Safe bets for Grammy nominations
It’s the beginning of December, which can only mean one thing: It’s time to start griping about the Grammys.
The annual awards race — and the complaints — officially begins tonight when major nominees for the 52nd Grammys are named during a one-hour special airing tonight on CBS.
The annoyingly titled Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night — broadcast from Los Angeles and hosted by LL Cool J — will also feature performances by Black Eyed Peas, Sugarland, Maxwell and Nick Jonas’ new side project, The Administration.
The awards get handed out Jan. 31 at L.A.’s Staples Center. But you don’t have to be The Mentalist to guess who’s going to walk away with nominations tonight.
Here are some safe bets:
Lady Gaga: While ironically ineligible for best new artist (because she was nominated last year in the dance category), Gaga could easily be this year’s Amy Winehouse, thanks to the runaway success of her album, The Fame Monster.
Taylor Swift: The cat-eyed country-pop cutie was shut out last year despite performing at the nominations concert — perhaps because, near as anyone can tell, she simply cannot sing — but the undeniable success of her latest CD, Fearless, should guarantee her a spot this time.
Beyonce: Last year’s I Am … Sasha Fierce might not snag a nod, but you can count on her single Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) to be in the running.
U2: Whether you liked No Line on the Horizon or not, they’re the biggest band in music. And let’s face it, the music biz needs all the help it can get these days.
Green Day: Their 21st Century Breakdown wasn’t quite as groundbreaking as American Idiot, but it was ambitious enough to earn them some Grammy love.
Kanye West: His electronica-based album 808s and Heartbreak was artistically and commercially risky. Besides, what’s an awards show without Kanye storming the stage?
Eminem: Expect the real Slim Shady to stand up and accept a nomination for Relapse, his first studio album in five years.
Black Eyed Peas: I gotta feeling tonight’s going to be a good night for will.i.am, Fergie and whoever those other two guys are.
Maxwell: His latest CD, BLACKsummers’night, his first album in eight years, earned the R&B crooner rave reviews. Plus, he’s playing the nominations concert. Duh.
Whitney Houston: Her Clive Davis-produced comeback, I Look to You, was released early to meet this year’s Aug. 31 qualifying deadline. Everybody loves a comeback. And fears Davis.
Noms fete promises to be a superstar-studded affair
There are plenty of other big names to look for tonight at the Grammy nominations ceremony: The Pretenders, Fall Out Boy, Morrissey, Jay-Z, Kings of Leon, Zac Brown, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Dead Weather, Wilco, M.I.A., AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Nickelback, Owl City, Pink, Phoenix and, of course, Michael Jackson (if you don’t think they’ll find some trophy to give him, you’re kidding yourself).
Meanwhile, the American Recording Academy has already announced the names of some guaranteed winners — their songs and albums are being inducted into the Hall of Fame. They include The Beach Boys (California Girls), Bob Marley (Catch a Fire), George Carlin (Class Clown), James Brown (It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World), Janis Joplin (Pearl), The Doors (Riders on the Storm) and many more.
As well, Canadian-raised legend Neil Young has been selected as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year in recognition of both his artistic achievements and philanthropic work. He will be honoured at a Jan. 29 gala that will include performances by CSN, Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, k.d. lang, Dave Matthews, Red Hot Chili Peppers, James Taylor, John Mellencamp, Wilco, Jackson Browne and Josh Groban.
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