Grammy Update

The 47th Grammy Awards are just over two weeks away now (Feb 13), and here is the latest on performances and tributes, with Ray Charles looking very much alive for someone who, you know, died. From Grammy.com:

The Recording Academy announced today that Kanye West, currently nominated for 10 GRAMMYs, will perform on the 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards telecast with a group of soul, R&B and gospel artists including newcomer John Legend, R&B great Mavis Staples, and current nominee the Blind Boys Of Alabama. In addition, Bonnie Raitt and Billy Preston will perform in honor of Ray Charles, and Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, members of the definitive Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, and legendary musicians Dickie Betts (the Allman Brothers Band) and Elvin Bishop will appear in a special tribute to Southern rock. The Academy also announced that Norah Jones, Ludacris, Mark McGrath, and Gary Sinise will present.

West is nominated for Best New Artist; Album Of The Year (as an artist on The College Dropout and as a producer on The Diary Of Alicia Keys); Best Rap Album (The College Dropout); Best Rap Solo Performance ("Through The Wire"); Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Slow Jamz" with Twista and Jamie Foxx, and "All Falls Down" with Syleena Johnson); Song Of The Year and Best Rap Song ("Jesus Walks"); and Best R&B Song ("You Don't Know My Name"). Staples is being honored this year with the Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award. The Blind Boys Of Alabama are nominated with Ben Harper for their collaborative effort: Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album (There Will Be A Light) and Best Gospel Performance for the album's title track.

Nine-time GRAMMY-winner Bonnie Raitt and two-time GRAMMY-winner Billy Preston are slated to perform in a segment honoring the late Ray Charles. Charles is posthumously nominated for seven GRAMMY Awards: Record Of The Year ("Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones); Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album (Genius Loves Company); Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals ("Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" with Elton John and "Here We Go Again"); Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance ("Sinner's Prayer" with B.B. King); and Best Gospel Performance ("Heaven Help Us All" with Gladys Knight).

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Article Author: Eric Olsen

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