Saving Country Music’s 2018 Grammy Awards LIVE Blog
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 2018 installment of Saving Country Music’s Grammy Awards LIVE blog! As the night goes on I’ll be peppering you with my observations and rolling commentary as we all watch along together, adding some incendiary snark where possible, and showing others with accolades if they deserve it. So get your little refresh fingers ready, hope the duct-taped SCM server doesn’t crash on us, and let’s have a fun night.
WARNING: There will be misspelled words, off color humor, and occasional cussing. Deal with it.
To see the performers, presenters, and nominees, check out the 2018 Grammy Awards Complete Preview.
(All times CENTRAL time)
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10:17 – In the country realm, The Grammy ended before they began. The important business was concluded in the pre-telecast, with Jason Isbell dominating the Americana categories, and Chris Stapleton doing the same to country, which pretty much assured him a Best Country Album win. The Las Vegas tribute was a stumble. Heads should roll. Stapleton and Emmylou was pretty good, but didn’t really allow either artist to be themselves and prove why they are generational talents like Lady Gaga and others did. Bruno Mars winning the biggest awards will damn us to six months of politically-charged think piece screeds from the usual suspects of how we should have done better in the Trump era. The politics in the show were more predictable than poignant, with a few exceptions. James Corden needs to be fired and never work in entertainment again. Maybe the snark machine was running on turbo tonight but the good moments felt very fleeting. I felt the 2017 CMAs did a much better job at presentations, at tributes, and even tackling difficult subjects, and that should be a big indictment of the presentation. But it had it’s moment.
Now to nurse my carpal tunnel. You be good you crazy kids.
10:08 – It’s over. THANK YOU everybody for following along, reading, sharing commenting, liking, retweeting, all of it. I will compose some final thoughts and bid adieu for the night.
10:03 – He just said “Mars Sauce.” My point.
10:02 – Now look, I understand the appeal of Bruno Mars, and think he’s got a good style. But this dude has really unimpressed me tonight. I’m not incredibly familiar with all the nominees, but this feels like it should be going to Jay-Z or Kendrick Lamar who have a message. This guy’s a dance artist.
10:01 – The Grammy for Album of the Year goes to Bruno Mars for “24K Magic.”
10:00 – You blew your poetic introductory skills on that Sinatra intro in the 90’s Bono.
10:00 – It’s 10:00 and I’m still here. No bueno, Grammys.
9:55 – I’m all for songs with a message, but there’s something to be said for nuance and relaying messages through story. Are these type of songs actually making people feel better, or are they making the artists feel better about themselves because they think they’re doing something to enact change in the world? A good tearjerker can go a long way to helping you feel better as opposed to a song you feel is lying to you about how amazing and beautiful you are. Just my thoughts.
9:51 – LOTS of country greats in the In Memoriam segment, maybe more than any other genre. Feels a little frenetic, but it gets the job done. Would have loved to have seen Stapleton perform and original song with Emmylou by his side to make a “moment” like we saw Saturday night on SNL. He did win three Grammys.
9:50 – Emmylou Harris is a timeless, ageless angel among mortals. How blessed we are to live in an era when we’re graced with her presence, her voice, and her quiet wisdom.
9:48 – Here’s our Tom Petty tribute.
9:47 – Yes, Chris Stapleton and Emmylou Harris!
9:45 – Taylor Swift isn’t appearing on the Grammy Awards this year because she thinks next year will be her big moment. I think there is a good chance nobody will care in 365 days.
9:43– Here comes Neil Portnow, the big wig of the Grammys to say some boring stuff.
9:40 – The best moment of the Grammys so far? When Jason Isbell won for Best American Roots Song during the pre-telecast, took his sweet time getting to the stage, and said when he got to the podium, “I don’t run for the Internet.”
9:35 – Bruno Mars thinks there’s too many ballads tonight. Yes, we need even more hyper pseudo hip-hop shit. Bruno has no need for old tired Opera.
9:34 – The Grammy for Record of the Year goes to “24K Magic” – Bruno Mars.
9:33 – Dave Cobb needs to win that Producer of the Year one of these days. Past due.
