2014 Grammys: Musgraves, Rucker Take Country Honors

Musgraves accepts the Grammy for Country Album of the Year.

Kacey Musgraves was the Country darling during Sunday evening’s (Jan. 26) Grammy awards. The singer-songwriter earned honors for Country Album of the Year, along with co-producers Luke Laird and Shane McAnally. Musgraves, McAnally and fellow songwriter Josh Osborne also picked up a Grammy trophy for her breakout single “Merry Go ‘Round” during the pre-telecast awards.

Darius Rucker earned Best Country Solo Performance honors for “Wagon Wheel” during the pre-telecast ceremony, while The Civil Wars were feted for “From This Valley” as Best Country Duo/Group Performance.

The televised portion of the program featured several Country performances. Hunter Hayes debuted the new ballad “Invisible,” a song of encouragement to those who dare to follow their dreams. Keith Urban was joined by Gary Clark, Jr. for a rendition of Urban’s new single, “Cop Car.” Taylor Swift‘s stripped down offering of “All Too Well” featured the singer-songwriter belting a passionate performance from behind a grand piano.

Rucker backstage at the Grammys.

Some of the most well-received audience responses during the telecast came from the evening’s numerous musical collaborations. One such collaboration featured Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard and Blake Shelton. Nelson and Kristofferson performed “The Highwayman,” while Haggard and Shelton performed “Okie From Muskogee,” followed by an all-star rendition of “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys.” Later in the evening, Miranda Lambert and Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong offered strong harmonies in tribute to the late Phil Everly on The Everly Brothers’ “When Will I Be Loved.”

Taylor Swift performs “All Too Well.”

The evening’s biggest winners were Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, who earned honors for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance for “Thrift Shop,” Best Rap Song for “Thrift Shop” and Best Rap Album for The Heist. Singer Lorde earned honors for Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year, both for “Royals.”

Awards given during the Grammy telecast include:

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Same Trailer, Different Park, Kacey Musgraves. Co-producers: Luke Laird and Shane McAnally. Label: Mercury Records

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
Unorthodox Jukebox, Bruno Mars. Label: Atlantic

BEST POP DUO OR GROUP PERFORMANCE
“Get Lucky,” Daft Punk Featuring Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers

BEST RAP ALBUM
The Heist, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Hunter Hayes and John Esposito celebrate at The Warner Music Group post party at Sunset Towers.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Random Access Memories, Daft Punk. Label: Columbia Records

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
“Royals,” Lorde

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Royals,” Lorde

BEST NEW ARTIST
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

RECORD OF THE YEAR
“Get Lucky,” Daft Punk. Label: Columbia Records

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION
“Holy Grail” Jay Z and Justin Timberlake

For a full list of winners, visit grammy.com.

Miranda Lambert and Billie Joe Armstrong salute The Everly Brothers.

Martina McBride and Zac Brown present.