Dixie Chicks won five Grammys, Carrie Underwood won three Grammys, and Vince Gill, Bon Jovi featuring Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Skaggs, and Randy Travis each won a Grammy (Feb 11) at The 49th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS.
Dixie Chicks won all five categories in which they were nominated: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Country Album, and Country Performance by a Group or Duo With Vocal. Carrie Underwood one for Best New Artist, Country Song, and Female Country Vocal Performance. Vince Gill won Male Country Vocal Performance, while Bon Jovi featuring Jennifer Nettles won Country Colloboration with Vocals. Album of the Year: “Taking the Long Way,” Dixie Chicks
Record of the Year: “Not Ready to Make Nice,” Dixie Chicks
Song of the Year: “Not Ready to Make Nice,” Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines , Emily Robison and Dan Wilson (Dixie Chicks)
Female R&B Vocal Performance: “Be Without You,” Mary J. Blige Mary J. Blige
Pop Vocal Album: “Continuum,” John Mayer
Pop Collaboration With Vocals: “For Once in My Life,” Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder
Rap Album: “Release Therapy,” Ludacris
R&B Album: “The Breakthrough,” Mary J. Blige
Traditional Pop Vocal Album: “Duets: an American Classic,” Tony Bennett
Female Pop Vocal Performance: “Ain’t No Other Man,” Christina Aguilera
Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: “My Humps,” Black Eyed Peas
Pop Instrumental Performance: “Mornin’,” George Benson (& Al Jarreau)
Pop Instrumental Album: “Fingerprints,” Peter Frampton
Rock Instrumental Performance: “The Wizard Turns On … ,” the Flaming Lips
Rock Song: “Dani California,” Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Solo Rock Vocal Performance: “Someday Baby,” Bob Dylan
Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: “Dani California,” Red Hot Chili Peppers
Hard Rock Performance: “Woman,” Wolfmother
Metal Performance: “Eyes of the Insane,” Slayer
Alternative Music Album: “St. Elsewhere,” Gnarls Barkley
Dance Recording: “Sexy Back,” Justin Timberlake and Timbaland
Electronic/Dance Album: “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” Madonna
Rap Solo Performance: “What You Know,” T.I.
Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: “Ridin,” Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone
Rap/Sung Collaboration: “My Love,” Justin Timberlake featuring T.I.
Rap Song: “Money Maker,” Christopher Bridges and Pharrell Williams (Ludacris featuring Pharrell)
Urban/Alternative Performance: “Crazy,” Gnarls Barkley
Male R&B Vocal Performance: “Heaven,” John Legend
R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: “Family Affair,” (Sly and the Family Stone), John Legend, Joss Stone With Van Hunt
Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: “God Bless the Child,” George Benson and Al Jarreau featuring Jill Scott
R&B Song: “Be Without You,” Johnta Austin, Mary J. Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox and Jason Perry (Mary J. Blige)
Contemporary R&B Album: “B’Day,” Beyonce
Traditional Blues Album: “Risin‚Äò With the Blues,” Ike Turner
Contemporary Blues Album: “After the Rain,” Irma Thomas
Female Country Vocal Performance: “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” Carrie Underwood
Male Country Vocal Performance: “The Reason Why,” Vince Gill
Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: “Not Ready to Make Nice,” Dixie Chicks
Country Collaboration With Vocals: “Who Says You Can‚Äòt Go Home,” Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles
Country Instrumental Performance: “Whiskey Before Breakfast,” Bryan Sutton and Doc Watson
