NEWSStars Get Ready for CMT Awards
Apr. 13 2008, Published 1:00 p.m. ET
Country’s biggest stars are in Nashville for the CMT Awards, which take place tonight at Belmont University.
I can’t wait to meet Miley Cyrus, who is hosting with dad Billy Ray Cyrus, but so far I’ve gotten to chat with a few of country’s hottest stars during my time in the country capital.
What does performer/nominee love about the show?
“There’s a little less pressure because everybody gets to relax up their clothes and stuff and do more funky, fun performances,” she tells me. “It’s still an awards show and you want the people to like you. They’re the ones calling the shots.”
Performer/nominee Taylor Swift is trying to keep her cool.
“You can’t control awards shows. I’ve come to terms with that I can control what I say, I can control how I act, I can control what I do on the stage, but I can’t control awards shows, so I try not to get nervous about it.”
How will presenter Miranda Lambert prepare for the big night?
“It’s two hours of glam — hair and makeup, that kind of stuff. It’s not too bad actually — this is one of the most laidback awards shows that I’ve been to, so it’s sort of easy.”
Miranda’s boyfriend, nominee Blake Shelton, admits he can’t wait to line dance to the Electric Slide at the afterparty.
Performer/nominee isn’t the least bit nervous.
“I’ve been doing this since I was a baby,” she tells me. “I’m pretty much used to it by now.”
What’s presenter ’s best beauty tip?
“Take your makeup off at night, wash your face and moisturize,” she tells me.
The stars like to unwind when they can.
“After the red carpet, we’ll go try and find something to eat,” nominee Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild tells me. “That’s about as relaxed as we’ll get.”
Dad-to-be/nominee Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney hopes to golf while he’s in Nashville.
“I love golf," he tells me. “I absolutely am ate-up with golf. I would love to be playing golf every day of my life. Maybe that’s what I’ll do one of these days. Retire young and just play golf. I’m ate-up with it. I really am. I watch it all the time. I drive the guys nuts on the bus. I always have it on the golf channel 24/7. I usually play every day at home if I’ve got the time.”
Tune into the CMT Awards, which air tonight at 8 p.m./7 Central.
