Drop In On ‘Country Music Awards’
There are still plenty of Stetson hats and rhinestones at the “Country Music Association Awards,” but gone are the days that country music is looked down upon as music for hicks and rednecks.
It’s mainstream music now, attracting fans from Manhattan to San Francisco and beyond, and that means healthy ratings when CBS telecasts the 30th awards ceremony at 8.
Vince Gill, who is nominated in seven categories, hosts the event from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton and teen sensation LeAnn Rimes are set to perform along with Faith Hill, Kris Kristofferson, Patty Loveless, Collin Raye, Dwight Yoakam and four-time CMA Vocal Duo winners Brooks & Dunn.
Wynonna and Michael Bolton, George Strait, Diamond Rio and Martina McBride are also on the bill.
Gill, Jackson, Strait, Brooks & Dunn and Garth Brooks are the nominees for Entertainer of the Year.
Album of the year nominees are “Blue Clear Sky” (Strait); “Borderline” (Brooks & Dunn); “High Lonesome Sound” (Gill); “The Trouble With the Truth” (Patty Loveless); and “Wild Angels” (Martina McBride).
The CMA Awards, with its comfortable pace and long list of musical performances, has become one of the most watchable of the awards shows. It’s pure country (no Grammy-night crazy quilt of music) and no crudeness or controversy (as opposed to the MTV Music Awards).
Relax and enjoy.
Highlights
“Baseball,” FOX at 5: The divisional playoffs continue with a 5 o’clock game. ESPN will have two games. Teams and ESPN times to be announced.
“Ellen,” ABC at 8: One of the supposed hints that Ellen (Ellen DeGeneres) will reveal that she is a lesbian this season comes up when her parents (Alice Hirson, Steven Gilborn) announce plans to divorce. Ellen responds to the discovery that her parents have kept secret their mutual disdain by suggesting she’s been keeping a secret of her own.
“Wings,” NBC at 8: Determined to settle down and get married, Brian (Steven Weber) goes searching for the right woman. But he picks a woman who may not want to share his dream.
Red-hot Jenny McCarthy (“Singled Out”) gueststars.
“Grace Under Fire,” ABC at 9: Grace (Brett Butler) isn’t sure what to think when Quentin (Sam Horrigan) returns from a visit with his father in a sullen and withdrawn mood. Also, Russell (Dave Thomas) decides he’d fit in at an exclusive country club.
“Men Behaving Badly,” NBC at 9:30: Kevin (Ron Eldard) feels he’s lost control when Sarah (Justine Bateman) demands he replace his worn-out bed. Meanwhile, Jamie (Rob Schneider) pulls a dirty trick to gain Cherie’s (Julia Campbell) sympathy.
“Law & Order,” NBC at 10: A racially charged episode features the case of a “good” Italian college girl (Chelsea Altman) who says she was drugged and raped by a black student whom she killed in self-defense. Lt. Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson) is accused of racism in her zeal to see the white woman prosecuted.
Cable Calls
“Bubbeh Lee & Me,” HBO at 7: The latest edition of “Family Video Diaries” is Andy Abrahams Wilson’s entertaining home-video profile of his 87-year-old Jewish grandmother. It’s a candid, often humorous, snapshot with a warm and endearing message. You won’t soon forget Bubbeh Lee.
“Reasons of the Heart” (1996), USA at 9: Terry Farrell (“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”) plays a book editor who, after the death of her adoptive mother, goes searching for her biological mother. In a small town, she finds a mystery and romance in the form of a reclusive writer (Jim Davidson). Unavailable for review.
“Vice-Presidential Debate,” CNN at 6, KSPS at 9: Vice President Al Gore and challenger Jack Kemp are scheduled to meet at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. (Grids on this page were prepared before debate was scheduled).
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor Chris O’Donnell, Ally Walker (“Profiler”) and 90- and 94-year-old hat-making brothers Sam and Paul Schneider.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Comedian Nicole Sullivan and music group ZZ Top.