Taylor Swift wins album of the year, Beyonce makes Grammy history
Beyonce (Associated Press file photo)
Taylor Swift’s “Fearless” has been named Grammy album of the year.
Swift also won three other awards Sunday night, including best country album.
But Beyonce was the night’s big winner, collecting six awards including song of the year for her anthem “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).”
Beyonce’s six wins are the most by a female in one night in the Grammys’ 52 years, according to the Associated Press.
The multihyphenate entertainer won her sixth trophy with best female pop vocal for her soaring ballad “Halo.” Perhaps she was not aware of her record-setting feat; her acceptance speech was decidedly low key.
“Thank you so much. This has been such an amazing night for me and I’d love to thank the Grammys,” Beyonce said in her brief remarks. “I’d like to thank all of the fans for their support over the years.”
The Kings of Leon, whose “Use Somebody” trumped her “Halo” to win record of the year, were a bit more entertaining when they picked up their trophy, the family quartet’s third of the night.
“I’m not going to lie, we’re all a little drunk. But we’re happy drunk,” said lead singer Caleb Followill.
Beyonce won the songwriting trophy along with three writers for her omnipresent anthem “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It).” The superstar also won best R&B contemporary album for “I Am … Sasha Fierce” among her other awards, according to the AP.
Swift, who was second to Beyonce in Grammy nominations with eight nods, won three early awards, including best country album. Though the 20-year-old has won just about every award imaginable over the past year for her best-selling CD “Fearless,” she was again wide-eyed when she accepted her trophy for country album.
“I just keep thinking back to when you’re in second grade and you sing in the talent show for the first time and people joke around and say, ‘Maybe we’ll see you at the Grammys some day.’ But that just seems like an impossible dream,” she said. “I just feel like I’m standing here accepting an impossible dream.”
Later, she also collaborated with a rock legend: Stevie Nicks joined her on stage as they both sang Nicks’ “Rhiannon” and Swift’s “You Belong With Me.”
Lady Gaga, who won two Grammys during the pre-telecast ceremony, kicked off the night with a sequined green leotard with massive shoulders as she sang her Grammy-nominated hit “Poker Face” amid an elaborate stage that included dramatic choreography and pyrotechnics.
Moments later, she scaled things down a bit — as much as Lady Gaga can — and brought out Elton John as they melded her song “Speechless” and his classic “Your Song” together in a performance that featured dueling pianos, and glitter-painted faces.
The Grammy for best new artist went to the Zac Brown Band, who collaborated with Oklahoma music legend Leon Russell during their Grammys performance.
Best rock album went to Green Day for “21st Century Breakdown.”
The Black Eyed Peas won three trophies, as well as Jay-Z, who won for best rap solo performance and two awards for “Run This Town” with Rihanna and Kanye West, according to the AP.
Rihanna — who was forced to bow out of last year’s awards as a performer after being assualted by then-boyfriend Chris Brown, accepted the trophy along with Jay-Z with Beyonce’s young nephew in tow. West — who has been keeping a relatively low profile since his awards show dustup with Swift a few months back — was a notable no show.
Many participants in the program wore red cross buttons in support of Haiti earthquake relief. Mary J. Blige joined Andrea Bocelli in a rousing rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” which was not only designed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the song’s big Grammy wins, but to raise money for the people in Haiti. The performance, introduced by Haitian native Wyclef Jean, will be available via iTunes.com/target, with the funds going to earthquake relief.
The show also included a special 3-D tribute to Michael Jackson featuring a video clip he made of “Earth Song” as Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Smokey Robinson sang along. Underwood and country star Randy Travis won the best country collaboration with vocals Grammy for their remake of Travis’ “I Told You So.”
Jackson’s young children, Prince and Paris, accepted a lifetime achievement award for their late father.
“Through all his songs his message was simple, love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world,” Prince said.
-BAM
Kings of Leon, Carrie Underwood win 2010 Grammys
Kings of Leon
Carrie Underwood
Kings of Leon and Carrie Underwood took home golden gramophones Sunday from the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.
Rockers Kings of Leon, which includes Oklahoma City-born members Matthew and Nathan Followill, earned one of the night’s big cross-genre awards, record of the year, for their hit “Use Somebody.”
“I’m not going to lie. We’re a little drunk, but we’re happy drunk,” said singer/guitarist Caleb Followill before passing the microphone to his brother, drummer Nathan Followill, who thanked their producers and a few others and then finished, “Whoever else I forgot, I’ll buy you shots.”
The band won two more Grammys prior to Sunday night’s televised show. “Use Somebody” was named best rock song and best rock performance by a duo or group with vocals before the broadcast.
Kings of Leon also competed with “Use Somebody” for song of the year, but pop diva Beyonce Knowles won that award with her smash “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).”
Underwood, a Checotah native, and venerable country star Randy Travis won best country collaboration with vocals for their duet remake of Travis’ “I Told You So.” The award was given before the Grammys broadcast.
