Country’s biggest night was packed with memorable moments: killer performances, a slip on stage and a rap star that brought down the house!
The show opened with a hilarious Thelma and Louise skit from Taylor Swift and Shania Twain. It was a victorious moment for Twain who made her first CMT Awards show appearance in seven years. Thelma and Louise (Swift and Twain) played wanted women, complete with pistols, a fast car and jokes about former best friends. The duo ran into several stars on their way to the CMT Music Awards including Ron White, Donald Trump, Glee’s Chord Overstreet, Kenny Rogers and Kid Rock. The skit set the tone for the night-country’s brightest stars were ready to have some fun.
The show felt like one big party-artists danced and sang along while their fellow country alum performed. Highlights of the night included host Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow’s duet Collide and the brief performances by up and coming country artists Thomson Square (what an amazing moment for a husband and wife), Colt Ford and Lee Brice on the Nationwide Stage. The Band Perry proved why they are scorching hot on the charts when they opened with a few bars of Rhianna & Eminem’s smash Love the Way You Lie, transitioning into their hit Lie. Big and Rich dialed up the festivities when they took the stage alongside Gretchen Wilson to perform Fake ID. Luke Bryan (along with several beautiful and scantily clad dancers) performed a high energy version of Shake It for Me. Finally, two Georgia boys from very different genres closed out the show with a rousing version of Dirt Road Anthem, Jason Aldean and rap star, Ludacris.
The most touching moment of the night was owned by Sugarland. American Idol alum Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina introduced Sugarland who took the stage to perform their emotional anthem for tornado victims, Stand Up. The song opened with the Gilbert sisters from Joplin, Missouri waving a huge white flag emblazoned with the word LOVE. The Gilbert family lost their home in the devastating May 22 tornado but they have not lost their hope. Throughout the song, the crowd waved smaller versions of the flag to show their support. Sugarland has released a live version of the song recorded with Little Big Town (available for download on iTunes). Proceeds are being donated to the Red Cross to aid tornado relief efforts in Alabama and Joplin, MO.
Other note worthy moments of the night included Laura Bell Bundy’s entertaining monologue about how to become a country star with Rick Schroeder when they presented Group Video of the Year, Shania Twain making her triumphant return to the show (she took a tumble on stage before presenting Male Video of the Year….bless her heart….she still looked drop-dead gorgeous), Sheryl Crow getting called out by fans on Twitter for flashing her under garments on stage and the ever surprised Taylor Swift winning Video of the Year. Weirdest moment of the night would go to Justin Bieber winning a CMT Music Award….teenage girls, I am talking to you!
The CMT Music Awards were packed with merriment and entertainment. I hope next year more of the winners will be present (Blake & Miranda!) and ready to dance the night away. If you missed the show, be sure to set your DVR for re-airings on CMT!
2011 CMT Music Award Winners
Video of the Year
Taylor Swift – ‘Mine’
Male Video of the Year
Blake Shelton – ‘Who Are You When I’m Not Looking’
Female Video of the Year
Miranda Lambert – ‘The House That Built Me’
Group Video of the Year
Lady Antebellum – ‘Hello World’
Duo Video of the Year
Sugarland – ‘Stuck Like Glue’
USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year
The Band Perry – ‘If I Die Young’
Collaborative Video of the Year
Justin Bieber featuring Rascal Flatts – ‘That Should Be Me’
CMT Performance of the Year
(Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT)
Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett – ‘Margaritaville’ from CMT Crossroads: Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band
Best Web Video of the Year (new for 2011)
(Best video created primarily for Internet streaming)
Blake Shelton – ‘Kiss My Country Ass’
Video Director of the Year
Trey Fanjoy – ‘Blake Shelton’s ‘Who Are You When I’m Not Looking’
