Saving Country Music’s 2016 Grammy Awards LIVE Blog
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to Saving Country Music’s LIVE blog for the 58th Annual Grammy Awards broadcast live from Los Angeles. This is an annual exercise in snark, criticism, and giving kudos where kudos are due, all unfolding without a net, unscripted, and unfiltered. So be warned there will be salty language and errant syntax in spots, but it’s all in good fun. The idea is to make the Grammy Awards a little bit more bearable to watch by commiserating together, and hoping for the best for the few worthy performers and nominees who will make an appearance.
Please note that this year the LIVE blog will have a soft launch at the beginning of the pre-telecast awards, since that is when many of the most important awards in country, roots, and Americana are doled out. Then come 8 p.m. EST, 7 p.m. CEN, we’ll go hard and heavy during the televised presentation.
WARNING: Language. All times will be Central time.
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10:59 – P.S. According to Adele, what happened during her performance was the piano mic fell onto the piano strings, causing the plucking noise. “Because of it though… I’m treating myself to an in n out. So maybe it was worth it,” she says.
See Taylor Swift comment below at the beginning of the broadcast.
10:48 Well if we went into tonight hoping for a big night for Chris Stapleton, we’d have to be a little disappointed, but not totally so. He still waled away with two Grammy Awards, including Country Album during the televised portion. But I can just tell by internet traffic numbers and social network chatter, Chris Stapleton didn’t come even close to the bump he received at the CMA’s. He didn’t even really receive a bump at all. His performance was fine, but was not optimized to showcase his talents and contributions to country music.
The big winner tonight is Taylor Swift. She won two big pre-telecast awards, and the Album of the Year. After Kendrick Lamar’s performance, I felt for certain he would beat out everyone, but we forget that what Taylor Swift did with “1989” was historic in regards to sales. It was like “Titanic,” and when you have an album like that, it’s hard to deny it. We don’t think of “1989” as a blockbuster anymore because it was so long ago, and Adele has almost doubled its numbers. But when “1989” was released, it rewrote the book on modern-day music sales. It made Adele’s sales possible by showing albums still mattered. And the Grammy voters recognized that. I think it’s Swift’s weakest record, but clearly that’s a minority viewpoint.
The 2016 Grammys wasn’t big for any one artists, except maybe Taylor. They love was spread around pretty well. But what could have been a big night for country if Chris Stapleton won for Album of the Year, and Little Big Town for Song of the Year, was avoided. And that doesn’t feel completely wrong.
10:31 – Well that’s a wrap. THANKS to everyone for stopping by! Thanks to everyone who commented, liked, tweeted, shared, or just followed along. I will be composing some quick final thoughts and then we’ll be out of here. And I’m sure I will have much more to say in the coming days so stay tuned.
10:30 – The only thing that could save this final performance is the credits. Cut to the local news. NOW!
10:29 – Robin Thicke still exists? I thought he died after he broke his pecker off in Miley Cyrus’ butt at the VMA’s a couple years ago.
10:28 – This “Taxi” performance reminds us why Uber was such an invaluable invention.
10:26 – Still trying to process this Taylor Swift win. Pitbull and his big bag of nothing on my television isn’t helping.
10:25 – The Grammy for Record of the Year goes to “Uptown Funk.” Bruno Mars and some other people.
10:21 – Well, I’m not sure what to say. The commercial powerhouse won. Taylor Swift gave a great speech.
10:20 – Wow. Taylor Swift wins the Grammy for Album of the Year.
10:15 – Lynn Anderson, Billy Joe Royal, Johnny Gimble, Bill Arhos, and others featured in the tribute segment. Surprised they forgot Billy Sherrill, “Little” Jimmy Dickens, and Jim Ed Brown. But still way more respect than either the CMA’s or ACM’s show to fallen greats. [CORRECTION: Apparently Billy Sherrill was included, and “Little” Jimmy was included last year.]
10:11 – The Grammy showing here that they’re more than just an awards show. They do a ton for music advocacy.
10:08 – This Joey Alexander could build a backpack clock, kick all our asses at a spelling bee, all while exhibiting more musical talent than most of country music’s superstars combined.
10:01 – Bruno Mars had a look on his face during that Hollywood Vampires performance that was all, “Huh. White people.”
10:00 – Alright, the Hollywood Vampires winning me over a bit with this “Ace of Spades” rendition.
9:58 – Yes, impressive concentration of star power, but is this music worth anything?
I don’t know, I keep getting distracted by the fire.
9:56 – I don’t know. The Hollywood Vampires feel like a medical disclaimer away from making a Viagra commercial here.
9:55 – Factoid: Johnny Depp gave Johnny Cash his first live performance opportunity after he started working with Rick Rubin. Depp used to own The Viper Room in L.A. Depp also has played guitar in Willie Nelson’s band numerous times semi-incognito.
9:54 – Dave Grohl comes out and says some words about Lemmy “Truth is, I have an Ace of Spades tattoo.”
9:52 – The Alabama Shakes truly started in a garage, and here they are. It’s their everyday anti-star authenticity that makes them cooler than anyone else.
9:50 – As MikeO in the comments section points out, musician (and SCM commenter) Robby Turner made it onto the Grammy stage for the Chris Stapleton performance.
Sorry I’m such a wet blanket about the Chris Stapleton / B.B. King performance. I just expect more.
