- Need that Miranda Lambert song in studio version asap! Sounds like a smash. Her performance was my favorite of the night.

- Would say ditto on the new Reba song, but thanks to the tip above I just downloaded “Strange” on iTunes. I like my Reba with a little sass and this one has it to spare. Backed by the Scott Borchetta promo machine, you gotta believe this one will be big for her.

- Carrie’s performance was good. Red dress actually distracted me. Her win is deserved, but wish the fan voting would end now so that no more of these awards have astericks next to them though.

- Trace Adkins was impressive. Similar to Tim’s “If You’re Reading This” from a few years ago. I don’t consider myself a fan of Trace’s, but this was pretty awesome.

- Taylor was what she always is. Next.

- Miley is a better vocalist than most people give her credit for, but the production and her “stage presence” was not OK. Seriously, what was that?

- Keith Urban was solid. Dig the song and his new album is growing on me. This would probably be in my Top 5 performances of the night.

- Sugarland was ace as always. The song isn’t a knockout but Nettles always sells it.

- Heidi Newfield was majorly disappointing for me. Thought this would be at least a coming out party for her to a national TV audience (eventhough J. Hough won the only award she had a real shot at), but her vocals were a mess. And she needs to lay off the bronzer.

- Loved Jamey Johnson’s performance, but the production was just bizarre. In and out of color at the wrong times. The impact could have been greater if they’d used the effect at the right times.

- Loved Lee Ann Womack’s sophisticated slowburn, bluesy performance. Felt it might have been a little lost on the audience (inside the venue and on TV). Not sure though.

Everything else was safely middle ground for me.

B & D, “Play Something Country” medley: “We Are the World” country-style mash. Most (all?) involved do not heed Ronnie’s request. Womack’s shaking head says all.

Heidi Newfield, “Johnny and June”: Glammed-up, tan Felicity Huffman look-alike sings square-peg song about Cash clan. Ring of fire prop not a shocker.

Jamey Johnson, “In Color”: More badass than preceding Toby Keith romp. Groovalicious, Memphis soul version of a killer song. Hillbilly Springsteen.

Taylor Swift, “You’re Not Sorry”: Princess made Music Row fat cats money in 2008. Reward: Album of the Year and cheap crystal hood ornament. ACM, commerce > art.

Lady A, “I Run to You”: @davehaywood–You’ve supplanted Kristian B. as best silent partner in pop-country group. It’s always the quiet ones? Tell Hillary I like her hair without the primped waviness. You be you, bro.

Lee Ann Womack, “Solitary Thinkin’”: The DJ’s daughter lays down some serious LAW. Drinking damsel in distress outsings whole room. Country to the bone. Love her. Love to hear what she thinks of the show.

Keith Urban, “Kiss a Girl”: Sterilized Dired Straits knockoff. Not quite the addictive, fizzy rush of “Sweet Thing.” Simple, subtle romantic desires compared to Chesney. Buffett incarnate kisses a girl as mere appetizer to main course(s). And he always steals the Entertainer prize from our fave Aussie. Greedy, I tell you.

Miranda Lambert, “Dead Flowers”: @mlambert: Tornado beep ruined listening experience. Assume you were riding Nirvana guitar lick into greatness. Texas twang matched with brainy prose gives me tingles. New album in Sept will be great b-day gift.

Jon Rich, “Shuttin’ Detroit Down”: What do the Urbans think of this? “Lazy ass” does not equal “wishing, Lord, that I was stoned.”

Miley Cyrus, “The Climb”: Shania Jr. without the chuptzah of Shania. Band is in astronaut wear. Song (and vocal) itself ain’t half bad. Def. in the outer space of country music.

Carrie Underwood, “I Told You So”: Idol perf was a couple notchs better (hella good, go Youtube it). Still a highlight of show, if only for volcanic eruption of your red dress. Entertainer win is deserved, but fan-voting sucks. Wish there were room for more than 2 girl singers on radio. Shame on Nashvegas. Matraca Berg’s catalog is ripe for the picking. Trust you gut, CU.

Trace Adkins, “‘Til the Last Shot’s Fired”: Radio only plays his novelty BS, but Adkins is true (red, white and) blue artiste. Cadet choir = chilling presence. Gay-unfriendly past and uptempo filler is uncool. Use that booming baritone for good, T. More awards may follow.

Sugarland, “What I’d Give”: Enjoy them in their mid-’80s Bangles pocket instead of channeling Billie Holiday. I like my eggs scrambled, Jennifer. Modern-day “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” Less sad, more sexy.

Blake Shelton, “She Wouldn’t Be Gone”: @bshelton: Co-write with Miranda and do not devolve into whiny, bombastic crap that the Flatts are about to unload.

It’s not youth league sports. Everyone can’t be a winner!

G’night y’all.

Nice Peter Cooper reference, Mat

Congrats. I hereby give you a meaningless Crystal Milestone award too for getting 8 right!