MICK GREEN looks at the

43rd ACM AWARDS

ONE of my proudest country music mementos is a ACM black jacket with “25th Anniversary” on the back. That was from 18 years ago when the Academy Of Country Music used to hold it’s awards in California. For some time now they have been held in Las Vegas and this year’s took place at the MGM Grand on May 18th.

These awards are even older than the CMA ones held later in the year and the venue is not the only thing that has changed. 18 years ago the “Class Of ‘89” had come into country music and the whole feel of the music was changed by Garth, Brooks & Dunn and all the other superstars that came to the fore about that time.

I appreciate that everything that does not grow dies but there is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that the gulf between what Brit country music fans and American country music fans think of, an accept, as country music is getting further and further apart. Whether this the sheer distance or and age thing I do not know. What I am sure of is that whereas in the ‘60s, ‘70s, etc country music was played on our general radio stations and many of the stars became household names this side of the Atlantic that has not been the case for at least two decades.

The reason for the opening paragraphs is to explain to non Brits who read this that not ONE act mentioned below has made any impression on the Brit audience and many Brit country fans, let alone the general public, would know who they were.

Pictured at the top of the column are Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood. Kenny picked up Entertainer but I don’t think he has ever had a major release in Britain. I’ve seen him and quite enjoyed his show and think of him as a younger Jimmy Buffett with an “islands and summer fun feel” to his music. He probably first came to the attention of Brit fans when he got involved with a policeman and his horse whilst appearing as support act on a Tim McGraw tour—he now is a bigger act than Tim. The only times he got mentioned in our newspapers was when he married and subsequently divorced Renee Zellweger.

Carrie Underwood picked up Top Female and finally this month has had her first two albums released (see record reviews) in Britain. She came up through American Idol and was given much publicity by Simon Cowell and there can be no denying that she has had amazing sales of her first two albums and managed to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry very quickly in her career. I took a group of 100 Brit country fans to Country Fever when she appeared and the general opinion was that she has a nice voice and was pretty but there was nothing to really lift her apart.

Brad Paisley was voted Top Male and his music seems to be much more popular with Brit fans. He has a nice voice and is an excellent guitarist and he actually played at a festival in London some time ago.

Rascal Flatts (above) have also had an amazing few years and again picked up Top Vocal Group. On another trip we saw them at Country Thunder and the next day the Americans kept saying they were “awesome” most of our people felt they should have said “awful”. Again you can’t complain about the quality but to our European ears they didn’t sound country. In fact, it was the first time everyone was on the bus ready to go back to hotel 10 minutes before they finished. In the past year they have had an album released over here and came over to promote it but it seemed to disappear without trace.

Brooks & Dunn are the only ones of the “Class Of ‘89” who are still picking up awards and again they picked up Top Vocal Duo but have never really made any impression with the Brit general public, though Brit country fans love them.

I suppose it is not surprising that of the New award winners most Brit country fans would never have heard of them. The Male Vocalist was picked up by Jack Ingram and it’s been a brilliant year for young Taylor Swift who was honoured as Female Vocalist. As for Duo Or Vocal Group Lady Antebellum (above) were nominated before their album was even out! Despite the image their name gives they a trio of two guys (Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood) and one lady Hilary Scott. Although I am sure few Brit fans will have any of their music they might know Hilary’s mum, Linda Davis, who plays here regularly.

In the record sections Miranda Lambert picked up Album for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. She is another we saw at Thunder but who really made little impression on us Brits. This year at Thunder we also saw Sugarland and they got Single and Song for “Stay” which was written by Jennifer Nettles the female member of the duo—for us it was an okay show without the “Aaah” factor.

There were additional wards Tracy Lawrence with Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney got Vocal Event for “Find Out Who Your Friends Are”.

Garth Brooks got the first-ever Crystal Milestone Award which is given for artist or industry leader who has achieved something special. Garth was recognised for his record sales (128 million and still counting) and being the only solo artist in America to have six separate albums with more than 10 million sales for each!

The ACM has the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award which recognises individuals who have been at the forefront of the development of country music and this year Brenda Lee, the Oak Ridge Boys and Porter Wagoner got the nod. The Poet’s Award went to Bill Anderson and the late Fred Rose plus the Jim Reeves International Award went to Dick Clark.

It is strange that Brit music fans will probably be able to name more songs by Brenda Lee than all the other artists mentioned put together. But that is difference 6000 miles can make!