9:31 – This scissor woman can sing. Just needs adult supervision near the industrial shredder and she’ll go places.
9:26 – When the music in the commercials is better than the music on the Awards show.
9:21 – Good Emmylou Harris and Chris Stapleton coming up. And U2 panting like they just beat it across town from Ellis Island when they’ve been hanging out in a penthouse across the street for the last 3 hours.
9:17 – Wow, clear the decks, an actual singer. A little saccharine, but whatever.
9:14 – Okay, he pulled it out at the end. I take it all back. Except about that shirt.
9:12 – I prefer the Tom Waits version of “Somehwere.” This guy and his dress down, short-sleeved cardigan needs to go back to his fair trade coffee shop.
9:11 – To the one true God. James Corden. You’re sucking my life force.
9:10 – Well, you just fucked off half a mil, Target.
9:09 – Is this a commercial, or am I dreaming Maren Morris got transported to a Q-bert board?
9:06 – Thought maybe Elton John was getting a Lifetime Achievement this year. Nope.
9:03 – And why are we carving out time in this telecast to perform a 45-year-old song? And Miley’s smoker’s voice doesn’t do well here.
9:01 – What do you think the prospects of a country blogger getting together with Anna Kendrick?
8:58 – Another bombing comedy segment. Whatever your feelings on Trump, it’s just not funny. Did they not focus group this stuff?
8:57 – Bruno Mars wins for Song of the Year for some song I’ve never heard before, and possibly never will.
8:56 – If a song that’s a phone number wins anything, it better be 867-5309.
8:55 – Yes, exactly what this broadcast needs. More freaking Sting.
8:48 -Meh, U2.
8:47 – U2 is also clearly playing to a backing track. Really disappointing. It’s like they’re not even trying to hide it.
8:46 – No way it’s still that light on the East Coast. This U2 performance was pre-recorded.
8:41 – Good, impassioned performance by Kesha.
8:38 – 30 seconds into this Kesha performance, and it’s already better than the Harvest Fest tribute, even with that country carpetbagger Bebe Rexha in the choir.
8:37 – I’m a fan of Kesha’s clothier.
8:34 – Both Maren Morris and Eric Church had great original songs released after the Las Vegas massacre. Why not go there?
8:30 – Sorry folks, I know we’re all supposed to come together in solidarity for these tributes, but that was pretty weak. This is country music’s opportunity to shine in front of the world, and it felt very amateurish. Didn’t help that the sound was probably bad for not just the audience, but the performers. Why not put our best singers, our best foot forward? Jason Aldean singing a Petty cover off key on SNL was arguably more poignant than that. Mild song choice as well.
8:27 – Yes, Eric Church, please save this. I root for Brothers Osborne shading out Florida Georgia Line, but they were not ready for this.
8:26 – Man, I’m sorry, but this tribute feels very, very thin.
8:25 – By the way, Chris Stapleton won Best Country Album. And water is wet.
8:25 – Wow Grammys, way to screw up the sound of this important tribute.
8:23 – Dave Cobb is on the Grammy stage. Dave Cobb is on the Grammy stage.
8:23 – The Grammy for Best Country Album does NOT go to Thomas Rhett or Lady Antebellum!
8:19 – Well it sounds like Best Country Album is coming up, so we may have a Stapleton citing.
8:16 – For the record, I find it offensive when guys grab themselves in front of an audience of millions and millions too.
8:15 – Who’s this Justin Timberlake knock off? Another boy band blow up?
8:13 – On a 1 to 10 scale, how much of a lack of self-awareness do you need to be able to scream you own name like “DJ Khalid!” and not feel self-conscious?
8:11 – Hey thanks to everyone piping up in the comments section. Reading when I can.
8:08 – Something ironic about chasing a commercial about non GMO dog food with a commercial from KFC.
8:04 – Okay we get it. The Grammy Awards are in New York this year. How ’bout doing the city proud by turning in some good segments and performances as opposed to these shoehorned in references to the city?
8:02 – Why does every performance have to be bisected by some hip-hop hype man? Such a reduction of both performers.
8:00 – Hard to hate on Sting.
…but I’m a little bored.