9:46 – We all witnessed what happened at the CMA awards in November. Why not try to make some magic on stage? Stapleton’s performance on The Tonight Show was more meaningful to his career than that will ever be. And if he does win Album of the Year, the Kendrick Lamar fans will be crying foul of why some tepid white dude stole his award. You’ve got to allow artists to shine. There’s been some great performances tonight. That one was pretty forgettable and flat. Just my honest opinion.
9:42 – Were Stapleton, Bonnie Raitt, or Gary Clark Jr. really sold to the world through that performance? Glad B.B. King gets some recognition, but that performance did little for me. The only think that more of a blues cliche than “The Thrill is Gone” is “Pork Salad Annie.”
9:42 – Rubbish. Steven Tyler has been “country” for like six months and they’re already putting him on the CMA Awards with Chris Stapleton. Oh wait, that’s Bonnie Raitt.
9:40 – B.B. King was awesome and all of that, but his licks were so cliche. This performances proves that.
9:38 – Stapleton sans the signature cowboy hat. Probably a smart choice given the context.
9:34 – Apparently this thing is going to 10:30. Someone’s gonna need to make me a sandwich.
9:32 – Chris Stapleton coming up. Thank God.
9:31 – Take a drink.
Found it on Twitter somewhere. All credit to the author.
9:30 – Did Gaga just grab her crotch. Any “class” she gained from the Tony Bennett collabs just went out the window. This is garbage. It’s diminishing the Bowie legacy to histrionics instead of deliberate performance art.
9:26 – Hate these montage performances. Just when you get into a groove, it changes. My head feels like it’s in a pinball machine.
9:25 – Lady Gaga probably is the right artists to tribute Bowie.
9:19 – Not a big fan of her music, but there’s something authentic and endearing about Meghan Trainor. She actually has written some good songs, has chosen some other good ones. Give me her over the Katy Perry’s of the world any day.
9:17 – The Grammy for Best New Artist goes to Meghan Trainor. NOT Sam Hunt.
9:16 – New and improved, rehabed, and “more-serious” Justin Bieber still sucks. Only just very, very slightly less than before.
9:15 – Hate the white hipster playing horizontal bass drums. HATE.
9:13 – Biebs, that coat is something a cougar divorcee would don to hit the singles bar.
9:12 – Aww, Bieber’s got a mustache like the one my friend Miguel did in 8th grade.
9:10 – Heavens. That Big Bang Theory girl has biceps to beat the band. She could kick all our asses while chewing bubble gum.
9:08 – I’ll still be pissed for them screwing up Adele’s performance next week. Man.
9:06 – The greatest singer of our generation, and arguably one of the greatest singers of all time, and a stupid technical difficulty screwed it up. Get Putin on it.
9:05– Flawless performance from Adele under debilitating circumstances. They should drag the sound man out by his nuts and have him publicly admonished when we come back from break.
9:03 – Adele is putting together the best Grammy performance of all time for fighting through that acoustic guitar flub. THAT is poise!
9:00 – Cut the acoustic guitar down! Feeder off. Kill it with fire!
8:59 – What the living fuck is that acoustic guitar pluck in the feed? Fired!
8:58 – Brittany Howard is the cool all the R&B chasing posers in mainstream AND Americana want to be, but will never have. The Alabama Shakes deserve recognition.
8:56 – The Grammy for Best Rock Performance goes to Alabama Shakes.
8:55 – Why are we paying tribute to Michael Jackson all of a sudden? Why don’t we pay tribute to the little boys he raped.
8:54– Hey look, another male pop singer with fruffy hair singing falsetto.
8:49 – So Best Musical Musical Theater Album gets its own televised slot, and Best Country Song doesn’t. Somebody at CBS is behind the bankrolling of that “Hamilton” production.
8:47 – The Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album goes to Hamilton.
8:46 – Not sure exactly what’s going on in this Kendrick Lamar performance. A little too busy and visibly jarring. But you can’t say it doesn’t take talent and skill. And lot more organic instrumentation than most hip-hop. Stapleton has some stiff competition.
8:42– Not a big rap fan, but rap like this that looks to empower people and speaks to struggle is something I can get behind much easier. A lot more than the bullshit that is only about materialism and ontogeny, and was the precursor to Bro-Country.
8:41 – Have not heard the Kendrick Lamar yet, but it’s the one everyone thinks will give Chris Stapleton stiff competition.
8:37 – Thanks to everyone piping up in the comments section! I’m trying to keep up.
8:33 – Dude, there’s a little part of me that wants to like this Hamilton stuff, but it’s way too much shtick, and not enough substance. It’s like when folks try to interpret Shakespeare into the modern context. Unless it’s perfect, it just falls flat.
8:32 -Am I supposed to know who the hell this guy is that stopped down the production so everyone could clap for him? P.S. the guy playing Ben Franklin raps like my racist uncle.
8:30 – So wait, the founding fathers rapping Declaration of Independence rhetoric? Someone keep an eye on Donald Trump’s Twitter feed.
8:28 – Colbert!
8:27 – See, what two mainstream country artists could do this? And if they could, would they be allowed to? Two guns up for James Bay and Tori Kelly.
8:24 – Always prefer the acoustic, stripped-down performances on these awards shows. You make a “moment” from intimacy, not production. Not bad James Bay and Tori Kelly. Not my kind of music, but it’s got heart.
8:17 – So Lionel gets half a dozen songs, and Glen Frey only gets one? Okay I guess. Don’t let anyone sell you on the idea that the Grammy’s aren’t inclusive.
8:16 – I know there’s a lot of folks who hate The Eagles and especially Glen Frey, but this is just good American music right here. Classic.
