Live Blogging from the ACM Awards
This Sunday night, May 18th, the CMT Blog Squad will once again be bringing you a big barrel of catty comments and ripping reports from the 43rd Annual ACM Awards in beautiful Las Vegas, Nevada!... Okay, to be honest, we won't actually be in Las Vegas, we'll be in Nash Vegas watching from the exotic Employee Lounge on the 4th Floor of the CMT Building in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee! You see, anybody can go to an event, hang out backstage and give you the same old boring reports on who's got the biggest entourage, who's being a screaming diva and who's more pilled-up than Paula Abdul on a pogo stick. That's easy. That's why this time, we've decided to do something special. Just like you at home, we'll be watching the show as it happens and sharing our smart-assed remarks with you on a live blog. Plus, you'll be able to post your own comments about the show. It'll be like we're right there in your living room, yelling at the TV right along with you. AND as an added bonus, some of your favorite artists will be guest blogging with us, but you'll have to stop by to find out! So put on a pair of sweats, grab a bag of chips and join us this Sunday, May 18th for the ACM Awards Live Blog right here on CMT.com. And hey, don't forget to bring the beer!
CMT Live Blog correspondent from the ACM Awards in Las Vegas
In a small farm town in North Carolina, Shane Tarleton operated his own one-man Top 40 countdown radio show from the enterprising age of 8. With weekly call-ins from such icons as Dolly Parton, Don Williams, Reba McEntire and Tammy Wynette with an occasional Madonna or Michael Jackson thrown in there, Shane built an empire in his bedroom. All of this, of course, was done simply by displaying his favorite LP's around the room and talking into a disconnected phone receiver while listening to the weekly Billboard Top 40 Countdown. What started as an overzealous imagination has turned into a parallel reality. Having spent the past 15 years in Music City, Shane has honed and developed images through music videos and still shoots for such artists as Sara Evans, Kenny Chesney, Clay Walker, and Brad Paisley while serving his 6 year tenure in the creative department at RCA Label Group. Today, Shane serves as Fashion & Beauty Editor at Country Weekly Magazine.
Shane will be blogging with us from inside the press room at the 43 Annual ACM Awards in Las Vegas.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of 
konnie says:
hlloe konnie
line you ACM
country music
tv konnie
kayefun says:
Shane: We love our ‘juice’ freshed squeezed with pulp. We’re just a few hours away now!
dreamer says:
I’m so excited for the awards..I have the beer!
cheechy says:
Excitedddddd…Dishes Done,Shower Taken,Head wrapped ina towel,Sweet Tea lots of ice w/lemon in Hand!Time For Some Down Home Musiccc!
ashley says:
I’m 8 years old. And i like Most of singers but Kenny chesney is the best!!
Leslie says:
WOW!!! Carrie looks good as normal but tonight she looks even better!
ashley says:
I like this song but it sounds like she is screaming
but otherwise she sings good
dreamer says:
Reba is my allllllllll time fav.
Leslie says:
Larry the Cable Guy should host the awards next year. That would be great!
Lynn says:
Luke Bryan we are cheering you on here from your hometown of Leesburg, GA
dreamer says:
lol 1986…
dreamer says:
larry would be sooooooo funny
Leslie says:
hopefully Brad wins entertainer! He is awesome. I’ve seen him in concert several times along with others and he ALWAYS has the best show.
dreamer says:
I had a hard decison on this one, But i ended up voting for keith..
Leslie says:
Looking forward to seeing toby again this year also. He travels with The Trailer Choir and if you have never heard them you are missing out on some truly entertaining music!
Leslie says:
Sugarland
Leslie says:
YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dreamer says:
Good song…WootWoot
Leslie says:
Is Kenny with Cameron Diaz?
dreamer says:
I couldn’t tell who he was with, That would be kinda crazy though.
Rainey Day says:
Nicole and Keith look so happy! I know I speak for the fans that love them both that we wish them continued blessings for their upcoming birth of their baby!!!!!
dreamer says:
I agree with you rainey day. They do look very happy, and for her to stick by him, thats just great.
