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MSN Music
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Country music's thoroughly modern media profile is
hard to miss at the CMA Awards. The sleek ovoid dome of the awards site, the
Sommet Center, stands like a gleaming Mothership that landed across the street
from the Country Music Hall of Fame. The arena stands two short blocks but
cultural light years from the historic Ryman Auditorium, synonymous with the
formative saga of the Grand Ole Opry and its pantheon of pre-CMT artists once
consigned to the "hillbilly" charts.
The stars, threading their way down 2008 CMA red carpet, accentuate the time
warp as well, the expected boots and Stetsons offset by flashes of bling and
glimmers of rock-star panache as the limos glide past and the fans massed in
front of the Hall of Fame squeal out their idols' first names. The boundaries of
fashion and media access that once circumscribed country have disappeared:
Tonight, proclaimed by the Country Music Association as "Country Music's Biggest
Night," the music and its makers have essentially eclipsed most rock and rap
gods and goddesses.
Backstage, the show rundown underscores the mainstreaming of country with the
platinum cachet of movie-star presenters Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman (aka Mrs. Keith Urban) and Reese Witherspoon.
See photos: Keith Urban
In the media center, the rows of print, broadcast and Web journalists mirror
the global interest in the music. These carpetbaggers didn't just come from out
of town -- they came from Europe, Australia and beyond as the English accents
and Scottish burrs of the scribes behind us attest.
As the evening progresses, the CMA media handlers shepherd talent from the
Sommet stage through a gantlet of media booths and finally into the open press
area. What follows are random sound bites, reflective moments and postaward
testimony from the 42nd CMA Awards.
King of the world: With his Entertainer of the Year win, Kenny Chesney tied with Garth Brooks for the most wins in
CMA's most prestigious category, an accolade that prompted both gratitude and
pride. "Winning Entertainer of the Year for the fourth time in five years is a
lot more than this kid ever dreamed of," said Chesney, who admitted that his
earliest measure of success was a wish to spend a summer touring with his
buddies -- a goal he's now achieved for 16 consecutive tours. Chesney didn't
stay humble, however. Asked what he'd say to "the five artists that come gunning
for you next year," the singer and songwriter replied, "Come and get me ... (Story Continues On Next Page...) |
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