Dan Cirucci: That Country Crowd

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

That Country Crowd

Watching the Academy of Country Music Awards the other night I started thinking about how many of country's current crop of stars seem inauthentic. And, I'm also troubled by the fact that these awards shows rarely showcase country's best.

For example, Dwight Yoakam was a presenter but he didn't perform. That's a shame because Dwight is one of the most electrifying country performers I've ever seem.

Thank goodness Reba McEntire hosted the event. Reba is the quintessential country star: great looks, great voice, great personality. She's got it all.

But it gets dreary watching Kenny Chesney win the "Entertainer of the Year" Award again and again. This miniature beach bum is such a shameless self-promoter that it's almost pitiful.

On the other hand Montgomery Gentry are just as they are. Troy and Eddie are irrepressible crowd pleasures and they exude so must testosterone that it restores your faith in the future of manhood.

And I always enjoy seein the beautiful Leann Rimes -- what a powerhouse. LeeAnn can sing most any type of song but she remains a country music giant. I also like another Lee Ann - the grogeous and talented Lee Ann Womack.

I was happy that Brad Paisley was honored but I wish he would do fewer novelty numbers and show us a more serious side.

And I find that Keith Urban brings an enormous amount of depth and sensitivity to his performances.

Also, Trace Adkins was in fine form and it's great to see how he has grown as an artist with a newly-diverse repertoire. His new song, "You're Gonna Miss This" is a poignant country classic.

And Garth Brooks was back (Did he ever really retire?) and regrettably as self-absorbed as ever.

But why in hell was Dr. Phil on the show? Can someone tell me what this windbag has to do with country music?

Of course, King George (Strait) doesn't really have to sing if he doesn't want to. All he has to do is show up. Any country gathering become an official EVENT when the King Is In The House!

BTW: Of the two annual country awards shows I much prefer the Country Music Association Awards from Nashville. The ACM Awards and Show are the Real Deal!

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About Dan Cirucci

He's been cited by the late Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed across all media.

He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, a Save Jersey blog columnist, frequent guest on the Matt Rooney radio show and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV.

Inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame, for many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates.

Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post, Broad and Liberty and other print and online platforms.

A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission.

He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups.

In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. There he was one of the first teachers in the country to teach African-American history to inner city students. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Cirucci's passions include all things Italian, politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel.

He and his wife Carole have two grown children and seven grandchildren.

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