Grammys Give Some Love to Nashville's Music
It's always cool to see some love for Nashville at an event that's not country-specific, like Sunday night's (Jan. 31) Grammy Awards -- even better when it's more than a little nod and smile in passing. Nashville and its music actually got quite a bit of camera time as Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Nettles all got performances, and two of the biggest all-genre awards ended up going to country artists.
Taylor Swift had another career defining night, taking home three awards including best country album and album of the year, beating out Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, the Black Eyed Peas and Dave Matthews Band. Also, Zac Brown Band took home best new artist. Going up against Keri Hilson, MGMT, the Ting Tings and Silversun Pickups, their win was definitely not a sure thing. Also winning big was Kings of Leon, and even though they are not a country act, they are native Nashvillians so it was exciting to see them earn record of the year honors for "Use Somebody," as well as two other honors.
It was better, though, to see Nashville do what it does best and take over the stage. Lady A performed "Need You Now," ZBB brought out musical guest Leon Russell to sing "America the Beautiful" and "Chicken Fried," and of course Brown impressed the crowd with some breakneck guitar playing. Taylor Swift got to do three songs -- "Today Was a Fairytale" from the upcoming movie Valentine's Day, as well as Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon" and a kind of folkie version of "You Belong With Me" with Stevie Nicks. I really liked the arrangement on that last one. Also, Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland got to sing with Jon Bon Jovi again on "Who Says You Can't Go Home."
But the focal point of the night was probably Michael Jackson's lifetime achievement award, and the tribute performance to him. Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Usher, Jennifer Hudson and Smokey Robinson teamed up on "The Earth Song," a piece that highlighted Jackson's wishes for peace, humanitarian aid and environmental awareness as a 3-D video played behind them. Jackson's children accepted the award with thanks to his fans and a call to continue their father's mission of philanthropy.
Photo credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
ALJID says:
I was very sorry for Stevie Nicks that she had to endure that. I don’t even want to mention the reason because everybody knows..
Sherry says:
Congratulations to all the winners. I love live performances. You really get to see the real talent. The tribute to MJ was the highlight of the night’s performances.
elizab says:
Yeah, Congratulations to all the winners. Country music was well represented.
Ashley says:
I thought the Mary j blige / Andre bocelli was the best the mj tribute wasn’t very good. Lady a was awesome Hilary was great even though a curtain fell on her head. Also Taylor won 4 awArds not 3 and I liked her performance even though no one else did. Please don’t hate me for saying this or anything but I have absolutely no idea who Stevie Nicks is.
julietb says:
I love the MJ tribute performance; all 5 artists have amazing vocals. Way to go. Carrie looks beautiful and did a great job. I just love her voice. Congratulations Carrie for winning an award fo ITYS. Also congratulations to Taylor for her wins and Keith.
catherine says:
Wow, that’s all your going to say about Taylor’s performance? When will Nashville start talking about the elephant in the room? - The fact that Taylor Swift can’t sing on key?
I felt sorry for the people in the audience that couldn’t mute that God-awful performance she did with poor Stevie Nicks. What was Stevie thinking? Maybe she had only heard Taylor on the radio and never watches awards shows.
Florida Boy says:
I agree w/you catherine 100%! I absolutely love Stevie Nicks, but I think she should sue for having her classic song trashed by Ms. Swift. With outstanding performances from Gaga/Sir Elton, Beyonce, Pink, ZBB, Mary J/Andrea, and the MJ tribute, Taylor BOMBED again like she ALWAYS does in live performances. She was so off key that I was laughing myself off the couch. I America really that tone deaf? Thank God that Randy/Carrie, Keith, and ZBB won…at least some REAL country artists were recognized.
Tenn says:
I loved the Zac Brown Bands performance - I was looking forward to it and they wowed the audience , also Lady Antebellum were wonderful too , Jennifer Nettles sounded great and Carrie , always amazing, so happy Keith Urban won a Grammy and , Randy Travis and Carrie for collab on I Told You So and two big categories for Best New Artist , Zac Brown , I whooped at that and good for Taylor winning album
flower says:
congrats to taylor you were awsome!! boy stevie nick was off last night, I love her but taylor out sang her with ybwm!!!! cu sounded really bad she looked silly trying to sing with celine yeh no match celine was awsome!!! congrats to keith,taylor and zbb!!!!!
sharon says:
Poor Stevie Nicks. The look on her face when she was singing with Taylor showed just how untalented your voice is.
