Loving this week in country news. Garth Brooks is landing in Vegas just in time for the holidays (yep, signed/sealed, he's back), Taylor Swift is whipping the late Michael Jackson in AMA nominations (oh, and she's also been tapped to host Saturday Night Live in early November! Watch out, you-know-who!).
Oh, and the latest: I talked the other week about the relative predictability of the initally announced CMA performer's list.
Well, guess what? A rabbit got pulled out of a hat somehow, and Tim McGraw will be performing at CMA Awards show for the first time in four years.
This is no small piece of news. While this is a perfectly timed promotional vehicle for his new album out next week--it's still a nice coup for the CMAs.
Every time I've blogged about the CMAs in the past few years, there's always been--without fail--several comments about "Where's Tim?" (Faith, too.)
Well, where has Tim been? In a nutshell: He's been tussling with his longtime record label (he released a statement calling the decision to put out a third greatest-hits set "an embarrassment to me as an artist"). As a result, sitting on his new record, Southern Voice. Hiring new management, peddling cologne, getting sober. Driving an entire audience to break down in tears with his performance of "If You're Reading This" at the 2007 ACM Awards. Hitting Stagecoach 2008, then treating fans to a long-awaited tour. Playing NFL kickoff shows. Remaining solidly half of one of Nashville/Hollywood's hottest couples.
But--absent from the CMAs.
Good to see you back with the homies, Tim.
And, thanks for throwing your hat in the ring and helping to make 2009 one of the most stellar, exciting years for country music in a loooong time.
I'm LOVING this week, I tell you all!
As always, be sure to: