nds76
01-13-2001, 10:51am
By definition, the American Music Awards are designed to recognize the many genres of music made and played in America, including country, pop, rock, rap, adult contemporary, and hip hop. The original theme song of the show featured the lyrics "There's a lot of pop in country, and a lot of soul in rock." However, if you were watching the show last night, you might have had a hard time figuring out which artist belonged to which genre.
Heavy handed makeup artists and big city stylists took their best stab at transforming some of country's biggest names into "hipper" caricatures of themselves. If you didn't look twice at Faith Hill's blonder than blond new razor cut hairstyle, you might have confused her with a less gorgeous grunge rocker. JoDee Messina, who presented the Favorite Country Album award, was sporting golden blond streaks in her red mane, to match her gold lame pantsuit. And who knew they made black leather pantsuits for kids Billy Gillman's size?
It wasn't just the physical appearances that were "de-countrified" on stage Monday night. When Lonestar was brought onstage to present, they were introduced as "A country band with one of the biggest pop records of the year." Perhaps no one told Dick Clark that Lonestar had a couple of the biggest country records of the year as well. Or maybe that just wasn't important.
While their pop, rock, and R&B counterparts had elaborate sets and staging for their performances, the country artists didn't distract from their talent with dozens of dancers and trapeze artists. Standing center stage backed by a full band, Martina McBride nailed her latest single, "It's My Time." One of the more poignant moments of the night came after Billy Gilman's performance, when it was the hip hop and rap artists who jumped to their feet leading a standing ovation.
The only other "country" performance on the show came from SHeDAISY. Not known for a traditional country look anyway, the sisters from Utah presented some of the most confusing moments of the evening, (until Marilyn Manson took the stage later.) The trio performed a version of their top 10 hit "I Will...But" with a melody that was nearly unrecognizable to those who had heard the song on country radio. Looking more like the scariest of the Spice Girls, their performance must have boggled their parents' minds. SHeDAISY records for Lyric Street Records, which is owned, as is ABC Television, by Disney.
None of the above is to say those who were rewarded weren't deserving. The winners all had a phenomenal year backed by massive album sales. But it was sad for the country industry that instead of being proud of their accomplishments in the genre, the country artists seemed be embarrassed to show their country roots to a national television audience.
Faith Hill was the big winner of the night, taking home trophies in three of the four categories she was nominated. Her first trip to the podium was to accept the Favorite Country Album award, for her multi-platinum smash, "Breathe." "Man, Jennifer Lopez kicked some serious butt up here, didn't she?" asked Hill. She would make two more trips to the stage that evening. Her next win was for Favorite Country Female, beating Martina McBride and Reba McEntire. During this speech Hill joked that she was thinking of wearing her husband's underwear, but it had a hole in it, alluding to Britney Spears' dancers wearing men's underwear.
It was the final award of the evening that has music fans in an uproar, as Faith was declared Favorite Pop/Rock Female. It was the award she most looked the part for, although she seemed genuinely surprised. "Ok, what is going on?" she asked in amazement as she was handed the trophy. Message boards all over the web have filled up with posts by outraged Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera fans who want to send Faith back to Nashville. Regardless, the award nominees were compiled from sales data from Radio & Records and Soundscan, and voted on my 20,000 music fans nationwide.
It has become customary for the McGraws to take home a pair of trophies at the various award shows, and tonight was no different. Following his wife's win for Female Country Performer, Tim McGraw beat out George Strait and Alan Jackson for Favorite Male Country Performer. "Music has been a good friend of mine for a long time, and it's brought me a lot of things in my life," said McGraw as he accepted the award, going on to thank his wife and the many friends he's made in the industry. Backstage the couple told reporters they were going out for sushi to celebrate. "I wanted Italian, she wanted sushi. She won more than me so....." grinned McGraw.
The Dixie Chicks, who were not present at the ceremony, took home the award for Favorite Band, Duo, or Group in Country Music. Billy Gilman showed wisdom beyond his 12 years when he accepted his award for Favorite New Country Artist, quickly whipping the balcony of fans into a frenzy. "Most of all, I want to thank you guys!" he called out, pointing to the rafters. He now has become "the youngest country artist ever to win an AMA." LeAnn Rimes, who won the same category at 14, formerly held that title. Rimes, in a classy white satin pantsuit, was a presenter on the show, and was accompanied by her boyfriend, actor Andrew Keegan. The two were caught smooching during an audience cutaway. And although his music is far from country, Kid Rock deserves a mention for his win for Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist. During his acceptance speech he thanked those who'd influenced him, including Hank Williams, Jr., and George Jones.
A three hour celebration of America's Music, broadcast live from Los Angeles's Shrine Auditorium. I'm not sure if a memo was sent out to all participants asking them to "pop" up their songs and dress, or if the prevailing theory was "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Regardless of how it happened, music fans are still going to have to go to the country sections to buy music by Faith Hill, Lonestar, and SHeDAISY. And when the cash registers ring, country will get the credit for the sale. But thank goodness for Tim McGraw and Kix Brooks, both proudly sporting their cowboy hats in the front row. Now, that is American Music.