Jason says:
In can guarantee Taylor will never be asked to sing the National Anthem.
Granna says:
When Stevie and Taylor were singing together I had to mute the TV after Taylor started singing off key. I was so embarrassed! That shocked look on Stevie’s face. I’ve seen Stevie Nicks live and I’ve seen Taylor live and Stevie can sing live, but I’m sorry, Taylor cannot! Wow, it was bad! And then I read she won a Grammy for vocal performance! YIKES!
trac says:
Flower thats the pot calling the kettle black saying Stevie was off. Taylor is always off except with video enhancement.
trink says:
Taylor was awesome as usual she always comes through for her fans. Winning the ALBUM of the year award was by far the best award she could win in her lifetime. In fact it has never been done by a country artist before. Gee another record broken. Bon Jovi ROCKS!!!!!!!
rockerbillie says:
*Taylor’s performance was a disgrace to all who watched and Stevie Nicks does not deserve that. I agree with everyone else who does know the difference between artists that can really sing and that Taylor CANNOT. Let Taylor do the songwriting and keep true artists voices for the songs.
Stevie Nicks hold strong!
Veeta says:
Hahaha. Haters have nothing left say. THE GRAMMYS OPINION >>>> YOUR OPINION. The Grammy voters are not her tween fans. Yet, they had the same opinion of her fans. On the other hand, you people are nobodies, who cares if you think she can’t sing. The people who matter, ie the Grammy voters think she can sing. Taylor won the biggest grammy of the night. Come back to me when Carrie Underwood wins “Album of the Year”…it ain’t happening. Haha I love it. I’m on cloud 9 right now. Taylor Swift…you’re amazing!
Robert says:
trink you are wrong. Alison Krauss along with Robert Plant won Album of The Year just last year. In case you didn’t know Alison is a country singer. Raising Sand was also the first Americana album to win Album of the Year at the Grammys.
ShawnG. says:
Great show last night. Most of the acts were very entertaining. Congrats to all the winners.
Taylor deserved all her awards but NONE of them were given to her because she can sing. They were awarded because she’s a talented writer. That writing and the songs connected with her target audience in a huge way, obviously. But her singing voice is no better than the average girl living in this country and when she performs in the company of so many talented artists, that lack of singing ability is just more evident. Which proves one thing…it no longer matters whether a person has a good singing voice to be a popular entertainer. What drives me crazy is Taylor’s fans not having the honesty to admit that singing is not her strongest talent. No, it hardly matters any longer in today’s market but it doesn’t make it any less true.
Kim says:
“Maybe she was nervous…” How many times can this excuse be used? The girl cannot sing live and anybody that is not tone deaf would agree. Every awards show she has performed at has featured a off key vocal. Any other artist would have a performance like that trashed. But poor Taylor, she’s just a 20 year old girl that gets picked on. I am embarrassed for Nashville. What a joke.
william says:
None of them were given to her for singing????? She won for best country VOCAL performance!!!!
Robin says:
Trink – it’s back to the basics. Before making such sweeping statements you should know what you are talking about which you clearly don’t. Taylor Swift is NOT the only country artist to with the ALBUM of the year. This post alone shows just how musically shallow most of Taylor’s fans (EXCLUDING D Trotter here who clearly likes Taylor even with a vast amount of music knowledge (will wonders ever cease)) are and shows that they must be below the age of 13.
Taylor is the youngest artist to win it, but not the only country artist to win it. I’m not even a fan of Taylor and I know what her achievement actually is. Her fans should probably develop a little “music” appreciation and learn the history of it if they want to quote stats.
Just last year Alison Krauss won it with Robert Plant for “Raising Sand”. JUST LAST YEAR GUYS! Just two years earlier than that, the Dixie Chicks won it in 2007 for “Taking the Long Way”. In 2002 “O Brother Where Art Thou?” won it. This decade has been great to country music in the “Grammy Album of the Year” world as those are it except for Glen Campbell who was actually the first country singer to win it in 1969 for “By The Time I Get To Phoenix”.
