Taylor Swift opens the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. Photo: Kevin Winter/WireImage
Tons of Grammy trophies are on their way home to Nashville today (Feb. 11). For the fifth year running, Music City’s acclaimed all-genre talent pool was on display at the three-hour-plus performance-fest.
Dan Auerbach of
The Black Keys emerged the big winner at last night’s show, taking home four Grammys, including Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical, and three with bandmate and fellow Nashvillian
Patrick Carney for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for “Lonely Boy,” and Best Rock Album for
El Camino. Though Auerbach’s acceptance speech for Best Rock Performance wasn’t the evening’s most enthusiastic, he redeemed himself by giving a shout-out to his adopted hometown, and then proved why The Black Keys won the award by rocking the socks off the audience during a set with
Dr. John.
Taylor Swift’s captivating opening number of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” set the tone for a night of outstanding performances when she fell down the rabbit hole into a magical Alice-In-Circus-Wonderland parade of outrageous characters. Proving that red is
so 2012, she donned all-white for last night’s show, red carpet and the recent People’s Choice Awards. Swift,
The Civil Wars and
T Bone Burnett won the award for Best Song Written For Visual Media “Safe & Sound” (From
The Hunger Games).
Carrie Underwood performs during the Grammys. Photo: Kevin Winter/WireImage
hit “Blown Away” received two honors. She won her sixth Grammy, for Best Country Solo Performance, while songwriters
Josh Kear and
Chris Tompkins took home Best County Song. It is the fourth Grammy for Kear and second for Tompkins; they also won in 2008 for Underwood’s “Before He Cheats.” For last night’s performance of “Blown Away” and new single “Two Black Cadillacs,” Underwood donned a silvery ball gown that shone with a montage of video projections. The downside was that it prevented her from moving around the stage. Newcomer
Frank Ocean (Best Urban Contemporary Album) also made good use of video during his set, too bad the song “Forrest Gump” couldn’t keep pace.
Rounding out the country winners were
Little Big Town for Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Pontoon”) and
Zac Brown Band for Best Country Album (
Uncaged). Zac Brown also teamed with
Brittany Howard of
Alabama Shakes,
Elton John,
Mumford & Sons and
Mavis Staples, for a stellar take on
The Band’s classic “The Weight” during a salute to the late
Levon Helm.
Nominees
Miranda Lambert and
Dierks Bentley teamed up for their respective hits “Over You” and “Home.”
As always,
Kelly Clarkson was in amazing voice during a tribute to Lifetime Achievement Award winners
Patti Page and
Carole King by performing their songs “The Tennessee Waltz” and “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman.” Clarkson’s excitement was infectious when accepting the award for Best Pop Vocal Album for “Stronger.”
Nashville-based rocker
Jack White utilized both of his backing bands during a segment that was a rousing success when he played one song with the female musicians and another with the male musicians.
Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman and
Blake Shelton made appearances.
Hunter Hayes scored three nominations and a performance slot. Plus, his new partnership with Pepsi was highlighted prominently during a commercial break.
Justin Timberlake performs at the Grammy Awards. Photo: Kevin Winter
After a long hiatus from music,
Justin Timberlake offered his smokin’ hot new single “Suit & Tie,” in one of the Grammy’s coolest moments. Part of his big-band-style performance featuring
Jay-Z was broadcast in black-and-white to at-home viewers, before bursting into living color.
Superstar pairings have long been a Grammy hallmark, with last night’s highlights including newbie
Ed Sheerhan with icon
Elton John;
Alicia Keys with
Maroon 5; and
Bruno Mars with
Sting, Rihanna and
Ziggy Marley.
Nashville’s Grammy winning streak started in 2009 when
Raising Sand, the
Alison Krauss/Robert Plant collaboration, was the top winner. The most-honored torch was carried by Swift in 2010 and
Lady Antebellum in 2011. Last year, Nashville was well-represented with wins by Swift, Lady A,
Alison Krauss and Union Station, and The Civil Wars.
