Taylor Swift's CMA Entertainer Win Has Stars Divided

I think a lot of people today don't understand what it means to "pay their dues" in Country music. How many smoke-filled bars has Taylor sung in for years on end? How long has she plied her craft while nearly starving to death? How long has she been working to get her songs listened to by Nashville only to be told, "Sorry, not good enough"?
For far too long this was the road to fame in Nashville. Now, with people such as Taylor Swift and most others newcomers, these "artists" start off as mere children getting lucrative contracts because the studio execs think they can bring in big bucks from teeny boppers.
The "Old Timers" of Country know what it means to "pay their dues". They have all done so in many ways for many years before ever getting any real recognition. Let Taylor follow the same route and see where she gets.
Sure, Leeann Rimes started young, but she had REAL TALENT and a voice that sang to the gods, which TS does NOT have. Leeann Rimes on one hand, Taylor Swift on the other. Hmmm, no contest there. Leeann every time.

Wow! Unbelievable! I have read all of your comments. It's not about being petty, jealous, or hating her or her accomplishments and there has been many and my hat's off to her. Yes, she had a multitude of congratulations. Ask the Dixie Chicks what happens when you speak the truth. Now Wynonna Judd is speaking the truth and look how you want to label her. LeAnn Rimes isn't supposed to sound like Patsy Cline, she is LeAnn Rimes, unique.

Roll model? Yes. I commend her for following her dreams and that's telling the 6 to 13+ year olds that dreams can come true. They understand the tiny boppers - bubble gum - pop genre music industry.

jesimoore says 6000 members voted to make Taylor the "Female Vocalist of the Year" and "Entertainer of the Year", not some elite group in Norway that selected her. Yes, they did. well, I am sure glad the elite group in Norway got it right.

Only one poster, Richard, hit the nail on the head. Not only did her fans, and the media put her where she is, so did Kanye West. Country music folks are just like Texas, "DON'T MESS WITH IT!"

It was gracious of Beyonce' to share the stage with Taylor to let her finish her acceptance speech, but she could not repair the damage that Kanye had done. As a result, 6000 SYMPATHETIC members, okay 5999, :) gave Taylor Awards earlier than they should have.

After reading "Taylor Swift Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, She will be around a long time with more awards to come.

Congratulations! President Barack Obama from Norway and Taylor Swift from the CMA's.

For those of you who don’t understand why Taylor Swift is so popular, its beause she’s simply the total package! She may not be the best song writer but, she’s real and it comes from her heart! She may not be the best actress but, she’s great to watch! She may not be the best performer but, she is beautiful! And about not having the best voice, didn’t somebody say the same thing about Bob Dylan? Being real and the total package didn’t hurt his career much. So Taylor Swift, you go girl!

I saw Taylor live at the Bluebird before she'd even gotten signed and she blew me away...voice, songs, poise. She definitely had something, far above the other unsigned writers, and she still does. I do wish Liz Rose would get more credit for TS's ascent, but look at the songs TS has written solo. She expresses being a teen in a fresh, honest way that WORKS.

Get over it. She's an artist.

live4dalejr8 - nothing against any of the other acts she was up against. All are great performers and yes Kenny Chesney is a touring machine, I have seen him and enjoyed his show. in fact I have seen all the entertainer of the year nominees in concert.
I guess I just don't understand why some petty little people can hate this girl so much (or Miley Cyrus). Are you that jealous that these girls have accomplished more before their 20th birthday than you will achieve in your lifetime? She is talented and sweet, she doesn't have a spiteful bone in her body (unlike some on this blog) and I am happy to have my 6 year old daughter look up to her and I wish her continued success.

All you old farts need to get over yourselves. Like it or not, Taylor is country music and she is going to be around for a very long time. I don't understand why everyone is so upset about this win for entertainer of the year. She beat the hell out of everyone in this category with the exception of concert ticket sales. Album sales - crushed them, airplay - ditto, music downloads? even if you added all the other nominees music downloads together - she still had over 1 million more. On her headlining tour she sold out every show in minutes. She is the future - this won't be her last award so get used to seeing her onstage accepting awards

If your over 21 years old, her music is too
young for you.

I think Taylor is an amazingly sweet person. That's what she comes off as anyway, not that I know her personally. But putting her age aside, I think they should have looked at the ticket sales and stage presence a little more before they voted. I think Kenny actually had the most ticket sales. I was a little more disapointed in the female vocalist win than entertainer of the year. A great writer she is but the other ladies she was up against in that category have pretty amazing vocals.

I have loved country music for over 45 years. I grew up with country music. I do not believe that Taylor Swift is "country". She is a very talented young woman. The entertainer of the year is someone who is country music's leader, she sells out to crowds the average age of 12 yrs old. Oh, yea the moms and dads go along and are happy that their kids are not listening to some crazying screaming band, but she is not what country is about. Yes the vote came from the CMA group, but can you say pay off. She is selling out concerts, on TV and various other money making venters, who wouldn't want to be on that team.

I don't watch SNL anymore, but I did not know about the skits. Listen, we know if there is sex involved, people will watch. At 19, can't she just enjoy her age? She will be a woman for a lot longer than being this awesome young age.
She got pulled into doing the skits, she is young and of course thinks she is unstoppable (I did too at that age).
It's kinda like the Molly Ringwald thing perhaps. Oh well, everyone be happy and have a good day.