With the CMA Award Nominations being announced last week country music fans have been all over the web expressing their excitement for their favorite artists and their feelings about those who they felt were left out.
An article in USA Today expressed their thoughts specifically as to why they think Carrie Underwood was overlooked in this years Entertainer of the Year category:
Thursday, Entertainment Weekly’s Whitney Pastorek posted a piece wondering why Carrie Underwood got overlooked for the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award. Her basic theories: 1) Maybe she’s too pop; 2) maybe voters still hold American Idol against her; and 3) sexism. Solo female singers have gotten no more than one slot in the Entertainer of the Year category since 1979, and that spot went to former Nashville Star second runner-up Miranda Lambert this year.
As a former member of the CMA’s board of directors, I’ll throw one other possible explanation into the mix, though, admittedly, it doesn’t make for a very satisfying reason: Sometimes CMA voters just get in a mood.
When that happens, it’s the musical equivalent of a “throw the bums out” political climate. The electorate — which, in this case, consists of members of the music industry, from artists to radio to record companies to assorted other support positions — gets fed up with the status quo and decides to recognize a new crop of acts that the industry wants to have represent it, not what the fans actually like best and support most.
Right now, Miranda Lambert is the best example of that act. And once voters started casting their votes for Lambert, they went anti-establishment every chance they got, putting Lambert in every available slot then voting for fiancee Blake Shelton (to the point that his Hillbilly Bone single with Trace Adkins, an entertaining novelty, will compete with two Lambert cuts for Single of the Year). And then they went for the Zac Brown Band, Dierks Bentley’s bluegrass project and Lady Antebellum (who aren’t exactly anti-establishment, but they do kind of represent a new paradigm for country groups and they are good buds with Lambert).
CMA voters usually do this sort of thing in one category each year, usually in Musical Event or Music Video. But it happened in a big way in 1995, when Alison Krauss won Female Vocalist of the Year, when Reba McEntire, Pam Tillis and Mary Chapin Carpenter had all had bigger hits and Shania Twain wasn’t even nominated.
It happened again with Dixie Chicks in 1999 and 2000: In 1999, the Chicks got an Entertainer nomination despite not having headlined a tour, and you could tell voters were looking for an excuse to give them the top award, which they did in 2000.
Voters sent the message in a big way in 2001, when the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack got not only an Album of the Year trophy, but also Single of the Year for Man of Constant Sorrow, despite the fact that the record never cracked the Top 40. (The Song of the Year in 2001? Murder on Music Row, in case the powers that be hadn’t gotten the message.)
And then there was 2003, when the recently deceased Johnny Cash got three final honors: Album, Song and Music Video of the Year. You could also make the case that Keith Urban’s EOTY win in 2005 — the year the CMAs were held at Madison Square Garden — were the premature crowning of a superstar as a way of interrupting Kenny Chesney’s string of wins and trying to look sophisticated in front of a New York audience.
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen the discontent extend as deeply into the nomination process as it did this year. That doesn’t mean Carrie should have gotten the snub — she did, after all, have a top-grossing tour headlining arenas — and Whitney’s theories likely play into the scenario, too. But when that sort of thing does happen, deserving artists get left in the dust, and that’s what I think happened to Carrie.
So why do you think Carrie Underwood was left out in the all too important Entertainer of the Year category for 2010?
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I have been watching Carrie for quite awhile now. I never saw her on AI. I heard her on the radio for the first time and after that no one else seemed to top her. I have seen most of her specials and such and I was able to see her live for the first time this year. She was astounding. I can’t wait to see her again in Ocober. She is worth the price of a ticket and I will be a long time fan. I have no idea except maybe she has won to many awards and they want someone else to take a turn. She will always be the EOTY for me~
I think Carrie deserves the nomination with all of her success recently, but Miranda is also deserving, not politically, but because she is one of the most talented truly country artists on the radio right now. Revolution is an amazing album and it’s incredibly refreshing to see the quality of the music being recognized instead of the numbers. I think Brad Paisley will end up winning the EOTY this year and rightly so. I think it’s his turn, but I’m so proud of Miranda for being true to country music and getting so far!
i’m tired of her all the way around glad miranda is in there she should ofbeen before. As for Blake liked him before he got witb TA. now not interested in him.