—Sarah Skates
A full list of televised award recipients is below.
Click here for
MusicRow’s list of the 2013 pre-telecast Grammy award winners.
Miranda Lambert performs alongside tourmate Dierks Bentley during the Grammy telecast. Photo: Kevin Winter (Lambert) and Kevin Mazur (Bentley)
Blown Away
Carrie Underwood
Track from: Blown Away
Label: 19 Recordings Limited/Arista Nashville
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Uncaged
Zac Brown Band
Label: Southern Ground/Atlantic
Kelly Clarkson and manager fiance Brandon Blackstock.
Stronger
Kelly Clarkson
Label: RCA Records/19 Recordings LLC
BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
Lonely Boy
The Black Keys
Track from: El Camino
Label: Nonesuch
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Babel
Mumford & Sons
Markus Dravs, producer; Robin Baynton & Ruadhri Cushnan, engineers/mixers; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer
Label: Glassnote
BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
Set Fire To The Rain [Live]
Adele
Track from: Live At The Royal Albert Hall
Label: XL/Columbia
SONG OF THE YEAR
We Are Young
Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess, songwriters (Fun. Featuring Janelle Monáe)
Track from: Some Nights
Label: Fueled By Ramen; Publishers: WB Music, FBR Music, Bearvon Music/Rough Art/Shira Lee Lawrence Rick Music/Way Above Music/Sony ATV Songs
BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
Label: Def Jam
BEST NEW ARTIST
Fun.
RECORD OF THE YEAR
Somebody That I Used To Know
Gotye Featuring Kimbra
Wally De Backer, producer; Wally De Backer & Francois Tetaz, engineers/mixers; William Bowden, mastering engineer
Track from: Making Mirrors
Label: Universal Republic
Alabama To Launch Back To The Bowery Tour
/by Jessica Nicholson“I’m so excited to celebrate 40 years since our first show at The Bowery,” says Alabama frontman, Randy Owen. “We still love one another, have played music together all these years, and are blessed to still be around. Most importantly, we are ever grateful for the fans, many having been with us since we used to play for tips, so to be able to go back out and play for them will make this a very special year.”
April 5- Myrtle Beach, S.C.–Alabama Theatre
April 6- Myrtle Beach, S.C.–Alabama Theatre
April 26 – Wallingford, Conn.–Oakdale Theatre Presented by Toyota
April 27- Rama, ON–Casino Rama
May 1 – Westbury, N.Y.–The NYCB Theatre at Westbury
May 17 – Atlanta, Ga.–Fox Theatre
July 5 – Orange Beach, Ala.–Amphitheater at the Wharf
Aug. 30 – Highland Park, Ill.–Ravinia Festival
Aug. 31 – Hinckley, Minn.–Grand Casino
Oct. 4- Minot, N.D. –Norsk Hostfest
Oct. 5 – Minot, N.D.–Norsk Hostfest
Oct. 12 – Thackerville, Okla.–Winstar Casino
Additional dates for the Back to the Bowery Tour will be announced soon. Tickets go on sale in select markets beginning Friday (Feb. 15). For more information, visit www.thealabamaband.com.
Artist Snapshots (2/11/13)
/by Jessica NicholsonRascal Flatts took their “Change Tour” to Columbus, Ohio, the hometown and home state of band members Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus. Not wanting to leave out band mate Joe Don Rooney, the First Lady of Ohio Karen Kasich proclaimed him an honorary “Ohioan” for the day.
Pictured (L-R): Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox, Karen Kasich, Jay DeMarcus.
• • •
Hunter Hayes celebrated his three nominations and performance during the 55th Annual Grammy Awards after the awards show with members of Warner Music Nashville and Martingale Management.
