CMA Award categories are confusing at best, deceptive at worst.
“Entertainer of the Year”
“Male/Female Vocalist of the Year”
“New Artist of the Year”
What are the qualifications for each? Let's explore.
The respective “Vocalist” categories are most perplexing, so let's begin there. It would seem a trophy here would reward pure vocal talent. Keith Urban, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, and Martina McBride would all make wonderful nominees. Kenny, Taylor and Dierks are great artists, but I think even they would agree that their individual vocal abilities are nowhere near these other artists. Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins should be receiving nominations every year, and Randy Houser should be in that category soon, but that's not likely.
Instead, the trophy goes to the male/female with a hybrid of radio/concert/album success. Why not call it “Male/Female Artist of the year?”
Entertainer would seem to be the best of the Male, Female, Duo and Group categories. How is Taylor Swift not included in this category this year? Who else sold out every show in minutes? OK, that's more of a gripe with this year's nominees, so I digress. They are all deserving, let's get back to my point.
I once asked Craig Morgan how many times one could be nominated for “New Artist of the Year.”
“I don't know, but I'm not complaining,” he said (or something of that matter). He had just been nominated while promoting his fourth studio album. Chris Young is nominated this year. I love Chris, but come on... he was new in 2006.
No one is asking for a flawless system. A few tweaks and some transparency is all we need. Heck, I've been working in country radio for seven years and I couldn't begin to tell you the difference between single and song of the year. I do think Miranda Lambert will win both though.
1 comment:
all agreed. vocalist should be for vocal, entertainer should be changed to artist, because that would fool you to think who puts on the best live show, and you should only be nominated for new artist once.
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