2006 CMA Awards Recap
From Shelly Fabian,

Brooks & Dunn, hosts of the 40th Annual Awards kick off the broadcast with a performance of their CMA Event nominated song, "Building Bridges" with Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow. Is it me, or did Sheryl Crow sound like she was singing too high? I think the single version must have her muted down or something, cuz I didn't like how she sounded.
Kix and Ronnie welcome everyone to the 40th Annual CMA Awards. The first award to be presented is the CMA Single of the Year. Presenting the award is LeAnn Rimes, Jon Bon Jovi, and Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi.

The Award goes to: "Believe" Brooks & Dunn

Since it's the 40th Anniversary of the CMA's we'll be looking back at moments from previous shows. But, looking forward, we are treated to a performance by Carrie Underwood, who sings her most recent No. 1, "Before He Cheats."
Carrie is wearing a different dress than she did on the Red Carpet. This one is gold, sparkly, and short, showing off her terrific legs. Wow, great performance!

Next, we have another performance. This time from Brad Paisley, who sings "She's Everything." Brad's got a new guitar that I've never seen before. Paisley, of course, but Blue and gold with white. Great performance.

Our first look back, we go back to 1977 and see Johnny and June Carter Cash sing "Jackson." I love when Johnny pulls June to him and lays a big sloppy kiss on her when she was trying to sing. So cute. They were such a lovely couple. :)

Sugarland is next to perform. They sing "Settlin'" which is a song from their album, Enjoy the Ride, which comes out on November 7th. Jennifer and Kristian are dressed all in black.

Kix says if you want to see the behind the scenes look at what goes into putting on the show, go to CMA.ABC.COM. He introduces Gretchen Wilson, who performs her latest single, "Come To Bed," along with John Rich of Big & Rich. Gretchen has a long sleeved white top with jeans. John is dressed in a black shirt and jeans that have part bleached denim and part darker denim, with a black leather jacket and black cowboy hat.

Presenting the CMA Song of the Year, Lee Ann Womack and All My Children's Cameron Matheson. The Award goes to: "Believe" written by Craig Wiseman and Ronnie Dunn.

Music Video of the Year was presented prior to the show. The Award goes to: "Believe" by Brooks & Dunn

Next performance is from Alan Jackson, who sings "Like Red On a Rose." He's wearing a black pinstripe jacket and dark gray shirt underneath, with faded blue denims, and his trademark white cowboy hat, and is backed by a symphony orchestra.

Little Big Town is next to perform, and they sing an album track from their album, The Road To Here, called "Bones." They're wearing the same thing they wore on the Red Carpet. All coordinated in black and white. I really like Karen's hair more poofy, sort of like Sara Evans' style. As they sing, they are surrounded by fog. I just love their harmonies.

Another look back to 1983, and Kenny and Dolly singing "Islands in the Stream."

Rascal Flatts perform "My Wish" next. I just love this song. Gary's wearing a distressed brown leather jacket and black pants with a black t-shirt underneath. Joe Don has black long-sleeve shirt with a gold snakeskin-patterned vest and jeans. Jay is wearing a black t and jeans with a black leather jacket.

Presenting the CMA Vocal Group Award next are Gary Allan and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. She says one of the side effects of her pregnancy is that she can't see the lines. So, Gary helps her, telling her that she can't sing, but she can appreciate people who can like him, and she then adds "and I married one, and now I'm knocked up and blind."

The Award goes to: Rascal Flatts

In a ceremony earlier, the CMA Musician of the Year was presented. The Award goes to: Randy Scruggs

Martina McBride is up next, and she performs her new song, "Anyway." She's wearing a black sleeveless silk top and black pants.

Kris Kristofferson comes out to induct the three new members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. First George will sing his most recent No. 1, "Give It Away." He's wearing a tan herringbone jacket, with black lapels, a white shirt and black jeans, with his trademark black cowboy hat.

George comes over by Kris where he's given his plaque. He's wearing glasses. He thanks his fans, the CMA, his manager, family, his wife and son.

Performing next is Kenny Chesney, singing "You Save Me." Kenny is all in black, with a black cowboy hat. The mix on the song sounds like they have Kenny's mic down a bit, and his guitarist on background vocals is too loud. Maybe Kenny's got some voice problems and can't sing as loud as he usually does. He did tour a lot. Or, maybe it's just me. He just doesn't sound very enthusiastic, or something. Just my 2 cents.
The Wreckers are up next to perform. They sing their recent No. 1 song, "Leave the Pieces." Jessica has a black sleeveless tank and jeans with a wide black belt. Michelle is wearing a black and gold sleeveless top and jeans, and she's wearing a bandana as a headband.

