The Grammy Awards were announced today (December 7, 2004), and country stars made their mark in several different non-country categories.
The biggest country music nominee was Loretta Lynn, who earned five nominations. The song "Miss Being Mrs." was nominated for "Best Country Song," as well as the performance she's nominated for as "Best Female Country Vocalist." But her other single, "Portland, Oregon," a duet with Jack White earned her two more nominations as well for "Best Country Song," and "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals." Her album, Van Lear Rose was also nominated as "Best Country Album."
The Soundtrack from "Cold Mountain" was also nominated in several categories, with Alison Krauss supplying the vocals on the songs "You Will Be My Ain True Love" and "The Scarlet Tide." Both songs were nominated in the Best Song Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media category, and Alison was nominated for "Best Female Country Vocal Performance" for "You Will Be My Ain True Love" as well. Her final nomination was for a collaboration with Shania Twain on "Coat Of Many Colors," nominated for "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.
Country's "Redneck Woman" Gretchen Wilson proves she's not just a country star with a nomination as "Best New Artist," which covers all genres. She's nominated with Maroon 5, Joss Stone, Kanye West, and Los Lonely Boys. Gretchen is also nominated for "Best Female Country Vocalst" for "Redneck Woman," and her album Here for the Party.
Other multiple award nominees include Johnny Cash (4), Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Toby Keith (3) Willie Nelson, Shania Twain, and The Notorious Cherry Bombs (2).
One thing I found interesting and was very happy to see, was the Dixie Chicks being nominated for Top of the World Live. Let's hope this is a trend and the Chicks will soon be back with some new music for country fans. I for one miss them and their music.
The Grammy Awards show will air on CBS at 8:00 pm on February 13, 2005.