The Country Music Awards show paid tribute to the dead of Las Vegas but not even lip service to the elephant in the room.
“It wasn’t the gun-control statement that many people were hoping for but were realistically never going to get. Guns, pro or con, did not come up once. But it did the cathartic job we needed it to do — even if the show took its sweet time getting to it.”
Co-host Brad Paisley said at the outset: “Tonight, we’re going to do what families do. Come together, pray together, cry together and sing together.”
He added: “The way we see it, the best way to honor our fans is to play our music loud and proud. Our music lifts people up. This year’s show is dedicated to all those we’ve lost and all those still healing. We love you, and we will never forget you.”
They also didn’t forget President Trump — whose tweets were the subject of a mocking duet by Underwood and Paisley.
Some didn’t appreciate that.
Sat down this evening to watch and enjoy the CMA show. But no, you had to ruin it right from the beginning by disrespecting OUR president. Your cd’s are going in the trash and I’ll never buy another.
— Jacquie B (@imnokla) November 9, 2017
No more CMA, Carrie Underwood, or Brad Paisley for me. They slammed our President Trump. Shame on them all! I’m done!
— faithm (@flm22) November 9, 2017
https://t.co/H1mBcmDcKa Fox & Friends goes haywire after CMA Awards mock Trump: ‘Isn’t country music supposed to be conservative?’
— David Edwards (@DavidEdwards) November 9, 2017
This is the point where I stopped watching the CMA! They could have kept it entertaining but they made it political.
Maybe after CWA’s ratings drop & Brad’s & Carrie’s record sales plummet, they’ll think before singing a song putting down our POTUS!#ThursdayThoughts https://t.co/OZugmQVTgG
— ????????GENESIS???????? (@Genesis33K) November 9, 2017
Whenever politics popped up while I was trying to watch CMA- I always turn the TV off. It’s called respect & it’s clear you have none. I’m done with CMA, NFL & Hollywood too.????
— LW Craig (@LWCraig2) November 9, 2017
I USE to love Country music…WHEN your nasty politics and disrespect to our Commander-in-Chief spills into your music- I’m Out! #CMA
— ????????TrumpsAmericaPhD (@irshroz) November 9, 2017
I’m VERY disappointed in the CMA’s last night. After the Las Vegas massacre you’d think they would have kept politics & Trump bashing out & made it a tribute event. Very shameful & disgusting. You’ll be turned off by this family! @BradPaisley @carrieunderwood
????????????????????— USAFIGHTER (@madatcorruption) November 9, 2017