Eric Church's feud with Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert masks real issue

'Drink On It' tops charts

ACM Awards recap

ACM Winners

Hey everyone, this is a list of winners at the 47th annual ACM Awards. I live blogged the event here if you wanna check it out.

Entertainer of the Year: Taylor Swift
Male Vocalist of the Year: Blake Shelton
Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert
New Artist of the Year: Scotty McCreery
ACM Single Record of the Year: "Don't You Wanna Stay" Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson
Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum
Album of the Year: "Four the Record" Miranda Lambert
Song of the Year: "Crazy Girl" Eli Young Band
Video of the Year: "Red Solo Cup" Toby Keith
Vocal Event of the Year: "Don't You Wanna Stay" Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson
Vocal Duo of the Year: Thompson Square

Swift's win shows problems with CMA

Blake Shelton announces January 2012 tour on Twitter

Review: Trace Adkins "Proud To Be Here"

"Proud To Be Here" - Trace Adkins

The title of Trace Adkins' latest album could easily refer to his music career or the life he's led. The big man -- who may have been the inspiration for Bruce Willis' character in "Unbreakable" -- has survived a truck accident, getting run over by a tractor and being shot in the heart by his ex-wife. As he croons in the title track, Adkins has clearly "been living on borrowed time for years." After a rough life and a career of ups and downs, it's easy to see why Adkins is "Proud To Be Here."

1) "Proud To Be Here" -- I love country songs that I can really relate to, that's what I think the genre is all about -- "Songs About Me," if you will. "Proud To Be Here" tells a story we have all been through. Solid song about focusing on all we have been given, despite our best attempts to screw it up.

2) "Million Dollar View" -- While some prefer exquisite ocean scenes and others enjoy stunning mountaintop vistas, Adkins lets listeners know he's got the best view of them all in his living room in the upbeat "Million Dollar View." While Trace has succeeded on some gushy love songs before, I could live without this one.

3) "Days Like This" -- Speaking of gushy, "Days Like This" fits in this category. However, he slows the tempo down in this one and knocks the song out of the park. Adkins nails the sentimental tune about leaving the troubles of the world behind on a beautiful day. One of the top tracks on "Proud To Be Here."

4) "That's What You Get" -- Adkins lays down the law to his "pretty thing" in "That's What You Get," letting his woman know exactly what to expect from him. Of course, he's going to give her two strong arms, a big heart, you know, everything he's got. I like the lyrics, but Trace is very aggressive singing them, almost like he's mad. I think the song would have benefited from a slower pace.

5) "Just Fishin'" -- The lead single off the album, "Just Fishin'" really brought Adkins back into the limelight after recent singles "This Ain't No Love Song" and "Brown Chicken, Brown Cow" struggled for airtime. "Just Fishin'" hasn't had that problem, and it's easy to see why. I loved this song about a father and daughter bonding without her even realizing it from the first time I heard it. Great song.

6) "It's A Woman Thing" -- Men and women are different is the premise of "It's A Woman Thing." Kind of a typical song on an overdone topic.

7) "Love Buzz" -- Adkins shows off his bluesy side on "Love Buzz," singing about the overwhelming effects his romance has on him. Adkins even sounds a little intoxicated while singing ("Yessir, ociffer"), making the song that much more believable. I like the slow, smooth sound this song has.

8) "It's Who You Know" -- Superstar quarterbacks and CEOs who look like they've "been carved from granite" seem to have the edge in life, but Adkins turns the tables on them in "It's Who You Know." The message he delivers is it doesn't matter what you do in your life, a relationship with God will be the most important thing "at the end of the road." This is my favorite song on the album, but I could have done without the crazy preacher screaming at the end.

9) "Poor Folks" -- Again, Adkins is out to flip the script on who's rich and who's poor on "Poor Folks." The song has a very traditional feel, and echoes "Million Dollar View" in that no matter his financial situation, Trace feels like he has it all.

10) "Always Gonna Be That Way" -- Another ballad that reflects an earlier song, "Always Gonna Be That Way" is reminiscent of "That's What You Get." Adkins again informs his significant other how he's going to feel about her, but is much softer and sweeter in this one, making it a much better song.

11) "Damn You Bubba" -- Some people aren't going to like "Damn You Bubba." Some people are going to outright hate "Damn You Bubba." I really, really like "Damn You Bubba." Maybe it's because the morning I heard it I was seething about my own brother taking some work I should have had, much like the song's protagonist ("Bubba done filled that spot. Damn you Bubba"). I'd recommend giving it a listen, but it's definitely not for everyone.