In addition, Underwood, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson and Usher performed in a special 3-D tribute to the late Michael Jackson during the awards show.
Underwood and Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, who was a presenter at the awards show, were nominated for best female country vocal performance, but the Grammy went to Taylor Swift for “White Horse.”
Several other recording artists with Oklahoma ties were nominated for Grammys but didn’t take home the trophies:
- Brooks & Dunn, which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, and Rascal Flatts, which features Joe Don Rooney of Picher, both were nominated for best country performance by a duo or group with vocals. Lady Antebellum took home the award for the hit “I Run to You.”
- Alice in Chains, which includes Jerry Cantrell, who has an Atoka ranch, was nominated for best hard rock performance for “Check My Brain.” The prize went to AC/DC’s “War Machine.”
- Tulsa native Charlie Wilson earned two nominations, for best R&B album for “Uncle Charlie” and best male R&B vocal performance for “There Goes My Baby.” Neo-soul artist Maxwell won both categories.
- Norman-born harpist Yolanda Kondonassis shared her first Grammy nomination with flutist Joshua Smith and violist Cynthia Phelps for best chamber music performance. Emerson String Quartet took home the Grammy.
- Tom Paxton, a Bristow High School and University of Oklahoma graduate, is featured on the compilation “Singing Through the Hard Times: A Tribute to Utah Phillips,” which was nominated for best traditional folk album. The Grammy went to Loudon Wainwright III’s “High Wide & Handsome.”
- Tulsa-born actress Alfre Woodard was nominated for co-producing “Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktale,” a nominee for best spoken word album for children. Buck Howdy’s “Aaaaah! Spooky, Scary Stories & Song” won the trophy.
- Mason Williams, who grew up in Oklahoma City, was nominated for best historical album for co-producing “Woodstock — 40 Years On: Back to Yasgur’s Farm.” “The Complete Chess Masters (1950-1967)” won the best historical album honors.
- “My Dusty Road,” a box set chronicling the career of Okemah-born songwriting icon the late Woody Guthrie, also was nominated for best historical album along with best album notes. “The Complete Louis Armstrong Decca Sessions” earned the best album notes award.
-BAM
Live-blog: 52nd Annual Grammy Awards
7 p.m.: Oh, boy, I get to use my sarcasm skills already: The Recording Academy has wisely decided to open the 2010 Grammy Awards with the freak show/hype machine that is Lady Gaga. YAY! She’s actually conservatively dressed for her as she sings “Poker Face” in her sparkly green alien outfit while a circus ringmaster declares the world is “goo goo for Gaga.” I’m personally just gagging over here at Casa McDonnell.
Lady Gaga (Associated Press file photo)
7:05: Just goes to show that the weirdest pretenders in the music business can find a talented, venerable kindred spirit willing to duet with them: Lady Gaga has emerged from a trip down a “rejection” bin to play piano and sing opposite Sir Elton John on his “Your Song.” At least she’s not lighting herself or those 88 keys on fire – yet. But Elton is changing his lyrics to pay tribute to praise Gaga. Again, gagging here. I’m not a Gaga fan, in case you couldn’t tell.
Stephen Colbert (AP file photo)
7:07: Stephen Colbert is here to save us all. He’s hilarious, and he doesn’t need green sequins to get people’s attention, since he actually has wit and style. He’s a nominee for the best comedy album category and he’s giving shout-outs to his fellow nominees Taylor Swift and Jay-Z. “We’re here to celebrate what I believe is our most precious right: The right of celebrities to congratulate themselves.” He’s saying winning a Grammy is the best honor a musician can get, after having a song covered by the cast of “Glee.” I love Colbert, with his hilarious hits on Adam Lambert, the Jonas Brothers, Susan Boyle, Katy Perry and more. “Enough with congratulating each other; let’s start giving each other awards!”
7:11: Colbert has pulled out an iPad – “Jay-Z did you not get one of these in your gift bag?” – to name the song of the year winner. Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma ties, are among the competitors, but I’ll take anyone except Lady Gaga. Here are the noms:
Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
Kings Of Leon, “Use Somebody”
Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”
Maxwell, “Pretty Wings”
Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”
Beyonce (AP file photo)
7:13: Winner: Beyonce, who comes in with a leading 10 nominations. Her three songwriting partners accepted the prize since Beyonce is getting ready for her upcoming performance. And these Grammy producers are tough – no insistent string music to get you to shut up if your speech runs long; they just switched off the mike. Harsh.
7:15: Jennifer Lopez, apparently fresh off her side gig as a high-dollar call girl, judging from that crazy, revealing, tight silver gown, is introducing Green Day and the cast of the upcoming Broadway musical “American Idiot,” based on the punk band’s rock opera. I actually think this will really work as a Broadway production and hope it does well. And Billie Armstrong and those Broadway songbirds are blending their voices and styles surprisingly well. I would have preferred to start the show this way, but again, not a Gaga fan.