Leslie says:
Way to go Brad! You rock
Leslie says:
He sand that for the first time at the concert I was at in St. Louis. Love it
dreamer says:
I’m a guy lol…Cuz i can related to what he is saying about being a guy. Only cuz i hunt, fish ect with my husband.
Leslie says:
Taylor Swift
dreamer says:
Taylor……Yeah.
Leslie says:
YEA!!!!!!!!!! 2 for 2
dreamer says:
I havent heard much from the first lady
Leslie says:
Garth will put on a good show Im sure
Rainey Day says:
Love Love Kelly Pickler! She deserves all that she has. Is she nominated for any other awards tonight?
Leslie says:
She is one bad A** girl and I love her
Leslie says:
Miranda I mean. Not a fan of Pickler
dreamer says:
Whats up with the head banging???
Leslie says:
AWESOME
dreamer says:
the wreckers
Leslie says:
Lady
Leslie says:
3 for 3
dreamer says:
ahhhh that was my second chocie
Leslie says:
He will be with Brooks and Dunn next week in STL
dreamer says:
damn..Looks like his behind is going to bust out of those jeans lol
dreamer says:
jack
dreamer says:
woooooooohooooooooooo lol
Leslie says:
I used to love Kenny until last summer. I went to his concert and was soooo disappointed. I lost a lot of respect that night.
dreamer says:
You’ve been to alot of concerts leslie ;-)
Rainey Day says:
Saw Kenny Chesney in concert and he is awesome! Would love to see him and Keith together this summer! I did see Keith this past winter and he is a wonderful performer, and he can play guitar!
Leslie says:
I buy a mega ticket every year that gets me into a bunch of concerts ober the summer. Kenny is part of the line-up this summer and I sold the tickets along witht the ones to Rascal Flatts but maybe Kenny was just having a bad day and I should give it another chance.
Jon says:
Am I the only one that hears the sounds being sung they are off? It’s not my TV set is it? in their mix guess their flat maybe they should try out on american idol for a up or down from Simon first?
Rainey Day says:
Leslie, what is a mega ticket?
Leslie says:
Most people dont sound near as good live as they do on the radio. Hence the reason I don’t like Rascal Flatts they are the best example of that. Rodney Atkins sounded pretty bad too though but I still like him! Sugarland will never sound bad~~~she is just a natural.
Leslie says:
Mega ticket this year got me into 7 concerts. Brooks and Dunn with Rodney Atkins, Toby Keith with Montgomery Gentery, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, and Martina McBride. all of these concerts have special guest with them too. You pay one price ($1,100 for mine but awesome seats) and get a huge discount. Pretty good deal. even though I am not going to 3 of the concerts, as long as those tickets sell, it is w3orth it.
Leslie says:
Brad should get it but Taylor will.
Leslie says:
WOW what a shock! glad she got it she deserves it
Jon says:
Somehow we give them a higher standard than our american idols.
You really you think we should except that as the norm? if they don’t sound good “Live” guess they’d never be a hit on American idol would they? then again are they pro’s? or maybe we should all vote on it? seems puzzeling to me. Either way the sound is bad :( America should vote on it!
Stephen says:
I agree something is wrong with the sound. I do not think it is them, I think it is the sound system. Makes the all sound really bad
Leslie says:
The best performance yet!
Leslie says:
Not everyone sounds bad though. Sugarland and Brooks and Dunn sounded great!
Leslie says:
Stay
Leslie says:
I wish Emerson Dive would have gotten it though
Derrick says:
I hope that Kenny wins his fourth entertainer of the year award. I can’t wait to see him in Atlanta in July.
Kristin says:
question from a non-traditional country music listener watching the cma’s…who was the group (female w/male w/guitar) singing about “all i want to do is love you”? Many thanks!
Shaniacomeback08 says:
did i miss anything exciting?
Leslie says:
WOW Taylor is rocking it as always!
Leslie says:
That was Sugarland Kristin
Jon says:
It depends on the mixing “in the ear” monitor mix watch close at the ears they may need to add more ” vocal track ” but then it would appear they would be “Lipsinking” a little known no no that is used quite frequentley in “Live shows” so they don’t strain their chops.
Kristin says:
Thank you Leslie!
