R-E-S-P-E-C-T … Some Folks Around Here Need Some!

The CMA Awards came and went. The ratings were about the same as last year’s lowest rated CMAs.

Like our current national economic issues, not one thing drags the CMA show down to where it is.

There were plenty of good performances and beautifully staged presentations. Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean, and Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde’s songs were great. The ABC promotion of the show was weak. The host, Luke Bryan, was charming, but probably not graded out as good as the ones the last 20 years. It’s easy to spew out nonconstructive, piling on, obvious criticisms.

Taking a big breath … light the fuse!

#1. It is outrageous that the powers that be (ABC and or CMA) don’t think it’s important to recognize members of the Country music family that left us in the past year. In Memoriam is a featured part of the Oscars and Grammys. Charley Pride, John Prine, Tom T. Hall and many others deserved the time and honor. It is nothing short of disrespectful! It’s not a just this year problem. The CMA board needs to discuss and mandate this.

#2. There is no respect to tradition or legacy on this show anymore. Beating a dead horse, but here we go. It’s nothing short of half ass the way the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame are dealt with. Marty Stuart stood up at the show, and the other names were read with no pictures. Really? And where were any of the greatest living stars of Country music? It’s called, “Country’s Biggest Night,” but you don’t have the stadium-grade legends anywhere: Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Barbara Mandrell, etc. This show should be an all-in show. Blame Covid if you like, but it was this way pre Covid.

#3. I’ve seen this in other commentaries, but why is it always the imported star from the Pop world for the show’s biggest moment, like Beyonce, or Jennifer Hudson this year? You can’t build a moment where the current stars do something everyone will talk about? Everyone sings their new song, and then the big moment

is when the Pop stars come in for a one-of-a-kind collaboration. There’s too much control and spotlight on the current flavors of the month.

#4. Social engineering/woke: Trying to address every perceived social wrong within the confines of the Country Music Association’s award show is ill advised. Do things that make sense. Any post-show, honest observation had to come up with that critique.

Country music is struggling with its identity these days. The music is more Pop sounding than ever.

I saw many sockless loafers on the hipster-dressed male artists/writers at this year’s show. Country music doesn’t sound like Country music, and doesn’t look like Country music. If that is the goal, then, boom, you did it.

“Yellowstone” is the hottest show on TV. That Western, classy look would be far superior to the Carnaby Street London reject look that many of the men bought into.

Next year is looking like a huge one for Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett and, yes, Morgan Wallen. Just look at all the booking announcements out this week.

Country music has such a rich tradition. Is that all just locked into the various museum walls around town? The CMA should have gotten Kevin Costner to host some or part of the show. That would have been forward motion. You’ve got to create a “must see TV” night. ABC has to free it up and screen the show online and on multiple channels. Make it easy to see, like Paramount did for “Yellowstone.”

Country’s biggest night has too much new music. It could have used more great moments with established stars and special guests who make sense. Aretha Franklin was not Ray Charles.

Country stars are strong and powerful. Hard to have a show with the stars you left out in 2021. Very sad.