Pictured (L-R): Peter Strickland, GM, Warner Music Nashville; Ansel Davis, Martingale Management; Hunter Hayes, Betsy McHugh, Martingale Management and John Esposito,President and CEO, Warner Music Nashville
• • •
Casey James joined The Big D and Bubba Show live in studio to give a live performance of his sophomore single “Crying On A Suitcase.”
Casey James performing on The Big D and Bubba Show.
• • •
Ryman Auditorium Earns 3rd Consecutive Theatre of the Year Honor
/by Jessica NicholsonRyman Auditorium
The Ryman Auditorium was named Theatre of the Year for the third consecutive year on Thursday (Feb. 7) at the 24th Annual Pollstar Awards, held in Los Angeles.
The 2,363-seat Ryman Auditorium was nominated along with five other theatres: Austin City Limits at the Moody Theater Austin (capacity: 2765), Beacon Theatre in New York City (capacity: 2829), Fox Theatre Atlanta (capacity: 4670), Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles (capacity: 7100) and Radio City Music Hall New York City (capacity: 6013).
During the past 15 years, the Ryman Auditorium has won the title five times.
“Coming to a concert at the Ryman is an unparalleled experience–the rich history, the amazing sound and the intimacy of the room all make for a concert event that just can’t happen elsewhere,” says Ryman Auditorium General Manager Sally Williams. “We’re incredibly honored and grateful to our peers for naming us Theatre of the Year for a third year in a row. We like to say that we make history one night at a time and that’s just what we will continue to do in the year ahead.”
For more information, visit Ryman.com.
Live Nation To Launch New Country Music Festival in Michigan
/by Jessica NicholsonBrian O’Connell
Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell has created a new three-day country music and camping festival, Faster Horses, set to launch in Brooklyn, Mich. on July 18-21, according to Billboard.
The festival will be held in a field adjacent to the Brooklyn International Speedway.
Faster Horses is the second country music festival produced by Live Nation and O’Connell; the first festival, Watershed, launched in 2012 at the Gorge amphitheater in Quincy, Wash.
Twenty-five artists have been booked for the show so far, though a formal announcement of the talent lineup is not expected until next week. Live Nation represents artists including Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan and others.
Grammy Ratings and Weblinks
/by Sarah SkatesEmmylou Harris and Mumford & Sons’ Marcus Mumford at the 2013 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute to Bruce Springsteen on Feb. 8 in Los Angeles. Photo: Rick Diamond/WireImage.com
Grammy ratings fell from last year’s high of more than 39 million viewers to about 29 million for last night’s (Feb. 10) primetime show (8-11 p.m). The slip was expected due to 2012’s ceremony drawing a 30-year ratings high, spurred by the death of Whitney Houston the night before.
Last night’s show on CBS attracted 28.4 million viewers for the full show (8-11:30 p.m.), the second-highest since 1993. The show received a 10.1 rating among viewers in the advertiser coveted age group of 18 and 49, topping every Grammy telecast since 2004.
Ratings according to Zap2It.com.
• • • •
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Zac Brown, Kenny Chesney, Natalie Maines and Elton John were among the performers who saluted Bruce Springsteen as MusiCares Person of the Year at a Grammy week ceremony. More from EW.
• • • •
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell recruited a slew of star guest performers for their Saturday (Feb. 9) night show at the Los Angeles Troubadour. They were joined by Joan Baez, Bonnie Raitt, the Zac Brown Band, J.D. Souther, Damien Rice, Joan Osborne, Shannon McNally, John Fullbright and Shawn Camp, reports the LA Times.
• • • •
Snoop Dogg decided the BMI panel “How I Wrote That Song” was a good place to light up a doobie on Saturday. He was a panelist at the Grammy week event at The Roxy alongside Luke Laird, Busta Rhymes, B.o.B. and Evan Bogart. Get the buzz from The Hollywood Reporter.
