(no subject)

[helsinkibaby]

First of all, Big and Rich. Had heard of them, had never seen them, and I honestly have to say that it's the first time in many a long day that I sat at the end of a performance, completely open mouthed. In a good way, I hasten to add! Was so taken, I actually wound the tape back to watch it again, and loved it just as much the second time around... come on, a six foot five two hundred and sixty pound black rapping cowboy on stage at the Grand Ol' Opry??? How can you not love that??

Tim McGraw was wonderful, as always. And loved the little gesture to Faith at the end of the Kris Kristofferson segment. Those two are just too much.

Reba reminded me how much I love her... she made me cry.

Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss on Whiskey Lullaby... thank you BBC for not cutting that performance.

I did not know that Toby Keith had a daughter that old. Also not sure what to make of the song, but she's got one heck of a voice.

Speaking of daughters that old? Were those Alan Jackson's girls beside his wife? Because if so, dude, I've been doing this a long time.

Brooks and Dunn...they're so funny! And the song! I forget how good Ronnie can sing a ballad. Was kinda surprised when they got Duo of the Year... the last time the Beeb showed that award (aside from last year, when Vince took it out of their hands) was the year Montgomery Gentry came out of nowhere, so I was second-guessing, thinking they hadn't got it. Loved Ronnie's quote - "We're halfway through a rap record" - 12 wins. Wow.

Awards... was hoping Whiskey Lullaby would get song of the year, but am happy with Live Like You Were Dying. (misssimm I've really not forgotten; I am trying to write that fic for you!) Was just happy that Redneck Woman didn't get it; I hate that song with passion. Was annoyed that we didn't get to see Video; was hoping to see Rick Shroder. (NYPD Blue fangirlism rearing its head there.) Horizon Award, was pretty happy that Gretchen Wilson got it; her reaction was lovely, you could see how much it meant to her. Also liked her performance.

But the main ones.

Male Vocalist of the Year - Keith Urban. HelsinkiSister and I screamed the house down. Literally. I thought Alan would get it. Loved how choked up he was, and how you could see how much it really did mean to him, and he deserved it so much... when he said he thought he was just making up the category, I loved that! And loved how everyone was so happy for him.

In a similar vein - Kenny Chesney as Entertainer of the Year. Again, much with the screaming from HelsinkiSister and myself. Thanks to the Beeb chopping up the show, we got to see him accepting Album of the Year only seconds previous to this, where he was all choked up over getting his first ever CMA award... then to see this, and to see him getting so choked up over it... I was bawling. I mean, I remember his very very first single, "Whatever It Takes" being out when I was doing my Leaving Cert... for someone who's been through so much and been written off so many times to keep on going and go on to get this... oh, I loved it. This, and Keith Urban, are the reasons I go spoiler free for these awards.

RTE haven't shown them yet; hopefully they will soon and I'll manage to catch some other performances that I missed. But all in all, a great night of entertainment!