Yes, I was glad they showed Randy on TV several times but he should have been performing. They had pretty much the same people performing on the CMA's as they did the ACM's earlier this year. The industry is pandering to the few who want to listen to nothing but Country Pop and ignoring those of us who want real country.

I also saw Randy in the audience last night. I would have liked to have seen him perform, or present an award. I was glad to see that he was there. Did anyone see the part of the red carpet when the stars were going into the award show? I missed the part when they talked to Randy. I did enjoy watching the show though. Hope that radio plays more of Randy's music.

The red carpet show that I watched did not show an interview with Randy. There is a picture on this site of Maureen McCormick interviewing Randy for Access Hollywood though.

You are so right dwayne. Randy is TRUE GENUINE country. Much of the other stuff is rock and pop.
Dr Don Givens

THANKS Ronda!

http://www.theboot.com/2008/11/12/cma-awards-red-carpet-pictures/

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 12: Singer Randy Travis attends the 42nd Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 12, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Randy Travis

Randy Travis and his wife Elizabeth arrive at the 42nd Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday Nov. 12, 2008 Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)

http://www.gactv.com/gac/pac_ctnt/text/0,,GAC_26058_71165,00.html?sortby...

Above is a video that GAC did of Randy & Lib on the Red Carpet. They looked so good (Especially Randy)!

Here are some more pictures...
http://www.gactv.com/gac/pac_ctnt/text/0,,GAC_26058_64959,00.html?sortby...

I agree they both look great. Does Randy ever look bad lol, nah, never. denise, cowwoman60

I totally agree with you dwayne! It was awesome to see Randy last night on the CMA's! Yes, It would have been great to see Randy sing his his new song! Randy sure would show them all, what a true Country Singer is! My husband and I were at his previous Concert and man can he ever sing totally Fantastic! We both can't wait to see him December 1st &2 in Niagara Falls!
Wendy

I couldn't agree with you more, Dwayne.

And as bad as it was, I could only sit there and think "and next year we'll probably get Kevin Costner." Just think how special that will be (not!!!).

As far as GS, I'm sorry, I don't like most of his stuff. i did like the early stuff but so much as of late sounds alike and one of our station here plays him every hour and sometimes moe. It is n wonder not everyone can get playyed.

You just don't want to get me going on him or his CD.

Randy should have been asked to perform without a doubt.

Always and forever...An RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg

ceased being country a long time ago.
Dwayne is right.There will most likely never be another Randy to rescue country music again.

It's even more steeped into the pop/rock arena then it was back in the Urban Cowboy days.
Now you have artists from other genre's being played on the radio being advertised as country. And unlike before, you now have the radio personalities who were exposed to pop music growing up, and who came over from defunct pop radio stations in positions that determine who and what gets their attention.

I really would not have a problem with these artists being played. IF it was NOT AT THE EXCLUSION OF THE GENUINE COUNTRY ARTISTS SUCH AS RANDY to enable these others (fakes) to be heard and have success.
As long as this continues ,our hopes of anything even remotely TRADITIONAL COUNTRY returning to mainstream radio is slim to none. Dee

It was great to see Randy at the awards. He definately should have performed, and been nominated for and one Song of the Year. As far as album. sorry, I cheered for George Strait! He is the King, even though Randy ties him in my heart and eyes! Randy really does need to be recognized so much more than he gets. Real country doesn't come around often enough anymore. Randy, George Strait and Alan Jackson are keeping it alive for us true fans though. Lets keep supporting all three, more to Randy obviously because he is soo great!, but maybe, if we all keep requesting and calling the radio stations, we can get them played and recognized more. It has to be us fans that step up and make the calls to the radio stations to play more Randy!

As far as I am concerned there is only one King and his name is not George.

Sorry Traywick78 but in my heart Randy Rules. George is not king in my eyes by any means. Randy Rules.

The station here, one of them anyway, plays GS once an hour whether fans request him or not; it is no wonder others like Randy can't get played. Most annoying.