7:25: Kristen Bell and Mr. Fergie Josh Duhamel are shamelessly promoting their new rom-com “When in Rome” – yeesh – and encouraging people to go online to www.cbs.com/grammys to vote for which of their three hits Bon Jovi will perform in the next hour of the show. Now, they’re announcing the nominees for best country album, since they’re so country. Here are the noms:
Zac Brown Band, The Foundation
George Strait, Twang
Taylor Swift, Fearless
Keith Urban, Defying Gravity
Lee Ann Womack, Call Me Crazy
Taylor Swift (AP file photo)
7:26: Winner: Taylor Swift. Expect to see Miss Swift often tonight; only Beyonce has more noms going in. Let’s hope Kanye West is wrapped in iron chains with duct tape over his mouth right now.
“This is my first time walking up those stairs to receive a Grammy on national television!” she exclaims. She’s thanking her label for letting her write all the songs on her album and hearkening back to her second-grade talent show, which honestly, isn’t that far a stroll backward on memory lane.
7:29: “The Mentalist” Simon Baker – looking retro cool in his Buddy Holly specs – is introducing Beyonce’s performance. She and an army of dancers/”Robo-cop” rejects are marching to the stage so she can croon “If I Were a Boy.” I love this song, and I’m perpetually amazed by Beyonce’s ability not only to dance in 6-inch heels but also to look gorgeous in any outfit, including one like that super-short dress that appears to have been crafted entirely from recycled vinyl car seats. Now, she’s transitioning into Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.” I would love it if Alanis showed up to sing with her.
7:34: So, no Alanis appearance, but you gotta love Beyonce’s unbridled performance. She’s getting a standing O from the crowd.
7:39: Here comes Seal – and here comes the obligatory cut to his wife Heidi Klum. A three-time Grammy winner, Seal is there to announce Leonard Cohen has received a well-deserved lifetime achievement award from the academy. Quick moment of applause – and now it’s time to introduce Pink – or P!nk as she’s calling herself these days – who is coming out in a crazy-looking nun’s habit to croon “Glitter in the Air.” Or maybe it’s a hybrid between a nightgown and a prize fighter’s robe.
Pink (AP file)
7:42: Did all of these performers’ stylists go to the Lady Gaga school of fashion before the Grammys? Apparently, since Pink now has stripped down to what amounts to a sheer body stocking, some criss-crossed ribbons and pasties to twirl above the stage in a sling with a bunch of acrobats. Now, she’s getting doused in water so she can splash everyone as she spins around upside down from the ceiling. I feel like I’m watching a New Age interpretation of “Flashdance.” But the crowd is giving her standing O, and some of them quite frankly look stunned, so I guess it was pretty, um, awesome? interesting? to see live.
7:46: Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, dressed in a bright blue gown, and Keith Urban are there to tell the crowd that Loretta Lynn has won a lifetime achievement award. I wish some of these lifetime achievers could actually get some screentime, perhaps donated from Lady Gaga.
Miranda and Keith also are going to announce the best new artist award. Here are the varied options:
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings
Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band
7:48: Winner: Zac Brown Band. Could this be a very country night for the Grammys? The band is collaborating on its thanks, and there’s the “shut-up-and-go-away” music, which they’re really quick on the button with when Taylor Swift isn’t talking, it seems.
Zac Brown Band are scheduled to perform tonight with Oklahoma Tulsa Sound legend Leon Russell, and that ought to be just outstanding. Looking forward to that.
Black Eyed Peas (AP file)
7:54: Miley Cyrus takes the stage to introduce the always-flamboyant Black Eyed Peas’ performance of “I’m a Be,” which will feature video clips sent in from viewers. They certainly are employing their flair for the over-the-top: There’s masks, shiny black vinyl, robot dancers, silver sparkles, and neon lights. It’s a good thing their songs tend to be rather short, since I’m not sure what kind of effect long-term exposure to this much stimuli might do to the brain.
Lady Antebellum (AP file)
8:05: Hear the teenage girls scream: The Jonas Brothers are there to introduce fellow trio and “the harmonic convergence known as Lady Antebellum.” The country band, a personal fave, is performing its latest hit “Need You Now.” Compared to Pink and Black Eye Peas’ bombastic onstage stints, this is fairly low-key – they’re just singing and playing in very low lighting – and focused on the actual music. Gasp! I know, it’s so weird.
8:09: Juanes and Kaley Cuoco of “Big Bang Theory” – thank you CBS for another obligatory, self-serving network-promoting moment – are here to present the best comedy album. Here are the noms:
Back From The Dead
Spinal Tap
[The Label Industry/Artist2Market Distribution]
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All!
Stephen Colbert
[Comedy Central Records]
Internet Leaks
“Weird Al” Yankovic
[Volcano]
My Weakness Is Strong
Patton Oswalt
[Degenerate/Warner Bros.]
