Sorry Lady Gaga, no Grammy changes to best new artist category -- for now

 

One of the breakout artists of 2009, fashion-conscious pop-star Lady Gaga showed off her ability to break glass on last night's "American Music Awards." But there are limits to her power.

Speculation that the Recording Academy would consider changing its eligibility rules for the best new artist category was shot down this morning by an official spokeswoman for the group. Ballots already have been returned for the 2010 gala, nominees for which will be announced Dec. 2, and there are no further rule changes on tap until after the Jan. 31 ceremony.

"First-round ballots were due back in early/mid-October, so it would be extremely challenging to change the rules now with nominations being announced next week," said the Recording Academy spokeswoman. "Any changes to be made will be considered after this year's show and therefore would not affect the current rule, which does disqualify her."

Lady Gaga was nominated at the 2009 awards for her single "Just Dance," which was submitted in the best dance recording field. The fine print says an artist who has previously received a nomination at a prior ceremony cannot be in the running for best new artist at future Grammys -- unless, of course, the artist was a "non-featured" performer on the previously nominated track, such as a minor guest on a song.

Sunday night, Entertainment Weekly's Music Mix blog wrote that Recording Academy chief Neil Portnow was considering changes to the best new artist category that would allow Lady Gaga to be nominated. Said the EW post: "We asked Portnow if the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences might consider a rule change to let the year’s biggest breakout act compete for the prestigious prize. 'Yes,' Portnow said. 'The awards and nominations committee meets to review the rules every year. We change the rules frequently. We recognize that situation is not perfect, and we are looking at ways to figure it out.' "

Maxwell gets post-Grammy nomination concert

R&B singer Maxwell will perform a concert at downtown's Club Nokia on Dec. 2 after the venue plays host to the unveiling of the nominations for the 52nd annual Grammy Awards. The Maxwell appearance will be open to the public, and proceeds will benefit the next-door Grammy Museum, which will celebrate its first anniversary Dec. 6.

Maxwell will earlier appear on the live CBS broadcast to announce the 2010 Grammy slate, "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night.” The latter, which will be tape-delayed for SoCal viewers but air live on the East Coast at 9 p.m., will also feature live performances from Nick Jonas and the Administration, the Black Eyed Peas and Sugarland.

In a switch from last year, however, when the contenders were announced at the larger Nokia Theatre, the Grammy nomination prime-time special will not be open to the public.

Green Day to give '21 Guns' a theatrical makeover

Liked Green Day's "21 Guns" but thought it lacked a certain -- how shall we say? -- pizazz?

Then you are in luck, as Green Day will re-release the cut later this month with the cast of Berkeley Rep's "American Idiot." The musical, based on the 2004 Green Day album of the same name, made its debut in the Bay Area earlier this fall, where Times theater critic Charles McNulty found it more positive than negative, writing, " 'American Idiot' translates Green Day's generational angst into a moody theatrical fantasia. If it doesn't spin an entirely satisfying yarn, its roar is still irresistible."

An official release date wasn't given for the newly recorded single, but it will be made available for purchase at all major digital outlets. Green Day will perform this Sunday on the American Music Awards on ABC, and "American Idiot" just finished its run in Berkeley.

The next stop for the musical? Likely Broadway. 

Grammys embracing Nick Jonas' solo project

Without a hit or even an album, Nick Jonas is getting a prime-time, Grammy-endorsed unveiling for his new band, Nick Jonas and the Administration. Though it won't be nominated for an award at the 2010 edition of the gala, the solo outing from Nick has been added to the Recording Academy's Dec. 2  CBS special, "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown to Music's Biggest Night," in which the 2010 Grammy noms will be revealed.

The teenager will join previously announced performers the Black Eyed Peas, Maxwell and Sugarland at the taping. The event will be held at downtown's Club Nokia, and will air live (tape-delayed for SoCal viewers) at 9 p.m. EST. Rapper LL Cool J will host the televised press-conference-turned-concert for the second year running.

Nick may be going it alone, but Kevin and Joe won't be completely left out of the taping. The latter two will introduce Nick Jonas and the Administration.

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.

Calle 13 dominates Latin Grammy Awards

Puerto Rican alt-hip-hop duo Calle 13 swept all of its nominated categories Thursday at the 10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards. The act went five-for-five at the awards, which were held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, and took home trophies for record and album of the year, winning the top prize for its politically charged third offering, "Los De Atrás Vienen Conmigo."

Accepting the record of the year trophy for "No Hay Nadie Como Tú," René Pérez, who raps as Residente, said from the stage, “This award, I have to dedicate to many people." He singled out socially conscious Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa, who died in October.

"We love her very much," said Pérez of Sosa, whose "Cantora 1" was named best folk album. "Her music will live forever."