8:15 – Don Felder still getting jobbed by The Eagles though. Who wrote “Hotel California”? I can tell you it wasn’t Timothy B. Schmit.
8:14 – Wow, really cool moment. Jackson Browne taking Glen Frey’s place singing a song he wrote at the beginning of it all, “Take It Easy.”
8:13 – That Ed Sheeran song is not terrible. Could have been a worse winner.
8:12 – The Grammy for Song of the Year goes to Ed Sheeran for “Thinking Out Loud.”
8:11 – Stevie Wonder entertaining everyone with his impromptu humor. Much better than the canned stuff from everyone else.
8:09 – Yikes, who dressed Stevie Wonder, Florida Georgia Line?
8:07 – Hey, face time for Ashley Monroe. We’ll take what we can get.
8:05 – And don’t try to feed me any Jack cheese about how this song was “controversial.” It’s the product of full-frontal marketing.
8:04 – Little Big Town has played “Girl Crush” on major awards shows in the last 12 months more than they’ve played the Opry #payyourdues.
8:03 – Nice rendition of “Girl Crush.” Why all of a sudden do I want to get a chili bowl hair cut, a pair of deck shoes, and try to obtain a same sex marriage license from my Justice of the Peace?
7:57 – I stand corrected, Chris Stapleton did NOT win Best Country song earlier today. So he’s 5 for 6 in the major awards he’s been nominated for. Still pretty salty.
7:55 – Lionel’s harmless Afro pop I guess. Just stay the hell away from country. That whole country album crap a couple of years ago was nauseating.
7:53 – Shit, Michael Jordan can sing pretty good. Who knew?
7:51 – Meghan Trainor has gone brunette, and Pharell has gone blonde. I don’t know what’s real anymore. (take a drink)
7:50 – Did look Bryan really just do that bullshit crowd hook “C’mon! C’mon!”
7:49 – Wait for it . . . Luke Bryan is about to come out in the Lionel tribute and spare everyone to death.
7:48 – Commodores Lionel Richie >>>>>>> post Commodores Lionel Richie.
7:46 – James Corden is as funny as Cancer.
7:45 – That makes two out of two for Chris Stapleton. So far he hasn’t been nominated for a major award that he hasn’t won. [Correction: he did NOT win the Grammy for Best Country Song] Next up, the Grammy for Album of the Year.
7:43– Chris Stapleton: “I’d like to thank Taylor Swift for glitter bombing me…” Told you that shit sucks.
7:41 – DAVE COBB IS ON THE STAGE OF THE GRAMMY AWARDS! DAVE COBB IS ON THE STAGE OF THE GRAMMY AWARDS!
7:40 – YES YES! The Grammy for Best Country Album goes to Chris Stapleton for “Traveller”
7:39 – There’s yellow, and then there’s YELLOWWW!!!! Sheesh Cam.
7:36 – One of the things these all-genre awards shows make patently clear is what weak singers dominate country music these days. This Andra Day and Ellie Goulding performance is a good example. Not my style, but everyone can appreciate a good vocal performance.
7:34 – Leon Bridges getting some serious face time in the advertisements.
7:29 – And yes, I know the Ariana Grande joke is worn out, but I had to.
7:26 – Not that falsetto vocals aren’t an art to themselves, but that’s all male pop music is these days. No rocks.
7:24 – The Weeknd’s hair is too easy of a target. I’ll give it a pass.
P.S. The Saving Country Music LIVE blog game is to take a drink every time a hair joke is made. Or something like that.
7:23 – Wait, Ariana Grande is still around? I thought Taco Bell replaced her with the CrunchWrap Supreme?
7:16 – Don’t like the way Sam Hunt is gazing into Carrie Underwood’s eyes. Where’s her hockey-playing hubby with a well-timed cross check when you need him? Would easily be worth 2 minutes in the penalty box.
7:14 – Way to show respect to the Grammys by dressing up Sam Hunt. You can buy a five-pack of your Grammy outfit for $7.99 at Target.
7:13 – America, that guy singing with Carrie Underwood is named Sam Hunt. Despite what some will tell you, he’s not a country artist.
7:12 – Sorry Sam Hunt, I was sure you’d land Best Rap Album.
7:11 – The Grammy for Best Rap Album goes to Kendrick Lamar for “To Pimp a Butterfly”
7:09 – Yes, we see your gold rings, asshole.
7:08 – What kind of pretentious guy wears a diamond broach with his own initials?
7:06 “But these people sing for real!” says host LL Cool J. We’ll revisit that when Justin Bieber takes the stage.
7:05 – Poor bastards who got glitter on them after the Taylor Swift performance. You ever tried to get glitter off you? It’s harder to remove than DNA.
7:02 – Actually now remembering that when Swift didn’t win the Grammy for Album of the Year for “Red” a couple of years ago, she went to In-N-Out. “I remember not going to after parties. I went home and I cried a little bit and I got In-N-Out burger and ate a lot.” Thanks Max Martin.
7:01 – Man, for serious. Someone get Taylor Swift a cheeseburger. She’s one less rice patty a day from going on the Karen Carpenter watch.
7:00 – New doo for Tay Tay.
7:00 – May the Force be with us.
6:58 – Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires’ Johnny and June moment side stage at the Grammy early show.
6:45 – 15 minutes and we go full force!
