist of the Year: Ella Langley
• New Male Artist of the Year: Zach Top
• New Duo of Group of the Year: The Red Clay Strays
• Visual Media of the Year: “You Look Like You Love Me” by Ella Langley and Riley Green.
• Songwriter of the Year: Jessie Jo Dillon
• Artist/Songwriter of the Year: Lainey Wilson
Kacey Musgraves wants to clear up some claims that get made about country music. She said, “There may be a misconception that country music is easy to replicate. When you look at the bones of traditional country . . . the structure, the sounds, the subject matter . . . it’s not easy to replicate. It comes across as very simple, and the best country music is.” She went on to say that, “Really good traditional country music, there’s a lot of space for the lyrics, the story, for the heartbreak and the texture. It paints a picture, but it’s subtle and it’s simple.” Kacey’s new song is an interpretation of Hank Williams’ “Lost Highway” . . . that was originally written by Leon Payne in 1948.
Here are some cool behind-the-scenes facts about Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. For instance, only the HEADS of the figures are made of wax.
Hoda Kotb is reportedly on the list to replace Kelly Clarkson if she leaves her show.
Tonight on “Jimmy Kimmel” – Jelly Roll
Sunday at 8:00 p.m. on Lifetime: “The Judd Family: Truth Be Told”.
This week’s New Music Releases include new music from Blake Shelton
Billy Joel is 76.
Calvin Murphy is 77. NBA Hall of Famer.
Candice Bergen is 79. “Murphy Brown” legend.
Tommy Roe is 83. The genius behind the 1966 hit “Sweet Pea”.