Kenny Chesney performs at the MusiCares tribute to Bruce Springsteen. Photo: Mark Davis/WireImage.com
Blake Shelton To Release 'Based On A True Story…' March 26
/by Jessica NicholsonShelton will launch his Ten Times Crazier Tour on July 19 in Virginia Beach, Va. with guests Easton Corbin (Mercury) and Jana Kramer (Warner Bros. Records).
Based On A True Story… Full Track Listing
For Ten Times Crazier Tour dates, visit: www.BlakeShelton.com/shows.
Artist News (2/11/13)
/by Eric T. ParkerBrett Eldredge
Atlantic Records recording artist Brett Eldredge will be the first featured artist on Warner Music Nashville’s new monthly interactive live concert stream, Live from Music Square, via StageIt. The hour-long session will kick off on Tuesday (Feb. 12). The live concert starts at 8 p.m./7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast from Studio B on Music Row in Nashville. The stream can be accessed here.
• • •
• • •
• • •
Josey Milner. Photo: Shelly Milner
On Friday (Feb. 8), Astar Promotions presented the Country At the Rock Concert Series at the Hard Rock Cafe, Nashville, Tenn. The show was broadcast live on Renegade Radio Nashville with performers including 17-year-old Josey Milner, who performed her anti-bullying anthem, “Not Pretty Enough.” This was Milner’s first official performance in Nashville.
Upcoming Nashville Shows: Valentine's Day Weekend
/by Jessica NicholsonNashville has plenty of musical offerings for this Valentine’s Day weekend. Here are a few of the top shows to catch this weekend.
Smokey Robinson at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Thursday and Friday, Feb. 14-15, 8 p.m. CT
Smokey Robinson, known for his soulful classics “I Second That Emotion” and “Cruisin'” will perform at Nashville’s Symphony Center, backed by the Nashville Symphony.
For more information, visit nashvillesymphony.org.
• • •
Thursday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m. CT
His album The Broken Record featured the songs “Twenty-One,” “I Love Everyone” and more.
For more information, visit ticketweb.com.
• • •
Thursday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. CT
John Driskell Hopkins rooted himself in the Atlanta, Ga. music scene before becoming a founding member of Zac Brown Band. Hopkins teamed up with North Carolina bluegrass band Balsam Range, to record the project Daylight.
For more information, visit thebasementnashville.com.
• • •
Thursday, Feb. 14, 6 p.m. CT
Rick Springfield is best-known for his No. 1 hit “Jesse’s Girl” from 1981. He had four additional hit singles, including “I’ve Done Everything for You,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “Affair of the Heart” and “Love Somebody.”
For more information, visit wildhorsesaloon.com.
• • •
Kid Rock has had five Grammy nominations and is best-known for the songs “Only God Knows Why,” “Picture” and “All Summer Long.”
Friday, Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m. CT
For more information, visit bridgestonearena.com.
• • •
Friday, Feb. 15, 7:00 p.m.
Josh Turner, Craig Morgan, Chris Janson, Ricky Skaggs and more.
For more information, visit opry.com.
Bobby Karl Works the Nashville Grammy Viewing Party
/by Bobby KarlTaylor Swift opens the show.
The Hard Rock rocked on Sunday night.
The Lower Broadway nightclub hosted the Nashville Grammy party in style (Feb. 10). The multi-tattooed bartending squad kept the beverages flowing and the kitchen staff really turned on the talent.
We dined on burger sliders with blue cheese and hot sauce, pulled-pork barbecue sandwiches and excellent French fries plus tortellini and/or bowtie pasta tossed with mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, spinach and parmesan. And that was just the downstairs menu. Folks upstairs munched on Chinese creations – vegetarian egg rolls and/or beef, fried rice and stir-fried veggies. The wait staff circulated with bruchetta on toast points, spicy shrimp, fried chicken, salmon on toast and other delish dishes.