6:43 – Interesting note: So I wrote two stories about some of the early Grammy winners. My story about Jason Isbell’s wins is/has gone viral from excited fans. The story about Chris Stapleton got bogged down on Facebook from people complaining about how Chris Stapleton is a phony. Pretty easy to see where sentiment is heading for Cris Stapleton among independent music fans. I’m not sure why folks just can’t be happy why someone cool is finally getting recognition. It doesn’t mean Stapleton is ideal or there’s not better artists out there. Stapleton has called into question the very legitimacy of the cause Saving Country Music has taken up in the press. But that’s not going to get in my way of enjoying his music, or the idea that country music as a whole is improving.
6:35 – Just got the old snark machine out of the shed, dusted it off, checked the oil, made sure I put stabilizer in the gas tank last time, gave it a pull and it’s purring like a kitty.
6:30 – One last note on the pre-telecast, Dave Cobb got beat out for Producer of the Year by Jeff Bhasker. But there will be other opportunities for Dave I’m sure. Sometimes it takes your first year to build up some name recognition.
6:00 – When Big Machine Records’ Scott Borchetta was accepting the award for Best Compliation Soundtrack for Visual Media for the Glen Campbell movie, he said Glen Campbell had autism, not alzheimer’s. Honest mistake, it was a nervous time on stage, but worth noting.
5:45 – The non-telecast country awards were handed out moments ago. Here’s the winners:
- Best Country Solo Performance – Chris Stapleton for “Traveller”
- Best Country Duo/Group Performance – Little Big Town for “Girl Crush”
- Best Country Song – Songwriters of “Girl Crush” Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, and Lori McKenna
- Alabama Shakes won for Best Rock Song “Don’t Wanna Fight”
READ: “Traveller” by Chris Stapleton Wins 2016 Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance
Below: Chris Stapleton, “Girl Crush” songwriters Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, and Lori McKenna, and Alabama Shakes.
4:15 – The bluegrass, folk, and Americana categories were just handed out, with Jason Isbell walking away as the big winner.
- Best Americana Album – Jason Isbell for Something More Than Free
- Best American Roots Song – Jason Isbell for “24 Frames”
- Best American Roots Performance – Mavis Staples for “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean”
- Best Bluegrass Album – The SteelDrivers for The Muscle Shoals Recordings
- Best Folk Album – Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, self-titled
READ: Justice Served: Jason Isbell Wins 2016 Grammy for Best Americana Album / American Roots Song
Below: Jason Isbell, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, and The SteelDrivers
3:35 – Ahead of the country and roots awards being released on the pre-telecast, The Mavericks took the stage to play “All Night Long.”
3:30 – Just a reminder guys, we’re going to do a soft launch of the LIVE blog this year covering the pre-telecast awards when they happen, so entries will be few and far between at the beginning, and then will be going full force once the televised portion of the Grammys begin.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:10 pm
Can we go ahead and give Adele the 2017 Grammy’s now, I mean she’s already in LA.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:11 pm
Adele sounded like she was losing her voice on that one. She’s played out anyway.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:13 pm
justin Bieber…what an insult he is to REAL players, writers and singers in that building …..damn that was shit
February 15, 2016 @ 11:34 pm
is the same for taylor swift as well her wining is an insult. i guess the grammys is now voted by teens and twens how else can taylor and Justin win?
February 16, 2016 @ 10:03 am
No, both were deserving, Deal with it.
February 18, 2016 @ 9:48 am
nah that is just your guilty heart speaking. mariah carey has only 5 grammys and taylor has 10 . bob marley never won a grammy and justin has. it is an insult to music and that fact that you are been so defensive proof I am right. the thing with taylor is how much does big machine have to buy her all this awards?
first taylor cant sing and second her song writing is generic and cliche so why did she win the award? the award is suppose to be music excellence and a bad singer and generic song writer is not the definition of music excellence.
February 18, 2016 @ 10:18 am
I don’t see where Mariah was a great songwriter. Taylor is greatly respect in the industry. Of what would I be guilty? I always marvel at people who disagree with an outcome than believe it is bought and paid for. Thousand of industry people vote, they chose quality. You can not like the winners but you can’t change them. Move on.
February 18, 2016 @ 3:28 pm
who respects Taylor? its a dirty little secret that taylor is generic. her awards are brought for her, she opens the grammys and they giver her album of the year?
and what did hell do you mean mariah is not a great writer are you saying taylor writes better? mariah wrote and co wrote all the songs on the 200 million albums she sold and this was at time were there was no AUTOTUNE. It was a time where actual talent sold records.
fact are facts her, taylor cant sing and her writing in pop is generic. her writing was quite good in country but it is way worse in pop. taylor won the award for popularity. if it was talent it wont even make the list.
you move on. when Michael Jackson and U2 were wining grammys nobody complained but everyone complains with taylor because she clearly does not deserve it.
February 19, 2016 @ 2:12 pm
1. Show proof awards were bought, your just saying so just shows immaturity and jealousy.
2. Taylor is a far superior songwriter than Mariah.
3. Generic is your opinion, you don’t speak for the masses.
4. When those others won awards there was no internet for a hater such as yourself to voice their biased and feeble opinions.
5. Talent, just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I can see you’re devastated by Taylor and her 10 Grammy awards, but you must move on with your life. Possibly professional help.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:13 pm
Bieber on acoustic guitar is more country than Sam Hunt
February 15, 2016 @ 8:13 pm
Vanilla Biebs
February 15, 2016 @ 8:15 pm
Bieber’s performance sounds like something you’d hear at a Disney parade.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:28 pm
His dancing reminded me of…
https://youtu.be/d-TQcqRWbDA?t=2m10s
February 15, 2016 @ 8:16 pm
I actually thought “What Do You Mean” was a decent song and is a step in the right direction for Justin Bieber
*ducks*
February 15, 2016 @ 8:16 pm
OMG …..HOW is this guy famous ?