Country music didn’t just pop out of the wood work when Taylor Swift crossed over to pop. Quite a few country artists have also won the Grammy Best New Artist award (yeah, Zac Brown Band – who can write incredible music (not teenage histrionics), sing incredibly well and tell stories with their voice).
Robin says:
Robert - actually “Oh Brother Where Art Thou?” is considered Americana.
James says:
Taylor Swift just didn’t crossover to pop. She’s always been pop. You can sing “country” and still be a pop singer from the begining. As far as Zac Brown Band, I’m glad they won but they’re far from being a “New” artists. Makes no sense but I’m glad they won anyway!
Robin says:
william - “None of them were given to her for singing????? She won for best country VOCAL performance!!!!”
They didn’t give it to her because she CAN sing. They gave it to her because she’s the most popular country artist in the pop (non-country version) industry right now. It doesn’t matter that the award is a vocal award. Same thing with the CMA’s vocal award. They didn’t give that to her because she can sing even though it’s a vocal award. They gave it to her because she the country artist making the most money selling albums right now.
The purest at the Grammy’s aren’t purest anymore. With the record industry slowly declining, they are trying to make theirselves “more relevant” by giving “some” awards to people based on popularity alone. This unforunately tants all of their awards.
Robin says:
James - you need to read what the rules for “new artists” are. Zac Brown Band fits just fine in that category.
Robin says:
Veeta - Those same voters actually got to see themselves embarrassed last night. They don’t actually listen to Taylor, so they only “heard rumors” that she can’t sing. They haven’t heard 99% of her live performances. They voted for her based on her “product” alone. It was totaly $$$ driven.
The performance with Nicks showed them the truth. You can post what you want here, but you better check the internet for reviews. There is not one good review of Taylor’s performance with Nicks last night. There are a couple that just say she performed and don’t address the fact that it was horrible, but the one’s that actually are a review of the performance, slaughter Swift (not Nicks). And, 99.99% of the posters on ALL of these sites are hammering Swift.
This is not the CMT crowd who you accuse of being “mean” to Swift for other reasons (God forbid CMT fans just like people who can actually carry a tune). Taylor Swift will continue a successful career, but her awards days are numbered.
william says:
Get off you high horse Robin I never said she could sing ShawnG said none of them were given to her for singing but all for songwriting, and I’ve heard many Taylor fans say her singing isn’t the best, but she connects with her audience and that’s what is most important.
Linda says:
Stevie Nicks has to lower her tone so low to harmonize and she did an admirable job. Taylor should have sung her medleys just with her back up singers. When you do collaborations and people don’t mesh, it becomes a huge problem.
Robin says:
Ha - William and Steven - it’s funny how some one is a “know it all” because they actually know what they are talking about “before” they post. If you can’t take the rebuttal, you should probably not take on the argument.
Not every post is going to be a one liner that says “woo hoo - she’s awesome! OMG - she’s so everything that everyone else isn’t - woo hoo - I’m 13″.
Robin says:
William - you sure don’t mind correcting people do you? So, again, if you can’t take the rebuttal, you probably shouldn’t have any yourself.
Robin says:
Robert – “Oh Brother Where Art Though” is an Americana album. You can call a Bulldog a dog or a Bulldog, but calling it a dog doesn’t make it any less of a Bulldog. It is an Americana album because 100% of the music on it is Americana. It doesn’t matter who the artists are since it is a multi artist album. It is all brought together by the fact that it is Americana purely and wholly. And, at the time it was also considered Americana. It didn’t just happen to “become” Americana later.
Mr. knowitall
Robert says:
lol@Swilly, Yeah I noticed:)
timcun says:
It’s painfully obvious that Taylor is not a singer. But yet she wins award after award. I just don’t get it. And from reading comments not only on CMT but other web sites a lot of people agree. I guess when there’s a lot of money backing you then you don’t really have to have talent. It’s sad for the people with real talent that are being overlooked.
