Springsteen, Jones to Goose Grammycast
NEW YORK (Variety) – The Recording Academy scored an early coup this week for its upcoming 45th annual Grammy broadcast by signing a group of big-name acts — including Grammy nominees Bruce Springsteen and Norah Jones — to perform at the kudofest.
Also scheduled to hit the stage during the Feb. 23 show at Madison Square Garden are Brit rockers Coldplay, country star Faith Hill and rapper Nelly (featuring Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland). All five of the acts confirmed to date are Grammy nominees.
That star power should give ratings for the Grammy broadcast on CBS a healthy shot in the arm. Nelly’s latest LP “Nellyville” (Universal) has sold more than 5 million units, while Jones’ “Come Away With Me” (Blue Note) has moved 3 million and Springsteen’s “The Rising” (Columbia) just under 2 million.
At the same time, an artist that puts on a good show at the Grammys will often see his or her sales numbers jump in the following week; a good live performance often has even more effect on sales than a victory at the podium.
Jones, Springsteen and Nelly have all received five nominations from the Academy, including one each for album of the year. Coldplay is up for two statuettes, while Hill got a nomination for female country vocal performance.
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