Trisha Yearwood and James Denton of Desperate Housewives come out to present CMA Vocal Duo of the Year. Trisha has opted not to wear her usual all-black, and has a long gray skirt which looks she's wearing a grey blanket. Awful styling choice! The Award goes to: Brooks & Dunn

Performing next is Dierks Bentley. He sings "Every Mile a Memory." He's wearing his black long-sleeved shirt and jeans. He sounds great. He's working the stage, rather than just standing behind his guitar.

Next to present is Eva Longoria from Desperate Housewives. She's presenting the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year. The Award goes to: Keith Urban

Keith asked Ronnie to say a few words for him. He says: "I'm paying not being here with you all tonight. My deepest appreciation and thanks goes to the Country Music Association, Country Radio, Country Music TV for this award. I'd also like to thank Dann Huff, Justin Niebank, Capitol Records Nashville, CAA, and the gang at Borman Entertainment. To my wife Nicole, I love you. And to my friends and family, and to all of the Monkeyville community, for your love and faith. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I'm looking forward to coming home, and seeing you all soon. God bless you, Keith."

Next to perform is Miranda Lambert. She's singing her upcoming single, "Crazy Ex-Girlfriends." She is wearing a black sleeveless tank and jeans. What a sassy song. I like it. At the end of the song, she throws her mic stand down and pounds her guitar on the ground. Wow, what a rock moment!

The CMA Musical Event was given out prior to the show.

The Award goes to: Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton "When I Get Where I'm Going"

Another loook back to 1983 and Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias singing "To All the Girls I Loved Before."

Faith Hill is next to perform. She sings "Stealing Kisses," with songwriter Lori McKenna and Kelly Willis backing her up. Faith's wearing a kind of strange looking dress that is knee-length, black dress with sequins down the front. Really don't like it. It does nothing for her figure. Her voice, on the other hand sounds priceless. I love this song

Josh Turner performs next from the audience, singing his latest No. 1, "Would You Go With Me." He's standing on a platform by the rear floor seats. He's wearing a casual white long-sleeve shirt with a brown t-shirt underneath and jeans. I can't stop looking at his marine-style haircut, though. Halfway through the song, he walks to the stage. Just noticed that the back of his shirt has a cross on it. He sounds wonderful, as usual. But, Josh... grow out your hair!!!

Kelly Pickler and Billy Currington come out to present the CMA Horizon Award.

The Award goes to: Carrie Underwood . Carrie is wearing her $850,000 dress with all the diamonds.

Kris Kristofferson inducts Harold Bradley into the Hall of Fame. He's out in the audience and comes up to get his plaque. Next they induct Sonny James, (the Southern Gentleman). He comes from backstage to accept his plaque.

Jason Aldean makes his first performance on the CMA Awards singing "Hicktown." He's wearing a long-sleeved red shirt and jeans with a straw hat. Oddly enough, he didn't play his guitar while he sang.

Sara Evans performs next. She sings "Real Fine Place to Start." She's wearing a short sleeved chocolate brown top, with stone washed demin jeans. Behind her is a desert scene,similar to the scene in her video. Unlike the video, the scene behind her has fireworks going off. Sara sounds wonderful.

Billy Ray Cyrus and daughter Miley are up next to present CMA Female Vocalist of the Year.

The Award goes to: Carrie Underwood

Wow, I had to rewind and view this again, due to a comment someone made about Faith's reaction when Carrie was announced as the winner. She looked into the camera and said "What?" Then, she walked out of the camera frame. I have to agree, that was rather sour grapes of her to react that way. Of course, she could have just said it kiddingly. Only she knows. CMT tells a little more on the story, but even they don't have the answer to whether she was kidding or not.

Another gem from the past, we see Merle Haggard singing "Okie from Muskogie" from the 1973 show.

Presenting CMA Album of the Year is Montgomery Gentry.

The Award goes to: Brad Paisley's Time Well Wasted produced by Tim DuBois and Frank Rogers.

Vince Gill performs "What You Give Away" featuring Amy Grant, Jenny Gill, and Sheryl Crow. He's wearing a brown pinstripe suit and a white shirt. What a neat song about helping people. This song is from his most recent album, These Days.

Another look back, we see from 1985, a Tribute to Willie Nelson.

Barbara Mandrell presents the CMA Entertainer of the Year Award. The Award goes to: Kenny Chesney

What a great show. I hope you enjoyed reading my recap, and that it brought back memories of the show. Be sure to view our CMA photo gallery with photos of performers, winners, and the artists on the Red Carpet.

