Give me a $#@%%**&%$$ break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes....odd.
(Unfair?)

Well, I could say more but I won't.

couldn't have said it better myself , reggie!!

it is very sad. just like stroids and $$$$ have ruined baseball, rocers and poppers and $$$ have ruined country music.
for the first time since 89, i don't have much interest in the cma awards. criminal minds is more appealing...maybe some detectives can solve the murder on music row.

I feel the same way about the Eagles performing and no Vince!

Also unfair is that Rascal Flatts gets to perform TWICE on the show, while others are left out all together! The performers should be all nominees performing ONCE, and leave out any pop/rock/non-country acts! Also pretty infuriating is the fact that they've added TV stars into the mix to host different segments...I can understand adding Kimberly Williams-Paisley, since she is married to Brad, but the could do without Kate Walsh and James Denton!

Well, the only reason I am watching the show is to see Vince present and get his awards Hopefully they have something special planned for him , like honoring him just because

I really don't object to anyone who's performing , I just don't care for the decision makers decision about who's not performing and who's name does or doesn't get mentioned . IMO

I won't be watching. I'll be watching my regular Wed night lineup. They totally ruined the CMA's this year for me. I wasn't even going to tape it but when I heard about Hank I decided I would set the timer to tape it. I wouldn't be surprised if Vince mentions Porter & Hank tonight. We know he doesn't follow the script.

Joan

So sorry to hear about Hank Thompson .

I just do NOT GET THIS!!! I have nothing against George Strait, but i just listened to him murder his own song! He can barely sing anymore and his songs always sound the same! I used to think that the only reason Vince didn't get any play on Country radio was because he's not 25 anymore!!! So how do you explain all of George's airplay? I just don't Freakin get it!!!!!

I think the show so far is awful ! Filled with screaming girl singers that all look and sound the same.George was off key .Can't believe how Vince was ignored sorry I watched hoping Vince would win but this show was sure not Country in any way just pop with some guitar thrown in.How could they ignore the great work Vince did on THESE DAYS/I don't get people todayMamabear

I have to say that, IMHO, after the first hour or so, the show got much better. The first hour sounded more like a rock awards show than a country awards show! But after that first hour passed, the performances got better. Loved Reba & LeAnn's duet, Carrie Underwood's dress that she performed in (and her other dress was nice, too!), and LeAnn's dress that she had during her performance w/Reba was nice, too. Oh, and I was pleasantly surprised by the Rascal Flatts/Jamie Foxx duet! They should have just stuck to doing that song instead of opening with the one they did.

I was enjoying the show until Album of the year .............. However , I am glad they at least acknowledged Vince , Ralph , and Mel . Hopefully we had something to do with that .

AMEN to everyone's opinions. I watched the first 30 minutes and didn't care for the show at all. Turned it over to watch my ususal Wed night shows...Criminal Minds and CSI NY. Much better shows. I checked back during the commercials and just happened to catch the awarding of the best album.....according to them, not me. I also thought George sounded terrible and his songs do seem to all sound alike. It is so unfair but as I told my daughter...we probably care more than Vince does. I do think he will be hurt by being ignored by his peers for such a wonderful set of music. Oh well.....he's in the Hall of Fame and how many others can say that. <smokypaws>

I couldn't agree more. I was surprised when they did the little bit on the Hall of Famers and showed the video clips and I was glad that Vince got to introduce the Eagles, it had to have been a real thrill for him. Other than that, I thought it was awful! And........now I'm tired because of it!!!:)

I only watched about 10 minutes of the awards show and what I did see I thought was pretty much terrible. I was happy to see Brad Paisley win ( he deserves it) but then I also saw Kid Rock (whatever) and then Rascall Flatts with Jamie Foxx....I thought the performance was terrible. I don't know if Gary Lavox was sck or what but he kept messing up the song and couldn't hit the high notes at all. After awhile he just gave up and let jamie sing them. I just cannot believe how people like Vince and MANY other great artists get jilted and they let non country artists perform. Glad I didn't waste my night watching the whole thing....although I would have liked to have seen Vince.

The show is really getting away from real country music What is it with these new young singers??? Sugarland was really good, at least we got to see Vince and Amy. gillgirl IN pA.

Did anyone notice the look on Brad Paisley's face when they announced the song he was nominated for ? He just kind of grinned and shook his head , like Ticks , when there are so many others he was not nominated .

I really liked Taylor Swift . She is darling . Her comment was so cute too .

I absolutely love Stay by Sugarland . Jennifer Nettles knocks that one out of the park .

Loved Carrie Underwood . She is very gracious . Martina , well, she is one of my favorites . She does nothing bad .

