Live Blog: Jake Owen

So I (Jen) just left the Exhibit Hall and let me tell you, I have never experienced the craziness that I just experienced!  Ever! We got word that Miss Jessica Simpson was going to be signing so we headed over bright and early to beat the crowd in.  We got our spot on the media side and waited for the stampede of people to come through the door.  I was actually kind of scared because I knew the crowd that was outside, having seen them on our way in.  So 10 O'clock on the dot they let them in... and then I was amazed... here came a crowd of hundreds running toward us!  Next thing we know, people are getting trampled, hurt and crying!  People were just simply walking out of the line because of how many people were trying to shove their way into such a tiny area (at least compared to all the people who were there). 

After about 15 minutes of this, things finally calmed down.  They were separating lines and getting people where they needed to be.  Then the big moment... Jessica walked out.  She entered at the front of the SonyBMG booth accompanied by her dad and assistant.  A little girl about five or six was standing next to the booth and yelled her name.  Jessica leaned down to her and waved and asked her how she was.  She was smiling and ready to go... and that's a good thing because she's probably still signing right now.  We were unable to get a comment from her at the time because of how nuts the exhibit hall was but we will not disappoint you... she will be making a comment with us later... so check back!

We now had a chance to get Jessica Simpson's comments to all of you out there:

"Being here in Nashville and around all these music loving fans inspires the true artist in me.  I can't wait to take my music to the stage and give back to the fans."

Ashton Shepherd sent us some of her pictures from her point of view while out and about the CMA Music Festival.  She also had these comments for ya'll...

"My first CMA Music Fest was a fun and full day.  I feel so blessed to have gotten to meet so many fans and supporters and to get to play for them as well.  Talk to you later!" 

Hey everyone...we just got word from Emily West who is enjoying her CMA Music Fest week... "Hey Guys, it's Emily West.  I just saw Wynonna... she was so sweet and I got my picture taken with her. So many awesomely awesome super stars here!  Including myself!... just kidding... but not at the same time! I sing at 3!!! So excited."

Stay tuned for more... Shane Caldwell is about to hit the streets with the fans to have a "Good Time."  So watch out for us!

RED ALERT!!! We've got Dance Fever!... or it maybe it's heat stroke cause it's hot out there!  But safety be damned friends, because we have just returned from the unbridled spectacle known as the 2008 CMA Music Festival where we walked among the massive crowd of fans to see if any of them had what it takes to compete in the Alan Jackson "Good Time" Dance Off.  we took our high tech boom box with Alan's current hit blasting away and threw down the gauntlet in the middle of Lower Broad.  The fans were a little intimidated at first.  But who wouldn't be when faced with my stunning physique and cat-like dance moves?  After taunting them for a good five minutes, one brave gal emerged from the crowd to answer the call.  She was a gamer and together, we looked like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing cheek to cheek in Top Hat... actually we looked more like a couple of sunburned monkeys having a seizure but it got the rest of the fans going and pretty soon, a whole bunch of them joined in!  Gaze, if you dare, upon the lovely ladies and one brave guy who threw caution to the wind (along with their dignity) and strutted their stuff for your amusement. 

 Click to watch "A Good Time with Alan Jackson and Shane Caldwell"

Well, there you have it!  The first Alan Jackson "Good Time" Dance Off!  Enjoy it while you can cause after people see this, I don't think we'll ever get anybody to do it again.  That'a all for now, I'm going to go drink away the shame of my pathetic dancing. The only problem is, I'll get drunk and start dancing again.  When, oh, when will this vicious cycle end!?!? Stay Tuned...

Hey country music fans!  It's Jenna Lee again reporting from LP Field at the 2008 CMA Music Festival.  Our own Allison Demarcus was the host for tonight's show and she did a remarkable job and looked fabulous! 

Ashton Shepherd was the first to take the stage and the crowd went wild when she sang "Takin' Off This Pain."  Fans were out of their seats holding up those cold beers in their right hands to mimic the lyrics of her song. 

Next up was Jack Ingram, who just won top male vocalist at the ACM's. Jack had the ladies going crazy with his semi-unbuttoned black sleeved shirt and his golden locks.  He rocked the crowd with his hit single, "Wherever You Are."