Suckin’ It For The Holidays
Kathy Griffin
[Music With A Twist]
Tall, Dark & Chicano
George Lopez
[Comedy Central Records]
Stephen Colbert
8:12: Yay! Stephen Colbert wins and naturally starts his speech with a bit of irreverent humor: “It’s a Christmas album, so I guess I should thank Jesus Christ for having such a great birthday.” And his teenage daughter finally declares him cool. Awww …
8:17: “I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends” is playing, and here comes Ringo Starr and Norah Jones. Ringo is thanking Norah for being shorter than him, and they’re announcing that Bobby Darin has won a lifetime achievement award. A quick round of applause and a cut to Bobby’s son in the crowd is all he gets.
Now, on to the record of the year. The Grammys are living in now, people. Nominees:
Beyonce, “Halo”
The Black Eyed Peas, “I Gotta Feeling”
Kings Of Leon, “Use Somebody”
Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”
Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”
8:19: Winners: Kings of Leon. The Followill boys are too drunk to remember who they should thank, but they’re promising to buy everyone they forgot shots later.
8:21: “The most self-important actor of our generation,” Robert Downey Jr., brings his dry wit to the stage and promises to bring some dignity to the gauche proceedings. He’s introducing what at first glance appears to be an operatic trio, but it turns out to be Jamie Foxx performing his terrific hit “Blame It.”
Jamie Foxx (AP file)
8:23: Foxx is dressed like some kind of flamboyant general, and he’s ordering the crowd to its feet. And they’re all dancing and bobbing their heads and smiling, just having a great time. Can’t blame ‘em. And to bring a bit of 2009 Auto-tuning to the show, T-Pain is joining Jamie onstage. And here comes the perpetually sexy Keith Sweat. And Slash is here to play the guitar. It’s all a little much, particularly with the “November Rain” bit, but it sure is a lot of fun.
8:26: Justin Bieber and Ke$ha are onstage to remind people to vote for which song Bon Jovi will be performing momentarily. Little Justin – seriously, is this kid even into puberty yet? – can’t even get out the words – he’s saying Beyonce instead of Bon Jovi then adding “Sorry, Beyonce’s just always on mind. Sorry J.” I guess that’s yes to the puberty question. And I’m sure Jay-Z isn’t worried in the least.
8:32: Alice Cooper and the “voluptuous” (his word) Katy Perry are telling everyone that the late great Florence Greenberg is the winner of the Grammy trustees award. Now, they’re naming the best rock album winner. Here are the noms:
AC/DC, Black Ice
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood, Live At Madison Square Garden
Green Day, 21st Century Breakdown
Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King
U2, No Line On The Horizon
Green Day
Winner: Green Day. Billie Armstrong quickly runs through the thank yous and says “Now, I’m going to go have shots with Kings of Leon.” That would be a fun party.
8:35: Nashville session musician Harold Bradley gets a quick shout-out from presenter Chris O’Donnell – of the CBS show “NCIS: Los Angeles, of course! – as a trustee winner. He’s smiling from the crowd. And now Chris is introducing Zac Brown Band with special guest Oklahoma native Leon Russell and he’s giving Uncle Leon an appropriately respectful intro.
Leon Russell
8:36: The Zac Brown Band is starting with a great vocal performance to “America the Beautiful” before turning it over to Uncle Leon’s jazzy piano. Russell, who had surgery about two weeks ago for a brain-fluid leak, sounds terrific as he sings his “Dixie Lullaby” with backing from the best new artist winners. Zac Brown and Co. are letting the legend take the lead here, so kudos to them. And now, this medley is morphing to the Zac Brown hit “Chicken Fried.” I’m totally biased, but this is definitely a highlight of the show. It brings together talented artists who are performing in lights-out fashion with mutual respect without a lot of flash or an army of backup support. And it just warms my heart to hear and see Leon Russell doing so well, and I’m glad to see the crowd giving them a standing ovation. Great Grammy moment.
Taylor Swift (AP file)
8:46: Ryan Seacrest continues his TV dominance by introducing the “phenomenal” Taylor Swift, who already has won three Grammys tonight. She is dressed in a ruffly white blouse and black pants and she’s singing, appropriately enough, “Today Was a Fairytale.” She doesn’t have the best voice in country music, but she’s not afraid to put herself out there without all dancers and distractions. She never sounds great at these awards shows, I’ve noticed.
8:48: I hear the opening of “Rhiannon,” and Taylor is saying “it’s a fairy tale” to get to sing with one of her heroes, the incomparable Stevie Nicks. The Fleetwood Mac singer doesn’t have nearly the vocal powers she used to, but she’s still outsinging Taylor without batting an eyelash. But they seem to be enjoying themselves. Now, Stevie is grabbing her trademark tambourine and joining Taylor in singing her teenage hit “You Belong with Me.” It’s odd to hear Stevie singing this high-schooler’s lament, but it’s not as weird as Def Leppard performing “Love Story” with Miss Swift on “CMT Crossroads.” I guess when you’ve been a top-seller across genres for two years straight, you can get venerable performers to play along with you and your teenage odes.