First, I will say congrats to all those nominated. I can say I’m a fan of all 5 of them. Still, I believe it was crazy that Carrie wasn’t nominated. What’s the reason? I have no clue. I’d like to hear them, but man they’d have to be something to change my mind. Seems like a very blatant ommission to me. And I suppose those anti-Carrie people(this site has always seemed to tend that way to me)will embrace those reasons with gusto, no matter how lame. It’s done now. I will still be one to enjoy what I like and not swayed by the “politics” of what ever this was. I love country music and am a huge fan of Carrie Underwood and that won’t be changed by this, though I may be a little more skeptical about the “business” of music. I’ll just enjoy the music.
I think there are too many noms for a small group here. The same acts are nominated in almost every catagory. Strange did all 6000 people vote for the same acts? Or was block voting going on. I am upset that McGraw, Strait, Underwood and Swift were not included. I am a Strait & McGraw fan but my 10 year old daughter is a Swift/Underwood fan. She is not allowed to read anything posted on some of the boards because she gets so upset about the negative things said about Swift and mostly Underwood. I think Underwood was definately snubbed this year and she deserves it more than 3 of those nominated. I am a christian and raising my children as christians also—and I think it is about time for someone to stand up for Underwood (for my daughter and just because it is the right thing to do). Underwood is a very nice, humble young lady. She lives her life in a good christian way and I have never heard or read where she has said anything negative about anyone. I admire her for the fact that she is not ashamed to profess her love for God anytime-anywhere. I am proud of her for that. I will support her—for my daughter’s sake and because she is a good, kind person. They got it right by nominating Brad and Keith but very wrong adding the others to the list.
It is interesting to not hear from the CMA committee on this obvious oversight. I am not surprised that the voling membership has done it again. Last year they loved TS and this year they love ML. They have never loved Carrie Underwood for some unknown reason. Why is that? Anyone who voted have a response for me? To nominate three acts that have no business being EOTY is foolish because it can’t be defended. What were they thinking? I know that after last year the rules were changed. The CMA awards became so promotional it was obvious that the rules have gone out the window. Hence this year’s undefendable snub. The CMA awards have become less of an accomplishment to an artist now than before. All the awards, not only EOTY, have been compromised. I wonder who will be their “it” person next year? Last year it was to play to the tweens. That didn’t work. This year will be play to the old style country fans. That won’t work this year either. Good luck CMA.
I am still in shock over the blatant snub of Carrie Underwood for Entertainer. While I want Brad to win as he has waited a long time to win EOTY, I was certain Carrie would at least receive a well deserved nomination. She had one of the biggest selling tours of the year, and not just in country music. She was #15 in all genres of music for the best selling tour of the year per pollstar. Also, Carrie had 3 number 1 hits, sold 2x platinum just about for her new album, and has done everything possible to represent country music respectfully. She is pretty much the face of country music right now, and the snotty voters intentionally block voted her out of the running out of spite. What do they have against Carrie anyway? She has more then paid her dues for this category, as she has headlined 2 major tours now, both extremely successful. Miranda, Lady A, and Zac Brown Band do not belong in this category yet as they are still mostly opening acts transitioning to headliner status. Tim McGraw deserved the EOTY slot over his opening act Lady A. Now THAT was a snub. There should be a rule that opening acts are not eligible for this award as you must pay your dues first. I love Miranda, but she did not deserve EOTY yet when she is playing 2k people a night at most, while Carrie is playing 10,000 people a night in some cities. I think the voters are elitist snobs who will never accept Carrie since she came from Idol. Well, wake up voters: MIRANDA LAMBERT CAME FROM REALITY TV TOO! duh! Did you conveniently forget that fact in your overzealous quest to snub Carrie? The voters are hypocrites. Carrie earned that slot and likely the win.
