Let's Discuss: 5 Takeaways from the 2014 CMA Awards And What it Says About The State of Country Music

#1 Drinking, Trucks, Tight Jeans and One-Night Stands

That is all country songs are about these days. Of all of the performances, Carrie Underwood’s “Something in the Water” and The Band Perry’s cover of Glen Campbell’s “Gentle on My Mind” were some of the few that didn’t refer to getting drunk, riding in a truck, observing women in tight jeans or having one-night stands.

The redundant subject matter of current popular country was exemplified during the evening and it didn’t sound good. Hopefully it’s the wake-up call the genre needs to expand its lyrical horizons and move away from the current state of country music. A girl can dream.

#2 Predictable Winners

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton continued to dominate their nominated categories, as expected by forecasters. The CMA/ACM/CMT/ACA equivalent of the Emmy’s “Breaking Bad” fixation, Lambert and Shelton's sweeps have made the envelope opening portion of the awards fairly easy to predict. There are so many talented artists, why not spread the love more? Saddest was the continuing streak of Keith Urban going home empty-handed.

#3 Where was the Zac Brown Band?

They’re arguably one of the best bands around, period and one of the true standouts in the current state of country and their absence was certainly felt at the fete.

#4 A Little Old, A Little New

The concept sounded great on paper but some of the “new” acts weren’t country, they were pop. Kacey Musgraves and Loretta Lynn’s duet made sense, as did George Strait and Eric Church’s. Miranda Lambert’s team-up with Megan Trainor’s and Ariana Grande’s with Little Big Town?

Not so much. The least they could’ve done was had the “new” acts perform a country-fied version of their original hit. Country music shouldn't always have to make concessions and especially not on their night.

#5 Best Moments

Kacey Musgraves’ much-deserved win in the Song of the Year category for her terrific anthem “Follow Your Arrow”. It’s one of the few songs in the genre to successfully marry an infectious tune, quirky lyrical content and a thought-provoking message.

It also met with minuscule radio play. Another deserving winner was veteran quartet Little Big Town, who got more of the recognition they deserve. Helping close down the festivities in fun fashion were The Doobie Brothers, who played their signature hit "Listen to the Music” in the second to last performance of the night.

[Featured Image by CMAs/ABC]