Country Song: “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” Brett James, Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson (Carrie Underwood)
Bluegrass Album: “Instrumentals,” Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder
Contemporary Jazz Album: “The Hidden Land,” Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
Jazz Instrumental Solo: “Some Skunk Funk,” Michael Brecker
Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group: “The Ultimate Adventure,” Chick Corea
Large Jazz Ensemble Album: “Some Skunk Funk,” Randy Brecker With Michael Brecker, Jim Beard, Will Lee , Peter Erskine, Marcio
Jazz Vocal Album: “Turned to Blue,” Nancy Wilson
Instrumental Composition: “A Prayer for Peace,” John Williams, composer (John Williams), from “Munich – Soundtrack”
Instrumental Arrangement: “Three Ghouls,” Chick Corea, arranger (Chick Corea), from “The Ultimate Adventure”
Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): “For Once in My Life,” Jorge Calandrelli, arranger (Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder), from “Duets: an American Classic”
Gospel Performance: “Victory,” Yolanda Adams
Gospel Song: “Imagine Me,” Kirk Franklin (Kirk Franklin)
Rock or Rap Gospel Album: “Turn Around,” Jonny Lang
Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: “Wherever You Are,” Third Day
Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album: “Glory Train,” Randy Travis
Traditional Gospel Album: “Alive in South Africa,” Israel and New Breed
Contemporary R&B Gospel Album: “Hero,” Kirk Franklin
Short Form Music Video: “Here It Goes Again,” OK Go
Long Form Music Video: “Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run,” Bruce Springsteen
Producer of the Year, Classical: Elaine Martone
Classical Album: “Mahler: Symphony No. 7,” Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor, Andreas Neubronner, producer (San Francisco Symphony)
Orchestral Performance: “Mahler: Symphony No. 7,” Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor (San Francisco Symphony)
Opera Recording: “Golijov: Ainadamar: Fountain of Tears,” Robert Spano, conductor, Kelley O‚ÄòConnor and Dawn Upshaw; Valerie Gross and Sid McLauchlan, producers (Women of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)
Choral Performance: “Part: Da Pacem,” Paul Hillier, conductor (Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir)
Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra): “Messiaen: Oiseaux Exotiques (Exotic Birds),” John McLaughlin Williams, conductor; Angelin Chang (Cleveland Chamber Symphony)
Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra): “Chopin: Nocturnes,” Maurizio Pollini
Chamber Music Performance: “Intimate Voices,” Emerson String Quartet
Small Ensemble Performance: “Padilla: Sun of Justice,” Peter Rutenberg, conductor (Los Angeles Chamber Singers‚Äò Cappella)
Classical Vocal Performance: “Rilke Songs,” Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (Peter Serkin), track from Lieberson: Rilke Songs, The Six Realms, Horn Concerto
Classical Contemporary Composition: “Golijov: Ainadamar: Fountain of Tears,” Osvaldo Golijov (Robert Spano)
Classical Crossover Album: “Simple Gifts,” Bryn Terfel (London Voices; London Symphony Orchestra)
Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: “Walk the Line,” Joaquin Phoenix and Various Artists
Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: “Memoirs of a Geisha,” John Williams, composer
Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: “Our Town (From Cars),” Randy Newman ( James Taylor )
Musical Show Album: “Jersey Boys”
Musical Album for Children: “Catch That Train,” Dan Zanes and Friends
Comedy Album: “The Carnegie Hall Performance,” Lewis Black
New Age Album: “Amarantine,” Enya.