Leslie says:
YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to Go
Derrick says:
Also Leann Rhimes,Brooks and Dunn,Gary Alan and Sammy Hagar will be with Kenny in Atlanta at Turner Field on Sunday July 13th.
Leslie says:
He sounds good
Leslie says:
WOW what a line-up Derrick! Is it a regular concert of some type of festival?
Wendi says:
I can’t wait till the festival!!!
Leslie says:
HERE WE GO :)
Shaniacomeback08 says:
if garth’s pants could be a little tighter lol how did he get into that?
Jon says:
Shania how well would you say he sounded?
Leslie says:
They suck
denise says:
What is with all the screaming? What happened to Trisha?
Jon says:
Glad Brad won~
Leslie says:
I love Brad I hope he wins it all
Leslie says:
Taylor Swift!!!!!!!!!!
Leslie says:
Wow I thought Taylor would win that for sure!
Leslie says:
Who does everyone think will win entertainer of the year?
Vickie says:
What happened to country music? I feel like I am watching a 70’s pop award show.
Leslie says:
Good luck Brad! I wish you the best wether you win or not you are still the best.
Derrick says:
It’s been a great show, Let’s hear it for Kenny Chesney, 4 in a row.
Derrick says:
Hi Leslie it’s Kenney’s Poets and Pirates tour in Hotlanta!
Derrick says:
It should be a great concert.
Don hale says:
I’m still waiting to hear country music. I could not stand to listen to much, but Toby Keith sure did not sang a country song. Oh for the days of Merle Haggard, Earnest Tubb, Sonny James, Connie Smith, George Jones, real country singers, not the crap you people are trying to pass off as country.
bkb says:
so many deserving artists and they let people perform more than once. give some of the other new artists a chance to perform, got boring hearing carrie screaming. what’s up with swift, a silly performance. they can’t sing so they come up with gimmicks to try and make a performance.
jennifer says:
I missed this last night…is it going to be re-played anytime?
Seth says:
Kenny, George Strait, Keith, Jenniefer……..Bravo!!!!!!
Seth says:
carrie underwhat? fake gets some personalty already, woman cant move, move like Miranda now, that gal knows how to bring sexy back
Seth says:
Forgot Brad, great guy, very deserving
Seth says:
Kellie pickler, the gal has it all
Claire says:
Each year I look forward to watching the CMT and thoroughly enjoy them. However, last night’s award program was utterly boring and predictable. It seems, for the past several years the same artists have won the same awards and performed. Please consider a new producer or whatever.
Tonyia says:
well, if kenny does not like the way things were done at the award show stay home, i don’t think he deserves to win.
he is a bald short man that needs to go away for awhile and then maybe come back……
he really is not that good
Tania says:
Hi There….I am so happy that Carrie Underwood & Taylor Swift..They are my fav singers…..I am a little bit upset that George Strait didnt win :(Happy 56th B-day DUDE
Tania says:
listen here Kenny is awesome you bitch
Cajunlady says:
Loved the ACM’s..Great wins and performances by all!!
Seth says:
tonyia, you have taken what Kenny said totally Out of Context….not Everyone has a computer or the ability to vote on line, therefore, even though he won, and I believe he totally deserved to win, IT IS NOT FAIR…..there are alot of internet nuts that make up different email addresses and have several ISP’s, therefore they have the Ability to Lopside the voting process!
I agree with Kenny, this is way too Important of an award to turn it over to internet underground.
Peace
iluvkenny:) says:
i think kenny is AMAZING and I agree with seth. Go SUGARLAND- u guys are amazing(as usual) :)
Judes says:
Shane and Shane T. You guys are great. I kept going back to your blog to see if we shared the same thoughts. We usually did. Hope you do this again soon. (Especially YOU, Shane T)
meesh says:
reba mcentire was awesome as usual last night
mary says:
Love Kenny C. and his choice of songs! Glad he won!!
Carol Phillips says:
Wasn’t able to watch, any chance you might offer a repeat on CMT in the future? Would so appreciate that.
Dee M. says:
I’m Glad Taylor Swift won. I thought Kenny was very rude about the voting, He won and hes the only one that gripped. He didnt deserve the award.