7:57 – Dave Chappell wins for Best Comedy Album. Yes, Best Comedy Album is being televised, and the rock categories aren’t. That tells you where we are in music right now.
7:55 – Is this the Grammys or Star Search? Bruno Mars is usually one of the best performances on these things.
7:54 – Cardi B is the biggest thing in all of music right now, and she made her outfit out of vinyl remnants from a bounce house.
7:53 – The hell is this?
7:52 – No snark. That was the dumbest skit I’ve ever seen on an awards show. Can we get Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood helicoptered in?
7:49 – The last thing this presentation needed was a James Corden vignette. Is this guy this bad all the time?
Apparently the Grammys blew their writing budget on Lady Gaga’s massive angel wings.
7:45 – Funny observation from Luke O’Neil on Twitter, “lol Ed Sheeran the one dude in a category with 4 iconic women and he wins and doesn’t show up. Music industry in a nutshell.”
7:44 – Fine performance by Pink.
7:43 – PREDICTION: Tomorrow, sales for Kendrick Lamar records and Pink-style mom jeans spike.
7:42 – I like my Pink suspended from the ceiling doing some Cirque De Solei shit, not hanging Saturday casual.
7:40 – So does Kendrick Lamar win all this stuff because he’s the rapper all the white Gammy voters vote for?
7:38 – The Grammy for Best Rap Album goes to “Damn” by Kendrick Lamar. Once again, glad he won ’cause I didn’t have time to learn the names of the other nominees. But they’re probably good too. Or probably not.
7:37 – I don’t know if Dave Chappelle is naming off rappers, or the ingredients to a bottle of purple drank.
7:36 – The next funny thing James Corden does will be the first on this presentation.
7:32 – Seriously, Rhianna is 6’8″ in this picture, or walking on cinder blocks.
7:28 – This guy is definitely a Gambino, because we’re getting swindled into believing this song is any good. Sorry, another dad joke. Would rather listen to Paulie Walnuts telling dirty jokes.
7:25 – Fall down the stairs into a wedding cake or something, Corden. You’ve got nothing.
7:24– How I feel listening to this song:
7:23 – So much great Latin music out there, and THIS is what we’re highlighting?
7:22 – Screw this. Can we call an audible and get Alan Jackson to the stage?
7:21 – Oh shit, this Desposito song? Can’t get away from this thing.
7:20 – Sarah Silverman has some really great jokes.
7:17 – These commercials are making me hate Millennials.
7:15 – Ed Sheeran is too busy guarding his pot ‘o gold to accept his award. Shit I could use a bowl of Lucky Charms about right now.
7:15 – The Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance goes to “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran.
7:13– Good to see some Texas boys and a cowboy hat up on the stage.
7:11 – Love Gary Clark, but sometimes he feels like the Grammy’s one black guy that doesn’t rap.
7:09 – Remember, last year they moved Best Country Album to the pre-telecast when Sturgill Simpson won. This year it’s been moved back to the telecast.
7:05 – Alison Krauss cameo! Get her up on the stage. Come on people!
7:04 – Well, at least Little Big Town smells wonderful. I guess there are worse that could be representing country on the Grammys. Sam Hunt’s at home picking lint out of his belly button right now.
7:03 – I just wish this was a better song. Sorry, dad joke.
7:01 – The only reason we’re watching Little Big Town and listening to this mild song is because Taylor Swift wrote it.
7:00 – This comedian guy needs to get swept up in a groping scandal.
6:59 – Alessia Cara had a good speech. There, I said something nice.
6:58 – The Grammy for Best New Artist goes to Alessia Cara. Never heard of her, but I bet she’s great. Or not.
6:56 – Oh shit, it’s Nick Jonas, keep the guitars away from him. Or was that his brother that butchered that Kelsea Ballerini solo a couple years ago?
6:55 – Whoa, is that a falsetto, or my smoke alarm?!?
I kid. Sam Smith is pretty good. No he’s not.
6:54 – Good thing Sam Smith is dressed like a doctor. Perhaps he can write me a script for a stimulant to get me through this performance.
6:52 – James Corden is bombing. Much funnier last year with the physical comedy.
6:50 – Grammys starting at 6:30 is ruining my mojo. Folks haven’t even eaten dinner yet. Present company included. Stuff may get weird on an empty stomach.