Swilly says:
All we need is dtrotter and peacock queen to make an appearance to round out the stooge brigade.
Robin says:
Swilly - you are the stooge brigade all by yourself (along with Redmaz - who at least brings something to the conversation).
I may not agree with D Trotter’s opinion, but at least he has one that makes sense and has reason to back it up. And, he can actually present it.
timcun says:
Unfortunately Jason, she has sung the National Anthem. It was at the 2008 World Series. You should check it out on YouTube. She did a terrible job and actually changed the melody of the Nation Anthem to fit her inability to sing the song on-key. It was an embarrassment.
Swilly says:
Ha good comeback potsie!!!!!!!!!! and I wouldn’t start on Redmaz she has put you in your place so many times it’s not funny(well I guess it is) Everyone has a crazy aunt. You are the cmt version of that. Wanna dance?
Faye says:
Biggest disappointment of the Grammys is how they only give one country award out during the ceremony and that was for “Country Album”. How this went to Taylor Swift and not Keith Urban totally baffles me! Keith’s album has generated 2 number one singles along with one single that stayed at #3 for three straight weeks and he ALSO writes and co-writes his music. So why not honor him with this award instead of someone that is honored more on the Pop side than Country. By the way, why was Keith not asked to perform live….his performance would have been ten times better than Taylor’s and would have proven he deserves to win for his nominations! But at least Keith DID win his third Grammy of his career just too bad we did not get to see it! As for Album of the Year, Taylor deserved this but not the Country Album since her album is considered in every music genre and not just country…and if they are going by the numbers and not talent (which they must be) then she definitely that one. As for her winning “Country Female Vocal Performance”….what a joke! That one definitely should have went to Martina McBride….now that’s a voice!
Angela says:
I agree, Robin comes off as this know it all. Opinion is one thing we all have but you might want to try and listen to someone other than yourself for a change. By the way, congratulations to ALL the Grammy winners!! I loved Pink, Dave Matthews and Zac Brown Band performances the best!
Melanie says:
Congrats to all of the winners last night!! I enjoyed it all. Some parts of the show I missed but saw highlights. Wow, some of you are really being mean to Taylor! She may not be the strongest singer out there, but I really enjoy her album “Fearless” and it has some great songs. You can’t deny her talent as a songwriter and she is such a poised, humble and elegant young lady and to have all of this success at such a young age is remarkable. I am very happy for her :)
S says:
Flower, you think Stevie Nicks was off and Taylor out-sang her?!?!?! Have you had your hearing checked lately???
Nikki says:
I agree, Nicks was hunting and pecking trying to find a harmony line to go along with Taylor. It wasn’t working at all. It sounded like a bad night at the karaoke bar, I felt bad for Stevie, but I’m glad someone like Taylor with such a weak mediocre voice can have such success. It gives hope to many other people that can’t sing very good. Go Tay!
Katie says:
Congrats to all the winners last night! None of my friends I was watching with last night like country, so I was kind of ecstatic to see that country won so many awards. It’s so great to see so many awards going to Nashville, particularly for ZBB and for Fearless, which was a very nice collection of songs.
I personally liked the Taylor Swift/Stevie Nicks performance. Rhiannon is one of my favorite Fleetwood Mac songs, and I also enjoyed the different version of You Belong With Me.
And as for people being “embarrassed” for Stevie singing with Taylor last night, that’s stupid. Stevie is brilliant, but she doens’t exactly have a traditional voice either. It’s deeper and kind of like a growl, but it’s very distinctive, much like Taylor’s is very unique. I thought whoever planned that duet did a wonderful job because I think their voices mixed well.
Redmaz says:
Thanks for the attention people. If I had known I would’ve had a speech prepared. Pop Country is a genre, and Pop music IS an industry consisting of many genres, just as Roots Country is a genre within the Americana Music community. I’m dissapointed in you Robin after all the basic music fundamentals we’ve been through;) To faye…you seemed to be confused as to what Pop Music is. Pop music is an industry consisting of Many genres of music, so for you to say Swift is honored more on the Pop side than Country makes no sense Keith Urban is just as much part of the Pop music scene as Taylor Swift. Both are in the genre called Pop Country. Just because you like one more than the other does not change what genre of music they are in.
