p!nk - barbies (live @ cma awards)
[please wait the 30 sec for the ads to play out to watch the performance... or click on this link]
i mean... no need for any explanation here. p!nk is easily one of the best live acts around. why she's singing at the cma awards is beyond me, but hey, she does this ballad proud. sooooo good!
beyonce feat dixie chicks - daddy lessons
with a collaboration that celebrates how artists will always have music in common, the beyonce/dixie chicks union has caused some big talk on what it means to be 'country' when the collective went on the CMA awards two nights ago. making their first appearance in years after being shunted by nashville for being politically vocal, the dixie chicks not only came back in style but brought on the queen bey to add to their defiance. beyonce hopefully reminded country music fans that so much of their roots came from bluegrass/soul music therefore making her attendance totally valid. either way the re-recording of 'daddy lessons' has all the spirit of a foot stompin party which at the end of the day, isn't that what we really want to be listening to on a friday!
not sure how long this will stay up, but here is the controversial / wonderful cma awards performance that has everyone talking:
justin timberlake & chris stapleton - tennessee whiskey / drink you away
chris stapleton is easily one of the best 'new' acts to come out this year. with his gravelly soulful voice, the man gives me goosebumps every time he opens up his mouth. for this years CMA awards the singer/songwriter walked away with 3 big awards including album AND male vocalist of the year. if you've never seen this man perform get ready to freak out with this AMAZING live performance with his special guest justin timberlake (and morgane stapleton who is always on perfect harmony with chris). these three tear the roof off and you will be so happy for pressing play!
sugarland feat matt nathanson - run (live @ 2011 CMA awards)
[the performance was so focused and intimate between jennifer and matt that it felt almost wrong (yet sooo right) to be watching it. a beautiful song that was easily one of the highlights from the wonderful CMA's this year]
jason aldean and kelly clarkson - don't you wanna stay
[after lady antebellum, ladies and gentleman, may i present to you THE duet (currently at #1 on the country charts) you'll be singing at karaoke for the next few months!]
lady antebellum - need you now [call me crazy, but there is something really 80's john waite about this song. easily my favorite discovery of this years CMA awards, this trio made up of charles kelley (lead and background vocals), dave haywood (background vocals, guitar, mandolin) and hillary scott (lead and background vocals) not only picked up best vocal of the year but also single of the year. they also performed this lovely song live (which is just gagging to be a crossover success). don't hate on country cause there are some really talented acts and music here!]