February 15, 2016 @ 8:19 pm
Because of probably 40 million teenage daughters having a Britney Spears brain
February 15, 2016 @ 8:19 pm
Sam hunt and bieber now there’s a duet
February 15, 2016 @ 8:19 pm
thank god. no sam hunt!
February 15, 2016 @ 8:19 pm
I think Sam Hunt and Justin Beiber should have perform a duet, they seem to be two peas in a pod
February 15, 2016 @ 8:21 pm
As much as I can’t stand Sam’s music, he’s still way more mature than Bieber. I still respect him as a person, unlike Bieber.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:20 pm
Okay that was a beautiful thank you speech.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:23 pm
yup…..meghan traynor can write hits AND sing and perform them . really happy to see her acknowledged for that
February 15, 2016 @ 8:23 pm
Not mentioned in the blog: Ghost won for best metal performance \m/
February 16, 2016 @ 6:04 am
Forget Ghost
Ghost blows, especially compared to who they were going against! August Burns Red, Slipknot, Sevendust, LAMB OF FREAKING GOD! How did a nobody win?
Oh wait, it’s the Grammys, the same people that gave Jethro Tull.
And I don’t care how many people here like them ALABAMA SHAKES IS NOT ROCK, NOR DID THEY DESERVE THOSE AWARDS!
February 16, 2016 @ 9:41 am
Oh, great. A metalhead tells us in all caps that Alabama Shakes is not rock. Well, I’ll say this. If the quintessential “rock and roll” band is the Rolling Stones in their prime (not an outrageous statement), the Shakes are a lot closer to them than any metal band.
And enough with the Jethro Tull Grammy thing, already. Yes, Metallica got robbed. They still made countless millions of dollars. And Jethro Tull was too great of a band (maybe not in the late ’80s) to be the butt of an almost 30 year old joke. Every time I see a video of Lars thanking Jethro Tull for “not making an album this year,” I want to slap him.
February 16, 2016 @ 9:45 am
Never heard a lick of music from Ghost, but they came across like the ultimate pansies in the pre-awards show. They showed up in their stupid costumes looking like the Dungeons and Dragons nerds of music. Their acceptance speech was terrible.
February 16, 2016 @ 2:14 pm
Side note: I love how Trigger completely ignores my comment about Alabama Shakes and starts dissing Ghost as well
Now that’s rock n roll! xD
February 16, 2016 @ 10:58 am
How is Alabama Shakes not rock and roll? As Jack Williams mentions above, they channel the Stones in songs like “Shoegaze,” and in what other genre would songs like “Dunes” be classified? Really, I don’t care what genre you want to call them. They had an incredible album, but the award went to the “haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate hate” inconsequential drivel.
February 16, 2016 @ 1:25 pm
Ok look
First off I was pissed off when that comment was posted.
Secondly by modern standards they are not rock.
The Stones are a different story, because of the the time period in which they came from. If Alabama Shakes had came out back then, I would be more inclined to call them a Rock group. But in this day and age, from what I’ve heard out of them, I would classify them more in the R&B or Blues Rock genre, but not straight up Rock.
My opinion may differ from yalls but everybody is different. Sorry about being pissed when I posted though.
I am standing by the fact that GHOST BLOWS though.
Thank you for your time!
February 15, 2016 @ 8:25 pm
I thought Meghan Trainor was just okay…..until I heard “Let’s Marvin Gaye and get it on”. God, what a lifeless and sexless song
February 15, 2016 @ 8:26 pm
She looks just like Bowie. Roumors are she has a new rib cage tat of DB. Loved her National Anthem, one of the two best SB renditions
February 15, 2016 @ 8:26 pm
Bowie tribute! Would’ve preferred the Flaming Lips over Gaga doing it, but I’ll take it. 🙂
February 15, 2016 @ 9:16 pm
I agree, even Miley with the Lips would have been better.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:30 pm
“Traveller” now at #2 on iTunes, behind only “25”. Pretty good sales bump (though not even close to the sales increase after the CMAs).
Unfortunately “Montevallo” is sitting close behind at #5.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:31 pm
I wish Gaga had come out in a Russian Doll outfit like Bowie did on SNL for Man Who Sold The World. One of Bowie’s most memorable performances.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:33 pm
Thing that make you go gaga…..listen to Lady Gaga pay this tribute to David Bowie and whoever else was included.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:34 pm
TSwifty’s fake tits probably look like ping pong balls under the skin and bones
February 15, 2016 @ 8:34 pm
That same lady is engaged to a member of the NBC Chicago Family that I’ve been watching. I’m of course talking about Taylor Kinney from Chicago Fire…people are just flat out silly.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:35 pm
love gaga’s passion about performance ……no exception here . she is a GREAT singer and a capital ‘A’ performance Artist . who else could have done justice to the Bowie catalogue ?