Robin says:
RedMaz - Pop Country is an industry that is made up of many sub-genre’s of country. It is not a genre on it’s own. It is defined just like you are saying “Pop” is defined - an industry made up of many “genres”.
Contemporary country is the sub-genre that dominates the “pop country” industry (Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Martina McBride). But, it also contains many other sub-genre’s of country such as New Traditional (i.e. George Strait and Alan Jackson).
Peacock Queen says:
Yes, we “pushy know-it-alls” drive people crazy on this board. We tend to state opinions based upon facts, and then our own personal opinions get thrown into the mix, but at least we take the time to identify which is a personal opinion and which is an opinion based upon fact (including Robin, Trotter, and Red). It’s called MATURITY, maybe? Anyway, here is a fact: “Fearless” was one heck of an album due to the sales figures. Here is an opinion: While I don’t personally like the songs on “Fearless” (”You Belong With Me” makes me shudder), I personally wanted to see Taylor win that Grammy, and she did. So I am happy. As a matter of fact, IN MY OPINION, country music did very well last night. ZBB brought down the house (opinion)! The rest of you can bash me all you want if it makes you happy, but why don’t you try doing something positive today?
Redmaz says:
Robin, there is no need to tell me the people you listed are Pop Country. I already know that. As I recall, I was the one to inform you of that. Your opinion that Urban, Underwood, Chesney, Swift, McBride are “Contemporary country” and Strait and Jackson are ” New Traditional” is just that…YOUR opinion. It doesn’t change the fact that they all are Pop Country acts.
Robin says:
Redmaz - They are in the “Pop Country” industry. “Pop Country” is not a genre. Contemporary country and New Traditional country are sub-genre’s not an opinion.
S says:
What a shock. A blog about Country music at the Grammy’s and it has to have Taylor’s picture. Who cares if Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Nettles were there. It is any wonder why people are sick to death of her.
Robin says:
And, you didn’t tell me they were in the “pop country” industry. You “tried” to tell me they were in the “pop country” genre - which doesn’t exist.
tay-who says:
google this “reviews of taylor swift and stevie nicks”. see what everyone is saying.
Kim says:
Taylor- please use autotune the next time you perform at an awards show. At least give the illusion that Nashville and country music fans know good music. I have always been impressed by how country singers sound in concert….that is until Taylor came along.
Redmaz says:
Now Pop Country doesn’t exist? Then whay do they have Pop Country charts for a genre that doesn’t exist? Once again, Pop is the industry, Country is the genre. Put them together and you have Pop Country as a genre. OR Pop is the industry, Rock is the genre. Put them together and you have Pop Rock as a genre. Pop is not a genre of music it’s an industry of music no matter the genre with general appeal to the masses that is overproduced and overplayed on Mainstream Commercial radio for profit in that it attempts to resonate with a large segment of it’s target demographics. Do you also believe there is no such thing as a Roots Country genre? While you’re busy answering that, could you define “Contemporary Country” and “New Traditional Country” within the Pop industry? AND do you believe there is “Contemporary Country” and “New Traditional Country” within Americana/Roots Music. If so, could you give some artist examples of each as you did with Pop Country…the genre you say doesn’t exist? Thanks.
William says:
The reviews of Swifts performance are brutal across the board. How is it that everyone’s light just suddenly came on? She’s never put on a good performance. This time she just tried to pull down a super hero with her.
Robin says:
“Pop Country” does exist. It’s an industry not a genre. They have “pop country” charts just like they have “pop” (which also is an industry not a genre) charts.
These sub-genre’s do exist in Americana. Carrie Newcomer is an example of Americana contemporary (yet boring) country.
straitfan1 says:
i am sorry she has cute songs but the girl just can’t sing.. the end
Redmaz says:
That’s it? That’s you’re reply? Okay thanks:)
D Trotter says:
I’m a fan of both Stevie Nicks and Taylor Swift, but this performance was bad, and it was mostly Taylor’s fault. Did they even rehearse this mess?