8:52: Lionel Richie is quoting his good friend the late Michael Jackson, so it must be time for the much-hyped 3-D tribute to MJ. It’s time to grab those 3-D glasses. Ewww, old red-blue 3-D. Nice of the Grammys to use 3-D technology from the 1950s.
Michael Jackson (AP file)
8:54: The 3-D footage is starting, with popping images of waterfalls and a little girl blowing dandelion fluff. Oklahoma native Underwood and fellow previous Grammy winners Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson and Usher are coming out to sing along with Jackson. And they appear to pop off the screen along with the hummingbirds, whales and butterflies. It’s an interesting and strong combination of voices, and the song is well-suited for this kind of multi-performer treatment. The film is pretty enough, and there are some great old photos of MJ showing above it. But Jackson contributed so many great songs to the modern American pop songbook, and this just isn’t one of those iconic hits. Still, the audience is giving it a standing ovation, and it was appropriate that the Grammys pay tribute to Jackson after all the memorable Grammy moments he created.
9:00: Jackson’s kids Prince and Paris, along with their cousins, are coming onstage to accept the Michael Jackson Lifetime Achievement award. His son is thanking God, their grandparents, the fans, praising their dad for his charitable efforts and promising to continue their dad’s good works. His daughter haltingly says that their dad was supposed to perform at the Grammys this year after not being able to last year. “Thank you and we miss you, Daddy.”
9:03: Of course, a nice moment has to be followed by a crass one. Don’t forget that you can buy “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” on DVD now! Sigh.
9:08: Sheryl Crow is informing us that the industry last night honored Doug Morris, worldwide Chairman and CEO of Universal Music for winning the president’s merit award for industry icons.
Bon Jovi
And now she’s introducing, with some big impressive numbers, Bon Jovi, who are going to perform a medley of “We Weren’t Born to Follow,” for which they’re nominated for a Grammy tonight, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” and whatever song won the online voting, which is apparently still going on. Now that’s real-time entertainment.
9:11: Big-voiced Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles is joining the band on “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.” I think she probably makes everything better, at least anything that can be made better with a Georgia accent and a little sass.
9:14: Not surprisingly, Bon Jovi is gearing up to play the fan-voted “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Maybe it’s just my ’80s inner child talking, but it seems to me their new stuff is OK but their old songs are so much better. And again, Jennifer Nettles makes even “Livin’ on a Prayer” better.
9:16: Here’s an interesting combo: Placido Domingo and Mos Def. They’re joking that they should never have broken up and that they have some ideas to put together a Grammy-winning project for next year. They’re here to announce best rap sung collaboration. Kanye has multiple noms in this category, but I’m not sure if he’s allowed to go to any more awards shows.
Beyonce & Kanye West, “Ego”
Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo, “Knock You Down”
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West, “Run This Town”
The Lonely Island & T-Pain, “I’m On A Boat”
T.I. & Justin Timberlake, “Dead And Gone”
Jay-Z (AP file)
9:18: Winner: Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West, “Run This Town.” Jay-Z and Rihanna and a cute little boy in a tux (apparently, he’s Beyonce’s nephew) are taking the stage to accept the award. Apparently, Kanye has been blackballed. His collaborators are thanking him, but he’s nowhere to be seen.
While I’m relieved that we didn’t have to live through any more Kanye shenanigans, I can’t help but think of how much fun the speech would have been if Andy Samberg and T-Pain had won this category. That would have been hilarious. I was definitely in a boat on this category.
Mary J. Blige (AP file)
9:24: Haitian native Wyclef Jean is teaching the audience a bit of his native language. He’s assuring everyone that Haiti is strong and thanking Americans for their support for his earthquake-ravaged home country. After a shout-out to his wife, he’s introducing David Foster, Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli for a special performance of the classic “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” The song will be available after the show on iTunes with proceeds going to Haiti relief efforts. Again, it’s an intriguing combination of performers coming together on the Grammys for a performance that’s more about music than flash.
9:37: Recording Academy CEO Neil Portnow gets to make his speech for the night, with the usual back-patting, praise for music education and doomsday predictions about music piracy. Now, he’s introducing comedian Adam Sandler, who claims he borrowed his jacket from an usher backstage.
Dave Matthews Band
Sandler, in turn, is introducing Dave Matthews Band, mentioning the loss of founding member in 2008 of LeRoi Moore. They’re playing “You and Me” with help from an orchestra, backup singers and an extra horn section. It’s hard to believe this band is about to mark 20 years; they are just pretty terrific.
9:46: Ricky Martin and “Glee’s” Lea Michele are taking the stage, and Ricky’s a bit hyper trying to get the crowd into the show. They’re here to present best female vocal performance. Here are the options:
Adele, “Hometown Glory”
Beyonce, “Halo”
Katy Perry, “Hot N Cold”
Pink, “Sober”
Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”
Beyonce (AP file)
9:48: Winner: The always-amazing Beyonce. She’s thanking her husband and her fans; it’s rare to hear her talk about Jay-Z, so that’s cool. She’s definitely into the recycled look tonight; her gown looked like it was made from repurposed pop can tabs. She still looks amazing.
