The 2024 CMA Awards: More Pop than Country?
Last night was the 2024 CMA Awards, Country Music’s biggest night. In Uganda, it was just another morning. So there I was, munching on pancakes at day break, watching the ceremony on my heated laptop. You’d think with such a setup, the show would need to step up its game, but oh boy, did they throw me for a loop. The first hour or so felt like watching paint dry on a barn door in slow motion. George Strait, the king of country himself, looked like he’d rather be herding cattle than watching the pop-country extravaganza unfold. His face was the epitome of “I’ve heard better tunes from a harmonica played by a raccoon,” longing for the days when country was, well, actually country. Strait, bless his heart, probably thought he was at a pop concert by mistake.
Then we had performances like Megan Moroney’s, which, let’s be frank, left much to be desired. Watching it, I half expected someone to throw a red solo cup at the screen, not in tribute, but in protest. Some folks on X had a field day, calling it a performance that screamed ‘money grab’ more than ‘country music’. The new crowd in country music seems to be less about the soul of the genre and more about the size of their wallets.
However, if there was a saving grace, it was Shaboozey’s performance. Now, I’ve got my reservations about him being the face of country to some folks, but credit where it’s due, he brought some real energy to the stage. Suddenly, it was like the switch flipped from “meh” to “woah!” His song “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” was a hit, and I’m not saying this because I know the lyrics to this song, but it was wholeheartedly enjoyable. And the performance could have been stellar without the over-the-top background effects. It was like watching a good country song perform in a pop music video. Yet, despite his talent, the CMA decided to play it safe, snubbing him of an award.
The tribute to Toby Keith was another moment that left me scratching my head. Raising red solo cups is quaint, but for a man who gave so much to country music, it felt like we were toasting him goodbye at a frat party rather than honoring his legacy. Keith deserved a tribute that matched his impact, not just a round of drinks, metaphorically speaking. Anyways, cheers to you Toby Keith.
cheers to you Toby Keith
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) November 21, 2024
#CMAawards pic.twitter.com/jLymF6EZmP
The rest of the show? Well, let’s just say it was a mix of the usual suspects singing their usual songs with a sprinkle of what-the-heck-is-this-pop-country. Luke Bryan was the host, he looked great I would say, and he didn’t seem fazed by the pop invasion. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to finish working on a certain project. Bye.