“Today was a Fairytale”: Why this song? Yes, it set a new download record and it’s perfect for a romantic movie like “Valentine’s Day”, but it’s too similar to “You Belong With Me” to sandwich them around Rhiannon. And what possible connect do songs of teen angst have to Nicks?
Taylor began the first two verses just fine, hitting the low notes (usually where she has the most difficulty), handled the transition to her higher register, THEN struggled (right where she usually corrects herself).Out comes Nicks.
“Rhiannon”: Love the song.If they had to do it, give Taylor a line or two solo, then let Stevie do her thing. Or let Taylor go whirling around the stage doing the “White Witch” thing Nicks used to do. A display of theatrical stage charisma might have been the bridge between these two ladies which could have made sense of this whole thing. Personally, I would have preferred to hear them do “Landslide.
“You Belong to Me”: I like it when artists keep re-working their songs. And Taylor sang this rather well. But Stevie looked like she thought she was trapped in some kind of teenage-hoedown nightmare … didn’t have a clue HOW she fit in. (When in doubt, shake the tambourine and stand in the background.) No way to treat a legend.
Who comes up with these pairings? Last year’s “super-teen team-up” of Miley and Taylor actually made some kind of musical sense. At the time, they were both teens, and they sang a low-keyed, acoustic version of “15″, a song that sounds like quiet bedroom advice between sisters. It wasn’t a show-stopper but it was very nice. And in tune.
So who decided that Nicks, one of the most unusual voices in rock history — basically a contralto with a built-in fuzzbox — wound sound just great with Taylor, one of the most unusual and often shrillest voices in Country?
I love the very real emotion Taylor puts into her songs; part of that occurs when she sings about things that annoy her in that sharp-edged voice she uses. Occasionally, she sounds EXACTLY like a HS frosh screaming that her parents are ruining her life by not letting her go out with the senior boy-version of John Mayer. (Any parent who’s heard that sound knows the only viable alternative not involving guns requires finding some work to do with a jackhammer.) And to harmonize that sound with Nicks’ low rasp?
Better to get Nicks old partner,Tom Petty, team him up with Taylor for “American Girl”. Which would have actually made some sort of sense. Best idea for a collaboration all night came from Stephen Colbert who suggested pairing Adam Lambert with “any sense of personal restraint”
Positives: Swift deserved Album of the Year; got it.
She didn’t sell out her Country leanings for the sake of the Grammy audience — if anything she embraced them, and gave a “Nashville” shout-out.
And the artists from Nashville (including those Leon boys) had a lot of celebrating to do!
Rough Creek Jim says:
Just think–if taylor could sing she might have made 32 million dollars last year instead of the paltry 16 million that she did make.
Robin says:
Were you expecting an essay - Red? It answered your questions. Oh, wait, your essay threw another question in there. Here you go:
A minimal definition of “contemporary” country is a genre of country that incorporates subtle “pop” production techniques such as synthesizers and often sounds slick and polished.
A minimal definition of “new traditional” country, is a country music style that rejects most elements of modern top 40 country music. New traditional country emphasizes the instrumental background, and often even the dress and fashions, of country music of the 1940s to early 1960s.
Robin says:
D Trotter - ok, because of your thoughtful post that actually acknowledged last nights wreck. I am now backing off Taylor on this thread and will wait for the next nightmare.
Kim says:
At least Lady A, Jennifer Nettles and ZBB redeemed Nashville after that disaster. Good job to these artists for great performances!
tay-who says:
She didn’t even acknowledge the other nominees in her acceptance speech which is taboo in Grammy-land. It was “all about me”
Redmaz says:
Way back when, I observed your postings long before I ever replied to you. You never used the terms Pop Country/Roots Country/Americana/Contemporary Country/New Traditional/Industry. You started using these terms after I started challenging your opinions verses facts. That tells me you are at least doing some research. Keep up the good work;)
(sfip)
abby says:
Oh Chris, you are much to kind to Taylor. Poor Stevie! Oh and by the way, you never mentioned Taylor before I told you about her.-Abby
coalminer72 says:
The tribute to Loretta Lynn and her LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT was a joke! That LEGEND and AMAZING Woman deserves more then a 30 sec spot!!!