Residente and stepbrother Eduardo José Cabra Martínez, who performs under the name Visitante, led all nominees heading into the Latin Grammys. The duo also took home best urban music album; best short-form music video for “La Perla," featuring Panamanian salsa singer Ruben Blades; and best alternative song for "No Hay Nadie Como Tú," a collaboration with Mexico City rockers Cafe Tacuba.

The night brings their Latin Grammy total to 10; they're also one-time Grammy award winners. The 2010 Grammy Awards will take place at L.A.'s Staples Center on Jan. 31. 

Turkey with Beyonce: R&B star scores Thanksgiving special

 

The holiday season is upon us, and the music industry is bringing out its big guns -- even if they don't have a new studio album to promote. Beyoncé will be the beneficiary of her first-ever Thanksgiving special, set to air Nov. 26 on ABC at 9 p.m.

Thanksgiving concert specials are a network tradition of sorts. Artists such as Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Harry Connick Jr. have had specials on or around Thanksgiving in the past. ABC is definitely getting into the musical spirit this holiday season. It was earlier reported that R&B star Jennifer Hudson will have a December special, "Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for Christmas," on the network. Also in December, Fox will air "Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special."

Beyoncé's ABC program will be the centerpiece of a campaign around the release of a deluxe edition of last year's "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" and a live CD/DVD "I Am ... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas." 

A teaser for the concert special is available online. The special promises plenty of "intimate" and behind-the-scenes footage of the star, and, according to the commercial, includes the requisite longing look out a hotel window. However, you and your relatives probably shouldn't expect a post-Thanksgiving dinner step-by-step how-to of the "Singles Ladies" dance. 

The flurry of Beyoncé activity could have Grammy implications. 

On the charts: Pearl Jam's Target adventure, Phoenix rising and Whitney's steady

Return to form: With "Backspacer," Pearl Jam scores its first No. 1 album in 13 years, Billboard reports. The set sold 190,000 copies in its first week in stores, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It's Pearl Jam's first release outside the major label system, but the band wasn't exactly going the DIY-route. In a move that surprised fans, Pearl Jam lined up with big box retailer Target for the exclusive release.

Long associated with an anti-corporate stance, Pearl Jam avoided major fan criticism by still allowing the album to be sold at indie shops and Apple's iTunes store. While "Backspacer" failed to land on the chart with the same impact of 2006's self-titled effort, which opened with 279,000 copies, it is on par with Target's other recent exclusive. Earlier this year, Prince went with the retailer, and ended up with the album "LotusFlow3r" landing at No. 2 after selling 168,000 copies.

Diva tales: It's another solid week for Whitney Houston. Her "I Look to You" is at No. 4 this week, selling 66,000 copies. That's a dip from last week, when she sold 156,000 copies -- a post-"Oprah" sales bump -- but brings her total to 620,000 copies sold to date. That's good news for Houston as the industry heads into the holiday season. With depressed sales making it relatively easy for a brand-name artist to stay in the top 20, Houston should be on target to rack up a bevy of Grammy nominations if she can maintain a consistent sales base.

Expect her to be joined on the chart next week by another diva -- Mariah Carey. Digital downloads of Carey's "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" are expected to be solid, as the album is currently retailing at Amazon.com for a budget price of $5.99. But album sales may not be a real indicator for the success of "Angel," as it's a truly ad-supported release, coming complete with sponsored liner notes.

Calle 13 leads Latin Grammy noms with five [UPDATED]

Alternative reggaeton duo garnered five nominations, the most of any artist, for the 10th annual Latin Grammy Awards announced Thursday at the Conga Room in downtown Los Angeles.

Among the nominations, the Puerto Rican half-brothers are up for album of the year for their third studio offering, "Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo." They'll compete against Andres Cepeda, Luis Enrique, Mercedes Sosa and Ivan Lins & the Metropole Orchestra. 

"It's great -- we're up for album of the year! For me, that's just so awesome," Calle 13's René Pérez, a.k.a. Residente, said in a telephone interview following the announcement. "It's a great day. We're very happy to be nominated so many times." 

In addition to album of the year, "Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo" is nominated for best urban music album. The first single from the album, "No Hay Nadie Como Tú" featuring Café Tacuba, is up for record of the year and best alternative song.

Calle 13 also will compete in the short-form music video category for "La Perla," featuring Ruben Blades.

The 10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards: Scorecard

The complete list of nominees for the 10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards. Winners are in bold italics. Click here for arrival photos.

 

Full story: Calle 13 dominates Latin Grammy Awards

Album of the Year

Los De Atrás Vienen Conmigo
Calle 13 [Norte]

Día Tras Día
Andrés Cepeda [FM Discos & Cintas]

Ciclos
Luis Enrique [Top Stop Music]

Regência: Vince Mendoza
Ivan Lins & The Metropole Orchestra [Biscoito Fino]

Cantora 1
Mercedes Sosa [Sony Music/RCA]