CMA Report, 2009

Posted on 12. Nov, 2009 by annie in Notebook

Well, last night in Nashville, the CMA awards took place over at the Sommet Center. As usual, there is much hustling and bustling on my part to get down there, park, hitch a ride on a golf cart to the red carpet, schlep my bag with the high heels that I can really only stand to wear for the duration of our performance to security, have a security guard search my bag and tell me “I don’t like feet” as he gingerly moves around my heels looking for whatever it is security guards look for in women’s bags, and get my butt down to my joy of joys, Hair and Makeup!!!

Hair and Makeup is the best for many reasons. (First of all, I get free, professionally styled hair and makeup. I get to keep whatever ends up on my head and face. Tonight’s booty yielded 17 bobby pins and a pair of fake eyelashes. Score!) But the best part is being in the heart of the action of the award show. All kinds of people come in and out of hair and makeup for all kinds of crazy reasons. At one point, Joey and Rory came in after their photo op on the red carpet because Joey’s Pochahontas-style suede dress had shed all over Rory’s corduroy overalls.

It was so sweet. She had hugged him in this picture and when they pulled apart, they realized that Rory was covered in little bits of suede granules from her dress so they rushed to hair and makeup for help. The staff pulled out a couple of lint rollers and went to town onRory but to no avail. It was a valiant effort but sweet Rory spent the evening covered in dress sheddings none the less. I’d say life is still pretty good for him anyway.

For Sugarland’s segment, our stylist wanted the band to wear tuxedos. She picked out a fun, girl version of a tuxedo for me and I decided to go with an up-do for a more formal look. In the end I think I looked like a cross between the girls in Robert Palmer’s “Simply Irresistible” video and a pirate/librarian. You be the judge:

Our stage setup included a live string section and a laser light show. They kept reminding us not to look directly at the lasers as we could suffer eye damage. I have a dangerous job! (And no, people, I was not one of the gals behind Jen playing cello. I was the librarian/pirate on the bass.)

I was ecstatic when we won Duo of the Year. I really thought Brooks and Dunn would win it this year and thought it was very kind of Jennifer to ask them on the stage to share in the award. I thought B&D’s reaction was pretty hilarious too. Quick, twitchy head shaking with a tight locked mouth. I have the same reaction when someone tries to get me to eat sweet potatoes. I hate sweet potatoes.

Now I know some of you are pondering Taylor’s sweep of the awards, particularly the wins for “Female Vocalist” and “Entertainer of the Year.” I have to say that I was expecting her to win both of these awards. She sold out TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW at Madison Square Garden this year. She packs the house. She puts on a very elaborate production. I do think that perhaps the category of “Female Vocalist” should be changed to “Female Entertainer.” I think that that is how people are voting within that category these days. Obviously, Taylor is not the strongest vocalist nominated in the category, but she has had the most success this year out of everyone else listed, which is why she won the award. I believe she is a genuine, sincere person who is truly grateful for all of these opportunities and I’m happy that someone so kind, honest, and hard working is making such a name for themselves. I was personally pulling for Keith to win for EOTY as I think he embodies the spirit of the award but a win for Taylor is fair in my book.

The highlight of the evening for me came when we were all walking out of the building at the end of the show and I ran into Little Big Town. There was Karen Fairchild, almost 6 months pregnant, looking stunning. She gave me a hug and invited me to touch her belly. It’s possible that I may have had my hand on 2040’s Entertainer of the Year. Now THAT is something I’m looking forward too!

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Tags: annie clements, CMA awards 2009 Sugarland

27 Responses to “CMA Report, 2009”

Gena Miller

12. Nov, 2009

Thanks for this Annie… and congratulations to all of you! I really wanted you guys to win Album of the Year and think you deserve it but I guess the competition was a little tough this year… glad you had a good time, the performance was awesome and reading this was FUN!
hannah

12. Nov, 2009

if i’m not mistaken, I think that joey is the girl, and rory is the guy?? i have no idea.. its so backwards! haha

love this blog! the cma’s are my favorite night ever! keep you was EPIC!!! I personally dig the librarian/pirate look! unique!

sweet potatoes….. hahahahahaha

&& ok, karen is the most gorgeous pregnant woman ever!!! she was glowing last night! haha you never know.. maybe baby westbrook will join daisy & penelopi & they will be the EOTY in 2040! CANT WAIT!
Lisa P

12. Nov, 2009

Loved the performance last night Annie, flawless as always! So happy about the win for Duo – congrats to everyone

one more thing – Joey is the girl and Rory is the guy…unless he was wearing the dress and she was wearing the overall’s, I think you switched their names! or maybe I’m reading it wrong?
annie

12. Nov, 2009

Good call, made that switcheroo. Shows how much I know!
Deb Jackson

12. Nov, 2009

I had seen the lasers in the rehearsal pics. I said something to my friends I was with, and they ended up only seeing spotlights. One in particular was ragging me about Sugarland anyway, but then they started ragging me about the lasers. Were they used during the performance?
Mark V

12. Nov, 2009

Looks like you had fun and y’all played a reat preformance! You look good as a pirate/librarian
I was rooting for Keith also.
Rob from Vegas

12. Nov, 2009

Nice blog, It was so nice to read about your experience and how you feel about everyone. Country Music will never go away. It has grown and expanded. I like all of it. I really like Joey & Rory for their music and who they are. Enjoy yourself every minute. It has to be a fun thing.
CincyJohn

12. Nov, 2009

Really good analysis, Annie, especially about the female vocalist definition. Taylor has been fighting the age thing since she was 14 (or younger). If you can do it, what is the relevance of age?

It was hard to see you perform because of the lighting and the dark colors and your location on stage.

I was personally a little disappointed that we didn’t get to see a Euphonium solo from you, but I guess that would have taken too much attention away from Jen and Kristian.
Karen B

12. Nov, 2009

Thanks for the CMA report, Annie! Congratulations to all of you for winning the Duo of the Year award. And your performance last night was awesome! The best one of the night!
Outlaw

12. Nov, 2009

Thanks for the report Annie. It is good to hear your thoughts from the performer’s point of view. And the behind the scenes stories are great. Very glad you guys won and yes it was a class act by Jen to invite B&D up there.
Karen does look great too. Take care, Joe