Country Knows How to Party

I'm Last night I had the privilege of attending the CMT Awards and it was quite the night. Me, the girl who doesn't like country, knew a majority of the songs and was dancing all night. Being two feet from the stage and seeing it all for free was amazing. If I'm being honest the best part was seeing Billy Ray Cyrus' luscious locks up close. 

The performances were pretty spot on, and the jokes were mildly comical. The fact that I got to see Keith Urban and Jake Owen debut their singles was quite an amazing thing. I would have to say that Jake Owen performance of Real Life was by far my favorite. Jake got everyone so hype and he performed really well as he glided across the stage. Luke Bryan comes in with a close second due to the fact that he really knows how to work a crowd, and well he is Luke Bryan. The girls around me were crying over Sam Hunt and Jason Aldean, which I can't blame them because I've done my share of crying over famous singers. Being so close paid off when Sam Hunt came out into the crowd during his performance, I got to snap a quick selfie. 

This picture even got me on national television and the big screen in the arenas when the cameras were filming. It was a pretty great moment if you ask me.

I was for sure blown away by all of the people performing and how gracious they were of their fans helping them achieve all that they have. The nights big winner, Carrie Underwood, seemed so surprised that she kept winning. I sure wasn't surprised, she is a solid 20 out of 10 in all aspects. 

I really had an amazing time at the CMT Awards, and I can't wait to go back next year and experience it all over again. Thanks again to Audience Company Nashville for giving me the chance to go! I'd give this award show experience a Rainna Rating of 20/10. 

Here are some pictures I got of the presenters and performers! 

Lady Antebellum opening the show.

Lady Antebellum with guest Zedd.

Chip Esten and Chris Carmack, stars of ABC's Nashville.

Reba 

Little Big Town presenting Female Video of the Year

Carrie Underwood accepting on the behalf of Miranda Lambert for their song, Somethin' Bad.

Luke Bryan performs Kick The Dust Up

Carrie Underwood performs Little Toy Guns

Tod Arnold and Arnold Schwarzenegger 

Keith Urban performs his new single John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16

Jake Owen performs Real Life.

CMT Awards

I may not be the biggest fan of country music, but I am super pumped for the opportunity to go to the CMT Awards on Wednesday! Thanks to Audience Company Nashville, I picked up my wristband to sit on the floor among a plethora of fans and celebrities. Some of the biggest names in music will be hitting the stage in Nashville and I am so excited to be able to witness it all live, instead of on TV. There are so many talented artists performing and nominated for awards that I think I will barely be able to control myself. I think I'm most excited to see Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban perform, and I'm sure if you listen closely you will be able to hear my screams on TV. 

Nashville is such an accessible place, with limitless opportunities to see amazing artists. If you want the opportunity to see the awards just like me, you can go to the 6th Avenue entrance of the Bridgestone Arena on Monday 6/8 at 10am, Tuesday 6/8 at 3pm, Wednesday 6/10 at 8am. If you're doing this you must carry a photo ID, and I REALLY suggest getting there early or you may be down the block in line. It will be worth the wait for sure. I can't wait, and I hope you get to see my shining face on TV. 

Check out Audience Company Nashville on Twitter at AudCoNashville and on Instagram at AudienceCompanyNashville

Sam Smith Nashville

Sam Smith came back to Nashville better than ever, hitting up the Grand Olde Opry and stood on the infamous circle. I was lucky to stand in the crowd and witness this amazing man hit every note with ease. Opening with my personal favorite, Life Support, the crowd was in awe but they were singing along with every word. There were people of every age and race and the crowd absolutely adored him. The entire show was an inside look of his process of writing, and how much it utterly sucked to literally be, in the lonely hour. He prides himself on the fact he writes all of his music and how much he has progressed as an artist, hoping that his old and dishonest music never gets to see the light of day.
Behind him stood a full band, three backup singers and a cellist and they assisted in the beauty of the music. Smith seemed extremely thankful for every member of the band and never forgot to lot the crowd know of his gratitude. During the show, it was hard to not realize how much gratitude Sam has for his fans, as he continued to thank everyone for their support and for getting his album to number two in the United States. He was humorous, throwing in a joke here and there about how his album was just a sad album and he hopes to God the next one won't be as painful to write. I am sure that as a song writer, to write such an emotionally powerful album, you have to go through lots of heartache to come out with something as well done as he did.
I must admit, that I shed a few tears during the show, just in awe of the effortless talent. Closing out the show with his most famous hit, Stay With Me, fans cheered louder than ever and it was extremely bittersweet. To me, the greatest moment is when the artist steps on stage and the worst is when they step off. This seemed to prove true when Sam left, it was over so quickly and the audience almost seemed heartbroken. Maybe if I think about the pain I felt when he left the stage, I could write half the album Sam Smith did. Now we must wait for another masterpiece from the man himself, and sit through many, lonely hours.