Carrie has evolved into a really strong live performer.She plays guitar and piano every night, and her vocals are better live then on the cd, which is rare. She used to be shy and kind of stiff on American Idol, and in her first year of touring. But she has worked very very hard to improve her stage presence and showmanship, and it shows, in spades. She is getting nothing but glowing reviews from critics all over USA and Canada on this tour, and they all commented on what great stage presence and confidence Carrie has, and how much she improved as a performer. I think the stuffy, closed minded voters likely judged her based on who she USED to be as a shy performer back when she first started out, instead of actually GOING to her new tour, and judging her for the performer she is today. That is unfair, and shows they just simply don’t like Carrie. I say kiss my butt CMA voters. Y
Opening Acts do not deserve Entertainer of the year slots. End of story. Carrie deserved that nomination by a country mile, and as much as I like Miranda, Lady A, and Zac BB, they did not earn it this year. not even close.They are opening acts.
They are using Carrie to host their “Big” show, but can’t give her a nom for EOTY??!!! They know that she will bring in millions to watch…with her beauty,talent, grace,and intelligence!! I am happy for Miranda, and I’m sure that Carrie is too. They are good friends. God forbid, that 2 women should be nominated into this sexist, good ole boys club!! By the way, Tim should have been nominated also, not his opening act!!! Something is rotten in CMA country!!!!!!!
The CMA Awards have lost all credibility for me. It started last year with the sweep Taylor had and now this year naming 3 who haven’t hardly gotten to the point of earning a EOTY nomination cinched it. Why should these artist work hard to achieve a certain level when nominations go to just a “new” bunch of people, not taking into consideration whether they deserve it. These people are talented – just not hardly deserving of the award yet!!
Because the CMA’s west of Mississippi rival that has named Carrie its EOTY, awards it’s EOTY based on consumer votes, and the CMA awards based on keeping the elite of Nashville happy, and that means making sure it’s talent are not neglected. They have done this since Nashville Star tried to compete with Idol (again, west of Mississippi) – a statement ironically Blake Shelton commented on in 2007, because they think that if someone who started (where they’ve ended up is irrelevant) their country music career outside of Nashville is named EOTY, what does that say to all of those who do start in Nashville? They think Carrie could survive successfully not being labeled “country”, unlike all the other acts in Nashville. That is why Taylor got snubbed as well; that is why CMA previously snubbed Shania. But CMA didn’t want people too upset over their narrow minded thinking, so they let Taylor sing her new song on the show, and let Carrie host the show. Unfortunately for them, they forgot about the consumers, once again. Not because of talent, but because of the CMA elite, I threw out my ML CD. Sorry Miranda, it truly is not your talent that led to this.
Carrie Underwood deserves EOTY! She is by far in my opinion the best singer out their. She has broken down so many barriers and has a great career! She deserves this more than anyone, hopefully the people will be thinking more clearly next year! Carrie is AMAZING!
I have been listening Carrie Underwood since AI. I really liked her at first, then I like some of her early stuff because it sounded country, genuine, and not auto-tuned. Now the crap she is putting out there is just garbage, manufactured pop. I won’t buy her music, patronize her sponsors, attend her concerts, or buy any products she promotes. In her defense, tho, she is squeaky clean, loves animals and the environment, and doesn’t appear to act like a diva. That being said…if you don’t like her, tune her out. Enuf said.
Hey CJ I agree. She dosnt deserve anything at all. She has turned into a spoiled little brat just like taylor. I think who deserves EOTY is miranda not carrie.
“Hey CJ I agree. She dosnt deserve anything at all. She has turned into a spoiled little brat just like taylor. I think who deserves EOTY is miranda not carrie.”
CJ DIDN’T say Carrie was a “spolied little brat” he said he doesn’t care for her music. There is a huge difference.
Carrie is talented,beautiful, and gives back so much to her community. Taylor does the same, and I’d never believe she was spoiled or ungrateful. Even though I don’t care for her music (or voice) most of the time, she is one of the most real, humble and sweet performers I’ve seen.
I used to be very critical of Taylor, but after listening to “Speak Now,” I’ve grown impressed with her writing, and the improvement of her vocals. A lot of the songs fit her range much better than most of the material on “Fearless.”
Miranda is extremely talented and beautiful, but there’s no reason to critize others to push Miranda up. Miranda, Carrie, and Taylor have all been vocal about the support they have for each other as individuals and artists. Fans should respect artists for who they are instead of creating drama.