Traditional Folk Album: ”
We Shall Overcome ‚Äî the Seeger Sessions,” Bruce Springsteen
Contemporary Folk/Americana Album: “Modern Times,” Bob Dylan
Latin Pop Album (tie): “Adentro,” Arjona. “Limon Y Sal,” Julieta Venegas
Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album: “Amar Es Combatir,” Mana
Tropical Latin Album: “Directo Al Corazon,” Gilberto Santa Rosa
Mexican/Mexican-American Album: “Historias De Mi Tierra,” Pepe Aguilar
Tejano Album: “Sigue El Taconazo,” Chente Barrera
Norteno Album: “Historias Que Contar,” Los Tigres Del Norte
Banda Album: “Mas Alla Del Sol,” Joan Sebastian
Latin Jazz Album: “Simpatico,” the Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmieri Project
Native American Music Album: “Dance With the Wind,” Mary Youngblood
Hawaiian Music Album: “Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar ‚Äî Live From Maui,” Various Artists
Reggae Album: “Love Is My Religion,” Ziggy Marley
Traditional World Music Album: “Blessed,” Soweto Gospel Choir
Contemporary World Music Album: “Wonder Wheel,” the Klezmatics
Polka Album: “Polka in Paradise,” Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra
Spoken Word Album for Children: “Blah Blah Blah: Stories About Clams, Swamp Monsters, Pirates and Dogs,” Bill Harley
Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books and Story Telling). (Tie): “Our Endangered Values: America‚Äòs Moral Crisis (Jimmy Carter),” Jimmy Carter. “With Ossie and Ruby: In This Life Together (Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee ),” Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee
Recording Package: “10,000 Days,” Adam Jones, art director (Tool)
Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: “Stadium Arcadium,” Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith and Matt Taylor , art directors (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Album Notes: “If You Got to Ask, You Ain‚Äòt Got It!” Dan Morgenstern, album notes writer (Fats Waller)
Historical Album: “Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922”
Engineered Album, Classical: “Elgar: Enigma Variations; Britten: the Young Person‚Äòs Guide to the Orchestra, Four Sea Interludes,” Michael Bishop, engineer (Paavo Jarvi and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra)
Engineered Album, Non-Classical: “At War With the Mystics,” the Flaming Lips and Dave Fridmann, engineers (The Flaming Lips)
Remixed Recording, Non-Classical: “Talk (Thin White Duke Mix),” Jacques Lu Cont, remixer (Coldplay)
Surround Sound Album: “Morph the Cat,” Darcy Proper, surround mastering
The show began with one of the most famous rock bands, the Police. The trio of Stewart Copeland, Sting and Andy Summers quelled early reunion rumors with a tremendous, uplifting rendition of their classic hit song, “Roxanne,” proving that the passage of time has not dimmed their awesome talents. Accompanied by a massive groove, Sting’s voice hit all the mighty high notes, Summers’ familiar reggae guitar lines soared through the auditorium, and Copeland blasted the song’s Afro-Cuban influenced beat with typical rhythmic glee. Updating the arrangement with a dubbed out space jam mid-song, the Police couldn’t stop the entire auditorium from joining them in the song’s driving chorus.
Introduced by the legendary Joan Baez, who referred to them as “three brave women,” the Dixie Chicks performed their charged “Not Ready To Make Nice.” Led by Natalie Maines, fellow Chicks Emily Robison and Martie Maguire pulled off an almost defiant performance that climaxed in the song’s powerful, impassioned chorus, a statement of intent that pulled the heartstrings of the worldwide Grammy audience.
Proving that she is everything ‚Äî superstar, soul/hip-hop queen, and dream girl of hearts ‚Äî Beyonc√© performed “Listen,” from the Dreamgirls soundtrack. Accompanied by a full string section, Beyonc√© soared through the song’s lyrical imagery and emotional lyrics, capturing the crowd with a one-of-a-kind performance.
Prefacing his “What Goes Around Comes Around” with a prerecorded video statement, Justin Timberlake called the track “the best song I have written so far,” saying that “it just flowed out.” Timberlake proved that he didn’t need to work the stage either, initially performing the song on upright piano before finally taking center stage with a mini-cam, which he used to shoot his own performance, up close and personal.
Introduced by an “overjoyed” Stevie Wonder, who described them as “three overwhelmingly incredible artists,” the Grammys presented the first medley of the night with Corinne Bailey Rae, John Legend and John Mayer (who only moments later, won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album). Rae began the medley with her lovely “Like A Star,” plucking her acoustic guitar as her large smile showered the crowd with radiance. Joined by Mayer’s stinging guitar licks, the song rose dramatically to include Legend on piano, stage left. He sang his powerful ballad, “Coming Home.” Rae and Mayer joined in on harmony vocals, before the duo helped Mayer with his incendiary “Gravity.” Midway through the song Mayer delivered a ripping Stevie Ray Vaughan inspired solo, which closed the set and brought down the house.