And honestly, they gave that award not a moment too soon. I had almost forgotten it was an awards show.
9:54: The always-attractive LL Cool J (another CBS star!) is on the stage, and he’s recognizing Honeyboy Edwards, another lifetime achievement award winner who gets a quick clap and quick glance as the industry’s appreciation for all his hard work. Now, he’s introducing smooth-voiced neo-soul singer Maxwell to sing “Pretty Wings.”
Maxwell dominated the R&B categories in the pre-TV part of the Grammys, to the detriment to Tulsa native Charlie Wilson. Wilson was nominated in two R&B categories, but alas, goes home without a gramophone.
9:59: Roberta Flack is joining Maxwell to add an extra level of vocal beauty to this performance. Again, nothing fancy as far as pyrotechnics or dance troupes go, just strong vocals as they mingle their voices to ask “Where Is the Love.”
Les Paul (AP file)
10: It’s time for the annual montage honoring those we’ve lost in the past year. There have been some amazing musicians/singers like Les Paul, Teddy Pendergrass, Stephen Bruton, Bob Bogle of The Ventures, that we lost this year, but as cliche as it sounds, they will live on through music. Thankfully, it’s been the only montage of the night thus far. Something to be grateful for as we enter what I sincerely hope is the last half-hour of this awards show.
10:03: Golden Globe winner and Oscar frontrunner for “Crazy Heart” Jeff Bridges is onstage to remind everyone of the incredible contributions of Les Paul. And he’s introducing Grammy-winning guitar god Jeff Beck, who will play the musical tribute to the great inventor and guitarist. How awesome is this? Big well-deserved applause from the audience for Beck and Imelda May’s great work on Paul’s favorite of his guitar masterworks, “How High the Moon.”
Drake
10:12: Cue the spaghetti Western music, Quentin Tarantino is onstage to recognize another lifetime achievement winner, Clark Terry. And that’s all you get, Mr. Terry. We’re moving on. And QT is jive talking himself silly, so he must be introducing a rap performance. Yep, it’s Drake with Eminem and Lil Wayne. And though I love QT’s movies I’m going to have to give his reference to this trio as three “glorious Basterds” a huge eye-roll. And since I just lost sound on my TV, I’m assuming CBS has just decided to hold the censor button down until this is all over.
10:25: John Legend and Carlos Santana take the stage to the tune of “Smooth,” with John noting that 10 years ago Santana had “the most ‘Supernatural’ Grammy night ever.” “Thank you John, it’s nice that a Legend like you remember,” Santana responds. Thank goodness it’s the last award of the night; I can’t take much more of this sort of horrific awards show patter. It wounds me.
Here are the nominees for album of the year:
Beyonce, I Am… Sasha Fierce
The Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D.
Lady Gaga, The Fame
Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King
Taylor Swift, Fearless
Taylor Swift (AP file)
10:27: Winner: Yep, she can do no wrong: It’s Taylor Swift. She’s jumping up and down as she makes her way to the stage. “I just hope you know how much this means to me … that we get to take this back to Nashville,” she declares. She says this is the story that she’s going to be telling over and over again when she’s 80 years old and annoying her grandkids with, how she won album of the year in 2010. And she’s thanking her dad back home for telling her as a child she could do anything she wanted; in retrospect, considering her incredible dream-come-true powers, that was probably a dangerous message.
10:29: John Legend says “It’s been an amazing night; we’ll see you next year.” Take your word for it, John. It had some highlights, but mostly I’m just glad it’s over. And I’m really glad that Lady Gaga didn’t win anything that would make it necessary for me to describe her crazy, geometric silver outfit. Again, gag.
10:32: Stay with me here at BAM’s Blog, and I’ll post how the nominees with Oklahoma ties fared tonight. And check back tomorrow when I hope to post some photos of the Grammy hoopla.
-BAM
Carrie Underwood, Kings of Leon among early Grammy winners
Carrie Underwood (Associated Press file photo)
Carrie Underwood and Kings of Leon are among early winners with Oklahoma ties to take home golden gramophones from the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.
The country music superstar and the rock quartet notched wins in categories announced prior to the start of Sunday night’s televised awards show.
Underwood, a Checotah native, and venerable country star Randy Travis won best country collaboration with vocals for their duet remake of Travis’ “I Told You So.”
Kings of Leon, which includes Oklahoma City-born members Matthew and Nathan Followill, earned two Grammys before the awards show broadcast started. The rockers’ hit “Use Somebody” was named best rock performance by a duo or group with vocals and best rock song.
“Use Somebody” also is competing for two awards to be announced during the televised portion of the Grammys: record of the year and song of the year.
-BAM
2010 Grammy ballot
Beyonce has a leading 10 nominations going into tonight’s Grammy Awards. (Associated Press file photo)
The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards – along with my live-blog of the big event – begin in about 30 minutes. The show is airing live on CBS.