Then two blond beauties took the stage, Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler, to introduce Lady Antebellum, who won top new vocal group at the ACM's... congrats guys! The group opened up with "Looking for a Good Time," and the fans certainly had a great time!  They rounded out with their debut single, "Love Don't Live Here."

Up next was beautiful and talented Miranda Lambert.  She rocked the stage with her hit single, "Famous in a Small Town," from her ACM winning album of the year.  She looked amazing up there!

After Miranda, Carrie Underwood took the stage with sass and style.  Her voice was awesome as always and her outfit was super stylish.  She started off with "Wasted" and finished with her new hit single, "Last Name." I'm just throwing this out there, but Carrie, Taylor, and Kellie should all combine their golden locks to do a trio... heck, make it a quadruple with Julianne Hough!

Choo Choo!  That's right, Josh Turner took the stage and sang "Long Black Train."  The crowd really got into this one... literally!  The fans on the field started their own train as they chugged around the stadium!

Julianne Hough graced the stage with her amazing voice and award-winning dance moves.  Julianne said that her "true love" is singing and she thanked all of her fans for supporting her... fans, you rock!  She sang "That Song In My Head," and that is one song that everyone is glad to have in their heads!

Yee Haw!  Jake Owen took the stage singing just that..."Yee Haw,"  and the fans loved it! Jake said that this was the biggest crowd that he has ever played for... Jake, you did an awesome job!  Siskel and Ebert would have given you two thumbs up!

Miss Taylor Swift took the stage again to introduce an inspiration of hers, the lovely and talented Faith Hill.  Faith gave an awesome performance and her band was insane.  She started off with "Wild One," which go the crowd into one wild mood!  Faith ended with "Piece of My Heart" and blew tons of kisses out to her devoted fans. 

Pop goes the weasel!  Yes, another surprise for the best fans in the world!  Keith Urban made his way to the CMA Music Festival and rocked the crowd with his talent and style.  Everyone was going crazy when he walked on stage... he was amazing and a great end to yet another awesome night at the 2008 CMA Music Festival!  Make sure to check us out tomorrow as we hit the streets during the day and night for country music fun around the clock in Music City USA!

Thanks ya'll and get ready tomorrow to rock it with Lady Antebellum at Paradise Park Trailer Resort for the Rock Band Contest!

Click to see more live blog photos from the 2008 CMA Music Festival

7:06 -- What an opening! The question is... Who wasn't included in that? Keith Urban just took the stage and something tells me a surprise is coming your way. Wait for it...

7:08 -- Told ya! Brooks and Dunn just joined Keith on stage. Hopefully they'll be joining us backstage. Jen, Brian and I are in the luxurious green room of the 2008 CMT Music Awards. We're in the brain center. Master control. The belly of the beast, if you will. And as the stars come back to graze on the fabulous buffet, we will grab them and force them to send out messages to you the fans. I haven't seen too many bodyguards yet that can take me. We're risking life and limb but it's only because we love you.

7:14 -- Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, Martin and Lewis and now Cyrus and Cyrus.

7:16-- Rascal Flatts just won Group Video of the Year for "Take Me There". However, with wives as hot as theirs how excited can they be?

7:18 -- On the subject of hot wives, I haven't seen one male artist tonight who didn't have one.

7:19 -- Here's a little behind-the-scenes info. The food in the green room is unbelievable or at least that's what I was told by about ten members of the Tennessee Titans who came in and immediately cleaned the whole thing out. Training camp starts soon so they need to stock up. I'm enjoying a piece of moldy beef jerky and drinking water out of a muddy boot print. Who says show business isn't glamorous.

7:23 -- Where the hell is Tom Arnold? He told me he'd come back to blog. I'd hate to resort to violence but...

7:25-- Just ran into Bucky Covington after his impressive performance. He was with his manager, Ron Harris, who is a former professional wrestler. Remember what I said earlier about not believing there was anyone here who could take me? Check that... I found one. Now I just need to introduce him to Tom Arnold.

7:28-- LeAnn Rimes and a bunch of hot dancers in prison uniforms? I'm going to need some private time. Back soon...

