Commentary Videos Just Viewpoints Releases MUSINGS Reviews Country Controversies The threats, lighters and handcuffs come out Katie Rusch over 35 years ago. tempted to corral Chesney and the Music Row Musings Taylor Swift was bashed by Kanye horse, McGraw got defensive. A scuffle West in front of millions of viewers at ensued and both men were eventually Call it a lapse of judgment, a loose the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, arrested. DIXIE CHICKS tongue or just plain having fun. We all while a lesser known event took place When strong opinions and bad CHASTISED say and do stupid things every now and at the 1975 Country Music Association judgment get the best of country stars, then, and even country stars have been Awards. the outcome can go either way. The known to get into sticky situations. When Entertainer of the Year award attention drawn from increased me- Unfortunately for some, the bright presenter and country music tradition- dia coverage can lead to an increase in white lights of fame are sometimes alist Charlie Rich opened the winning album and ticket sales, but unwanted interspersed with red and blue flashing envelope to discover that the pop-sen- press can also be the death of a career. lights. sible John Denver had won the award, The controversies described above pro- Although artists want to be known his reaction was not nearly as rosy as duced mixed outcomes. for their music, sometimes non-singing that of the audience. Eight years and several death threats “performances”, such as the following, Live on the air, Rich produced a later, the Dixie Chicks are defunct can mark an otherwise mundane ca- cigarette lighter from his pocket and while Keith continues to tout his pride reer. proceeded to torch the card that de- for America. TAYLOR An off-the-cuff comment from -Di clared Denver the winner. Classy. Rich Taylor was seen as the young victim THREATENED xie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines later admitted that his behavior was of an unfair situation, which fueled led to a politically-charged and tempes- due to overmedication. All the more her already soaring popularity. Rich tuous clash involving Toby Keith, coun- classy. was never again nominated for a CMA try radio and countless fans who took Even family man Tim McGraw and award. offense to her proclamation of ashame- laid-back beach bum Kenny Chesney Chesney was charged with disor- ment that Former President George W. have caused a stir. derly conduct, while McGraw faced Bush is from her home state of Texas. A 2000 incident outside a Buffalo, assault, obstruction of governmental Keith lashed out at Maines for her N.Y. stadium involving a Mounted Re- administration and resisting arrest “un-American” views, while radio serve deputy’s horse led to a less-than- charges. Both were acquitted of all stations and listeners filled dumpsters proud moment for the two men. charges and their careers came out un- with countless Dixie Chick CDs, vow- Chesney was given permission to scathed. ing to never again listen to the trio. mount the horse, but definitely not to I am willing to bet the legalities A presumably undeserving win at ride off with it. As it turns out, that is were merely a slap on the wrist com- KENNY an awards show has been known to stir exactly what he did. pared to the explanation McGraw owed some controversy, both recently and When responding officers -at to his wife, Faith Hill. CUFFED

CMT Offstage keeps a 24/7 watch on everything that’s OFFSTAGE: happening with country music artists behind the scenes Alison Bonaguro CMT and out of the spotlight

This ought to put a spring in Eric Church’s step. Last week in Las Vegas, Keith Urban told CMT Radio he’s been listening to lot of Eric Church’s music lately. “I really like ‘Homeboy’ by Eric Church. I really like the last couple of singles he’s had out. I think ‘Smoke a Little Smoke’ and ‘Homeboy’ are both really great sounding records. That’s why I like them on the radio,” Urban said. “I think there’s a lot of great music happening in Nashville that’s unique to each artist.” Now, I can’t speak for Urban, but what I like about both of these Church songs is that they are unique to him. His distinctive vocals are just right for these songs -- and for most of his songs, for that matter. But what I love about these tunes getting Urban’s seal of approval is that it shows how much he loves country music. Imagine how disappointing it would’ve been if I had asked Urban who he’s listening to, and he’d listed a metal band you’d never heard of or a rapper you wished you’d never heard of. Album Review Georgia Clay COUNTRY After releasing three pop discs, too familiar to be gripping. “Ain’t including Almost Honest in 2005, Lettin’ Go” is a musical mea culpa MUSIC Josh Kelley is banking on his rural to a woman he loves. Josh fares Georgia background and country- better on sentimental songs such influenced singer/songwriter style as “Baby Blue Eyes” (written with SUMMIT on his debut country album. Lee Brice) and “Naleigh Moon,” If his rugged, soul-infused an ode to his daughter in which he voice sounds a bit familiar, thank reveals, I couldn’t see past me un- his brother, Lady Antebellum’s til I saw you. He’s got honky-tonk Charles Kelley. Two songs on the covered, too, with the laid-back album, “Ain’t Lettin’ Go” and “Rainin’ Whiskey.” Overall, Josh’s “Georgia Clay,” were co-written by sound boasts enough twang to keep the brothers. it country and enough soulful pas- june The title track finds Josh wax- sion to keep things interesting. ing nostalgic over a 1977 Chevy Silverado. Unfortunately, it sounds -Country Weekly 6 -72011 s‘ COUNTRY nashvilletn 85+ station adds in its first week MUSIC REQUEST TODAY the world’s largest video sharing community