“I didn’t prepare anything to say at all,” Ada native Blake Shelton said as he hoisted his Best Male Vocalist award at the Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday. “I didn’t think y’all would let me get away with this two times. … Thank you!”
Minutes later, his wife, Miranda Lambert, shared the sentiment when she won CMA Female Vocalist of the Year.
“Seriously?” she asked during a short thank-you speech. “I’m very, very humbled.”
Both won in the same categories last year.
Two hours earlier, Shelton had roared into the night with a rocking country version of his hit “Footloose.” Well over a dozen dancers shook it loose in military-style fashion uniforms as original “Footloose” co-writer Kenny Loggins sang along as the show was broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
They hit the stage even before co-hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, but they were quick to take the awards show back.
“Are you ready for an awards show? … This is rockin’ Bradcephus,” Paisley joked in sing-song, guitar in hand, quick to pan one of their own. He poked fun at Bocephus’ recent run-in with prime-time football.
Then Hank Williams Jr. surprised the pair by walking up behind them to say hello. He joined them in a lampoon of “Are You Ready for Some Football?” — tuned to an awards show theme, naturally.
The party had officially started, and all their rowdy friends were included. At one point, Miss Piggy even tried to purloin the program — and a duet — but the night’s hosts wrestled it back that time, too.
Unfortunately, Underwood’s co-hosting and Shelton and Lambert’s bright spot were the event’s high points, as far as Oklahoman nominees were concerned.
In fact, Oklahomans lost in a slew of categories: Album, Vocal Duo, Vocal Group, Video, Musical Event, Single, New Artist and Musical Event of the Year. Taylor Swift took the night’s top honor, Entertainer of the Year, which was presented by another Oklahoman, Queen of Country Reba McEntire.
Shelton received five CMA Award nominations this year, including Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album — for “All About Tonight” — and Single and Music Video of the Year for “Honey Bee.” He won only one.
Stars filled the evening with performances from Keith Urban, Sara Evans, the Zac Brown Band, Swift, Eric Church, Chris Young, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney, The Band Perry, Sugarland, Scotty McCreery, Aldean, Martina McBride and Faith Hill.
Nothing about any of those stood out. Some of the vocal work (Bryan, Swift, Evans and, yes, Aldean) wavered. Swift dressed down her usually ample sets and parked herself on a couch. She was rewarded with a standing ovation.
Bryan went the 180 with chair-dancing blondes in fishnets and himself wearing a backward baseball cap, black skinny jeans and matching T. Yee-haw? Not so much.
Okie Vince Gill joined Paisley, Keith Urban and Jimmy Webb for a tribute to country legend Glen Campbell that included “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” and “Galveston.” Gill’s wife, Amy Grant, stood with many in the audience, clapping, tears in their eyes.
Oklahoma transplant Miranda Lambert performed her hit “Baggage Claim,” decked out in black, belted in fringe and rhinestones, roaring out vocals with swagger and style, her smile at center stage. Miami, Okla., couple and newcomer Thompson Square played “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?” Underwood and Paisley dueted to “Remind Me.”
Rascal Flatts, featuring Picher native Joe Don Rooney, performed “Easy” with Natasha Bedingfield and later joined Lionel Richie for his star-studded versions of “Deep River Woman,” “Stuck on You” and “Dancing on the Ceiling.”
The fashion flub of the night easily went to Bedingfield, whose gown looked like a Muppet came to fisticuffs with an old kitchen rug. It was a mauvey, ugly fuzzbath.
Underwood rolled through the evening in an array of gowns, short and long, bedazzled, shiny and lissom. Her co-host spent one segment decked in a black camo tuxedo jacket — and managed to wear it well.
2011 CMA winners
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Miranda Lambert
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Blake Shelton
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
The Band Perry
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Sugarland
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“If I Die Young,” The Band Perry
SONG OF THE YEAR
“If I Die Young,” The Band Perry
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“My Kinda Party,” Jason Aldean
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“You and Tequila,” Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
“Don’t You Wanna Stay,” Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Mac McAnally, guitar