February 15, 2016 @ 8:43 pm
I guess the greatest-hits medley was pretty fun, but I think she could’ve done an even better job with just one or two songs (maybe one of the hits, plus a deeper cut like “Life on Mars?” or “Starman”). 🙂
February 16, 2016 @ 10:17 am
That performance drove me up the wall. What was it, about 30 seconds per song? I love a lot of those songs and found it maddening when it seemed like she just got started on one song and then harshly segued into another. I mean, I figured a medley was coming. I personally would have preferring fewer songs with longer samples.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:38 pm
Well I have pretty much been raised on classic rock and have never gotten into Bowie. I respect all he’s done for music but if that performance by Lady Gaga is what he has inspired thru the years then I’m out. I thought that sucked. Sadly I’ve seen her just playing a piano and singing and thought it was damn good. I’m sure Stapleton will show us how a tribute is done since I’ve seen him cover BB many times.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:39 pm
Drop the mic, show’s over.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:40 pm
Robby Turner left edge… CS killing it.
Trig, the Steven Tyler blast…..#epic
February 15, 2016 @ 8:43 pm
Hats off !!! They killed it !!
February 15, 2016 @ 8:44 pm
Holy Jesus !!!! It doesn’t get better than these three monsters paying tribute to B.B.
Achingly heartfelt performances by all of them ….and that band …..shit !!!
February 15, 2016 @ 9:38 pm
I agree. Being a lifelong blues fan, I fully approved.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:45 pm
Bonnie and Chris sounded great together. 🙂
February 15, 2016 @ 8:45 pm
Real music…what a concept for the Grammys. Superb tribute to B.B. King
February 15, 2016 @ 8:46 pm
Trigger, Trigger Trigger . Its not the NOTES man ……..
February 15, 2016 @ 8:46 pm
Personally, I would’ve loved to see Stapleton and Eric Clapton tribute “Key to the Highway”. That would’ve been something to talk about.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:49 pm
I see what you did right there….
February 15, 2016 @ 8:52 pm
Brittany was a mail carrier? Didn’t know that. That’s what I do for a livin’.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:53 pm
Liked the Shakes but how,do they win best rock album? That is hardcore R&B if I’ve ever heard it….. It’s very good but is not rock.
February 15, 2016 @ 8:58 pm
While The Thrill Is Gone is a little cliche, I take comfort is having seen Stapleton do an acoustic version of that song at Station Inn with hardly anyone watching
February 15, 2016 @ 8:58 pm
Only in Alabama can u get a shake like that
February 15, 2016 @ 8:59 pm
Johnny freakin Depp….. Possible Waylon in future movie….. I didn’t get it until now.
That did not suck.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:06 pm
Hmm. I could see that.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:06 pm
I would think Waylon’s family would beg Johnny Depp to lip sink and not play…why ruin the good name of Waylon
February 15, 2016 @ 9:12 pm
Frankly, you won’t find somebody who can replicate that voice or playing style, the best you’ll get is the right look. Color the hair, fill out the Goatee and he kind of looks like the blurry cover of the This Time album…. IMHO
February 15, 2016 @ 9:02 pm
Bless his heart Johnny depp was trying
February 15, 2016 @ 9:02 pm
Can’t the Vampire band smell the garlic in the crowd???? Where’s the silver cross??? Was there a need for the second song, wasn’t the first bad enough
February 15, 2016 @ 9:05 pm
Guessing the second song was the Lemmy tribute. But it begs the question, why didn’t Chris Stapleton get a second song. Who is nominated for Album of the Year?
February 15, 2016 @ 9:07 pm
Have not got through all the cmments, but Depp used to play guitar in a band with the lead singer of Butthole Surfers called “P” back in the 90’s. I was a college dj at the time. Not sure if any of that is true, or a bad acid flashback.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:18 pm
Depp has done a lot in music, while at the same time not trying to use his stardom to interject himself into situations, unless you want to count tonight.
February 16, 2016 @ 6:52 pm
I have always respected that about him. He could have easily used his star power to give him more publicity in the music world, but never has. Makes me also think he really respects the art of the musician.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:09 pm
If only Justin Beiber had a man bun…he’s be a real show stealer
February 15, 2016 @ 9:41 pm
hahahaha….can you have a man bun AND wear a ball cap backwards?
February 15, 2016 @ 9:10 pm
“This Joey Alexander could build a backpack clock, kick all our asses at a spelling bee, all while exhibiting more musical talent than most of country music”™s superstars combined.”
Amen
February 15, 2016 @ 9:11 pm
I like Bruno Mars music but did he have to mug Willie Wonka for the Grammys
February 15, 2016 @ 9:18 pm
Taylor beats out Headly LeMar….. Ok, lets see what the Pit Crew guy can do.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:23 pm
Taylor gets off a scud at Kanye too, nice.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:18 pm
I saw Billy’s name in the tribute thing, you probably missed it.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:58 pm
Yes yes. I guess I was too busy typing. Gonna have to ice my hands down after this.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:19 pm
They did show a picture of Billy Sherrill, Trigger.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:57 pm
Sorry, I missed it.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:20 pm
“Huh, White people”
February 15, 2016 @ 9:22 pm
and CUE FACE PALM!
February 15, 2016 @ 9:23 pm
“Focus on the work, and let your 70 writers do the rest”
February 15, 2016 @ 9:24 pm
yup….haters gonna hate hate hate , Taylor .
man …..that little girl is VENEMOUS ….and SO insincere
February 15, 2016 @ 10:43 pm
That’s a lot of animosity toward a woman that you do not know at a personal level…
February 15, 2016 @ 9:26 pm
That subtweet to Kanye by Taylor was nice
February 15, 2016 @ 9:26 pm
Say what you want but Taylor deserves it.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:51 pm
What you want.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:57 pm
Hard to argue from a sales standpoint. “1989” was the blockbuster.