As far as the Rascal Flatts and Jaimie Foxx collaboration went, although Jaime is in no way country (and he appeared at his friend's Gary LeVox (sp?) invitation) he actually wound up sounding better than Gary. He was straining, off key and missing his high notes throughout the performance, and Jaimie basically tried to cover up all of his mistakes as best he could. I'm thinking Gary must have been sick or had a cold or something, because he really sounded bad during that performance. But I do enjoy some of their music.

i could not believe rascall and jamie. the lead singer sounded absoulutely horrible. i know that looks shouldn't count and believe me, i'm no looker myself......but my goodness......the 2 blondes in rf are the most rediculous looking squirrels around! the lead singer looks like a chubby porcupine with that hair and the other one is laughable. how exactly does he know when it's done? does he wake up with it perfectly combed and has to get it like that?

oh well.....i just can't stand them and the fact that we saw that instead of vince or even another nominee that didn't get to perform drives me insane!

and how about miranda lambert? wow. if you just turned that on you would have thought it was a hard rock show.

ok....sorry i went on sooo long...i just really love(d) the cma's and they were ruined.

How Miranda Lambert gets to be one of the nominees for best female artist is truly a great mystery to me. I mean, they could have easily chosen LeAnn Rimes instead of her. Please, they've got to be kidding!!!

The CMA's weren't that great - I agree! Vince's music is great, by far better than 95% of the artists in country music. I do think that Vince's music isn't getting much airplay due to it isn't commerically put out there like George Strait's releases, for example. I don't know if it is Vince's publicist/MCA, or what. It should have been out there more than it was, being pushed on the public like all the other "hot" artists are.

I know Vince realizes that his music isn't getting played like it did back in the 1990's - I am sure he wishes it was played more! He does know his faithful fans will continue to buy his music no matter what. Also it seems that the regularly played artists have new CD's out every 1-2 years at most. Vince hasn't had regular releases in quite some time, that might be why people thought he dropped out or wasn't interested.

The only good thing that was said on the CMA's was about Vince during the CMHF inductee part. They said - He is an inspiration, the way he sings, the way he plays and the way he lives”

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH THAT STATEMENT!
Kudos to Vince for being acknowledged in the ways that mean most!

Jeni

I always felt George got a lot more pushing from MCA and Tony Brown. If Vince has a pubilcist ?? Where was he or she when These Days was released.George gets his stuff even lousy ones on radio right away.I think a lot of backstabbing goes on in Nashville Vince is a friend but they all go after the guys that make them big money and ignore Vince.I remember at one of the awards shows George beat out Vince and there stood Tony Brown who Said "Oh I was hoping George won" what about Vince? The bunch of them make me sick! Money is all they care about mamabear JMO.No offence to fans of George but it's the truth!

I've wondered for a long time exactly what it is about George Strait - he sounds same and songs are same and he doesn't write and doesn't do that much even with a guitar. Country Music is no longer country. We went to see the Gatlins at a casino this past summer and he said when the guys nowadays call themselves country he says "what country"?!

Vince is so much better than almost all of the ones on the show. Reba was good as usual and I got her duets album and like it.

Wow....Geoff.....tell us how ya really feel .....!!!!! Just kidding. I am sorry that the show was ruined for ya. I watched and liked some of it, but other parts.....not so much. I thought sugarland was amazing....she can sing quite well live. Other people however can't!!! In my opinion, more than being disappointed with the artists(which I am with some) I am upset with the people that are in charge.....whoever they may be. I wish people would take a step back and look at the direction we are going. I have been a Vince fan since I was 12 years old and I am now 27. The older I get the more and more I appreciate his talent. I just wish the "people in charge" would open there eyes and see what they are missing out on when they don't put Vince on the stage. He is honestly amazing!!!
Anyway, that is my opinion. I know I will admire, respect and be a fan of his talents always.
Krissie

I'm going to add my 2 cents to this, since I've worked in the Promotions Department of WEA in Miami.

First off, Alison is Vince's publicist, and she's responsible for Vince's personal appearances and getting press releases off to where they're going, she's in no way responsible for promoting Vince's records...that is the Promotions Department's responsibility, which would be a division of UMG (Universal Music Group). Yes, MCA does have some responsibility to help promote Vince and his music by giving the Promotions Department the go-ahead to market Vince's music by having contests or giving other incentives to radio stations/music stores to push the song/album. If MCA doesn't tell the PD to push Vince's album, they're going to work on other albums. At WEA, there was one person who did the promotions for every artist signed by that label and it's sister label, whether they were country, pop, rock, hip-hop, etc. So the blame with Vince's airplay/sales has to be put on both MCA and UMG.

Not sure - seems some people (not sure who) like her a lot....I saw a critic site with tons of reviews for music and her CD was rated one of the highest of the year (in any genre).....to each their own I guess. She is not "my cup of tea".
Is this the artist "young country" likes? Maybe I am just too old to get it.
Charlie

I know Most of the lack of promoting Vince falls to ,MCA more then anyone! I just did not see much from any of the folks that are supposed to help move his music! Sorry if my post makes you mad but Compared to the push George gets Vince got very little and everyone I mention this to thinks it's not at all fair.Mamabear


I know Most of the lack of promoting Vince falls to ,MCA more then anyone! I just did not see much from any of the folks that are supposed to help move his music! Sorry if my post makes you mad but Compared to the push George gets Vince got very little and everyone I mention this to thinks it's not at all fair.Mamabear

Actaully, there was a lot of press for "These Days" before and after its release- which you have to remember was over a year ago. I saw more articles and reviews for it than any other Vince album in the past. HHe also did a lot of tv promotion as well as calling iin to rcountry radio shows to be itnerviewed. I don't think I've ever heard George being interviewed on a country radio station.
The problem that I see is in releasing singles off of it- "The Reason Why" was released and even though it didn't do that great ont he charts, it spent a long time on the charts. Then "Whay You Give Away" was finallly released and fiizzled prettty quickly. "How Lonely Looks" was released a month ago and isn't even showing up on the charts. MCA needs to release one of hte uptempo, "radio friendly" songs and do whatever it takes to get radio to play it-.

