The best part of the whole evening, for my money, was that Toby Keith, nominated for 7 awards (7 awards!!) came up empty-handed. Maybe he'll learn from this. Maybe he'll learn that country fans like their entertainers to be polite, couth and unassuming. People like Gentleman Jim Reeves, Vince Gill (the ever-affable, chubby cheeked kid), Randy Travis. These are the true country stars.

On the down side, Rascal Flatts won the award for Best Vocal Group. This is the group who in its latest video moons the camera. I think, Patsy, that you enjoy a good moon  as well as the next guy. Am I right? But really. It's one thing to see a moon hanging shotgun in a Chevy pick-up, and it's quite another to see one while you're trying to concentrate on a music video. I will say this about Rascal Flatts, though. They realized that they didn't deserve the award and they handed it over to Alabama, a group that is country through and through. So at least they got that right!

Speaking of Alabama, True Love, even though the awards gave us reason to believe that country music is returning back to its roots after too long a stay in control of the suits on 16th Avenue, all is not well at the Grand Ole Opry. Is there any reason you can think of why Alabama is not a member? What about the Judds? Don't you believe they deserve to be invited to join? And what about George Strait, Patsy? He should be the President of the Opry and yet he has not been asked to join. Maybe when I get up there with you I'll learn why. Nobody down here seems to have the answer.

Alan Jackson stole the show again this year, Pat. Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Vocal Event of the Year (along with Jimmy Buffet). In his humble way, Alan asked the CMA to start considering the younger and newer talents in the business when making their awards in the future. He thought, and he's got a point, that if the "old" guys keep winning all the awards, the new acts might become discouraged. And there are plenty of new guys who are keeping the tradition alive. Joe Nichols, for one. (I'm happy to tell you that he won this year's Horizon Award.) Brad Paisley for another. And on the female side of the aisle, how about Elizabeth Cook, Joy Lynn White, and Allison Moorer? I hope next year I can report that these young ladies have been rewarded for their many talents.

Song of the year this year, Patsy, "Three Wooden Crosses" by Mr. Randy Travis. I know you're happy about that. Randy has had quite a dry spell but he's one of our best.

Martin McBride repeated as Female Vocalist of the Year. I guess I'm okay with that, but sometimes I wonder about her. She introduced a simply beautiful song last night called "In My Daughter's Eyes." I loved it and hope to hear it many times over again. But I hope I NEVER hear it on a country radio station. Lush orchestration, about 40 violins (but not a single fiddle), no pedal steel. Tell me, Patsy, why did she decide to sing this song on a Country Awards show? Shouldn't she have chosen to be on VH1 instead?

Please congratulate Floyd Cramer for me on his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. A little late, I realize, but better late than never. And also send my best to Johnny Cash and congratulate him for me on his three awards: Single of the Year ("Hurt"), Music Video of the Year ("Hurt"), and Album of the Year ("American IV: The Man Comes Around.")

 So, Patsy, all in all, another good year. That makes two in a row. I'll be back a year from now with what I hope will be a progress report on the state of the music you loved so much.

My best to Hank.

-= Robert