6:48 – Meant to listen to Kendrick Lamar’s album before all of this just because everyone praises him so high. I’ll take their word that he’s probably the best thing going in rap music right now.
6:47 – What the hell? Is Kendrick Lamar a tiny person, or is Rhianna (sp?) tall enough to start at Center for the Knicks?
6:46 – “Loyalty” from Kendrick Lamar wins some rap award. It’s good he won, because he’s about the only nominee’s name I know to spell.
6:45 – Tony Bennett is a silver fox stud. At 91, he could make any frau in the building.
6:44 – Much harder to stand at center stage and sing by yourself than it is to jump around in choreographed bullshit lip syncing to a backing track. Good job, Gaga.
6:40 – Lady Gaga’s been able to perfect how to recover from being a vapid pop star after the hits stop coming. Instead of trying to chase trends, chase your own voice and flee to substance. You’ll feel better about yourself in the end, and history will judge you better.
6:38 – That’s one big ass angel who got their wings plucked for this production value.
6:36 – You know, whatever is trying to be expressed in this opening performance probably would have been more poignant without the Chappell interjections. Attempt to take the edge off, but then what’s the point of doing an edgy performance?
6:35 – Only Dave Chappelle can pull off wearing his own merch.
6:34 – Dave Chappelle, a black man white people can get behind!
6:33 – Something tells me this opening performance isn’t USO approved.
6:32 – I see lots of American flags and soldiers, but that doesn’t sound like Toby Keith!
6:30 – Here we go!
6:28 – Just a warning, usually I’m better prepared for the Grammy Awards. Since I don’t know a lot of the names or performers from other genres, I try to take some time to at least get familiar with the performers and nominees before heading in. Unfortunately with all the craziness last night with the Stapleton/Sturgill performance on SNL and writing about it this morning, I didn’t get that opportunity. So this live blog will be even more without a net than normal, which may be even more entertaining for y’all if not for me. Hold on tight.
6:25 – Some observations from the pre-telecast:
Chris Stapleton has already won twice, which makes him a pretty good contender for Best COuntry Album, which will once again be broadcast this year. If he wins, it will make him one of the bigger winners of the night, even though he’s not nominated for one of the big awards
Jason Isbell is also a big winner with two awards. He also had the best line of the pre-telecast. “I don’t run for the Internet,” he said after taking his time making his way up to the podium.
It’s a shame that Miranda Lambert’s “Tin Man” did not win for either of the awards it was up for, not just for Miranda but for Jack Ingram who is a co-writer on the song. It would have been cool to see him walk away with a Grammy.
6:22 – Early winners in (most) of the roots and country categories:
- Best Country Song – “Broken Halos,” Mike Henderson & Chris Stapleton, songwriters
- Best Country Solo Performance – “Either Way,” Chris Stapleton
- Best Country Duo/Group Performance – “Better Man,” Little Big Town (written by Taylor Swift)
- Best Americana Album – The Nashville Sound – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
-
Best American Roots Song – “If We Were Vampires,” Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit
Best Roots Gospel Album – Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope – Reba MecEntire
- Best Bluegrass Album is a TIE: Laws Of Gravity – The Infamous Stringdusters AND All The Rage In Concert Volume One [Live] – Rhonda Vincent And The Rage
- Best Folk Album – Mental Illness – Aimee Mann
- Best American Roots Performance – “Killer Diller Blues,” Alabama Shakes
6:20 – Some pictures from the Red Carpet and pre-telecast:
Chris Stapleton won for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance. You can almost hear him saying, “Yeah!” with his fist pump.
Jason Isbell won twice as well looking dapper in an all black suit, and wearing a white rose to show solidarity with the #metoo movement.
Zac Brown came out to present and dressed to show solidarity with Willy Wonka
Reba McEntire won for Best Roots Gospel Album. I would compliment her on how she looks, but I don’t want to be labeled a “sexist!” so I’ll just say she looked better than Colonel Sanders.
James
January 28, 2018 @ 5:37 pm
Wooo chreeeis!