I agree that they should pick an uptempo "radio friendly" song....like Cowboy Up or Sweet thing. I LOVE the songs they have released, don't get me wrong, but I think uptempo may gain a bit more radio airplay. I have been listening to country music all my life, but lately it has become more of a "popular" thing to do. I have cousins that are 17 and 18 that are now listening, they like rascal flatts, and Carrie Underwood because they have more of a "young pop" appeal. I feel that Vince needs to be reborn on the radio to new country listeners....in order to catch their ear they may need to release something more uptempo. Then once they pay attention they will see how Vince Gill is the most talented man around....and a nice guy, which is hard to find "THESE DAYS".....

Krissie

I agree that the wrong songs are probably being released to radio from These Days...but then Vince hasn't been given the airplay he deserves for a very long time and I just don't see it changing now. These Days has received some great recognition but not nearly enough if you ask me.
As far as Vince's publicist goes....I really have to say that Alison does far more than her job requires her to. Not only does she do a fantastic job of her press releases and representation of Vince but she also posts updates on this message board (name another publicist that does that) and is always there to help out the fans when she can. She has helped us more times than I can remember over the years to do what she can for the fan club and Vince's fans and has answered questions when we have had them. Heck this girl has met me for lunch when I have been in Nashville and has even gone out of her way to take a member to a Vince concert just because she cared. Alison not only cares about her job but she truly cares about Vince as a person and in turn cares about the people that are fans and support Vince. I can't thank her for the extra lengths that she has gone to over the years.

Good Lord I said nothing bad about Allison.! i'm glad you had lunch with her but I still feel Vince gets pushed to the back .All the songs on his cd were better then some of the ones that get airplay and win awards.I know times change but I have never seen a talent as great as Vince get ignored by Radio like Vince has been.George is getting older yet he is not ignored so I don't buy that it's his age.He sings ,Writes,Plays Guitar better then anyone out there today!. I give up ! Time will show the truth mamabear

ha.....yah i know huh krissie.....i should just stop holding back ! haha...

well, a few other message boards, all the friends i talk to and my poor girlfriend are tired of hearing me rant and rave!! so i have to find new places to vent! it drives me insane....mainly cuz it actually means something to me. i don't know. i just don't get it.
i finally watched the tape of the cma's. vince was allowed to take a bow with the other hofers and introdeuce the eagles. wow. kind of a slpa in the face, no?!? he's been responsible for sooo many memorable moents in the past. if i were him i would say no thans the next tim ethe cma's ask me to be there. actually i'd say something stronger than no thanks.
it seems like some of the 'older' and mainstream artists could take some sort of stand and not put up with so much.
but alas.......they are controlled by the power that rules nashville now i guess........the almighty dolar!

IMO.............Speaks volumes about Vince's Gill's character that he doesn't . He's always there when ask . And to add my two cents worth , everything and everyone has it's time . Vince had his in the 90's and bottom line , as much as I don't like it , the industry is youth , money , and differently ( meaning not like people over 30 ) oriented . It's all surface and no depth . Watch all the advertisement on television and see all the clothing styles in the stores . Business for the most part caters to the younger population . I don't believe it is personally directed at Vince or any other person .

Likewise , on this message board . Just trying to clear up some misconstrued information .

Well Anna - I do agree with you to a point. Vince isn't part of the "young country" crowd like he used to be. There are many popular/overplayed artists that are in Vince's age group that were big back in the 1990's when he was. (Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Reba, Brooks & Dunn, Garth Brooks, the list goes on......) I do honestly think that they should have released some more catchy songs off his These Days CD.
I think Sweet Thing, This Old Heartache, Everything and Nothing, would have probably done better than the few that have been released. Not that any of his songs on the 4CD set were not worthy of being released....I just think they would have possibly done better on the charts and have gotten more airplay.

Jeni

I watched hoping to see Vince win for These Days. He certainly deserved it. After that I shut it off. It is really sad that they can't keep the CMA's about Country Music. It probably does bother us more than it does Vince, but I'm sure he would have been thrilled to be recognized for his incredible contribution this past year.

I would have liked to see Vince win but even though he didn't I still thought the CMA's were pretty good. Personally, I prefer the 'new' county, as i like rock music and a lot of the good country music these days has a rock flavor.

I am tired of RF, the lead singer just can't sing IMO, he has always been off key when I've seen him live.

I was really happy for Sugarland, I think Jennifer Nettles has an incredible voice and even though I like B&D, it was time for someone else to win that award.

I'd like to see people that actually are in the music business, singers or musicians do the introductions for the CMA's, I really wasn't impressed with any of the actors even though I like some of them in the tv shows they do!