Think Before You Vote!

The next few weeks will be very political. The mid-term elections for Congress and many state and local races have the voters all abuzz. From Tea Party folks to left-wing kooks and everything in between. Broadcasters getting plenty of candidate money. Lies are flying all over. Promises galore.

Which leads me to the CMA voting. It's that time, too. Last year Taylor Swift was prematurely crowned Entertainer of the Year. She had a great year with international aspects, but Entertainer of the Year? A little premature. (This year not even nominated. Equally insane ... she deserved to be nominated this year even more than the year before.)

Chet over at CMT in his weekly column picked Lady Antebellum to win the Entertainer of the Year. Whew ... I love them and they had a great year ... One of the best songs to come out of Nashville in YEARS - "Need You Now." BUT ... HUGE BUT ... that does not equal Entertainers of the Year. It's crazy. They barely started as headliners a week ago. It makes these awards seem political even more than they already are.

As much as I respect him, I never thought Randy Travis was an "Entertainer of Year" type of act. Mandrell, Brooks, Reba of course, ... yes. Brooks and Dunn, Chesney. All are true entertainers in the true meaning of that definition. This year Brad Paisley is the right choice. The choice is clear. He can do it all.

Lady A has just simply not quite reached that title. And I have every reason to believe that they will. This award as been tossed out to "the flavor of the month" a few times lately and that's not cool.

"Too much too soon" is the disease in all of microwaved music today. The CMAs have always been the most respected and oldest Country award. Giving awards in almost every category is very subjective. All the nominees should be recognized for their hard work.

Just don't vote crazy for any of the non-qualified EOY candidates. They will earn those awards outright in the coming years.

Congrats to the Opry family for overcoming the flood and coming out on top. Amazing re-do of the Opry and especially the backstage. Made the place better than the original. And Blake Shelton the next Opry member ... fantastic!