For your convenience, here is a Grammy ballot so you can follow along with the show.
SONG OF THE YEAR
Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
Kings Of Leon, “Use Somebody”
Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”
Maxwell, “Pretty Wings”
Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”
RECORD OF THE YEAR
Beyonce, “Halo”
The Black Eyed Peas, “I Gotta Feeling”
Kings Of Leon, “Use Somebody”
Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”
Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Beyonce, I Am… Sasha Fierce
The Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D.
Lady Gaga, The Fame
Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King
Taylor Swift, Fearless
BEST NEW ARTIST
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings
Zac Brown Band
BEST FEMALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Adele, “Hometown Glory”
Beyonce, “Halo”
Katy Perry, “Hot N Cold”
Pink, “Sober”
Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”
BEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE
John Legend, “This Time”
Maxwell, “Love You”
Jason Mraz, “Make It Mine”
Seal, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”
Stevie Wonder, “All About The Love Again”
BEST PERFORMANCE BY POP DUO OR GROUP
The Black Eyed Peas, “I Gotta Feeling”
Bon Jovi, “We Weren’t Born To Follow”
The Fray, “Never Say Never”
Daryl Hall & John Oates, “Sara Smile”
MGMT, “Kids”
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
The Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D.
Colbie Caillat, Breakthrough
Kelly Clarkson, All I Ever Wanted
The Fray, The Fray
Pink, Funhouse
BEST DANCE RECORDING
The Black Eyed Peas, “Boom Boom Pow”
David Guetta, & Kelly Rowland, “When Love Takes Over”
Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”
Madonna, “Celebration”
Britney Spears, “Womanizer”
BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ALBUM
The Crystal Method, Divided By Night
David Guetta, One Love
Lady Gaga, The Fame
LMFAO, Party Rock
Pet Shop Boys, Yes
BEST ROCK SONG
Pearl Jam, “The Fixer”
U2, “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight”
Green Day, “21 Guns”
Kings Of Leon, “Use Somebody”
Bruce Springsteen, “Working On A Dream”
BEST ROCK ALBUM
AC/DC, Black Ice
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood, Live At Madison Square Garden
Green Day, 21st Century Breakdown
Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King
U2, No Line On The Horizon
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
David Byrne & Brian Eno, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Death Cab For Cutie, The Open Door
Depeche Mode, Sounds Of The Universe
Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It’s Blitz!
BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION
Beyonce & Kanye West, “Ego”
Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo, “Knock You Down”
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West, “Run This Town”
The Lonely Island & T-Pain, “I’m On A Boat”
T.I. & Justin Timberlake, “Dead And Gone”
BEST RAP SONG
Drake, “Best I Ever Had”
Kid Cudi, “Day ‘N’ Nite”
T.I. & Justin Timberlake, “Dead And Gone”
Jay-Z, “D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)”
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West, “Run This Town”
BEST RAP ALBUM
Common, Universal Mind Control
Eminem, Relapse
Flo Rida, R.O.O.T.S.
Mos Def, The Ecstatic
Q-Tip, The Renaissance
BEST COUNTRY SONG
Trace Adkins, “All I Ask For Anymore”
Jamey Johnson, “High Cost Of Living”
Lady Antebellum, “I Run To You”
Billy Currington, “People Are Crazy”
Taylor Swift, “White Horse”
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Zac Brown Band, The Foundation
George Strait, Twang
Taylor Swift, Fearless
Keith Urban, Defying Gravity
Lee Ann Womack, Call Me Crazy
-BAM
IFC Films buys rights to Oklahoma-shot film “The Killer Inside Me” at Sundance
Casey Affleck stars in “The Killer Inside Me.”
IFC Films bought the U.S. rights to the crime thriller “The Killer Inside Me” Saturday morning at the Sundance Film Festival, which ends today.
Variety.com is reporting that IFC bought the rights to Michael Winterbottom’s film for around $1.5 million.
The movie, shot primarily in spring 2009 in locales around Oklahoma, stars Casey Affleck (“Gone Baby Gone”) as a small-town Texas sheriff who happens to be a violent serial killer. It also stars Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, Simon Baker, Bill Pullman, Ned Beatty and Elias Koteas.
Based on Anadarko-born writer Jim Thompson’s pulp novel and scripted by John Curran, the film sparked some controversy at Sundance because of its explicit violent, sexual content. But Variety points out that IFC has a shown a liking for controversial fare, most recently for its 2009 Cannes purchase of Lars Von Trier’s “Antichrist.”
IFC Films is set to release the film in late summer through its theatrical and video-on-demand platforms, according to the trade publication.
The Oklahoman’s Entertainment Editor Gene Triplett, who visited the film’s set last year, wrote about the controversy the film sparked at Sundance. He writes that Thompson was known for stark, noir-style stories told from a criminal point of view, including “The Getaway” and “The Grifters,” both of which became successful motion pictures.
Gene spoke with Oklahoma Film and Music Office Director Jill Simpson, about “split” audience reaction to the film was during a question-and-answer session with Winterbottom following the movie’s premiere screening during the Park City, Utah, festival.