Aggc
January 28, 2018 @ 5:39 pm
I don’t mind being labeled as ‘sexist’. Reba looked hot!
Marc
January 28, 2018 @ 5:41 pm
Reba looking a Dolly Partonish up top….I don’t hate it.
KSU
January 28, 2018 @ 5:46 pm
Fucking love your live blogs. Popcorn is ready. Drink in hand. Thanks Trig! I’ll try not to complement a woman on her appearance tonight ’cause misogyny.
Trigger
January 28, 2018 @ 6:07 pm
Thanks for tuning in KSU.
JB
January 28, 2018 @ 7:35 pm
Wish I could count you as a Jayhawks fan with that comment, but some things can’t be helped
Kristen
January 28, 2018 @ 5:53 pm
Sorry Stapelton didn’t deserve both of those awards. When has he had a performance of this either way song. Cmon this is a joke. Tin Man was and should have been the winner . I like Chris but let’s not go overboard with stuff that isn’t deservingbover such a great song and performance of Tin Man. No wonder I hate award shows, evennghe revirding industry can’t get it right.
Trigger
January 28, 2018 @ 6:08 pm
I agree it would have been good to spread the love a little, especially since he’s likely to win Best Country Album.
Marie
January 29, 2018 @ 5:58 am
Nope. Disagree. Don’t like Tin Man at all. I am not alone because despite all the promotion it was not a #1 hit single on any chart . Not even close. But than ML has not hit a hit single in literally years. Since 2011. Better Man was a great song in comparison.
eckiezZ
January 28, 2018 @ 5:54 pm
Aimeee!!
Best Contemporary Folk Album!!
So many underappreciated releases from established women singers & songwriters last year, mostly in response to the year that was 2016. Aimee, Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos, Mavis Staples, Ani DiFranco, etc…
Also that Alabama Shakes cover slaps!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nja9birbmKY
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 6:00 pm
DAMM is good, Kendrick’s previous album that somehow didn’t win overall grammy for album, to pimp a butterfly, was better.
(also feel free to complement everyone on how they’re dressed tonight…that’s the entire point of getting dressed up for a red carpet…but hey who cares about context anyways…the joke was funny though)
Personally, I’m just hoping someone confiscates Thomas Rhetts crib notes sheet before he rips off anymore more talented performers
Melissa
January 28, 2018 @ 6:03 pm
Okay, Zac Brown needs to stop taking whatever he’s taking. Reba looks gorgeous.
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 6:04 pm
Also who is LBT blackmailing to get a solo slot of an original song when they aren’t even nominated for one of the all genre awards? Lorde didn’t even get that, and she’s nominated for best album, sheez
Trigger
January 28, 2018 @ 6:11 pm
Good point. Little Big Town just continues to clean up in the awards show world without a whole lot of actual gusto behind them.
wonkabar23
January 28, 2018 @ 6:19 pm
Little Big Town gets a solo slot of an original song when they arent even nominated, and it appeared not even in the building? Yet Lorde who is up for album of the year was required to do a Tom Petty medley or nothing?
Leroy
January 28, 2018 @ 7:17 pm
LBT appeals to a different audience. The awards shows studio audience. It has different people than a game show audience. It’s a treat to get an LBT song, it’s another piece to a big inside industry puzzle.
Gina
January 28, 2018 @ 6:04 pm
Yay for Chris! Kendrick Lamar is great and his music actually means something so yeah for him too. I will never like Gaga. I appreciate she’s talented but I just won’t.
Reba did look hot. I’m a woman.
Calling a woman beautiful is not sexist. There I said it.
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 6:15 pm
4 really good songs, by strong vocalists, with cool lyrics……and Ed Sheeran wins.
Will
February 2, 2018 @ 5:21 pm
Ed Sheeran is the worst. Ever.
Gina
January 28, 2018 @ 6:19 pm
Better Man is a good song. I just can’t deal with LBT.
The Dot
January 28, 2018 @ 6:24 pm
Is Despacito Spanish for “gyrating pole dancers”?
Grady Smith
January 28, 2018 @ 6:25 pm
Trig, you BETTER write about this naked woman dancing to Despactio respectfully.
