Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Photo courtesy mctcampus.com Blige leads the biggest night in music with eight nominations. [Click to enlarge]

It's the single most important night in the music industry. Musical artists, songwriters and producers will join together at Los Angeles Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 11 to celebrate the 49th Annual Grammy Awards.

It's that spectacular night where the stars come together and the paparazzi swarm the red carpet in an attempt to catch a glimpse and a snapshot of the hottest celebrities.

Mary J. Blige has made one of the biggest comebacks in 2006. The accomplished R&B singer has stacked up eight nominations including Record and Song of the Year and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Blige has more nominations than any other artist being presented that night.

"I think Mary J. Blige totally deserves it," senior design and apparel major Rolend Gumanas said. "She's been doing music for so long and is still going strong."

Gumanas said she always looks forward to watching the Grammys. Although eight nominations almost ensures at least one win, Blige has some tough competition.

Following close behind Blige with six nominations is the legendary rock band, The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Amongst their nominations are Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album. The band will also be performing live.

And we can't forget the Dixie Chicks. The three country singers who bad-mouthed the president, also scored five nominations including Record, Album and Song of the year.

Other notable nominees include newcomer James Blunt, John Mayer, Prince, will.i.am, John Williams, Rick Rubin and Danger Mouse, who tie the Chicks with five nominations each.

Superstars Justin Timberlake, Beyonce Knowles, Gnarls Barkley, Bryan-Michael Cox, Israel Houghton, and T.I. each have a total of four nominations.

There are also a wave of new artists who are taking over the nomination categories. Also in the running for Record and Song of the Year are the fresh new sounds and faces of Corinne Bailey Rae, James Blunt, Carrie Underwood and Gnarls Barkley. Some of these latest musical talents are also nominated for Best New Artist.

In the running for Best New Artist are Imogen Heap, Carrie Underwood, Chris Brown, James Blunt and Corinne Bailey Rae.

Some of the performances of the night include: Beyonce, Gnarls Barkley, Christina Aguilera, Ludacris, John Mayer, Chris Brown, Rascal Flatts, Shakira and The Dixie Chicks. Reunited rock group, The Police, will open the night's celebration.

Senior accounting major Deborah Kim said she watches the Grammys every year.

"I look forward to watching Beyonce perform," Kim said. "I love watching the Grammys; there are so many different artists to see."

Graduating senior and organizational communications major Alexis Findarle said she also looks forward to the performances.

"I look forward to watching The Red Hot Chili Peppers perform," Findarle said. "They've been one of my favorite bands for six years."

Music lovers get ready to snuggle on the sofa with a large bowl of buttered popcorn and tune into CBS live to watch your favorite artist take home the awards.

Check out some of the top categories and nominees and see if you can predict who the winners will be.

Record of the Year:
-"Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae
-"You're Beautiful" by James Blunt
-"Not Ready to Make Nice" by The Dixie Chicks
-"Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley
-"Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige

Album of the Year:
-"St. Elsewhere" by Gnarls Barkley
-"Taking the Long Way" by The Dixie Chicks
-"Continuum" by John Mayer
-"Statdium Arcadium" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
-"Future Sex/ Love Sounds" by Justin Timberlake

Song of the Year:
-"Jesus, Take the Wheel" by Carrie Underwood
-"Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae
-"Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige
-"You're Beautiful" by James Blunt
-"Not Ready to Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks

Best New Artist:
-"Imogen Heap"
-"Carrie Underwood"
-"Chris Brown"
-"James Blunt"
-"Corinne Bailey Rae"

Best Rock Song:
-"Lookin' for a Leader" by Neil Young
-"Someday Baby" by Bob Dylan
-"When You Were Young" by The Killers
-"Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol
-"Dani California" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Best Alternative Music Album:
-"Show Your Bones" by The Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs
-"At War with the Mystics" by The Flaming Lips
-"St. Elsewhere" by Gnarls Barkley
-"The Eraser" by Thom Yorke
-"Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm not" by Arctic Monkeys

Best R&B Song:
-"Don't Forget About Us" by Mariah Carey
-"Déjà Vu" by Beyonce feat. Jay-Z
-"I Am Not My Hair" by India Arie
-"Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige
-"Black Sweat" by Prince

Best Rap Song:
-"Ridin" by Chamillionare feat. Krayzie Bone
-"Money Maker" by Ludacris feat. Pharrell
-"Kick, Push" by Lupe Fiasco
-"What you Know" by T.I.
-"It's Goin Down" by Young Joc

Best Country Song:
-"Every Mile a Memory" by Dierks Bentley
-"I Don't Feel Like Loving you Today" by Gretchen Wilson
-"Jesus, Take the Wheel" by Carrie Underwood
-"What Hurts the Most" by Rascal Flatts
-"Like Red on a Rose" by Alan Jackson

Mindy Yuen can be reached at Features@Statehornet.com

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