7:30-- Kenny Chesney just entered the green room with a large entourage. I'm going to try to break through and talk to him. If they beat me senseless, call Ron Harris.

7:39-- Sorry bout that, we were away for a moment. I blame it on Satan and his minions. But since idle fingers are the Devils playground... lets start typing. Kellie Pickler just won USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year. She said she wished she was here... I couldn't agree more. Once again, my dirty old man colors are showing.

7:43 -- Just ran into Keith and Nicole in the hall. If there are two better looking people on the planet, then I don't want to see them. I think I would go blind. I ask Keith if he would like to say something to the fans, he said 'Later if I can' so I'll take him at his word. If not, he'll be getting a visit from Ron Harris. By the way, Nicole's baby bump is right there!

7:49-- Oh there's Tom Arnold! On stage with Jewel. If he knows what's good for him, he'll be back in the green room pronto! Sugarland just took the stage... I smell another surprise coming!

7:53-- Sugarland, Little Big Town, and Jake Owen! Nuff' Said.

7:58 -- Paula Abdul just took the stage...and she made it up there, all on her own, not one slip, well maybe one... followed by a stumble. Holy crap! She's actually sort of making sense. No wait! I was wrong. I think somebody pressed the crazy button. Thank God we're going to a performance.

8:01 -- Tim and Faith... what a duo. Speaking of duo's Ron Harris' twin brother Don just joined him. Don is also a former professional wrestler. Tom Arnold is in trouble!

8:02-- Bobby Brown is just ten feet away, eating shrimp and grits and watching Faith and Tim. As soon as they are finished singing and he's finished eating, I will descend upon him for a quick interview.

8:04-- Actor Tim Daly just took the stage. For those of you who don't know him, he starred on Wings for 7 years. I don't see how you could not know who he is since they reran that show twelve hours a day on another network.

8:05-- Tom Arnold is here!!!! And here ya go... "I made Tim Daly take off his glasses because he looked too much like me. Can you believe he has a son that is 37 years old? That's hard to believe about Tim Daly. I was nervous up there... Out there with Jewel. Her boyfriend wasn't mad though. He has a hammer grip. Is Jesco White here? Anyway, I've never seen so many stars... this is unbelievable. The Sugarland song made me cry. Tim McGraw's the luckiest bastard in the world. I came to fan week and went to the softball game for City of Hope..and pregnant Faith hugged me. Life wasn't going to get much better than this. Faith... hugging hot, sweaty Tom Arnold. But that Tim is actually a great actor. Tim McGraw...Well Tim Daly's a good actor too...but, I tell you what. I've gained 30 lbs that since I got here yesterday. Since I got to Nashville I've had 3 meals of fried gravy. And...I can't wait until Snoop Dog gets back here...definitely don't need a smoke machine, I tell you what. And finally... they did a brilliant montage for the opening sequence. I think they're under new management here or something."

8:16 -- Snoop Dog introducing Alan Jackson... Have we entered a parallel universe? Or did I enter a contact high? Oh -- there's Blake and Miranda. Another homely couple. God bless them.

8:18 -- Paula Abdul just walked by. She's hot. She says she's going to come back and blog with us. If she doesn't, disregard that hot comment.

8:20-- LeAnn Rimes just won for Collaborative Video of the Year. I think Reba and Kelly were a little bit disappointed. Don't worry, she'll get over it. She's won more trophies than LeAnn Rimes is old. I'm sure she can go home and caress them and she'll be just fine.

8:23-- Holy mother of monkey dookie! I have never seen as many good-looking women in one place, at one time. And I don't have a chance with any of them.

8:29-- Snoop Dog and his entourage just walked by. I found two guys who could take Ron and Don Harris now. I waved to him, he flashed the peace sign... and that is probably all the interaction I will be having with Mr. Dog this evening. I can't say that I blame him. I just found out, I had some spinach stuck in my teeth. The bad news is... the last time I ate spinach was March 14th.

8:31-- Jen departs for a potty break.

8:35-- Julianne Hough, Josh Turner and Sara Evans. It's like looking at a country version of Three's Company. Come and knock on our barn door!

