CMA Awards 2009: All the performances, as they happen [UPDATED]

Pop & Hiss brings you instant reviews, typos and all, of all the performances at the Country Music Assn. Awards. It was a big night for Taylor Swift, who won entertainer of the year. She ended a three-year run from Kenny Chesney,

Related: CMA Awards 2009 Scorecard: Complete nominees and winners

Taylor Swift, "Forever & Always." Nashville is going straight to its A-list star, opening the show with pop music's most popular living singer at the moment. She'll have two songs tonight, and first up is "Forever & Always." To sum it up: The 2009 CMA Awards are off and running with a train wreck. The energy and excitement of Swift's MTV Video Music Awards performance, in which she was running through a subway, is completely lost. Beginning with a fake interview with Nancy O'Dell was cute, especially when Swift noted that "If guys don't want me to write bad songs about them, they shouldn't do bad things." But turning her "Forever & Always" into a chair-throwing angsty performance, complete with a stripper --  or fireman’s pole  (depending on your level of innocence) -- was ill-advised. She looked strained in trying to capture the anger of the song, awkwardly rolling on the floor and yanking at her hair. This is a D. But she has another performance in which to redeem herself.

Darius Rucker, "Alright." Performing after Carrie Underwood praised his ability to switch from rock ’n’ roll to country, Rucker unveiled a good-time pop-rock tune that wasn’t all that different from his Hootie and the Blowfish days. Although perhaps the reference to Patsy Cline was more of a nod to Nashville. Rucker, like Swift, sounded a bit off. But if Swift’s performance was oddly bad, this was just predictably bland. Rucker worked the crowd like he’d be selling records in the lobby after the show, running through the audience and high-fiving those in the expensive seats (the CMAs are open to the public). Pop & Hiss would say more about the song, but we’ve forgotten the performance while writing this summary. So a C.

Miranda Lambert, "White Liar." Here we go. Nashville should take note: All country award shows should be opened by Lambert. Though "White Liar" isn't the most fiery song on her recent "Revolution" (Pop & Hiss was pulling for "Sin for a Sin"), there's plenty to like here. Lambert is just the right mix of sweetness and grit, pulling the song to a mischievous stop in its final moments to reveal its lyrical twist. Her band is kickin', and she's on point. A

Brad Paisley, "Welcome to the Future." Songs about nostalgia have become a modern Nashville staple, and Paisley reveals his cute and relatable charm with this tune. Kids and parents unite as Paisley looks back on his days when he longed for a giant coin-op machine and tells us that now he has Pac-Man on his phone. References to video chats and homecoming queens stand side by side. As Paisley wields a sparkly blue guitar, he's a safe and modern star, coming across as the kind of rock 'n' roll heartthrob who isn't afraid to accessorize. B

Zac Brown Band, "Devil Went Down to Georgia." Faithful and crowd-pleasing, Zac Brown Band had the chops and the sharp violins to pull off the cover. But it’s an odd choice, considering this is one of country's most popular young acts and a group that will surely be in contention for best new artist at the Grammy Awards. An original would have been a better choice. We've heard this tune before, but the smokey D&D-like effects were kinda cool. Still, a cover here? D+

George Strait, "Twang." Country, straight-up. Sandwiched in the middle of three performances, Strait didn't get a prime showcase, but there's nothing to dislike here. This is lean-back, kick-up-your boots country, and Strait does it as well as anyone. A-

Lady Antebellum, "Need You Now." With the barren trees of fall and strands of Christmas lights, this backdrop was all elegant holiday loneliness. Hillary Scott isn't the world's most charismatic vocalist, but this ballad suits her just right. It's a gracefully easy melody line, and Lady Antebellum is better when not trying to rock out. Charles Kelley trades off with her, sounding like the completely uninteresting dude next door, but this single belongs to Scott. B

Carrie Underwood, "Cowboy Casanova." So long Nashville, as Underwood's "Cowboy Casanova" carries a slinky groove more fit for a dance club. Underwood's high heels and revealing outfit, as well as her backup singers in cocktail waitress attire, struck a more risque vibe. She could have been [insert pop star here] at your standard MTV award show, sporting a very glam outfit as she strutted and swung across the stage. But a spunky Underwood is better than ballad Underwood, and "Casanova" does a swell job of disguising what is -- for all intents and purposes -- a Top 40 cut with an occasional flash of country guitar notes. B-

Vince Gill and Daughtry, "Tennessee Line." A relatively stark stage kept the emphasis straight on the vocalists here, but there wasn't enough Gill. This seemed more marketing ploy than song, setting up the inevitable future country album from Daughtry. D

