The Party BEFORE The Party

CMA Week in Nashville is basically one big party.  It starts on Sunday, and continues until after the awards show on Wednesday night.  Lots of parties, with SESAC and Spotify kicking things off Sunday, ASCAP on Monday, and BMI on Tuesday.  You can’t have a party in Nashville without country stars, and they’re out in full force.  Tuesday night, a bunch came out to pay tribute to legendary songwriter Dean Dillon.

We spoke with a lot of people, and judging by the comments of the women in attendance, the talk was about Casey James.  The American Idol finalist once sported shoulder-length locks.  But all that’s changed, as you can see.  We tweeted this photo Tuesday night, and it went viral.  All the retweets were from women.  We asked Casey where his hair went: “Well I left it at the house, it’s gonna show up 15 minutes after me, it’s already fixed and dry, so once I go in, it’s gonna look awesome.  It’s new.  I haven’t figured it out yet.”

Lee Brice and his pregnant wife Sara were on hand, and we talked about preparing for the new baby boy.  Lee said, “He’s rumbling around, kicking around, I think I saw his foot come through her belly the other day.  He’s hefty but sweet, she feels good, we’re excited, looking at early December, so the next five weeks will continue like it’s been going.  November 30th, I’m done, and home for a month.”  They still haven’t picked a name, at least one they’re sharing: “We’re between a couple, so we’re not sure, and if I divulge anything now, she’d pinch my butt hard, which I might like.”

Hunter Hayes was on hand to pick up an award for his first #1 “Wanted.”  It won BMI Song Of The Year, as the most-played song.  It’s also one of the Top 10 selling tracks of the year.   Justin Moore & Josh Thompson were there, fresh from the first weekend of their tour together.  Justin said: “So far so good, other than the fact that I fell off the stage twice the first night.  Other than that, it went real smooth.”  Brantley Gilbert was talking about working on new music: “Every album’s another chapter in my life, and I’m sure you’re aware of the stuff that’s gone on lately, so we’re gonna have some good stuff on there.”  Brantley said he’s going on a hunting trip after the awards:  “Next week, I’m going to Pike County IL, I’m going for 5 days, my only vacation of the year, if I don’t get a deer, I’ll stay two weeks if I have to.”

Other stars walking the red carpet: Chris Young, Josh Turner, Charlie Worsham, Tyler Farr, Dustin Lynch, The Henningsens, and newcomer Cole Swindell walking his first red carpet.  The last man to arrive was Randy Owen, lead singer for Alabama.  The group just played two sold-out shows at the Ryman, and the veteran confessed to being nervous playing the historic stage: “It’s the Ryman!  That’s the stage where my daddy listened to the Grand Ole Opry.  That’s where the great players were.  That gets to you.  I think about it too much, and I’ll forget the words.  I hope we get a chance to do something like that again.  Jeff & Teddy feel the same way.  We had a great time, and then we had a few guests Monday night: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Trisha Yearwood, and Jamey Johnson.  Jamey told me he was sick, but he saved everything he had for the song.”  As he finished, Randy was greeted by Jake Owen, who isn’t related, but is a good friend.  The two sang together on Jake’s debut album.

After the red carpet, everyone went inside the building to see George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, and Lee Ann Womack sing in tribute for the legendary songwriter Dean Dillon.  Strait has recorded over 50 of Dillon’s songs, including “Unwound,” “Ocean Front Property,” and “The Chair.”

 

 

Category: NEWS