Billoyd says:
Why are the voices of the singers being overwhelmed by the backgroud music of the band. I have a wonderful home theater that I have tried every setting to let the voices come through and all I get is the band. The lyrics are what’s important in country music.
trudy says:
carrie you are a great singer as an emcee leave that to someone else you have no audience pizzazzzzz you need to gardner more audience stature this show was suppose to be entertataining you did no such thing keep changing your clothes and be happy doing that leave the real shows to someone else also apologize to reba for you snubbing her not a nice to do and uncalled for also find a new stylist
amanda says:
i’m trying to find out the song keith urban sang during these awards by himself…but can’t….can you please help? i really liked it and the way it was presented during the awards. i would really appreciate some help!!
susan says:
Who opened the show. I missed it!
CJ&ELAYNEMEDINA says:
JUST SAW TRACE ATKINS AT STATE-LINE….BOY! HOPE HE WINS!!!!BUT WE LIKE SUGARLAND TOO!….CJ
CJ&ELAYNEMEDINA says:
I’M VOTING FOR KENNY!!!!!!!!! BECAUSE I GET TO SEE HIM AND BRAD AT STAGECOUCH SHOW……APRIL 25TH IN INDIO,CA. GO KENNY!!!!!!!!
brenda lauw says:
i tried to vote, there was an error and the page told me to return later, i returned and it said i had already voted—I wanted to vote for carrie underwood so if anybody is counting–add one more. I could not find the place to vote for new artist–that was crummy!!!
craig foster says:
I don’t appreciate Jamie Fox spewing his politics on the program. I do not support Barack Obama or his socialist agenda for this country (and I doubt the majority of country music fans do either).
CJ&E says:
REALLY ALAN JACKONS WAS GREAT!!!!!!!!! THIS WEEKEND AT STATELINE.HEY! WAS ANYBODY AT STATELINE THIS WEEKEND?NEV/CALI……?
john says:
why was myley cyrus on there, shes not country, just like most of u think kid rock is country cause he did one song that sounded country, mark chesnutt did a new cd, why wasnt he nominated, its the same people every year, when was the last time tracy byrd or tracy lawerence was nommiated, acms are a joke in a way, they dont nominate the ones who shuld be nomiated
bobbie says:
yes, i was so dissapointed in the show last night. and carrie is a big joke. she did not derserve entertainer of the year she hasnot paid her dues. when she has got that like kenny, reba, tim, faith martina and all those guys of earned their way. then she derserves it. but she has not derserved anything from country music she got it all because of american idol. all politics. that dress she wore was a big joke!!!!hey news flash carrier is was not something you wear on the show. you looked like you weree just showing off. well just so dissapointed in her and she pushed kenny chsney off when he tried to congrauated her she is a snot. well for the other guys like kenny who shoud of got entainer of the year just hang in there everybody sees what is happening….
Faye says:
Totally agree with you Bobbie! I was soooo disappointed with this award show. Like last year, the Entertainer of the Year award was fan voted and that is a joke! I knew when they announced Carrie as a nomination that she had it won already. When you already have millions of fans from a reality show following you of course you are going to win the fan voted award. WHAT A JOKE! That dress looked ridiculous! Why does she always have to put on a fashion show instead of just performing? I saw Carrie when she co-toured with Keith Urban (I was there for Keith not Carrie) and she seemed to worry more about the costume changes than the music. That’s an entertainer? No, KEITH URBAN IS an entertainer and anyone who see his shows would realize that this award has alluded him for too many years now and for him to not receive the Male Artist over Brad Paisley this year was a complete joke! This show is becoming a joke with the fans voting for the most important award and having to watch pop like performances from the likes of Miley Cirus (by the way can any of these young girls perform without throwing their hair all around, I feel like I am watching a wanna be rock star). Won’t be watching the ACM awards next year unless they return to the actual industry handing out the top award to the artist that TRUELY deserves it and not the artist that can just have more FAN votes. By the way, if there had to be a female nomination for the EOTY then why not Martina McBride. She was not even nominated this year or performed her new single, WHAT A JOKE! Martina has paid her dues in country and has earned her right to be nominated!