Guess who's getting Grammy nominations?
As the music industry descends upon Nashville today for the Country Music Assn. Awards, the Recording Academy sent a subtle reminder that its Grammy Awards are just around the corner. The first crop of artists performing at the Dec. 2 Grammy nomination prime-time special, the double explanation-pointed "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown to Music's Biggest Night," have been revealed.
Television regulars the Black Eyed Peas, R&B veteran Maxwell and adult country duo Sugarland will all appear on the CBS special, which will air live for the East Coast at 9 p.m. Traditionally, artists who appear at the unveiling of the Grammy nominations are guaranteed a nod or two, but the Recording Academy broke from such a predictable mold last year.
Last December marked the first time the Recording Academy took its Grammy nomination press conference to prime time. Young country superstar Taylor Swift performed on the special, and failed to receive a nomination (her sophomore effort, "Fearless" will be eligible this year, and it will receive an album of the year nod).
However, the Black Eyed Peas and Maxwell are safe bets for major nominations, perhaps even album of the year, and while Sugarland's "Love on the Inside" isn't eligible, singles from the album will most likely score a nomination or two.
The Grammy nomination special will be broadcast live from Club Nokia at downtown's L.A. Live complex. It will be hosted once again by LL Cool J. The Grammys will take place Jan. 31 at Staples Center, and will air live for the East Coast at 8 p.m. on CBS.
-- Todd Martens
RELATED:
CMA AWARDS: Taylor Swift could wire her way to entertainer of the year
Grammys 2010: An early look at album of the year contenders (Part 1)
Grammys 2010: An early look at album of the year (Part 2)
Album review: Black Eyed Peas' 'The E.N.D.'
Album review: Maxwell's 'BLACKsummers' Night'
Photo: The Black Eyed Peas at the 2007 Grammy Awards. Credit: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times
Sugarland's Live on the Inside live album IS eligible, and while it seems weird that a live album would get an Album of the Year nomination, Unplugged stuff did pretty well 15 years ago. Still, darkhorse in the top categories.
Posted by: rupert | November 11, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Do Not sleep on Trey Song!! I think his third album Ready can make some noise when it comes down to the category of Best R&B album, he matched Maxwell's BLACKsummer's Night in every way. The album itself was tremendous growth and R&B at its best and growth is what the music industry loves to see in an artist. I must admit that Maxwell is the favorite to win it this year but not without some competition from Mr. Songz. We will see what happens on Dec. 4th when the announcements are made.
Posted by: ReAdY@LaSt | November 11, 2009 at 03:15 PM
For this year's Grammy nominations, I cringed at thought that the Black Eyed Peas and Taylor Swift along with some American Idol dreck will fill the nominations slots. Don't get me wrong on Ms. Swift...she's young and talented but her Fearless cd is mediocre and uninteresting...standard fare from country music. The BEPs are just bland and really just awful...the thought of these artists with possible Album of the Year nominations is enough to make me puke...
Posted by: Cisco | November 17, 2009 at 01:07 PM
The Grammy Awards haven't been good since MJ won 8 back in 1984.
Posted by: sc341 | November 22, 2009 at 01:29 PM