Always and Forever...An RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg

I have one of George Straits CD's, and many other artists CD's, but I always find myself listening to Randy way more than any of the others that I have. If I am going to get another CD, if Randy doesn't have anything out at the time, I have a hard time choosing one. When he does have something new out, I will skip everyone else that I like and get his. Randy is and always will be my #1 favorite artist to listen to.

I can't count the number of times I have called or emailed my local stations to request Randy's current single. You get a comment (if your lucky enough to get through when you call) such as "I'll see if I can dig it out for you". Then nothing happens. You keep listening, waiting for your song. Before you know it, that dj has ended his/her segment and a new one comes on. But your still waiting for your request to be fullfilled. It is so frustrating. While other artists gets played without even having to be requested.

It makes you wonder just what is going on. Why the preferential treatement for George Strait? What makes him so special to radio people? When GS who is supposedly just as country as Randy. Older then Randy (if age is a consideration) Yet he gets played without hesitation.

Randy on the other hand is pushed out to pasture even though he is recording some of the best country material out there. Even in his gospel albums. Dee

Hey Traywick 78
Im not feeling the love for Randy!! I like George Strait, but "Troubadour" is no way better then "Around the Bend", its not even close. Randy got snubbed by the CMAS. Its really becoming a joke when Kid Rock performs and Randy just sits there and watches. Did you hear Taylor Swift perform? If you did, I hope you heard the same thing I did, she was down right awful. Randy sat there and country music suffered greatly. I guess next year we'll get 50 cents and Snoop Dog. At least George keeps it country. Thanks to Randy, Josh Turner and Alan Jackson for keeping it country also.
Dwayne

I don't think she is anywhere near as bad sounding as that lady that is part of the Sugarland duo. I litterly mute the TV everytime she comes on. Ditto for the radio. She is worse than awful.
And that guy on the Opry the other night... Randy Houser? Please Nashville, send that guy back home. He was down right horrible.
Then to hear him sing so poorly then announce that first single has landed in the top #20 while Randy's beautiful ballad and pitch perfect delivery of "Dig Two Graves" isn't even able to crack the top 40 on Billboard. Go figure! Dee

Dee, i agree with you on all that you said but i quit figuring long ago (lol). I somehow don't seem to come out with the same figures radio and Nashville do. I still think the perfect airing on GAC would have been to include all of Randy's performanes (songs and joke) and any time left could have been given to Josh, not those others.

But, unfortunately, no one asked you or me.

Always and Forever...An RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg

At least Jennifer Nettles can sing on key. Taylor was just plain awful. It hurt to listen to her. It's more than obvious that they pretty up her vocals for her CD.

I didn't think Taylor was that bad but certainly not good either. I only wish i could understand half her words, especially this last song "Love Story. It is almost as though she doesn't even open her mouth.
Maybe it's me, I don't know.

I've never liked anything Jennifer and group have put out.

always and Forever...n RT Fan
linda and Guide, Greg

Here's my opinion of the two. Jennifer can sing amazingly well, "Stay" is one of the best songs IMO. I saw Jennifer (Sugarland) in concert last month when Kellie Pickler was opening for them and they were really good. They might have a little Pop/Rock edge to them like when they do cover songs they are normally old rock songs plus "All I Wanna Do" and "Everyday America" might be a little "Bubblegum pop", but over all they are a pretty country group. I think Jennifer has more of a "twang" in her voice than a lot of the singers today, plus she sings on key (unlike Taylor).

Taylor on the other hand is just popular because of teenage girls and although I am technically a teenager, I am not a fan at all. All her songs are about the same subject: teenage relationships and breakups and she can not sing very well live. I had the unfortunate opportunity to see her last year on the Brad Paisley tour when Kellie Pickler was on it (Kellie was the only reason I went, although I do like Brad too). But Taylor sounded horrible and her opening song was a rap song. The only people standing up were of coarse, teenagers.

In closing, I am glad there are still people like Randy, Josh Turner, Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins, Toby Keith, George Strait, Martina McBride, Kellie Pickler, and the other more traditional artists out there. Because that's pretty much all I listen too.

Sara