February 15, 2016 @ 10:54 pm
Ryan Adams was ROBBED!!!
🙂
February 15, 2016 @ 9:28 pm
Well there’s hours of my life I’ll never get back
February 15, 2016 @ 9:28 pm
Bull Dog got some hot babes up and n that mug.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:31 pm
Is that Paul Schaffer with all them babes up in that mug
February 15, 2016 @ 9:31 pm
the 12 yr old kid playing piano was the most musical thing I heard all night
February 15, 2016 @ 9:33 pm
Looks like “El Taxi” will be the next big Latin crossover hit. That song is HUGE in the Latin urban world. Too bad Osmani Garcia didn’t get to perform it with Pitbull.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:33 pm
B.B. King’s licks are as “cliche” as Chuck Berry’s riffs. They may be NOW, but they originated them. Trigger. Come on, man.
What did you think they were gonna do for his tribute on the Grammys, “Let Me Play With Your Poodle”???
February 15, 2016 @ 9:56 pm
Regardless, they are cliche now. I’m telling you, that performance raised nobody’s pulse in the greater masses. The numbers don’t lie. It caused about 5% to 10% of the people to go searching for information about Stapleton than his CMA Awards performance did. It was better than nothing I guess, but tomorrow very few people will be talking about it around water coolers. They’ll be talking about Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and the others.
February 15, 2016 @ 10:23 pm
You’re probably right about the business end, and we all want real music to succeed so that’s why I was happy with it. The King tribute, Alabama Shakes, the Frey tribute, the Bowie tribute, hell even the Hollywood Vampires – it’s the most Rock’n’Roll or just musicians playing instruments on stage I’ve seen on the Grammies in two decades and that’s NOT an exaggeration. So I just enjoyed it from a music fan’s perspective. Sometimes we get too far in the forest that all we can see is the trees.
And not to belabor the point, but I expect King’s licks to be played in a tribute to him. Thank God Gary didn’t decide to start shredding. I thought it was tastefully done.
February 16, 2016 @ 8:29 am
I don’t agree. The original can’t be cliché and that’s BB’s signature song. And that was a fairly reverent rendition of it. And as a long time blues fan, I was happy to see a full and faithfully performed blues song performed on the Grammys. Also, as a country music fan, I thought it was cool to to see the Grammy winner for best country album do blues music credit with his lead guitar playing and singing.
Also, I don’t know what your problem is with Polk Salad Annie. Heard too many covers like Wagon Wheel, maybe? I’m just guessing, though.
I agree that Stapleton didn’t get much of any chance to shine at the Grammys. I think he was the only Album of the Year nominee not to get a slot to perform his own music. Also, Sam Hunt and Little Big Town get an opportunity to do so and the biggest story in country music this year doesn’t? I guess he’s not glamorous enough. His BB tribute slot seems like he got thrown a bone. I was almost hoping that he wouldn’t win the big one because of the potential backlash if he did.
February 16, 2016 @ 9:39 am
I probably worded by B.B. King tribute criticisms poorly, which will happen in a rapid-fire live blog. I agree B.B. Kings original licks were not cliche. They became cliche over time because he basically played the same basic notes and small runs his entire career. The reason he did that is because they worked. But if I’m going to hear those notes, I want to hear them from B.B. King. Same goes with “Pork Salad Annie.” There’s so much amazing blues music being made out there, yet it’s getting so overlooked. When people think “blues” they think of this very narrow window, and not all the great music from the Fat Possum crew, and other great artists of today.
And yes, my real beef is that Chris Stapleton wasn’t given a chance to shine. I don’t know how his label, his management, or the Grammy folks allowed that to happen. There was precedent that given the opportunity, Stapleton could dazzle, and not just from the CMA Awards. The Hollywood Vampires get two songs, even though they’re a vanity band who only were asked to play because their proximity to the venue. It was a big missed opportunity in my opinion. That doesn’t mean we should throw the B.B. King tribute under the bus. It was fine and warranted, but not as a replacement for Stapleton’s performance slot.
February 16, 2016 @ 12:51 pm
I keep thinking what he could have done with the opportunity given to Sam Hunt and Little Big Town. With breathtaking cluelessness, a WaPo article ranking the music performances referred to Sam Hunt as “country music”™s latest breakout sensation” (whose album has been #1 on the country charts for 12 weeks again?) and ranked his milquetoast performance at #4. Chris Stapleton could have maybe brought the house down if given the chance.
February 17, 2016 @ 5:06 am
Well, apparently it was Stapleton’s choice to do the BB tribute over one of his own songs.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/chris-stapleton-on-return-to-the-studio-and-grammys-b-b-king-tribute-20160216
February 17, 2016 @ 12:32 pm
Well, then it’s his mistake.
February 17, 2016 @ 12:39 pm
Yep. A bit maddening.
February 15, 2016 @ 11:32 pm
Ooo I would’ve been down with some Poodle get Marcia Ball on the keys. But yeah Thrill *IS* Gone. How about Paying the cost to be the Boss, or How Blue Can You Get… quit pandering… it wouldn’t matter what song they chose to do and the yoonguns would still be tweeting “Who the fuck is Bonnie Raitt’?
February 15, 2016 @ 9:36 pm
Billy Sherrill was included in the In Memoriam. Shocked about Jim Ed, as well as Buddy Emmons, and even Ramona Jones. Was Jimmy possibly included in it last year since he passed before the 2015 Grammys?