“There was a lady who was one of the first people to ask a question and then she basically was very vocal in her protest of the film, and then got up and walked out and people were booing her,” said Simpson, who attended the screening.
Simpson told Gene she found some of the more violent scenes in the film unexpectedly disturbing.
“It is violent and what I will say about that is it’s very true to the original novel,” she said. “And when I read the script, I compared the script page by page to the original book, and in my mind it’s very hundred percent in keeping with the novel down to the dialogue.”
L.A. Times blogger Mark Olsen has written in defense of the film, saying it played to a much more positive response at a subsequent smaller screening for press and distribution representatives.
Olsen writes: “‘The Killer Inside Me’ is, to these eyes, without question one of the most electrifying films at the festival. One should perhaps know first-off that it is a movie called ‘The Killer Inside Me’ based on a novel called ‘The Killer Inside Me’ – from the get-go it should be apparent this is not going to be nice stuff. And the film’s violence is not so much graphic or prolonged as it is effectively staged, so that every blow matters and is felt. … Stanley Kubrick, who collaborated with Thompson on the films ‘The Killing’ and ‘Paths Of Glory,’ referred to ‘The Killer Inside Me’ as ‘probably the most chilling and believable first-person story of a criminally warped mind I have ever encountered.’”
According to a news release from IFC, “The Killer Inside Me” will next be screened in competition at the Berlin Film Festival in February.
With IFC Films purchasing the domestic distribution rights, at least some film audiences should get the chance to judge for themselves.
Read the news release from IFC about the purchase, courtesy Collider.com, after the break.
Reminder: BAM’s Blog live-blogs the Grammy Awards tonight
Don’t forget, I’ll be live-blogging along with the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards starting at 7 tonight. The show will air live from Los Angeles on CBS.
Remember to pick up your free 3-D Grammy glasses at Target so you can get the full effect of the show’s special tribute to the late Michael Jackson.
The show is set to offer a full 3 1/2 hours of performances, montages and, oh yeah, the occasional bestowing of awards that will no doubt lead to gushy speeches. Don’t worry, we’ll get through it together.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Jan. 31, 2010
Today’s featured event:
NORMAN — Hear folk singer-songwriter Eliza Gilkyson at 7 p.m. today at the Performing Arts Studio, 200 S Jones Ave. The show is part of the Winter Wind Concert Series.
For more information, call 307-9320 or go to www.thepas.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Jan. 30, 2010
Marc-Andre Hamelin
Today’s featured event:
Hear pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin perform a concert titled “New and Improved” with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic at 8 p.m. today at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. According to the philharmonic’s Web site, this show is still on, despite the wintry weather.
And the philharmonic’s Discovery Family Series continues with “Music in Motion” at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center. So, if you have kids suffering from cabin fever after days stuck inside, this would be a fun activity to check out.
For more information, call 842-5387 or go to www.okcphilharmonic.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Tulsa native Charlie Wilson overcomes homelessness, cancer to vie for two Grammys
Charlie Wilson (Associated Press photo)
Tulsa native Charlie Wilson of GAP Band fame recently sat down with the Associated Press to talk about the long, bumpy road of his life and career that has triumphantly led to the 2010 Grammy Awards. Read the uplifting interview by clicking here.
The Grammy Awards are airing live at 7 p.m. Sunday night on CBS. Wilson is nominated for two awards, for best R&B album for “Uncle Charlie” and best male R&B vocal performance for “There Goes My Baby.”
With the GAP Band, which also included his brothers Ronnie and Robert, Wilson shot to fame in the late ’70s and early ’80s as with hits like “Outstanding” and “You Dropped the Bomb on Me.”
But like so many other music stars, Wilson learned that fate is a fickle and often cruel friend. Wilson tells the AP that the band had a falling out with its manager in 1986, and that manager essentially blackballed them in the industry.
Financial problems and substance abuse eventually led to Wilson becoming homeless on the streets of Los Angeles from 1993 to ’95. Once he entered rehab, he got help from a social worker who not only became a force of change for him but also became his wife – Mahin Wilson.
Wilson credits Snoop Dogg and R. Kelly for helping him revive his career once he got clean. Kelly penned his 2005 comeback hit, “Charlie, Last Name Wilson” and produced the album of the same name, which went gold.
But Wilson’s burgeoning career was threatened again when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008. He was treated with radiation implants and able to release “Uncle Charlie” last year. The album debuted No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200. His single “There Goes My Baby” spent 10 weeks at the top spot on the Billboard R&B Adult Contemporary chart.
With all he’s been through, Wilson’s comeback is an impressive feat. I’ll definitely be rooting for him Sunday night.
Don’t forget to follow my live-blog of the Grammys starting at 7 p.m. Sunday. And stop by Target before the show to pick up free 3-D glasses for viewing the special 3-D tribute to the late Michael Jackson during the show.
-BAM