Dozens of viewing screens were stationed throughout the venue, the better to watch the 55th annual Grammy Awards telecast. Nashville’s own Taylor Swift was the opening act, performing “We Are Never, Ever Getting Back Together” with a colorful troupe of circus-themed dancers. She also picked up a Grammy for best song written for a motion picture (“Safe & Sound” from The Hunger Games).
Nashville’s Kelly Clarkson saluted Patti Page and Carole King and picked up a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. Also in the performing spotlight were Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood in her video satin dress, Hunter Hayes and Miranda Lambert. Multiple Grammy winners The Black Keys rocked “Lonely Boy” with Dr. John and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Notable Nashvillian Jack White rocked. Album of the Year winners Mumford & Sons rocked, too. Grammy presenters included Clarkson, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw and a gorgeous Faith Hill.
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw present at the Grammy Awards.
The show was characterized by well-executed tribute segments. Best Country Album winners The Zac Brown Band joined Elton John, Mavis Staples, Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes, the Mumfords and more in saluting Levon Helm. Bruno Mars, Sting, Rihanna and Ziggy Marley were outstanding in saluting Bob Marley. Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Kenny Garrett performed “Take Five” in honor of Dave Brubeck. Show host LL Cool J joined Chuck D, Tom Morello, Travis Barker and more to salute Adam Yauch of The Beastie Boys.
In pre-telecast ceremonies, Music City’s Little Big Town, TobyMac, Janis Ian, Josh Kear, Chris Tompkins, The Civil Wars and Old Crow Medicine Show won Grammys. At the Hard Rock, cheers went up whenever a Nashvillian such as Underwood was announced as winning. The evening’s biggest Grammy collector was our own Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, who picked up four trophies and thanked Music City each time.
Schmoozing and enjoying the telecast at the Hard Rock were Karen Clark, Kathy Anderson, Raeanne Rubenstein, Rebecca Luxford, Bryan Cumming, Bill VornDick, Barry Landis, Ashley Ernst, Alicia Warwick, Dale Bobo, Charles Dorris, Steve O’Brien, Marty Evans, Debbie Hupp, Jimmie “Jaz” Dorsey, Laura Crawford and many of the Nashville Chapter’s younger rock and CCM members.
Photos: Grammy.com
Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert had a front row seat.
Nashville Gets Grammy Love: Show Highlights and Winners
/by Eric T. ParkerTaylor Swift opens the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. Photo: Kevin Winter/WireImage
Tons of Grammy trophies are on their way home to Nashville today (Feb. 11). For the fifth year running, Music City’s acclaimed all-genre talent pool was on display at the three-hour-plus performance-fest.
Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys emerged the big winner at last night’s show, taking home four Grammys, including Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical, and three with bandmate and fellow Nashvillian Patrick Carney for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for “Lonely Boy,” and Best Rock Album for El Camino. Though Auerbach’s acceptance speech for Best Rock Performance wasn’t the evening’s most enthusiastic, he redeemed himself by giving a shout-out to his adopted hometown, and then proved why The Black Keys won the award by rocking the socks off the audience during a set with Dr. John.
Taylor Swift’s captivating opening number of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” set the tone for a night of outstanding performances when she fell down the rabbit hole into a magical Alice-In-Circus-Wonderland parade of outrageous characters. Proving that red is so 2012, she donned all-white for last night’s show, red carpet and the recent People’s Choice Awards. Swift, The Civil Wars and T Bone Burnett won the award for Best Song Written For Visual Media “Safe & Sound” (From The Hunger Games).
Carrie Underwood performs during the Grammys. Photo: Kevin Winter/WireImage
Carrie Underwood’s hit “Blown Away” received two honors. She won her sixth Grammy, for Best Country Solo Performance, while songwriters Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins took home Best County Song. It is the fourth Grammy for Kear and second for Tompkins; they also won in 2008 for Underwood’s “Before He Cheats.” For last night’s performance of “Blown Away” and new single “Two Black Cadillacs,” Underwood donned a silvery ball gown that shone with a montage of video projections. The downside was that it prevented her from moving around the stage. Newcomer Frank Ocean (Best Urban Contemporary Album) also made good use of video during his set, too bad the song “Forrest Gump” couldn’t keep pace.
