Red Carpet Rolls Out for Grammy Awards
Feb. 8, 2006 — -- Unlike the Oscars, where it's all about the awards, the Grammys are all about the superstar performances, the big over-the-top tributes and the "Grammy moments" (remember Eminem's duet with Elton John?). The 2006 edition promises all of the above, but the theme for Wednesday night's show might be "Keepin' It Real (Safe)"
Music's biggest night kicks off tonight with a "mash-up" featuring the Material Mom Madonna accompanied by the Gorillaz, the animated virtual band nominated for four Grammys, including the coveted record of the year.
The lineup of performers, which is sure to generate ratings, encompasses a who's who in the pantheon of contemporary music, including Mariah Carey, whose comeback disc, "The Emancipation of Mimi," was the best-selling album of 2005 and was rewarded with eight nominations, including album, record and song of the year.
Mimi is tied with rapper-producer Kanye West (who was last year's top nominee with 10 nods) and R&B singer John Legend. They will join Bruce Springsteen (five nominations, including song of the year), Coldplay (three nominations, including best rock song), U2 and Mary J Blige, Faith Hill and Keith Urban, Christina Aguilera and Herbie Hancock, Jamie Foxx with Kanye West, and what promises to be the "water cooler moment," the all-star tribute to Sly And The Family Stone featuring Maroon 5, Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas, Robert Randolph, and Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith.
First-time performers include 13-time Grammy winner Sir Paul McCartney who's nominated for album of the year, best pop vocal album and best male vocal performance, and multiple nominee and former "American Idol" champ, Kelly Clarkson, who network executives are hoping will attract the 35 million people following "American Idol."
This year, the nominations contain 108 categories but the most important ones that will have lasting value (i.e. next day sales increase) are: record of the year, album of the year, song of the year and best new artist. Below is a list of the nominees and my picks:
