Jason Isbell Got Screwed: A 56th Grammy Awards Preview
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THE 56th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS
” When: 7 PM Central, 8 PM Eastern, 5 PM Pacific on CBS.
” Where: The Stapes Center, Los Angeles, CA.
” Host: LL Cool J
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
More Traditional Country Than One Might Expect
” Though the Grammy Awards are all-encompassing, there will be quite a bit of country, including classic country on the night with Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson scheduled to perform. Just like we saw with the CMA Awards in November, there is a renewed push to at least include something for classic country’s often-overlooked fans. There will also be a tribute to the recently-passed Phil Everly. See a complete list of the country performances below.
Kacey Musgraves To Push Boundaries…again.
” Similar to the CMA Awards, Kacey Musgraves will be performing her song “Follow Your Arrow.” At the CMA’s, the line “roll up a joint” was censored by ABC. We’ll see if CBS follows suit. She is also up for Best Country Album, Best Country Song for “Merry Go ‘Round,” and the all-genre Best New Artist. With her status as a critic’s favorite, and the propensity for the Grammy Awards to traditionally be more about artistic appeal than commercial success, Kacey should at least be considered a strong nominee, at least for the country awards. The 56th Grammy Awards could be where the Kacey Musgraves experiment sticks if she walks away with the top prizes.
THE COUNTRY PERFORMANCES
” Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and Blake Shelton will all perform a medley of songs together (which one of these things is not like the others?). The performance will begin with Willie and Kris singing the Jimmy Webb-penned song “The Highwayman.” Then all the men will sing a version of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” and end with Haggard’s “Okie From Muskogee.”
” Miranda Lambert & Billie Joe Armstrong will perform a Everly Brothers tribute. Phil Everly recently passed away, and Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day recently released a tribute album to the brother duo with Norah Jones. No word why Miranda is the duet partner and not Norah.
” Kacey Musgraves will reportedly be performing her current single “Follow Your Arrow” that had the “roll up a joint” line censored by ABC during the CMA Awards in November.
” Hunter Hayes will be performing a brand new anti-bullying single called “Invisible.”
” Taylor Swift is rumored to be performing “All Too Well.”
” Keith Urban will be performing with John Legend in a salute to the Beatles.
” Hunter Hayes, Zac Brown, and Martina McBride will be award presenters.
” See the list of the non-country performances below.
SPECIAL AWARDS
These awards have already been given out as part of The Grammy Award’s per-televised events.
” Kris Kristofferson was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
” Kris Kristofferson‘s first, self-titled album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
” Dolly Parton‘s song “Jolene” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
COUNTRY AWARD NOMINEES & PREDICTIONS
The most shocking story of this Grammy Awards season was the snub of Jason Isbell from even being nominated for the Americana Album of the Year. This is a perfect example that the Grammy community is very much on the outside looking in when it comes to country music, especially the sub-genres like Americana and bluegrass.
At the same time, The Grammy Awards have a better history of picking artists based on their artistic merit as opposed to their commercial success. Remember it was the Grammy Awards that recognized Johnny Cash’s comeback during his American Recordings years when the country music industry was still ignoring him. Similarly the Grammy Awards tend to vote more down political lines, like when they recognized The Dixie Chicks after their blackballing from country music. This all sets up well for an artist like Kacey Musgraves.
The Grammy Awards are notoriously hard to predict, but I’ll do my best.
Best Country Album
I see this as a two horse race. Though the women of country are such underdogs these days, Kacey Musgraves as the critical favorite, and Taylor Swift as the commercial favorite, have to be considered the likely winners. There’s an outside chance for Blake Shelton because of his high profile from The Voice, but he would be an upset. Aldean & McGraw have no chance. In the end I think Swift will take it, but don’t rule out Kacey.
- Jason Aldean, Night Train
- Tim McGraw, Two Lanes of Freedom
- Kacey Musgraves, Same Trailer Different Park – Other Potential Winner
- Blake Shelton, Based on a True Story”¦
- Taylor Swift, Red – Winner
Best Country Solo Performance
Probably a race between ‘I Drive Your Truck” that won the CMA, or Darius Rucker’s version of ‘Wagon Wheel.’ Outside chance again for Blake Shelton because he’s so well-known, and there will be pressure to give him something. Understand this award is mainly for the performance, not the song. But if ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ wins, it would be a noteworthy win for songwriters Kacey Musgraves and Brandy Clark, and if ‘Wagon Wheel’ wins, for Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, and Bob Dylan. Remember when Darius Rucker said he better be nominated or “Country Music’s Screwed“?
- Lee Brice, ‘I Drive Your Truck’ – Winner
- Hunter Hayes, ‘I Want Crazy’
- Miranda Lambert, ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’
- Darius Rucker, ‘Wagon Wheel’ – Other potential Winner
- Blake Shelton, ‘Mine Would Be You’
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
The Civil Wars have been Grammy darlings in the past, and may still win despite the band dissolving last year. Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton would be the sentimental vote, but they should be considered a long shot. We may see Scott Borchetta assert his power here and have ‘Highway Don’t Care’ walk away with the hardware. It is cool to see a lot of good country names in this category, including Vince Gill. This is a very hard one to pick.
- The Civil Wars, ‘From This Valley’ – Other potential Winner
- Kelly Clarkson feat. Vince Gill, ‘Don’t Rush’
- Little Big Town, ‘Your Side of the Bed’
- Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift & Keith Urban, ‘Highway Don’t Care’ – Winner
- Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton, ‘You Can’t Make Old Friends’ – Other potential Winner
Best Country Song
Another wide open field. Lee Brice once again has to be thought of as a front runner, but this very well may be Kacey Musgraves’ moment. This win would arguably mean more to her than any other nominee. And remember, Kacey and Brandy Clark also win if Mama’s Broken Heart’ is ultimately selected. I don’t really see Taylor Swift or Blake Shelton having a chance with this one.
- Taylor Swift, ‘Begin Again’
- Lee Brice, ‘I Drive Your Truck’ – Other potential Winner
- Miranda Lambert, ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’
- Kacey Musgraves, ‘Merry Go ‘Round’ – Winner
- Blake Shelton, ‘Mine Would Be You’
All Genre Awards
- Taylor Swift’s Red is the sole country album up for Album of the Year, and it is my pick for the winner. The other strong contender would be Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories.
- Kacey Musgraves is up for Best New Artist, but it is hard to see her outlasting Macklemore + Ryan Lewis, Kendrick Lamar, or Ed Sheeran.
AMERICANA & BLUEGRASS NOMINEES
Once again the Americana genre is saddled by its very narrow perspective in nominees. And except for Sarah Jarosz, they are all older artists this year. Compare this with last year when John Fullbright, The Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons, and The Lumineers were all nominees. The Americana nominees really show how much the Mumford backlash took root, and how that was very much last year’s trend. Jason Isbell got completely screwed, and so did many other deserving artists.
Not going to make any predictions for these awards because they are all wide open fields. Anybody could win here. These awards will be given away before the televised portion of the awards, so check the Saving Country Music LIVE blog for winners.
***UPDATE – In the pre-televised Grammy presentation….
- The Grammy for Best American Roots Song went to Edie Brickell and Steve Martin for “Love Has Come For You“.
- The Grammy for Best Americana Album went to Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell for “Old Yellow Moon“.
- The Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album went to Streets of Baltimore from the Del McCoury Band.
- And the Grammy for Best Folk Album went to My Favorite Picture of You by Guy Clark.
Best Americana Album
- Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell Old Yellow Moon
- Steve Martin & Edie Brickell Love Has Come For You
- Buddy Miller And Jim Lauderdale Buddy And Jim
- Mavis Staples One True Vine
- Allen Toussaint Songbook
Best Bluegrass Album
- The Boxcars It’s Just A Road
- Dailey & Vincent Brothers Of The Highway
- Della Mae This World Oft Can Be
- James King Three Chords And The Truth
- Del McCoury Band The Streets Of Baltimore
Best Folk Album
- Guy Clark My Favorite Picture Of You
- The Greencards Sweetheart Of The Sun
- Sarah Jarosz Build Me Up From Bones
- The Milk Carton Kids The Ash & Clay
- Various Artists; Chris Strachwitz, producer They All Played For Us: Arhoolie Records 50th Anniversary Celebration
Best American Roots Song
- “Build Me Up From Bones”
- Sarah Jarosz, songwriter (Sarah Jarosz)
- “Invisible”
- Steve Earle, songwriter (Steve Earle & The Dukes (& Duchesses))
- “Keep Your Dirty Lights On”
- Tim O’Brien & Darrell Scott, songwriters (Tim O’Brien And Darrell Scott)
- “Love Has Come For You”
- Edie Brickell & Steve Martin, songwriters (Steve Martin & Edie Brickell)
- “Shrimp Po-Boy, Dressed”
- Allen Toussaint, songwriter (Allen Toussaint)
OTHER GRAMMY PERFORMERS
- Beyonce and Jay Z will open the show with “Drunk In Love.”
- Gary Clark, Jr.
- Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
- Sara Bareilles featuring Carole King
- Daft Punk featuring Nile Rodgers, Stevie Wonder and Pharrell Williams
- Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons
- Lorde
- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
- Madonna
- Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr
- Metallica featuring Lang Lang
- Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Dave Grohl and Lindsey Buckingham
- Katy Perry featuring Juicy J
- Pink featuring Nate Ruess
- Robin Thicke featuring Chicago
January 26, 2014 @ 10:21 am
Hoping for Rodney and Emmy Lou in Americana and The Boxcars or James King in Bluegrass.
January 26, 2014 @ 10:24 am
Live 365 programers asked who was programing Grammy Music and I could say I was.
I’m close with most of the Bluegrass noms except Delia Mae.
January 26, 2014 @ 11:12 am
Was Jason Isbell’s name submitted for consideration? Isn’t it suppose to be where the only real arm twisting involves money invested in promotional material/gifts to keep the members aware of someone basically? Of course I’d be shocked if any of the members knew who he was.
When I was at the Wal Mart this morning, I noticed they had a stack of Grammy Nomination CD’s. It was a pretty big compilation with maybe 18 songs. I was standing there wondering if picking songs to nominate that would push sales of that album had any influence on the nominations or voting? If the awards are suppose to be based on the ‘art’ of music, seeing them making money directly off their nominations didn’t look good to me at all.
I still say of you listen to “Red” it’s really (really) hard to call it a country album with a straight face.
January 26, 2014 @ 11:20 am
Willie, Kris, Merle, and …… Blake Shelton??? What a joke! If they needed a fourth voice why not go for someone of the ‘old fart’ era instead of that smug bastard?
January 26, 2014 @ 11:22 am
Thank goodness they’re not performing Boys ‘Round Here!
January 26, 2014 @ 11:24 am
It puzzles me why they would leave Jason out. Isn’t he one of the biggest names in americana right now?
January 26, 2014 @ 12:03 pm
Arguably the biggest. But as unaware of Americana as the Grammys are, Americana is almost just as unaware of itself. Americana had a huge opportunity over the last couple of years to gain major ground with the popularity of Mumford, Lumineers, and The Avetts. Now they are failing to put their best foot forward by not presenting an artist that has the greatest possible potential for outreach for new listeners. Americana is beset by an extremely narrow focus, and though their model is to be sustainable and smart, they are failing to strike while the iron is hot. It may be a decade or longer before Americana finds the amount of focus on their style of music as they had over the last 18 months. Opportunity lost.
An article I wrote on this a while back:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/warning-the-roots-resurgence-will-not-last-forever
January 27, 2014 @ 8:27 am
I’d say it’s probably because the people who decided to vote to determine the Americana nominees don’t have much of a feel for what the genre is or much knowledge of the artists in the genre that are not big names. For example, during the Linda Chorney debacle a couple of years ago, one such Chorney voter admitted on No Depression that he didn’t vote for Hayes Carll because he thought Carll should be in the country genre, not Americana. Talk about clueless.
I agree that the most glaring omission on merit is Isbell’s Southeastern, but it’s almost to be expected from the Grammys given that his raised profile is fairly recent. More surprising to me, though, is that Patty Griffin did not get nominated for American Kid. It’s another in a long line of great releases from her and she has been one of the bigger draws in Americana for a good number of years now (Jason Isbell does seem to be up there with her and Gillian Welch now after the success of Southeastern. For example, I’m seeing him tomorrow night at the 9:30 Club in DC, which holds about 1,000 people. It sold out a couple of weeks ago, which is pretty big time for Americana). Also, Steve Earle is normally an automatic when he puts out an album, but not this year. I think The Low Highway is his best in over a decade.
I’d be shocked if Jason Isbell and Patty Griffin don’t get nominations for album of the year for next year’s Americana Music Association (AMA) awards.
January 26, 2014 @ 11:44 am
Ashley Monroe also got robbed just like Kellie Pickler last year. No airplay = no nominations. So at least 3 best albums and critical favorites got robbed 2 years in a row. Radio played all of the Best Country Album, Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song nominees to #1 or top 10. No matter what they say, for the mainstream categories the Grammys usually vote by airplay, sales, and politics/label lobbying just like the CMAs and ACMs. Since country radio doesn’t play most women even when they make the best albums, the awards should figure out a way to compensate for that. One year the ACMs or CMAs lowered the album sales minimum so a great album(s) with lower sales could be nominated. They all should do the same with airplay and sales because country women make the best country albums, radio doesn’t play most of them, and no one sells much unless radio plays them to at least top 10-20. Next year expect Kellie Pickler and Brandy Clark to get robbed unless radio plays them to top 10 or so. Then if Kacey releases another album and radio doesn’t play it like they already did with her second single she could get robbed.
January 26, 2014 @ 12:47 pm
They should lower all the sales requirements and focus on quality.
January 26, 2014 @ 1:39 pm
Ashley struck me as a glaring omission, as well. (Also, I had hoped Valerie June would at least get noticed in the Americana category.)
As for Kacey, I’m not usually superstitious, but I kinda hope she doesn’t get Best New Artist; on the other hand, a win for Best Country Album would be great.
January 26, 2014 @ 12:17 pm
I’ve not done a scientific study of it but there does seem a very high portion of Grammy Performers also being winners…maybe those accountants from E&Y aren’t so secretive after all. So maybe I’m reading too much into Kacey performing..and that would be some nice momentum for her in her concert opening for Katy Perry.
January 26, 2014 @ 12:21 pm
I don’t mind the recording industry having a PR pep rally for itself, but the idea that the Grammy Awards actually represent the best in music in a given year is laughable.
They might as well just rename the categories “the most obvious mainstream albums in genre X released this year,” and then pick the winner by shooting blow darts. All I can do is root is for the good guys to gain whatever national exposure they can.
I see Blake Shelton will be singing a bunch of old fogey songs with Willie Nelson and a couple other geezers. Come on dude, no one wants to listen to their grandpa’s music.
January 26, 2014 @ 12:49 pm
I can’t bring myself to sit through this award show. I think back to November and all the crap I had to sit through just to see and Strait and Jackson sing one song and I know I won’t be able to stomach tonight. Even with 3 of my top ten favorite artists performing, I can just youtube it in the morning.
January 26, 2014 @ 1:42 pm
I agree 100%. I’d rather waste time on Playstation than watch hours of this crap.
I’ll enter the TV room when the three legends perform but I hope Shelton falls off the stage.
January 26, 2014 @ 1:44 pm
Yeah, I don’t see much here that would be worth changing my viewing plans for tonight (including ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘Sherlock’).
January 26, 2014 @ 2:47 pm
I’m going with Shameless and True Detective tonight. I’ve been loving the music selections on True Detective which is scored by Nashville-exiled T Bone Burnett. Speaking of Nashville, I was pleasantly surprised to hear Turnpike Troubadours ‘Gin, Smoke and Lies’ during a scene last Thursday.
January 26, 2014 @ 1:45 pm
Of all the mainstream country I do hope Lee Brice’s song does well. Something about it has a great impact every time I hear it
January 26, 2014 @ 2:13 pm
No tribute on the schedule for Ray Price?
January 26, 2014 @ 2:17 pm
Nor George Jones. Though the Grammys usually have an “In Memoriam” segment, so let’s hope we see these guys mentioned there.
January 26, 2014 @ 2:30 pm
Oh yeah, of course George as well. I guess it just feels like his death was so much longer ago. The three old farts they chose to sing with Blake Shelton would be especially perfect to sing for Ray, though.
January 26, 2014 @ 2:47 pm
Perhaps they’ll mention Hank Sr., it being 60 years since his passing.
Not that it matters much, it’s only the Shammy’s.
January 26, 2014 @ 2:49 pm
I don’t know if anyone said this already, but a plan to air same sex weddings will air on the Grammy’s according to New York Times. This maybe a big night for Kacey Musgraves
January 26, 2014 @ 3:00 pm
They really need to stop trying to force this faget stuff on people “it’s a music show”
Isn’t there a way to give them their own country and then deport them?
January 26, 2014 @ 11:03 pm
If you insist on using ugly hateful words, at least spell them correctly.
January 26, 2014 @ 3:08 pm
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/26/grammys-wedding-macklemore-ryan-lewis-queen-latifah/?_php=true&_type=blogs&hpw&rref=arts&_r=0
I thought you were joking. I have nothing against gay marriage, but what does this have to do with music? It doesn’t. Same with these mega star duet performances. They started on the Grammy’s a few years ago and I was hoping it was a faze just like the concept of ‘duet albums.’. And to be honest, I didn’t like it when Strait and Jackson sang “He Stopped Loving Her Today” together on the CMAs. Just cause two people sing on the same song doesn’t make that song a duet. From a concept and music perspective, it’s gimmicky, confusing and awkward. Now I think they pair up artists just for the shock value …. hence, more shock and gimmicks …. live gay marriages on a music award show!!!
Besides the fact that before this morning I thought Maklemore was a fish and Lorde was a great song by CCR, I have little desire to tune into the Grammy’s tonight. What little I did desire I had – Willie, Hag and Kris – I can wait and youtube their performance in the morning. Lord knows they’ll fuck it up somehow.
January 26, 2014 @ 4:12 pm
To distance myself from Strait Country 81 (great album though), Martina McBride did the same thing with a straight couple on the CMA or ACMs a few years back and I thought it was gimmicky.
January 26, 2014 @ 3:56 pm
Maybe that Macklemore jackass will go into another rant about Travon Martin and racial profiling. He’s a 30 year old Irish descendant that grew up in a nice neighborhood and went to college. … just another punk pandering to the rap crowd and gays to try and fit in to be popular (and lord the ego on that guy).
January 27, 2014 @ 2:18 am
Of course, it cannot have anything to do with a deep belief in equal rights, no?
I am sure that many people 50 years ago viewed white civil rights workers in the same manner.
January 26, 2014 @ 4:07 pm
Grammy’s are no measure of an artist or albums quality. Its simply the music business celebrating themselves with a three hour commercial for their artists. The only goal is to sell more albums, not celebrate anybody. Why Isbell and other artists may have been “screwed”, its just that the labels (or the ones with power) get to showcase their artists. Do the right thing – don’t watch the travesty.
January 26, 2014 @ 4:30 pm
I prefer the dont dvr it and then illegally dowload it policy so they dont get credit and I can still fast foward trough the freak show. Freak shows are entertaing.
Im most looking forward to another Taylor Swift oscar winning performance pretending to be shocked when she wins.
January 26, 2014 @ 4:30 pm
I’ll be watching every minute of it. I’m in the middle of a blizzard so there’s nothing else to do. I can’t wait for the “Live Blog” to begin. Yay! This is so much fun.
January 26, 2014 @ 4:32 pm
The live blogs by Trigger are my favorite things about award shows.
January 26, 2014 @ 4:39 pm
Only problem with the live blogs is that the awards shows (except for Oscars) are never shown live on the west coast where I live so it takes the fun out of the live blog. Starts at 8 PM live on east coast and 8 PM recorded in the west.
January 26, 2014 @ 4:46 pm
Scotty,
Are they time delaying the Grammys? I thought they were being show live?
January 26, 2014 @ 4:53 pm
Yep. Been seeing ads all day on CBS saying 8 east and west and just did quick search to make sure and it is delayed. Sadly this is a long running problem with living in the west. Even Monday Night Football was aired tape delayed until about ten years ago.
January 26, 2014 @ 5:08 pm
Looking forward to a lot of the performances actually -Paul and Ringo, daft punk with stevie wonder, NIN with Queens of the Stone age (who shouldve been nominated for album of the year), Lorde, Kendrick, the everlys tribute, willie nelson/kris/merle/blakes medley, guitar god Gary Clark jr. Its a surprisingly strong and not too mainstream line up.
January 26, 2014 @ 5:34 pm
I have to say, seeing that Blake is set to perform with Willie, Kris, and Merle makes me cringe! This is obviously a requested bailout for Blake to salvage some of his more traditional fans. I know they wanted a mainstream currently relevant artist but how awesome would someone like Jamey Johnson or Shooter Jennings have been in this role! Ahhh, what could have been…
January 26, 2014 @ 5:53 pm
well Haggard, Kristofferson and willie are unmistakeably the Old Farts, guess that leaves Shelton to be the Jack-Ass.
January 30, 2014 @ 6:47 pm
This has nothing to do with The Grammy’s, but I went to the Jason Isbell & Holly Williams show at the 9:30 Club in DC. I can’t imagine seeing a better live show. It was amazing.
January 31, 2014 @ 7:34 am
I was there too and completely agree. Also, Jason’s renditon of Cover Me Up was one of the best concert song experiences of my life. Holly Williams was great, too. Waiting on June to close out her set was really something.
I’ve got Marshall Crenshaw and the Bottle Rockets tonight at the Birchmere. Great live music week.