Country Music News Source

Scandal: It’s not just for tabloids anymore.

In fact, we had only to watch our beloved CMT in 2006 to witness some of the biggest entertainment shockers of the year.   Who needs La Lohan when you have La Evans? Who cares about a couch-jumping Scientologist when you have a rehab-returning Aussie? Yep – the eyes of the world were on country music this year, like it or not. My eyes were always on my In Box, as the most unbelievable parade of subject lines appeared, courtesy some busy (and no doubt mortified) publicists. Some of my most memorable – if not fond – memories:

Divas Behaving Badly: Wy, oh Wy?

I knew the year would not end well when our pal Wynonna took the press room stage at the CMT Music Awards in May. When asked about up-and-coming artist Carrie Underwood, Wy replied, “Let me say I haven’t heard a lot of Carrie’s stuff… “ and proceeded to refer to country as “vanilla.” Adding to the sting of that slap was her remark that looks have taken over as the most important attribute of a new artist. My fellow journalists and I looked at each other in horror: she didn’t just say that Carrie Underwood was vanilla eye candy, did she??” Indeed it seemed so. Until Wy interrupted award-winner Carrie’s time onstage to declare that of COURSE she hadn’t meant that Carrie was “vanilla.” Grin for cameras, put arm around your competition, and hope to head off disaster. Click.

As we know all too well, this was not the last time an artist who should have known better dissed one of the most talented women in music. But more on that later.

When You Were Cheating: Dancing With the Devil

When I interviewed Sara Evans in the summer, she seemed in rare form: Calm, poised, and very confident. Did it have something to do with her adoring hubby, Craig, standing to the side of the camera and watching her every move? Indeed, she divulged in the interview, “Tim and Faith ain’t got nothing on us!” Further, she said, the couple would “never, ever consider breaking up.” Rule #1 when you’re in the public eye? Never say never. Alas, the biggest scandal of the year followed just a few short months later, in the middle of Sara’s stint on Dancing With the Stars, as Sara publicly quit the highly rated show, accusing Craig of cheating – with her best friend, the nanny, no less – and of pornography addiction. Even the geniuses behind Law and Order couldn’t make this stuff up. I just hope the couple’s three kids escape unscathed – which could only happen if they never learned to use the internet.

Stupid Boy: Keith Urban’s Busy Year

The year began with KiCole sightings all over Nashville. I was among those combing the local flea markets and restaurants for a glimpse of superstar couple Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman. Keith went from denying any relationship at all in 2005 to getting hot and heavy with the ex-Mrs. Cruise in early ’06. Were wedding bells far off, we all asked? Seems they weren’t – the couple tied the knot June 24^th, and they and their paparazzi haven’t spent a day apart since.

I should have known there was trouble brewing in early October – just four months after their wedding – when I sat down with a stressed-looking Keith to talk about his new album. Far from his usual huggy, cheery self, I saw a guy who didn’t want to talk about anything but the album. I had been warned as much by his peeps before the non interview. I thought, “I guess this is what happens when you marry Hollywood royalty,” but it turns out he was living far from a fairy tale. Keith announced his decision to enter rehab just two weeks later. I hope to see the handsome Aussie’s sipping soda back in Music City soon.

T-Roy, Get Your Gun! Bear-ly Believable Behaviour

Let me start by saying I LIKE Troy Gentry. Really like him. He’s an affable guy who seems like he’d never harm a fly. A fly, no. A bear, yes. I won’t get into particulars here, mostly because they kind of make me sick. But let’s just say that shooting a bear in captivity is never cool, no matter what. When I saw Troy in the fall, he looked a wee bit sleepless. Once again, the warning from artist peeps – this time: “No questions about the bear.” I honestly don’t know what I’d ask if I could. A slap on the wrist from a judge, and 1000 lashes with a wet harness from me, T-Roy!

Divas Behaving Badly, Part II: What the Faith?

I won’t bore you with details on this one, first, because it’s so recent, and second, because you’ve already seen the clip. Like, a million times. In fact, wasn’t this one the second biggest TV moment of ’06? The CMA Female Vocalist nominees share a screen, Brady-bunch-style, and when the shocking news is announced – Carrie Underwood pulls an upset – one nominee throws her hands up in the air and mouths, “WHAT?!” to camera. Joking or ticked? I can only guess it’s a bit of both. And my final word on the subject: Grace is highly underrated, and I’m not talking about her daughter.

Sigh. I never thought I’d say this, but after such an eventful ’06, I find myself praying for a completely boring 2007 in country music. Let Lindsay, Britney, and TomKat take the heat – and let’s hope country artists chill. Oh, yeah, and let’s make 2007 the year music mattered.

-e