12) "More Like Us" -- Speaking of "not for everyone," "More Like Us" definitely fits the bill. Adkins informs our leaders in Washington that he's willing to fight for his God, and there's more like him coming. Patriotic, religious and in-your-face, it's a stereotypical country song. Like "Damn You Bubba" some will like it and others will hate it.

13) "If I Was A Woman" -- "If I Was A Woman" sounds like something you would here in a saloon (musically, of course). Adkins teams up with Blake Shelton, reuniting the "Hillbilly Bone" duo. On that hit, Trace commented on how he "always wanted to sing a bone song." Well this time the big boys sing about an entirely different topic, what they would do if they were women (fall in love with themselves, of course). It's a funny song, and Adkins and Shelton have a good give-and-take throughout the tune. I recently said that Shelton should headline his own tour next summer, and I think Adkins should open for him. The two clearly have great chemistry, making this track shine.

14) "Semper Fi" -- If you call a country song "Semper Fi" you better bring it, and again Adkins doesn't disappoint. While other military-themed country songs are sung from the view of a soldier, "Semper Fi" is honoring those who sacrifice so we can be free. While "More Of Us" highlights the division in America today, "Semper Fi" unites us and is a great end to a very good album.

While Adkins may just be "Proud To Be Here," I'd say he's put together an album to be proud of. From the ballads to the rockers, Adkins hits the right notes for most of the album and shows he's still got it... much like Bubba's old Tonka Truck.

(Tracks 11-14 are found on the deluxe edition of "Proud To Be Here")

Concert Review: Brad Paisley H2O II Wetter and Wilder World Tour

Brad Paisley's carnival/concert recently swung through the area, with stops in Darien Lake, Scranton, Pa. and Mansfield, Ma. With acts like Sunny Sweeney, Brett Eldredge, Thompson Square (special guest in Mansfield only), Edens Edge, Jerrod Niemann and Blake Shelton touring with Paisley, it would be easy to make the show all about the music. However, this wouldn't be enough for Brad, who also provides fans with a carnival prior to the main event. 

Just one of Brad's trailers.

The Water World Plaza offers a Slip 'n Slide, bean bag toss (with prizes), Captain America and Brad Paisley photo stations, Corvette and Chevy FLW boat simulators and a dunking booth. Also, if you're feeling generous, there is a Water = Hope booth and boxes to donate cell phones to soldiers. Oh yeah, and opening acts Edens Edge, Brett Eldredge and Sunny Sweeney rock the stage. All three have unique styles, Sweeney with the classic country twang, Eldredge brings a party to the stage and Edens Edge's country-bluegrass mix is outstanding (expect more on them in a later post). Opening acts are also available for meet and greets after their sets conclude.

Edens Edge

Once inside, Jerrod Niemann is the first to take the main stage, playing hits "Lover, Lover," "What Do You Want" and his latest single "One More Drinkin' Song." He also plays other songs from his excellent debut album "Judge Jerrod and the Hung Jury," as well as Garth Brooks hit "Good Ride, Cowboy," which Niemann co-wrote. Niemann's sense of humor sets the stage for two of the funniest guys in country music.

Judge Jerrod

After Judge Jerrod's court adjourned, Blake Shelton enters to roars of approval from the crowd. Blake plays old ("Austin," "Ol' Red") and new ("Honey Bee") hits, along with a medley of pop songs explaining why he is so "screwed up." Blake's shares the humor that made him a star on "The Voice," and gets the crowd all fired up for the main event. There's no doubt in my mind Blake should be headlining his own tour in 2012.

Blake drawing his biggest cheer of the night, by drinking.

After his outstanding array of opening acts, headliner Brad Paisley finally takes the stage (kind of). Brad comes out singing "Mud On The Tires" (my personal favorite Paisley song) and the hits just roll from there. If you get a chance to attend the show, be sure to count how many guitars Brad goes through (I got 11).

Does Brad play guitar better, or sing better? We may never know...

While the crowd is clearly there to hear Brad sing, he certainly provides more than just music through his giant HD video boards. Animations, music videos and crowd shots are just a few things to watch for. Brad also provides a few surprises throughout the show, from his tricky intro to his secondary stage in the "cheap seats."

Hey, what are you doing way up here?

Brad's signature wit and charm are on display throughout the night, and of course he sings and slings guitar with the best of them. And you know Brad provides a big splash at the end of the night. 

If you have a chance to make it to a H2O II date this summer, I would absolutely recommend it. The Water World Plaza, witty performers, excellent animations and... um... oh yeah, outstanding country music show why Brad deserves to be the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year.