Keith Urban, "'Til Summer Comes Around." Urban is channeling the Eagles here, giving a low-key, back-lit performance. The song builds nicely, and Urban shows off some bluesy guitar notes toward the end. Would rather him cut a little loose, as the show needs some fire to get it into its midpoint here, but there's a compelling spookiness to the song that works. It also gives us time to reflect on just how many Fourth of July's the Australian-reared singer has had in his life to reflect upon. B+

Tim McGraw, "Southern Voice." Bringing some fun back into the proceedings, McGraw seemed to stumble over a couple of his own lyrics, but smiled and plowed through it. It's a giant, silly, pop-culture referencing festival, but try not to sing along to "Hank Aaron smacked it, Michael Jordan dunked it." What does it all mean? Who knows, but admit it, you still sing along to "We Didn't Start the Fire" as well. B

Sugarland, "Keep You." This is Sugarland at what the duo does best. Jennifer Nettles stays just out in front of the small violin orchestra, leading the quiet moments to a whisper and not letting the orchestra overtake her as the song builds to a climax. Kristian Bush is a bit in the background here, as the camera keeps tight on Nettles, but she sounds terrific and she could silence the room. B+

Brooks & Dunn with ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, "Honky Tonk Stomp." The duo's final CMA performance, until they're brought back for some sort of tribute years from now. Fast and full of pool-hall charm, they bow out with a loose rock 'n' roll number. B-

Jamey Johnson & Kid Rock, "Between Jennings and Jones." Going into the performance, it would have been easy to point out that that one thing Johnson doesn't need is Kid Rock. As the song started, and Kid Rock sported his country-via-Hollywood look, that seemed to continue to be the case, but the two played well together. Lyrics were changed and Kid Rock played to the crowd, tossing out a reference to John Rich in the second verse as Kid Rock's savior from jail. B-

Taylor Swift, "Fifteen." Swift is more in her element here, performing amid a circle of her fans. Without the crazy, over-the-top choreography, she sounds significantly better on this performance as well -- or at least charmingly out of tune. But she's the vulnerable teenager, and one of the crowd. She's performed this song at award shows of yore, including with Miley Cyrus at the Grammy Awards, but she isn't sold as something she’s not on her second go-round. A

Jason Aldean, "Big Green Tractor." Billed by Underwood as the "most romantic song" ever written about a tractor ride, we're unsure if that's a compliment or much of a teaser. But Pop & Hiss will disagree with Underwood here, and sub the word "only" for "most." C-

Martina McBride, "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool," with George Strait. A classically cool performance, with a soft-rock harmonica that hits just right. McBride brings up Barbara Mandrell -- who was recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and made the song famous -- on stage after giving her a fitting tribute. A-

Reba McEntire, "Consider Me Gone." Rocking knee-high boots and a sparkly tank top, McEntire gives the CMAs another solid, stately performance. All told, this is a pretty low-key night and McEntire brings a wise, no-nonsense performance. "If you think you can do better than this, then I guess we’re done," she tosses off, seemingly without effort, and few do it better. A-

Billy Currington, "People Are Crazy." A song about wild and crazy times about talking to a stranger in a bar, ultimately leading to Currington ending up with an inheritance he doesn’t deserve. It’s a short story with a clever twist, and it only works the first time you hear it. C-

Dave Matthews and Kenny Chesney, "I'm Alive." One of the most star-packed crossover performances, the "I'm Alive" duet packs about as much energy as a hammock hanging in a basement.  And it's about as much fun. D

--Todd Martens

[UPDATED NOV. 12 11:36 A.M.] Live blogging is a risky endeavor, and a couple readers were kind enough to point out in the comment section below that I wrote in the wrong Brooks & Dunn title last night. The band did not perform "Boot Scootin’ Boogie’." The correct song was, of course, "Honky Tonk Stomp," the band's new single that actually does feature Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top. The post has been updated to reflect the correct title, and the positive grade for the song remains unchanged.

Photos Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. Credits: Reuters

Comments

[randal stevens]

>>> WHERE IS THE FEMALE ARTIST THAT SANG
"DADDY YOU CAN LET GO "

Seriously, a perfect song the the CMA forgot !!!

[kimberly]

You sound like a bitter Country Music Hater. I doubt you're capable of any relevant critique. One point I will agree upon is Taylor Swift's number. Horrible singing, worse choreography.
Maybe you'll get better as the evening goes on, because right now you sound alot like Kanye.

[CHW]

Todd,Todd,Todd what are you drinking?? Zac Brown Band put
on an outstanding performance at least B+
Miranda Lambert a C- at best.
The rest were OK

[Southern Lady]

What has happened to Carrie Underwood? Her strip-tease performance on the CMA Awards a few minutes ago was totally out of line. Is this the next role model for young female aspiring artists? Another promising female artist seems to have swallowed the lie that to sell albums and be noticed you have to sell sex along with it! So sad, Carrie. So sad.

