Taylor Swift, left, performed a duet with Stevie Nicks during the Grammys ((AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Country singer Taylor Swift walked away from the Grammys with four trophies.  That’s an amazing feat for any musician, but its phenomenal for any 20-year-old girl.

But Swift also walked away with some criticism regarding her performance at the Grammys.  Since the Grammys aired, critics have been vocal about Swift not sounding great during the award show when she performed a duet with Stevie Nicks, of Fleetwood Mac.  

Scott Borchetta, the CEO of Swift’s record label Big Machine Records, is coming to her defense.  In an interview with the Associated Press, Borchetta said Swift’s problems were due to a technical glitch. 

“We had a volume problem in the ear. So, she was concerned that she wasn’t able to hear everything in the mix.  That’s just part of live TV.  So you’re going to have difficulties on occasion. Unfortunately, on one of the biggest stages, we did have a technical issue. She couldn’t hear herself like she had in rehearsal.  She is the voice of this generation.  She speaks directly to her fans, and they speak directly back to her. This is not American Idol.  This is not a competition of getting up and seeing who can sing the highest note. This is about a true artist and writer and communicator. It’s not about that technically perfect performance.”

I don’t quite understand what all the fuss is over.  I watched the Grammys, and I didn’t think it was horrible performance.  Swift definitely can NOT sing like Celine Dion or Mariah Carey, but she didn’t sound terrible. 

I think people might just be upset because she was paired with Stevie Nicks. 

Nicks is a legendary singer who has been around for more than three decades.  She’s well respected in the music industry.  Swift had the audacity to perform a duet with someone of Nick’s caliber, and I think that rubbed people the wrong way.

Grammy organizers are taking a Michael Jackson tribute to another level.  They are planning the king of all tributes at this year’s ceremony.

According to the Grammy Web site, a 3-D video of Jackson’s “Earth Song” will be played at the Grammy awards.

Viewers can obtain free 3-D glasses Jan. 24-31 at Target stores.

Several musicians, including Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Celine Dion and Smokey Robinson will perform during a tribute to Jackson.

Yes, Carrie Underwood will perform during the segment. I’m not sure what Underwood could possibly do during a Jackson tribute, but we shall see.  Maybe she’ll moonwalk or do the “Thriller” dance.

It should be interesting.  The show will air Jan. 31 on the CBS network.

Beyonce and Taylor Swift (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

The Grammy award nominations were announced Wednesday night, and Beyonce and Taylor Swift received the most nominations (no surprise there).

Beyonce leads the pack with 10 nominations, while Swift earned eight nominations. 

Other nominees include Carrie Underwood, The Black Eyed Peas, Martina McBride, George Strait, Jay-Z, Jamie Foxx, Trey Songz, T-Pain, Lady Gaga, Maxwell, Kings of Leon, Flo Rida, Keri Hilson, Pink, Katie Perry, Kelly Clarkson, U2, Coldplay, Green Day, Bon Jovi, T.I., Ciara, Justin Timberlake, Jason Mraz, Drake, Eminem, Fabolous, Beastie Boys, Kanye West, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, Kid Cudi, Lee Ann Woman, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts.

Most notably absent from the list of nominees is rapper Lil Wayne.  He had a great year in 2009.  He dominated the music charts and radio airplay this year, and I’m surprised he wasn’t even nominated. 

The Grammys will air Jan. 31 on the CBS network.  Click here for a full list of categories and nominees.