(CMT Hot Dish is a weekly feature written by veteran columnist Hazel Smith. Author of the cookbook, Hazel's Hot Dish: Cookin' With Country Stars, she also shares her recipes at CMT.com.)

Down on Music Row, they're

not referring to this year's event as the CMA Awards. They call it the Kix & Ronnie Show after Brooks & Dunn's wins last week.

Brooks & Dunn were hired as hosts of the Nov. 6 show and performed the opening song, "Building Bridges." They had no way of knowing that CMA voters were going to award them single of the year and music video of the year for "Believe" and that Ronnie Dunn and Craig Wiseman would share the song of the year honor for writing the hit. Rascal Flatts were recognized as vocal group of the year, the only other category featured on the show before Brooks & Dunn were named vocal duo for yet another year. Keep in mind, fans, Dunn and his sidekick Kix Brooks had no idea the night would go that way for them, but if you love country music, you love "Believe."

The surprise of the night for me was Carrie Underwood being named female vocalist. I'm not saying Carrie doesn't deserve the award. She does, but so do the other four nominees -- Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Martina McBride and Gretchen Wilson. Honest to God, when they said Carrie's name, I threw up both hands and said, "What!" That's exactly what I did -- and exactly what Faith did, too. I knew Carrie would take home the Horizon Award, but I assumed one of the other four would be named female vocalist. A real beauty, Carrie sang great and is a major act whose album just went quadruple platinum, so she got the trophy.

For some reason, the show lacked excitement. With 19 performances, the music didn't move me like it did in past years. There were special moments, however, like Brad Paisley's incredible guitar playing on "She's Everything," Dierks Bentley giving his all when he sang "Every Mile a Memory," Sara Evans' flawless vocals (and ringless finger) on "Real Fine Way to Start" and George Strait singing "Give It Away." Vince Gill's soaring vocals on "What You Give Away" was lyrically perfect.

Keith Urban was named male vocalist in absentia. A most touching moment was when Dunn read the note written from Urban, written while he's in an alcohol abuse rehabilitation center, thanking the CMA, Capitol Records, his management, fans, family and producer Dann Huff and also sending his love to his wife Nicole. The audience gave Keith and his note a well-deserved standing ovation.

Congratulations to a deserving bunch of winners. To Faith: This, too, shall pass. Just close your eyes and let your name lead you!

BMI Honors Writers/Names Icon
The best part of the recent BMI Awards in Nashville came when the ever-wonderful John Anderson honored BMI Icon recipient Merle Haggard with a killer version of "Workin' Man Blues." The Hag led the crowd in a standing ovation. Martina McBride's performance of Merle's classic "Today I Started Loving You Again" was breathtaking. Seated, Hank Williams Jr. grabbed an acoustic guitar and started singing "Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)" but lost his thread and forgot the words.

"What's the line, Merle?" Hank asked. Hag eased up the steps, removed his hat -- revealing his balding, white hair as he bent over Hank to sing into the microphone. When Hank suddenly kissed Merle's head, chills ran all over me. I said, "Bless Hank's heart. He never got to kiss his own daddy."

Merle sang "Mama Tried," and it was over. I mentioned my feelings to a few friends. The next morning, Haggard associate Frank Mull called me, and I told him how Hank's kiss affected me. Later that evening, both Merle and Hank were performing at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville. Frank told them my feelings, and then called me back to ask me to repeat what I had said. By then, Hank had already left the building, but Merle told Frank that he'd actually felt the presence of Hank Williams Sr. that night. More chills.

Bits and Pieces From the BMI Awards
"I'm here to see Merle Haggard," gushed a stunning Alison Krauss.

It's always special to get a hug from the great Bobby Braddock.

"I wonder who does Ronnie Dunn's hair?" some lady asked.

Songwriter Even Stevens explained to my escort, Dan Rogers, how I fed him doughnuts in my office and kept him from starving in the early days. He and Eddie Rabbitt were so skinny.

I shook hands with BMI prez Del Bryant and his brother, Dane. Two great men of the music industry -- Sony BMG Nashville chairman Joe Galante and CMA President Clarence Spalding -- crossed the room to give me a hug.

BNA newcomer Sarah Johns from East Kentucky and her date, Jason Sellers, sat next to us, as did attorney Mike Milom and his wife and BNA/VP Debbie Swartz. Montgomery Gentry were at the next table with manager John Dorris. Randy Owen sat with his manager, Dale Morris.

The legendary Earl Scruggs was with his son, Gary, at table No. 22. The Country Music Hall of Fame member's younger son, Randy, led the band for the BMI event and was later named musician of the year at the CMA Awards.