S says:
Here’s one review I found on-line. “Last night, Taylor Swift was the big winner of the night, winning Album of the Year, but she was also part of the evening’s most memorably awkward duet, when she teamed up with Stevie Nicks for a medley that included Nicks’ “Rhiannon.” Swift has carved out a very impressive career for herself by working hard, being very well-rehearsed (see her “surprised” reaction to every single awards victory she’s had in the last year) and understanding her strengths (personality, songwriting, stagecraft) and weaknesses (limited vocal range). Placed next to Nicks, and handed a song that wasn’t written with her skill set in mind, Swift gave the kind of performance where, if it had happened on “American Idol,” Paula Abdul would have started her comments by telling Taylor how pretty she looked.”
S says:
A guy from Entertainment Weekly interviewed Butch Walker who played banjolin in Taylor’s backing band at the Grammy’s. He asked Butch “Was there a problem with the sound onstage? There seems to be a wide consensus of opinion that Taylor was struggling to find the right notes when she was singing “Rhiannon.”
Butch’s answer: “I didn’t really notice it being out of key that much. But I guess the TV doesn’t lie. I think a lot of people give her unnecessary grief. Her appeal is not in [having] some sort of big diva voice. Like, Pink obviously has a voice of God coming out of her when she sings and it’s beautiful and it’s powerful and bluesy. Taylor comes from country. It’s a difference approach to singing.”
First of all, I love the way he said she wasn’t out of key THAT MUCH. So, is he trying to say that she sucks because she’s Country?
S says:
I just noticed the above picture of Taylor and Stevie. It looks like Stevie has a “holy crap” look on her face. Almost like she just heard Taylor singing for the first time.
tay-who says:
Yes, S, Stevie’s expression told the whole story. I was embarrassed for her
andie says:
i think country music has a lot of amazing vocalist if not more than any other genre
Robin says:
Redmaz - I’ve always said the SAME EXACT THING. I listen to all types of music because I am a musician. I’ve known about Americana and what genre’s and industry’s are long before you came along. I listen to Blue Grass and all all genre’s of roots as well as those same genre’s commerical music (”pop”).
What you observed me doing was KNOWING WHO I’M SPEAKING TO. If I’m not on a blog about roots music then that’s not what I’m speaking about. If you call someone “country”, you don’t have to define what sub-genre or industry of “country” you are talking about unless YOU want to. You don’t have to do it just because Redmaz wants you to.
There is a difference between saying “Artist X is a country artist who did such and such” and saying “Artist X is the ONLY country artist to do such and such”. The first just claims that the artist IS country in some form or fashion. The second discounts all other artists that may have done that same such and such.
I started using these terms only in arguing with you. I still call “pop” country acts (whatever sub-genre) “country” without qualification until you start rambling. I still speak on a “know your audience” basis and have always called my opinion just that - an opinion. It’s you that looses track of the difference between your opinion and fact.
trac says:
Probably thinking what the heck!
trac says:
Stevie looked great!
trac says:
Another…………..
Love Stevie…come on…she 61 !! Taylor Swift, that’s another story. That girl cannot hold a note, her singing skills s*ck imho. I think she it the worst and have no idea how she has gotten as far as she has….but of course it could be all just “who you know” in the business. She is the worst.
Rita says:
Love what the Zac Brown Band did! Carrie did fantastic too. Can’t wait for some country awards now!!
Rita says:
By the way, The New York Times said: “No details yet from the Recording Academy about what led to the, shall we say, aggressively dissonant duet between Taylor Swift and Stevie Nicks during the Grammy Awards on Sunday night.”
flower says:
taylor was youngest EVER to win album of the year at the grammy’s!!!!!!!! go taylor!!!!!!!!
julietb says:
Good for you Flower for being a true supporter because she really needs it right now after that Grammy fiasco and an overwhelming brutal and harsh reviews of her talent as a singer that even her label producer had to issue a statement. This is the 1st time in history that a Grammy winner of 4 got a very negative backlash from it across the board. But maybe they should have let her use an auto tune microphone to sound better but it`s too late now. But keep cheering for her. Congrats on her wins.
barb b says:
scott borchetta is way out
of line