8:39-- We have just found the lovely Diana DeGarmo and she has a message for all her lovely fans. "Howdy ya'll? I'm very excited to be here and hopefully sometime in the near future I will have a video up for nomination. And look out for the Gone Countrycast in a few minutes we will in introducing somebody big! And p.s...I'm the biggest Rodney Carrington fan ever!"

8:42-- Brad Paisley and Bochephus! That was the surprise we wrote about earlier. Bet you didn't see that one coming did ya!? Something tells me you did.

8:43-- Just got word LeAnn Rimes is coming to talk to us. Hope they aren't lying.

8:46-- And here she is... "Thank you so much for voting for myself and Jon for Collaborative Video of the Year. I'm so excited and it was so unexpected. I hope you all are having so much fun watching. I'm headed out this weekend to kick off my tour with Kenny Chesney and I hope I see everyone out on the road."

8: 50-- We are being graced with loveliness...Paula Abdul. "I was really honored and excited to be asked to introduce Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. While up there, I was able to mix in my overwhelming "mom-like" attitude for all the alumni of American Idol. And...at least there was no Simon. Before I announced Tim and Faith I was able to tell America that we literally found these kids by lifting up rocks and finding these gems that we actually thought to be our bright and shiny diamonds in the rough...I was getting very corny. So the band started playing so I turned to them and said 'okay...I get it.' So I then said 'It takes a tremendous amount of Faith...and the only person who gets that is Tim. And the audience went crazy. It was just fun. I got to see a lot of people from the past and I totally understand why people come here. People in Nashville are so nice and for me it's a disease but here, it's an epidemic. It's great to be apart of a huge show that has passed onto the country music world all this talent. From Josh Gracin to Bucky Covington to Kellie Pickler, Phil Stacey, and of course I call her...Miss. Carrie. And I'm so proud of all of them and I'm ecstatic to have been here tonight."

8:59 -- The hot new group Lady Antebellum is here. Let her rip kids... "Hey Cyberspacers. Lady A here. Just want to say that this years CMT Awards rocked. This is kind of like our CD pre-release party because our debut album comes out tomorrow!!!! What did you all think of our quick performance after Miley? We were nervous and what an act to follow. Snoop Dog just walked by and I got to meet Sisqo...I love that thong song(says Hillary). Don't forget to sign up to play us in Rockband on CMT.com. (An upcoming contest...) We're gonna kick your butt! Ya'll enjoy the rest of the show and we hope to meet you on the road soon."

9:00 -- I'm a lucky man, Julianne Hough has joined us. "I'm so excited to be here at the CMT Awards. I never thought that I would be in the same building with my biggest Idols... especially Faith Hill who has inspired me from the beginning. I got to meet her tonight! To my fans who have followed my career from Dancing to Singing, I wouldn't be here without you. Look foward to seeing you on the road with Brad Paisley this summer. I owe all my successes to you."

9:06 -- We have the man, the big winner tonight Trace Adkins. Let her rip brother... "Thank you fans for voting for me, the people I was up against in this category are huge stars and I can't believe I won this thing."

Click to see more photos from the CMT Live Blog.

5:55 -- Good evening country music fans around the world!  This is Shane Caldwell coming to you live from the Red Carpet Show at the 2008 CMT Music Awards.  Thanks so much for joining us tonight for this grandest of grand events.  I'm here with my blogging team Jennifer Morrison and Brian Bayley.  Jennifer's here because I can't type and Brian's here because I'm too fat to move around under my own power.  God bless them both. And God willing, we'll be with you all the way tonight.  From the arrival of the first celebrity to the presentation of the very last award when one lucky artist takes home the coveted prize of Video of the Year and the rest go home full of bitterness and hate.   This is truly going to be a night to remember...at least until we've all gotten back to our cars. I'll tell you, friends, this Red Carpet ceremony is already shaping up to be the best ever.  No one has arrived yet and I'm already seeing stars!  That's mainly because I was accidentally head-butted in the hoo-ha by a Little Jimmy Dickens impersonator but that means it can only get better from here on in. We're going to keep you up-to-date and in the know with exclusive, behind-the-scenes reporting from the red carpet, the green room, backstage, front of the house and all around the arena so don't... you... dare... go... anywhere! Back in a minute...