Heavy handed makeup artists and big city stylists took their best stab at transforming some of country's biggest names into "hipper" caricatures of themselves. If you didn't look twice at Faith Hill's blonder than blond new razor cut hairstyle, you might have confused her with a less gorgeous grunge rocker. JoDee Messina, who presented the Favorite Country Album award, was sporting golden blond streaks in her red mane, to match her gold lame pantsuit. And who knew they made black leather pantsuits for kids Billy Gillman's size?
It wasn't just the physical appearances that were "de-countrified" on stage Monday night. When Lonestar was brought onstage to present, they were introduced as "A country band with one of the biggest pop records of the year." Perhaps no one told Dick Clark that Lonestar had a couple of the biggest country records of the year as well. Or maybe that just wasn't important.
While their pop, rock, and R&B counterparts had elaborate sets and staging for their performances, the country artists didn't distract from their talent with dozens of dancers and trapeze artists. Standing center stage backed by a full band, Martina McBride nailed her latest single, "It's My Time." One of the more poignant moments of the night came after Billy Gilman's performance, when it was the hip hop and rap artists who jumped to their feet leading a standing ovation.
The only other "country" performance on the show came from SHeDAISY. Not known for a traditional country look anyway, the sisters from Utah presented some of the most confusing moments of the evening, (until Marilyn Manson took the stage later.) The trio performed a version of their top 10 hit "I Will...But" with a melody that was nearly unrecognizable to those who had heard the song on country radio. Looking more like the scariest of the Spice Girls, their performance must have boggled their parents' minds. SHeDAISY records for Lyric Street Records, which is owned, as is ABC Television, by Disney.
None of the above is to say those who were rewarded weren't deserving. The winners all had a phenomenal year backed by massive album sales. But it was sad for the country industry that instead of being proud of their accomplishments in the genre, the country artists seemed be embarrassed to show their country roots to a national television audience.
Faith Hill was the big winner of the night, taking home trophies in three of the four categories she was nominated. Her first trip to the podium was to accept the Favorite Country Album award, for her multi-platinum smash, "Breathe." "Man, Jennifer Lopez kicked some serious butt up here, didn't she?" asked Hill. She would make two more trips to the stage that evening. Her next win was for Favorite Country Female, beating Martina McBride and Reba McEntire. During this speech Hill joked that she was thinking of wearing her husband's underwear, but it had a hole in it, alluding to Britney Spears' dancers wearing men's underwear.
It was the final award of the evening that has music fans in an uproar, as Faith was declared Favorite Pop/Rock Female. It was the award she most looked the part for, although she seemed genuinely surprised. "Ok, what is going on?" she asked in amazement as she was handed the trophy. Message boards all over the web have filled up with posts by outraged Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera fans who want to send Faith back to Nashville. Regardless, the award nominees were compiled from sales data from Radio & Records and Soundscan, and voted on my 20,000 music fans nationwide.
It has become customary for the McGraws to take home a pair of trophies at the various award shows, and tonight was no different. Following his wife's win for Female Country Performer, Tim McGraw beat out George Strait and Alan Jackson for Favorite Male Country Performer. "Music has been a good friend of mine for a long time, and it's brought me a lot of things in my life," said McGraw as he accepted the award, going on to thank his wife and the many friends he's made in the industry. Backstage the couple told reporters they were going out for sushi to celebrate. "I wanted Italian, she wanted sushi. She won more than me so....." grinned McGraw.
The Dixie Chicks, who were not present at the ceremony, took home the award for Favorite Band, Duo, or Group in Country Music. Billy Gilman showed wisdom beyond his 12 years when he accepted his award for Favorite New Country Artist, quickly whipping the balcony of fans into a frenzy. "Most of all, I want to thank you guys!" he called out, pointing to the rafters. He now has become "the youngest country artist ever to win an AMA." LeAnn Rimes, who won the same category at 14, formerly held that title. Rimes, in a classy white satin pantsuit, was a presenter on the show, and was accompanied by her boyfriend, actor Andrew Keegan. The two were caught smooching during an audience cutaway. And although his music is far from country, Kid Rock deserves a mention for his win for Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist. During his acceptance speech he thanked those who'd influenced him, including Hank Williams, Jr., and George Jones.
A three hour celebration of America's Music, broadcast live from Los Angeles's Shrine Auditorium. I'm not sure if a memo was sent out to all participants asking them to "pop" up their songs and dress, or if the prevailing theory was "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Regardless of how it happened, music fans are still going to have to go to the country sections to buy music by Faith Hill, Lonestar, and SHeDAISY. And when the cash registers ring, country will get the credit for the sale. But thank goodness for Tim McGraw and Kix Brooks, both proudly sporting their cowboy hats in the front row. Now, that is American Music.