[Kendall Thawley]

Just a few thoughts:
Taylor Swift never performs well at award shows, but I have been to her concerts and she is fantastic. Yeah, she is overdramatic, but that is kinda what she does.
Be careful what you say about George Strait to country music fans, he can do no wrong.
Carrie Underwood's song is not that good, nor is it country.
Daughtry was fantastic. I am a huge fan.

[New to County]

Guess I'm just a newbie to country or a lot younger than this author, because my favorite performances have been the Zac Brown band--wow what a performance! And I loved the Vince Gill and Daughtry performance....but not so much "Twang" which is exactly what I don't like about most country music, so that explains that. Liking this Keith Urban too. Agree completely about Taylor swift, but she's young so I guess I just can't relate to the stuff she sings about anymore.

[Raymonne West]

Where is The best singer yet Johnny Reid my favorite singer ever?

[TONY DALESSIO]

What's wrong with the sound crew?!?!?! The vocals are buried by the music, you can't here the words.........the accoustics come off real bad. HELP SOMEBODY please save the second half of the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pc]

For a music show the sound is worst I have heard. We have Direct TV with a Dolby 7.1 sound system and it sounds like I am listening to AM radio. Not sure if this an abc issue or Direct TV. The singers' voice volume is WAY above the music such that the music can barely be heard. WHAT a disappointment!

[Dave]

I agree about Darius Rucker-he seemed a bit off, but the ZBB cover was very well done.

Kinda disappointed in the George Strait performance, just personal preference about the song I guess.

[barbara hart]

I so agree with Kimbery, only I would go as far to say your an ass.

[TOM]

WHOEVER GAVE ZAC BROWN BAND A "D" NEEDS A NEW PAIR OF EARS OR A FULLY FUNCTIONING BRAIN. THEIR RENDITION WAS AMAZING. IF I WANTED TO HEAR THE ORIGINAL I WOULD HAVE LOOKED FOR IT.

[Sonja]

Zac Brown Band was awesome!!! Wrong review on that one!!! Taylor Swift first song wasnt all that. Didnt care of Carrie Underwoods silver shorts she is to classy for that. All the rest were great!

[super star]

i think that this years cmas were great!!!!...as always( my idol is TAYLOR SWIFT) shes is and always will be a great role modle and she always will be a talented younge entertainer<3

[31C]

I waited all year to hear Darius sing. I'm very sorry that it was so clearly not his best performance. I really hope folks don't judge him by it because the record is great!

[Greg]

Who is Taylor Swifts Daddy? She sure as heck didn't get into country music with that voice...HORRIFIC!! Daddy knows somebody.......

[doctor_don]

Yea! Sugarland!

And Taylor is singing well right now.

[happy weathers girl]

Are you kidding me? Joey & Rory with a CMA nomination?? What the "H"??

[Linda]

I must say, I am underwhelmed by nearly all the performances tonight. For some reason Taylor's sound is off tonight--very unlike her, but she is young & I agree the sound crew is not helping them tonight.

Though I didn't hear a "D" performance, I also didn't think I heard an A performance either & certainly nothing that got me up & dancing or singing. Just ok for me. A straight C tonight. Especially when you combine it with none of the awards being a surprise at all.

[doctor_don]

"What's wrong with the sound crew?!?!?! The vocals are buried by the music, you can't here the words.........the accoustics come off real bad. HELP SOMEBODY please save the second half of the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: TONY DALESSIO"

So what's new with this? Most live performances with bands have this problem: cannot HEAR the lyrics / singer because the band is too loud.

[Amy]

While I think the majority of the comments in the article are harsh...I COMPLETELY agree with the fact that the opening act by Taylor Swift was absolutely horrible!!! I was embarrassed for her. It was bad. Vocally she was way off...hopefully she can recognize a bad performance when she goes back and see the video - WOW!

[lissa]

Huge Carrie Underwood fan but didn't think her "outfit" was appropriate. I mean come on, you can be sexy without looking completely trashy. It's the CMAs not the VMAs. I could expect this from Brittany Spears but not Carrie Underwood. My three year old said she had on pretty sparkly panties. How do you explain that. Carrie you sale millions for your talents and your GORGEOUS, don't be trashy, be different, be sophisticated.

[Lori 9]

the only country I have heard on here..... in Jamie Johnson !!!!!!! taylor swift is far from country!!!!!!!!!!
Merle,Conway,Cash now thats country........

[Brad]

Zac Brown was the best of the night! thats all that needs to be said, it may have been a cover but NO-ONE ELSE could have done it better. This writer needs to stick to what they know, must be something other than country.

[happy weathers girl]

I'm sorry...where are the nominations for Jason Aldean or Toby Keith?