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CMA awards show rouses many Christmas gift ideas
 
Rural Route Music by Bluegrass Johnson 
 
 
BITTER SWEET, Ky. — Here we are in the middle of the holiday season. If you’re like me, and I know many of you are, you’re stumped on what to get those loved ones for Christmas.
Well you can’t go wrong with a great country music selection, and I’ve done a lot of the leg work for you so you’ll have more time to decorate the tree, drink homemade eggnog and eat till you pop.
Luckily for me, the Country Music Assoc. awards show was televised a couple of weeks ago, and it gave me a wonderful opportunity to shop.
First in my basket went the lovely Miranda Lambert who won the first award of the night with Single of the Year honors for the song Automatic.
She later came back for Album of the Year honors, as well as Female Vocalist of the Year.
Lambert has one of the best voices in music today, and all of her music will make a great gift.
Next I found a great recording from the group Lady Antebellum. These folks have great harmonies and a string of hits that will make any music lover happy come Christmas morning.
For those folks who straddle the country/rock fence, I put a helping of Florida-Georgia Line in my basket of goodies.
These guys look the rock part, but they have a lot of great country in them and a lot of new country fans following them. They are also this year’s Vocal Duo of the Year.
For Blake Shelton fans, and that means most of us, he has a new album out that will look good in a bright red stocking beside a selection from Keith Urban, who plays the guitar as well as he sings. Shelton walked away with Male Vocalist of the Year for the fifth year in a row.
Song of the Year honors went to Kacey Musgrave, a relative newcomer who is quickly becoming one of the top female vocalists in country music.
By the way, she performed a great duet with country legend Loretta Lynn on the CMA show.
Speaking of country music icons, The Band Perry performed a great Glen Campbell song during the show.
These young folks sound so good together. You can’t miss with something from TBP.
For those who want music from the newest stars, Brett Eldredge, who left the CMA’s with the New Artist of the Year award, is a great choice.
For the music connoisseur who wants the biggest and best when it comes to country stars, Jason Aldean, who could make a hit out of humming, is a good bet. Tim McGraw just gets better with age.
Fashion aficionados will want to find something from Little Big Town, who not only look good but blend four voices as well as any group going. Incidentally LBT won Vocal Group of the Year.
Last but not least to go in the basket is something from Luke Bryan, who won the coveted Entertainer of the Year award, a first for one of the most recognizable voices on the radio today.
There you have it. The Christmas shopping is complete and now it’s time to enjoy a large piece of pecan pie.
All of these artists get A’s in my book, and their music will make great gifts – but please remember the reason for the season.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.
11/26/2014