Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Last week didn’t only mark the CMA Video Awards, highlighted by Carrie Underwood’s victory for top video of the year (“Cowboy Casanova”).

It also kicked off the CMA Music Fest, which ran through Sunday and reportedly gave a boost to businesses hard hit by flooding that struck Nashville last month.

According to the CMA Web site, average daily attendance at this year’s four-day event jumped from 56,000 to 65,000 and ticket sales were up 16.7 percent.

Half the proceeds from the event go to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to aid flood victims in need.

Thursday’s concert included performances by Danny Gokey and Carrie Underwood. Sunday’s concert featured Kellie Pickler.

Of course, plenty of other country stars performed as well, including Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw and Keith Urban.

Here are the photos AP provided of Kellie and Carrie. Sorry, Gokey fans. AP didn’t provide photos of his show. Maybe next year.

Oh, and if you missed this, you should check it out. The Los Angeles Times recently ranked 120 former American Idol contestants. Yep, 120.

Carrie checked in at number two behind … who else? … Kelly Clarkson. Pickler picked up the number 16 spot. Not bad for a gal who finished sixth in season five.