Brooks and Dunn open the show with a rousing medley of their hits finishing with their latest smash “Indian Summer”. Audience gives them a well deserved standing O.

Loretta Lynn and Vince Gill present the first award of the night for Vocal Duo…Brooks and Dunn win it.

Tim McGraw does “It’s a Business Doing Pleasure With You”

Kellie Pickler and Trace Adkins present single of the year.

Dierks Bentley performs

Wynonna and Naomi present song of the year

Alan Jackson sings

Darius Rucker performs

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert present video

Reba McEntire sings

Billy Currington sings

Terri Clark and Kenny Rogers set up the Hall of Fame segment. Mandrell boo-hoos from the audience (J.K Babs…I like you…)

Crystal Gayle and Martina McBride present Male vocalist

Lynn Anderson and Charlie Pride present Horizon Award. No one knows what Lynn is talking about, but they are happy to see her just the same.

Lee Ann Womack sings duet with Jamey Johnson – then present George Jones with the “Country Music Honors” award – Dolly won it back in ’93.

Lady Antebellum perform

Taylor Swift sings

Keith Urban and Tim McGraw present Female vocalist

Toby Keith sings

Brad Paisley sings then presents musician

Tanya Tucker and Glen Campbell present Album of the year to Jamey Johnson

Rascal Flatts perform

Willie Nelson and Carrie Underwood present Vocal Event

Zac Brown Band performs

Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton belt out “Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonite” and then present Entertainer of the Year.

**********

The CMA telecast ranks #1 for the week, and becomes the most talked about awards in years

Dolly and Garth go on to cut a duets album which quickly sells 4 million units

Jeannie Seely and Jan Howard – who have been holding Billy Ray and Miley captive in a dressing room, let them go after the show has signed off.

Aaron – I thought the past winners presenting at the Oscars this year was fabulous and respectful. It adds an element of depth to the show, and I think also adds an element of depth to the award.

I agree that they should only announce a few performances and keep the rest a secret…just to allow some suspense during the show and to make people tune in. I also agree that the entire Cyrus family needs to not be invited to the show because they have no business being there…I mean do we really need to hear another off-key performance of “The Climb?” I don’t think so.

I hate to admit but I’m a fan of the CMA show and I look forward to it every year, maybe it’s because I’m a fan of the newer country and I enjoy most of the artists that get to perform and who are nominated…but that’s just me!

One problem the would have in bringing back past winners to do things is that there might not be enough of them willing to participate. Do not fool yourselves to think that these artists would jump at the chance to participate.

Until things change with the Awards show, I will not be watching. I have not for years now. I used to tune in to see who went into the HOF but since they started doing this early there was no need to tune in for that. I was really dumb, I thought, to announce the new inductees early and then havethem speak during the show. Then they went to no speaking and they get a camera shot in he audience during the show. SHould have gone to announcing the new inductees for the first time on the show. But, I do realize there is a probably in getting them to the show without telling them in advance. The artists that are HOF caliber stopped attending the awards show years ago. They used to tell the top five that they were in the top 5 so the new inductees would be in the audience.

Anyhow, until it is a country awards show again, I will not be watching.

After all, Country artists like Trisha Yearwood, Clint Black and Travis Tritt participated in the Eagles tribute album “Common Thread” for a reason. I actually thought the Eagles performance of “How Long” was one of the most genuinely Country things about that particular show, by comparison anyway.