Rounding out the country winners were Little Big Town for Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Pontoon”) and Zac Brown Band for Best Country Album (Uncaged). Zac Brown also teamed with Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes, Elton John, Mumford & Sons and Mavis Staples, for a stellar take on The Band’s classic “The Weight” during a salute to the late Levon Helm.
Nominees Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley teamed up for their respective hits “Over You” and “Home.”
As always, Kelly Clarkson was in amazing voice during a tribute to Lifetime Achievement Award winners Patti Page and Carole King by performing their songs “The Tennessee Waltz” and “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman.” Clarkson’s excitement was infectious when accepting the award for Best Pop Vocal Album for “Stronger.”
Nashville-based rocker Jack White utilized both of his backing bands during a segment that was a rousing success when he played one song with the female musicians and another with the male musicians.
Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman and Blake Shelton made appearances. Hunter Hayes scored three nominations and a performance slot. Plus, his new partnership with Pepsi was highlighted prominently during a commercial break.
Justin Timberlake performs at the Grammy Awards. Photo: Kevin Winter
After a long hiatus from music, Justin Timberlake offered his smokin’ hot new single “Suit & Tie,” in one of the Grammy’s coolest moments. Part of his big-band-style performance featuring Jay-Z was broadcast in black-and-white to at-home viewers, before bursting into living color.
Superstar pairings have long been a Grammy hallmark, with last night’s highlights including newbie Ed Sheerhan with icon Elton John; Alicia Keys with Maroon 5; and Bruno Mars with Sting, Rihanna and Ziggy Marley.
Nashville’s Grammy winning streak started in 2009 when Raising Sand, the Alison Krauss/Robert Plant collaboration, was the top winner. The most-honored torch was carried by Swift in 2010 and Lady Antebellum in 2011. Last year, Nashville was well-represented with wins by Swift, Lady A, Alison Krauss and Union Station, and The Civil Wars.
—Sarah Skates
A full list of televised award recipients is below.
Click here for MusicRow’s list of the 2013 pre-telecast Grammy award winners.
Miranda Lambert performs alongside tourmate Dierks Bentley during the Grammy telecast. Photo: Kevin Winter (Lambert) and Kevin Mazur (Bentley)
BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE
Blown Away
Carrie Underwood
Track from: Blown Away
Label: 19 Recordings Limited/Arista Nashville
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Uncaged
Zac Brown Band
Label: Southern Ground/Atlantic
Kelly Clarkson and manager fiance Brandon Blackstock.
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
Stronger
Kelly Clarkson
Label: RCA Records/19 Recordings LLC
BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
Lonely Boy
The Black Keys
Track from: El Camino
Label: Nonesuch
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Babel
Mumford & Sons
Markus Dravs, producer; Robin Baynton & Ruadhri Cushnan, engineers/mixers; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer
Label: Glassnote
BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
Set Fire To The Rain [Live]
Adele
Track from: Live At The Royal Albert Hall
Label: XL/Columbia
SONG OF THE YEAR
We Are Young
Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess, songwriters (Fun. Featuring Janelle Monáe)
Track from: Some Nights
Label: Fueled By Ramen; Publishers: WB Music, FBR Music, Bearvon Music/Rough Art/Shira Lee Lawrence Rick Music/Way Above Music/Sony ATV Songs
BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
Label: Def Jam
BEST NEW ARTIST
Fun.
RECORD OF THE YEAR
Somebody That I Used To Know
Gotye Featuring Kimbra
Wally De Backer, producer; Wally De Backer & Francois Tetaz, engineers/mixers; William Bowden, mastering engineer
Track from: Making Mirrors
Label: Universal Republic