CMA Awards Performances: It's Tough To Sing On Pitch, And Ronnie Dunn Explains Why

It's tough to sing at awards shows.

Nobody will dispute that, but country star Ronnie Dunn offered insight (via Facebook) as to why nationally televised ceremonies are more complicated than playing a headlining arena gig.

"Singing (on pitch) on awards shows and live television is challenging," he writes (via TOC). "I've laid my share of off pitch eggs. The audio people have countless acts to mix in quick order, one after the other. Great emphasis is put on camera angles (blocking) during pre-show 'sound checks.'"

"Almost every act is accustomed to different live audio playback systems (monitors). You, understandably don't have a choice on multi act shows. You get what you get. As a singer, your pitch is determined by what you hear. In an arena the sound reverberates / swims.... so, if you aren't hearing accurately you will most likely be 'off.' Emphasis on sound quality is a fairly recent dynamic."

Remember when the Red Hot Chili Peppers caught flak for pretending to play their guitars during this year's Super Bowl? Organizers were the ones who forced the band to abort any ideas of actual live sound, instead opting for the studio track with live vocals and muted drums.

"The sound is often mixed from a mobile facility outside," Dunn writes. "By nature, television audio can be very unforgiving."

Dunn pointed out one act in particular from Wednesday's CMAs.

"I thought it was interesting that the Doobie Brothers (historically, a great rock act) sounded so good," he writes. "Michael McDonald is one of the best vocalists in all of music but they all sounded spot on. I bet they had their own onstage, guru sound engineer. ALSO, THEY ARE JUST THAT GOOD!"

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Ronnie Dunn, CMA Awards