5:58 -- Before the show even starts we have four time Super Bowl Champion...Terry Bradshaw.  "It's an exciting night, lot of fun...all these guys that are performing tonight, and gals-- it's kind of cool, I know most of them.  My daughter, a Belmont student and aspiring singer/songwriter, Rachel, asked me to come with her tonight, so how could I say no.  Came in from Oklahoma, took a flight in this morning at 12:20 and came in."

6:05 -- Well the stars having started arriving. And if Elvis rode a dinosaur in here right now it wouldn't be as exciting as what I've just seen.  After Tom Arnold came through and wow'd the crowd with his down-home style, Blake Shelton came through with his dashing Brooks Brothers suit and had the women swooning.  I must admit... I felt a bit faint myself.  Looking for a cold compress to revive myself.  Back soon...

6:12 -- And the stars keep coming... new host of the brand new show, Can You Duet,(premiering tonight right after the award show) Rossi Morreale, just had a veritable love fest with the fans.  He loves them, they love him, this guy knows how to work a crowd.  Back soon with more.

6:18 -- Just spoke with Tom Arnold.  He promised before the night is over he'll stop by to make a special blog appearance for us with a special message for his fans.  As you know, he is the fabulous host of the wildly popular show, My Big Redneck Wedding.  More to come...

6:20 -- Miley Cyrus just walked by.  She is young.  She is fabulous.  I am old and she remind me that I am old and flabulous. 

6:22 -- I turned around and there was hot new artist James Otto and he has a message for all his fans... "Thank you for going out and buying my record, Sunset Man...and making my single number three this week...AND the number one album page this week on CMT.com! I love that!  You guys rock!"

6:25 -- We've snagged another one... Jake Owen has a message for his fans. "I wish everyone could be here with me to see all the exciting stuff going on right now.  I just got to shake hands with Terry Bradshaw and I got to meet Snoop Dog... and Miley Cyrus just walked by."

6:30 -- The stars just keep coming.  Just caught a glimpse of LeAnn Rimes dress, it's more amazing than a Beatles reunion on Mars.  Oh My God... Is that Nicole Kidman!?  Yes that is Nicole Kidman!  Is this heaven?

6:33 -- I just snagged that tall drink of water Chris Young, he wants to say hello to all his fans out there... "I still continue to see my video from a year and a half ago, so I just want to say thanks to all the fans for continuing to ask to see it. I also want to let everybody know that we just finished the new album.  The new single, 'Voices,' is about to come out and hopefully there will be a new video to ask for soon."

 6:38 -- We just found Bucky Covington.  A hot new star who want to send a hot message to all his friends.  "Okay, lets see here... Hey for all my fans out there on tonight's performance pay attention to the guitar and thanks!  Ya'll Rock!

6:39 -- Taylor Swift just walked by in 18 inch heels...I have never wished more that the Fountain of Youth existed so I could be young again and pretend I had a chance with her. Instead of being just a dirty old man.

6:45 -- Mega producer Tony Brown just walked by with his beautiful wife, Anastasia.  I got to shake the hand of the man who has been the guiding hand with some of the biggest albums in country music history.  He wanted to talk to us, unfortunately Anastasia spilled soda on his shirt and he had to go change it.

6:48 -- Taylor Swift just walked back through... I'm feeling older by the minute.

6:50 -- Just talked to Trace Adkins who has promised to be a guest blogger later in the evening.  He was very pleased with his second place finish on Celebrity Apprentice.  Coming in second means he doesn't have to spend the next year, as Trump's flunky.

6:55 -- Rock Legends Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles have joined us and want to say a word or two to the fans. 

Joe: "Hi, and it's great to be here.  We are giving an award and receiving an award.  It's going to be a wonderful evening.  Thanks to everyone for the support.

Timothy: "We are here, thank you for having us.  We are thrilled that the country community has embraced us like this, there's more to come."

7:00 -- Well that Red Carpet Show couldn't have been anymore amazing if Big Foot had flown in on Pegasus.  Stars galore and much more to come.  Bobby Brown just walked by and waved which means tonight is going to be a winner.   I'll be back as soon as I make it to the fabulous green room for more from the 2008 CMT Music Awards.

Click to see more photos from the CMT Live Blog.