Grammy Awards: Why is John Mayer here, and what did Lady Antebellum just win?

I like to think that the Recording Academy headquarters in West Los Angeles has a signal. Chief Neil Portnow goes to the roof and turns a Grammy logo into the clouds and -- BOOM -- John Mayer swoops in from wherever he is. Apparently, he was thought to be a good enough guitarist for a few verses of Dolly Parton's "Jolene." He didn't add anything, he didn't ruin anything, he just reinforced the old adage that Grammy = John Mayer, but we could give a list of 750 guitarists more suited. Likewise, Norah Jones sang, with slightly more roughness than usual, which would be nice if she'd explore on record. 

However, the real crime here is Lady Antebellum winning song of the year for "Need You Now" over Cee Lo Green's "... You." The latter made its mark as one of 2010's defining songs, while "Need You Now" has shown that Lady A can pen a hit about a bootie call. Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me" also would have been a better choice, as well as Eminem's overdramatic "Love the Way You Lie" with Rihanna.

But no one really watches the Grammys for their always misguided award handouts.

-- Todd Martens

Comments

[elah]

I agree with those who admire JMayer's skills as a musician. He has already stated he makes mistakes but his personal conversational mistakes will NEVER override his ability as a musician. I am pleased he was there and the trio he performed with was great. Thanks John

[Tony]

My guess is that he was there because he was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. But, what do I know?

[Barnabas Siwila]

someone must be jealous of John Mayer

[Sam]

Need you know is a good song but 5 awards for Lady Antebellum?
That was way over the top, especially when there were plenty
of other deserving performances.

Know many people who have seen them live in concert and their show is
nothing special. Yes, it's a fantastic song, however LA is unlikely to have continued success unless they can improve their live show.

[New Yorker]

You are so ignorant. Check your facts before writing.
"Why is John Mayer here?" Not only is he a 7 time Grammy award winner, but he was also nominated in four categories last night. Idiot.
John Mayer is one hell of a guitarist. Have you seen him live? Probably not. Go see him live in concert, and come back and tell me if the " list of 750 guitarists more suited" could do what Mayer does.

[Nora Wilson]

John Mayer is one of the best guitarists on the planet right now. If he doesn't deserve a Grammy, I don't know who does.

[Jennygdc]

So this article is a bash of John Mayer, a back handed compliment for Norah Jones and a complaint about Lady A. That's just lazy. I've read through your blogs and I have to say it's not clear to me that you know music at all. Instead of discussing the music, you are caught up in trying to create your own prose that does little to actually describe the music. This blog is more about you trying to showcase your writing then about any real discussion about music. I can't believe this is the best the LA Times can come up with.
It's easy for people to bash John Mayer and I for one am sick of hearing it. We get it. You feel the need to crucify him because he has a tendency to say the wrong thing to the wrong person. Half the guys I know do the same thing on a regular basis but they don't have to read about it in USA today or the New York Daily news the next morning. The most they suffer is a hard kick under from their female friends and girlfriends. And few can play the guitar like John Mayer can. He is the best of the last decade. He played at All for the Hall and blew everyone away. Some of the best pickers in Country Music were there and they stood with their mouths open in awe. Dolly was there herself and complimented his skills. I think that it's time to take it up a notch and stop with the fake journalism. Quit practicing prose for your as yet unpublished novel and talk about the subject. So far your posts are a disappointment.

[Michael]

You don't seem to like anything. Get a life loser.

[Steph]

Eck. Calm down. You sound just like the million Beliebers going " WUT" after Esperanza won. John Mayer is a brilliant guitarist, obviously. Also, to someone who commented on "no matter how much records you sell" READ the Grammy Mission statement. It's set up to recognize real musical talent. Not album sales by gullible fans.

[Christy]

Todd...I'd like to see YOU try and play the guitar. I'd like to see you be invited to the Grammys. I'd like to see you try to win a Grammy. Well you didn't. Can't believe the LA Times would let you post your article.

[Kelly]

I'm assuming the L.A. Times has a "snarky" logo that gets shot up into the clouds... and Todd Martens swoops in from wherever he is.

John Mayer has written stuff since Daughters. Listen to TRY! and get back to us.

[niffer92]

Wow, was there anything positive in this article? Why would i waste my time reading this again?

[Silvia]

Yea maybe everyone hates John for his personality and relationship history but his music? Serciously? the grammys are about music, not what you do in front of the paparazzi. John mayer makes great music so does Lady A and all the other musicians that were present on grammy night. the grammys really give a great opportunity to recognize real music through technique and style instead of looks and popularity.

You should really cool it off John because he's a musician, Obviously you havent done any research what so ever. He may be a D-Bag but he's an amazing guitarist. Don't believe me? look up the article on rolling stone mag. where they named him a guitare god.

[Tom Arnold]

Hey, you're a terrible journalist and frankly you know very little about music. I hope your career crashes and burns.

[eman]

Let me tell you one thing, there is no guitarist as talented as John Mayer in this decade. So dont hate if you dont know how amazing he is. Second, he was nominated so obviously he'll be there. And the legend he is lyrically and vocally and in his guitar playing skills, he deserves to be there. But i guess you think Lady Gaga and Kesha deserve to be there..