Adorning the stage with her magnificent presence, Shakira arrived at the Grammys in full regalia, including a dozen gold-clad dancers and one of the song’s co-songwriters, Wyclef Jean. Performing “Hips Don’t Lie,” Shakira danced, pranced and shook her wild thing. Not to be outdone by his belly dancing compatriot, Wyclef back-flipped and tumbled, singing all the while.
Who else but Gnarls Barkley would have the genius to take the GRAMMY stage as two escapees from “Fantasy Island”? Dressed as airline pilots, circa 1978, Gnarls Barkley’s Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse began “Crazy” solo and in the round, performing on a small stage in the middle of the Grammy audience. Cee-Lo then walked down the aisle to the main stage, where he was joined by Danger Mouse (on piano), a 16-piece orchestra, an orange-jumpsuit clad female choir and a kicking rock quartet.
Queen of soul Mary J. Blige was ready to work the crowd performing both “Be Without You” and “Stay With Me” accompanied by a full orchestra adorned in classic nightclub production values. Explaining that she is “in love,” Blige, dressed in immaculate white, delivered a typically stirring performance filled with sincerity, honesty and her trademark soul-stirring, floor-pounding gospel infused shouts before closing the song with a powerful high note that showered the attendees like sweet rain.
Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts joined for an amazing country tribute, covering the songs of Bob Wills and the Eagles. Underwood, whose mighty pipes recalled a cross between Reba and Tammy Wynette, paid her respects to the great Wills by performing his “San Antonio Rose” as an overhead video screen showed clips of the country innovator. Rascal Flatts followed with a blazing version of “Hotel California,” adding serious country twang to the Eagles’ well-worn tale of L.A. cynicism. Then, Underwood performed “Desperado,” turning its gentle imagery into a power rock showcase, before Rascal Flatts returned to belt out an amazing “Life In The Fast Lane.”
Performances by Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie and Christina Aguilera proved that old-school soul still lives, with upstart Chris Brown doing his best Olympic calisthenics for the younger crowd. His voice sweet and soulful, Smokey sang his classic “Tracks Of My Tears,” followed by Lionel’s ’80s hit “Hello.” Chris Brown arrived in a hail of smoke, flames and dancers wearing Slipknot worthy masks. Singing “Run It,” Brown dueled with dancers, performed handstands and bounced off a trampoline in the Grammys prime-time example of sports as music. The mighty Aguilera delivered a memorable, perhaps legendary, performance of James Brown’s “It’s A Man’s World.”
Mary J. Blige ret
urned to the stage for a performance of “Runaway Love” with Best Rap Album Grammy winner Ludacris featuring R&B greats Earth, Wind & Fire. Pounding the crowd as Blige offered emotional diversion, Ludacris was soon joined by a group holding candles and singing the song’s refrain.
Everyone’s favorite returning soldier, James Blunt, gave a note-perfect rendition of “You’re Beautiful,” accompanied by only an acoustic grand piano and his lone guitar. Showered in white light, the bearded Blunt sang with purpose and clarity, a folk poet bathed in a shimmering glow.
The “My Grammy Moment” talent find of the year, Robyn Troup, joined Justin Timberlake for “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “My Love” with T.I. Troup matched Timberlake move for move, and the pair excited the audience with their simpatico electricity. Troup was the ultimate scene stealer, belting out a scorching high note to close the two-song medley.
Dressing down from the popular glam rock video of their album Stadium Arcadium, the Red Hot Chili Peppers closed the 49th Grammy Awards performances with “Snow (Hey Oh).” Decked out in a yellow basketball suit (Flea), street tuxedos (Anthony Keidis and John Frusciante) and a hat (Chad Smith), the originators of The Uplift Mojo Party Plan bulleted the audience with high-quality funk rock as a snow of confetti showered the event like cosmic rain. Moments later the Chili Peppers went on to win Best Rock Album, with Smith calling on the youth of America: “We need more rock bands!”
source: The Recording Academy
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