With the
2012 American Music Awards just hours away, the buzz is high surrounding this year's event--from the anticipation of
Stevie Wonder's musical tribute to the late Dick Clark and
Taylor Swift's slated performance, to the recent news of this year's
star-studded presenters.
The Sunday, Nov. 18, event's red-carpet arrivals, however, are also
on the radar of many music fans, as are the fashion choices that this
year's attendees will don with style.
Country-star style,will
undeniably be a big focus of the genre's fans, as they--and the rest of
the 40th-anniversary show's viewers, tune in to the live broadcast
today on ABC-TV from 8-11 p.m. (ET/PT).
Country music, after all, has some of the music world's
top fashionistas, and past AMA events have demonstrated these hit-makers' unique sense of style, as illustrated by the
fashion-meets-country artist-focused slideshow embedded herein.
Thus, with that in mind,
Examiner.com asked some of today's hippest and hottest of the genre--rising newcomer
Lisa Matassa, Texas-born country artist
Ricky Lynn Gregg, celebrity-photographer
Bev Moser and Tobi Lee, the leggy and beautiful leader singer for country act
Mustang Sally--to
eye a few photos from previous AMA events and give their gut reactions,
off-the-cuff feedback and thoughtful commentary regarding the fashion
and style of some of the genre's fan favorites.
The following is some of the "Fashion Police"-styled commentary these
movers 'n' shakers provided, along with a brief description of the
referenced fashion photo. So scroll through the featured slideshow here,
if you haven't already, and enjoy the fashion play-by-play of Gregg,
Lee, Moser and Matassa.
Country
artists and industry pros share their reactions to some of the country
stars' past American Music Awards fashion choices.American Music Awards
Bev Moser: "My eyes were not sure what to
focus on: the long wrists of Meatloaf’s shirt (or blouse), the
air-freshener, flowering neckline of Reba’s dress or the drawstring on
Will’s pants. Now
there is a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen!
Ricky Lynn Gregg: "All I can say is ... '
Cha-Cha-Cha-Chia!' hair (
laughs)."
Tobi Lee: "Country music can be so emotional and deep that you feel like you have a certain
bondage with it!"
Ricky Lynn Gregg: "It actually looks like she lost the bottom half of her dress somewhere."
Lisa Matassa: "Carrie is such a natural beauty and
this short jumper showcases her enviable legs! This girl could look
great in a burlap bag!"
Bev Moser: "The metallic -mini is definitely
'dated' already; remember 'The Partidge Family'? This makes me think of
something they would have worn, including the platform shoes.
- Keith Urban and wife Nicole Kidman arrive at the 2009 American Music Awards.
Lisa Matassa:
"These two are up there with the best-looking couples of country music!
I love how Keith’s tattoo peeks out from under his shirt and Nicole
adds her own little edge with sheer strips across her gown."
Tobi Lee: "This outfit should be considered foreplay. ...Give to me your leather ... take from me my lace!"
Bev Moser: "I applaud them for keeping it simple and real! They continue to be fashion icons when it comes to dressing for the occasion."
Tobi Lee: "Somebody should have told her that the bra goes under the shirt not on the head!"
Ricky Lynn Gregg: "What's not to like? That scarf on her head, and too much rouge."
Bev Moser: "My initial draw on this photo is her
eyelashes and how they mimic the pattern of the brads on here shirt
(looks like a scarecrow). Then the scarf in her hair makes me think of
the
muscle woman on the cleaning-powder commercials from back in the day."
- Bow tie-sporting Garth Brooks, with longer locks and facial hair.
Ricky Lynn Gregg: "A slimmed down Garth,
yes. But the wide lapels and off-color bow tie, not so much."
Bev Moser: "It's been so long since I saw GB with
hair! I will give him kudos for keeping respect and attire together and
dressing the part of an award-winning artist. Garth would look good in a
burlap bag. ... (
sigh)."
Tobi Lee: "The only thing missing from this outfit is a razor and a shotgun!"
Lisa Matassa: "Both Jason and his wife look
great in this picture. I love how her simple black dress complements his
casual yet classy style."
Ricky Lynn Gregg: "Good stage outfit, digging the '70s throw-back style, but the hairdo has to go."
Lisa Matassa: "I’m a huge Shania Twain fan, and I
don’t know many people that could pull off wearing a jumpsuit like this,
but she rocks it!"
Bev Moser: "I see where Cher helped Shania pick out
this outfit--a little Indian influence, with the color and fringe.
Although Madonna obviously had input with the shiny bra. (This is)
not a country fashion statement with this outfit."
About the AMAs
In 1973 Dick Clark created the American Music Awards to pay tribute
to popular musicians from various genres of music and to put audiences
in touch with the latest phenomena in American music. Since its
founding, the AMAs have honored and showcased the talents of some of the
biggest names in the music industry. Archived footage and photography
are available upon request.
Tickets for the L.A.-based AMAs are on sale now via
www.ticketmaster.com
or by calling 1-877-234-8425. For more information about this year's
show, or to view it live online, please access the event's
official website.