Hall of Famers Jim Fogelsong, Bill Anderson, Eddy Arnold, Kris Kristofferson, Frances Preston, Jo Walker-Meador and, of course, Haggard were recognized as was Nashville mayor Bill Purcell.

Then I said hello to BMI's big winner, Toby Keith, who shared the Robert J. Burton Award with co-writer Scotty Emerick for "As Good as I Once Was," BMI's most-played song of the year. Toby also shared songwriter of the year honors with Vicky McGehee and Ed Hill.

"I won song of the year honors tonight," Toby told me exclusively. "I wrote the most-performed song of this year. Why am I not nominated by the CMA in any category?" Toby pointed to his BMI trophy and continued, "No entertainer of the year nomination. No male vocalist. No single or song or album nomination. The most performed song of the year? I just don't understand."

Well, if I understand it correctly, there are 6,000-plus voting members in the CMA. Toby thinks he'd get the awards if they were decided by the fans -- rather than by those working in the music industry. He may be right.

Here and There
With wife Faith Hill by his side, Tim McGraw honored his late father, baseball great Tug McGraw, recently in Philadelphia during a fundraising event for the Tug McGraw Foundation, a national organization that supports research to improve the quality of life for brain tumor patients and their families.

Kellie Pickler's Small Town Girl debuted atop Billboard's country album charts. The American Idol finalist met her all-time hero, Martina McBride, at Sony BMG's party following the CMA Awards. The newcomer got all teary and actually openly wept. Kind and gentle Martina took Kellie's hand and introduced her all around the room.

You won't want to miss CMT Giants honoring Reba McEntire airing Saturday night (Nov. 18) at 8 p.m. ET/PT featuring Dolly Parton, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Wynonna, Martina McBride and Jennifer Nettles and appearances by James Denton, Barbara Mandrell and others. Plenty surprises on this show that was recently taped in Hollywood.

While you're at it, you can catch Southern Fried Flicks With Hazel Smith airing Sunday (Nov. 19) at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CMT. I'm cooking chicken and dumplings, my guests are the Grascals -- and George Strait is starring in Pure Country. Girls, you ain't seen nothing until you see George Strait shirtless.

"The Advertiser" (UK) - Pete Smith.
10 November 2006

Ireland has produced many fine female country singers over the years but none have made the impact of Philomena Begley and Susan McCann.
Susan, from County Armagh, celebrates thirty years as a recording artist this year, a remarkable feat but one that had to be worked for. Susan always wanted to be a singer and she learned her craft in a ceili band where she met her husband Dennis Heaney. Music at that time was not a viable option so Dennis studied to become an accountant whilst Susan trained to be a hairdresser. Music still played a part in the newly weds lives. They formed a trio and, after the birth of their two children, set their sights on a musical career. Top Spin records signed Susan, releasing her first single in 1976. Quickly Susan became a fixture on the Irish charts and her talents became more widely known as she played such prestigious venues as The Grand Ole Opry, Carnegie Hall, Dollywood and the Royal Albert Hall.
Susan McCann is the ultimate performer. Her vocals are never less than perfect and her professional approach to her work is respected world-wide. H&H Music has released the compilation “The Blayney Years”, two CDs featuring 48 superb performances in a programme of country and Irish with the emphasis on country.
Most of the songs will be familiar to you but the McCann magic turns them into new, just take a listen to “Feeling Single, Seeing Double”, “Wrong Road Again”, “Patches In Heaven”, “My Blue Tears”, “I’m Not That Good At Goodbye” and “Dreaming My Dreams”. Susan also revives her first big hit “Big Tom Is Still The King”. The Irish material includes “Isle Of Ireland”, “Its Heaven Around Galway Bay” and “Where Is My Norah”. www.handhmusic.eu
You would be an unusual person if you could honestly say you had visited an east coast resort and had not heard the music of Sean Wilson. For the past sixteen years Wilson’s easy on the ear vocals and accomplished accordion playing have entertained countless thousands of listeners throughout the UK and Ireland with his special brew of country classics, Irish ballads and pop standards. And Sean keeps to that winning formula on “Irish Country Gentleman” (H&H Music). This release offers exceptional value with two CDs featuring 60 songs and all new recordings.
This collection is certain to liven up any party with country songs like “Your Old Love Letters”, “Louisiana Saturday Night”, “Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down” and “Is Anybody Going To San Antone”. The Irish tunes include “Cavan Girl”, “The Reason I Left Mullingar”, “Star Of The Country Down” and “When New York Was Irish”. Amongst the pop standards you will find “World Of Our Own” “Save The Last Dance For Me” and “The Last Waltz”.
www.handhmusic.eu