Absolutely disgusted Swift won & Little Big Town (who couldn’t carry Joey Feek’s microphone musically) beat out Joey+Rory. They really f’d up the Glenn Frey tribute as well (& Don Henley wouldn’t have forgotten the words)
February 15, 2016 @ 9:40 pm
Yes, Little Jimmy Dickens was included in last year’s memorial tribute. considering The Browns have been nominated for some major Grammy’s, I’m shocked about Jim Ed’s omission.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:50 pm
Okay, wasn’t sure about the timing on that one. He died right at the end of the year, so that makes sense.
February 15, 2016 @ 9:47 pm
Hollywood Vampires was also an LA Guns album. I wonder if they considered that.
February 15, 2016 @ 10:27 pm
Alice Cooper started the Hollywood Vampires in or around 1971 before LA Guns were old enough to drive. It was a drinking club and this band is a tribute to them.
February 16, 2016 @ 1:46 pm
I was not aware of that. Thanks.
February 18, 2016 @ 1:33 pm
…but Hollywood Vampires was a great LA Guns album, and i would argue it’s significantly better than the album by Hollywood Vampires (the band).
February 15, 2016 @ 10:08 pm
I enjoyed this whole blog. Thanks.
February 15, 2016 @ 11:01 pm
That Swift comment killed me and yeah it’s serious looking. She may die one of the mythological martyrs if she doesn’t eat some gumbo in the next 24. But maybe that’s her secret plan to survive on past her sell by date as a myth like Amy Winehouse.
February 15, 2016 @ 11:17 pm
I agree that B.B. licks were often cliche but they were HIS licks at least.
February 15, 2016 @ 11:51 pm
Well, screw that “little gold plated paper weight”, if this is album of the year over traveller then sam hunt is the next Hank Williams. Giving grammys out to any douchbag that can entertain a 12 yr old, too bad Jason Isbell didnt pull a Kanye west on her, now I see why he did that. Well at least he got recognized for something. Congrats Chris, Jason, Steeldrivers and any other victories for real music.
February 16, 2016 @ 5:38 am
I don’t know why anyone watches awards shows–even for a goof.
Stapleton did exactly as expected. Nobody is handing him the keys to pop music any time soon. If you want to win pop awards, you better go pop. Take it all–and swallow.
February 16, 2016 @ 6:26 am
Face the facts Chris is a great singer but this is a entertainment show u have to keep people watching with high energy crap nobody gives a shit about somebody just standing there with a geetar in his hand
February 16, 2016 @ 7:43 am
The most successful performances (in terms of audience reception, iTunes sales) were Tori Kelly/James Bay, Little Big Town, and Adele. Sales are bottlenecked for obvious reasons, but Gaga is up there as well.
Only one of those would be described as “high energy.” One of those involved people just standing there with “geetars” in their hands.
February 16, 2016 @ 9:41 am
Notice Stapleton is not in that list.
February 16, 2016 @ 11:09 am
‘ One of those involved people just standing there with “geetars” in their hands.’
like depp
February 16, 2016 @ 6:48 am
10:29 ”“ Robin Thicke still exists? I thought he died after he broke his pecker off in Miley Cyrus”™ butt at the VMA”™s a couple years ago.
That was the quote of the night. Awesome job on the re-cap.
February 16, 2016 @ 7:45 am
Traveller was a 20:1 underdog as of Saturday. By far the longest of the album of the year candidates.
I don’t know how anyone could have gone in *expecting* a win for him. Thinking he deserved it? Sure. But I think anyone paying attention saw this as a race between Taylor and Kendrick, with Alabama Shakes as a wildcard due to the potential vote split between those two and the fact that the Grammys have shown love for those alternative albums in recent years.
February 16, 2016 @ 9:41 am
I didn’t expect it. I could paint a scenario where it still one as a dark horse from the votes getting split between Taylor and Kendrick. But I expected either Kendrick or Swift to win. Hoped Stapelton would.
February 16, 2016 @ 10:52 am
I would’ve liked less Bowie and more tribute for Natalie Cole. Swift’s tone could’ve been less defensive and childish. Leave the narcissistic childish stuff to her detractors. She should have just focused on her award and not emphasized her status. More “Humble and Kind” and less dog eat dog.
Humility is the recipe of true success. Classier.
February 16, 2016 @ 11:14 am
‘I would”™ve liked less Bowie and more tribute for Natalie Cole. Swift”™s tone could”™ve been less defensive and childish. Leave the narcissistic childish stuff to her detractors. She should have just focused on her award and not emphasized her status. More “Humble and Kind” and less dog eat dog.
Humility is the recipe of true success. Classier.’
well said CJ……
Personally I think Taylor has always been a poser professionally ….she always seems over- choreographed ,over-directed , overguided and now over -produced .Contrary to much opinion , she seems less and less ” REAL” and more and more fabricated as her career moves on .
The Grammies seem to be way more about the biz than the music and we can only imagine how much money exchanges hands to ensure hits and careers are sustained .
February 17, 2016 @ 2:42 pm
Don Felder didn’t write Hotel California by himself, he came up with the guitar music but most the words were written by Don and Glenn –
Don Henley and Glenn wrote most of the words. All of us kind of drove into L.A. at night. Nobody was from California, and if you drive into L.A. at night… you can just see this glow on the horizon of lights, and the images that start running through your head of Hollywood and all the dreams that you have, and so it was kind of about that… what we started writing the song about. Coming into L.A…. and from that ‘Life in the Fast Lane’ came out of it, and ‘Wasted Time’ and a bunch of other songs.