She was country when country wasn't cool, but Barbara Mandrell is happy that country music has quite a strong cool factor these days. And the music icon believes that's largely due to the singers who do a lot more than sing."I've always been one for show-business," Barbara told The Boot Wednesday on the CMA Awards red carpet. "I like performing, and I used to get criticized for having production value. But now it's all that! People need to get what they pay for! Otherwise, just listen to recorded music."
So who does Barbara think is a great, all-around entertainer? She sites two country heartthrobs.
"I'm going to the premiere of Tim McGraw's movie ['The Blind Side'], and I'm so excited. He really is an extraordinary actor, and I'm so proud of him," Barbara gushed to us. "And Kenny Chesney -- all that he puts into his show is just enormous."
But backstage at the CMAs, there was another entertainer on Barbara's mind, the CMA Entertainer of the Year.
"It'll be exciting to watch where she takes it, because she entertains you," Barbara said of the night's biggest winner, Taylor Swift.
Taylor is the youngest person to ever win the CMA's Entertainer of the Year honors and is only the seventh female artist to ever win in that category. Barbara is among those elite seven, and is the only female who's a two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year.
Reader Comments(1 of 1)
Motor Mamaat 11-13-2009
Taylor is a darling girl and a great singer. But, what's this about "if she doesn't get Entertainer of the Year now she may never get it?" If she can't get it in five years then she shouldn't get it at all. It is all in the staying power. It is in paying your dues to country music. If you can do that, then you become Entertainer of the Year. I am a fan of hers and do not mean to put her down, not at all. There is a reason there has never been a nineteen year old Entertainer of the Year. It is not a hurry up and get it award. It is a pay your dues and see if you are around five or more years from now, kind of award. I do think Taylor will be here then, I believe she has staying power, but let her gain some maturity first. Then let her win the BIG ONE!! I love you, Taylor!
CABQat 11-13-2009
I agree with you, Motor Mama. She is too young. I think she's a charming, talented young lady (although she can't sing nearly as well as she can write and I could do without all the hair tossing). But she hasn't paid her dues, and she hasn't shown she's isn't just a flash in the pan. I look at all the years Faith, Reba, or Martina have been out there on the road playing for their fans, and all of them can really sing and carry a tune! I think Album of the Year was fine, but Female Vocalist? Compared to any of the others? And Tim McGraw not getting Entertainer of the Year when he had the highest-grossing tour of all time? Just goes to show the CMAs are not really merit-driven.