Trigger
January 28, 2018 @ 6:35 pm
Yeah, bit my tongue. Already got in enough trouble today 🙂
I said JOKES! Sarah Silverman’s got great JOKES!
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 6:26 pm
The Despacito song is the pop equivalent to body like a back road
Bear
January 29, 2018 @ 4:06 pm
Are you saying Body Like A Back Road is not pop? Or are you say Body Like A Back Road is so awful it is not even really music.
Melissa
January 28, 2018 @ 6:27 pm
Alessia Cara is ok, but she most certainly is not “new.” Her song “Here” was a hit in 2015. :/
The Dot
January 28, 2018 @ 6:29 pm
Oh my dear good Lord, what is a Childish Gambino and why is it screeching at me?
Matsfan/Jatsfan
January 28, 2018 @ 6:35 pm
It is times like these when I would have been envious of Helen Keller.
Dave
January 28, 2018 @ 6:30 pm
Dude man playing lead guitar for Childish Gambino has a wicked velvet suit!! Hahaha. Not too bad of a song, not really my thing, but better than most popular music.
Huntermc6
January 28, 2018 @ 6:35 pm
The Grammy’s should make Gary Clark Jr. The house band. I would be more likely to want to sit through some of this if he played some songs and they sprinkle in the occasional performance from one of the pop acts.
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 6:45 pm
You’ve clearly never listened to Kendrick :p. He’s probably the rapper doing the most social commentary. But basically everyone agrees that Kendrick is the best in the business. I’m already preparing my pitchfork though for when he gets screwed out of Album of the year (again).
Trigger
January 28, 2018 @ 6:48 pm
Yes, but doesn’t “social commentary” = white audience? Not criticizing the guy, just a question.
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 6:52 pm
I don’t know who the rap grammy voters are, but generally they’ve been controversy averse, and Kendrick’s albums don’t shy away from it. Also all of my rap obsessed high school students love Kendrick….and pretty much no one else you’ve ever heard of bc they’re to mainstream and sell out :p
I think he’s in the category of, just so good everyone recognizes it,
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 6:54 pm
But his magnum opus to pimp a butterfly somehow lost to 1989, so I’d guess that’s not it (& as much as DAMM should win everything this year, butterfly was better)
Bear
January 29, 2018 @ 4:11 pm
Well, when feminists get together to march- I mean vote on Grammys- change can happen!
Jtrpdx
January 28, 2018 @ 8:23 pm
I’ve never got Kendrick, but maybe need to go back and give him another shot.
wonkabar23
January 28, 2018 @ 6:49 pm
Funny observation from Luke O’Neil on Twitter, “lol Ed Sheeran the one dude in a category with 4 iconic women and he wins and doesn’t show up. Music industry in a nutshell.”
Kesha is far from iconic
Aggc
January 28, 2018 @ 6:52 pm
I thought Pink’s performance was pretty good.
Presently trying to figure out the motivation behind Sting’s karaoke train performance. This is pathetic…
Aggc
January 28, 2018 @ 6:57 pm
Ok. The Bruno Mars number pushed me over the edge. Back to watching ‘Monk’ reruns and The Weather Channel…
Kevin Davis
January 28, 2018 @ 6:59 pm
Yes, James Corden is always this not funny. I’ve tried to watch his late late show a few times, and I can only make it about five minutes. If it were not for those carpool singing sketches, which have been done to death, we wouldn’t know who he is.
Trigger
January 28, 2018 @ 7:12 pm
He was kind of funny last year if I remember right.
Charlie
January 28, 2018 @ 8:09 pm
He’s the one enthusiastic chubby kid to ever make it out of drama club.
Liz
January 28, 2018 @ 6:59 pm
I was looking at photos of Country artists on the Grammy red carpet. Can some enlighten me as to what Thomas Rhett is wearing on his feet. Looks like half shoes with fur bits on them. Is this a new fashion statement?
Gabe
January 28, 2018 @ 7:03 pm
Who looks to Thomas Rhett for what’s hot?
The Dot
January 28, 2018 @ 7:00 pm
I love Bruno Mars. He’s the total package. Singer, dancer, writer. I could watch him all night. Just without Cardi the Clown.
I’m hanging in until Church and the Brothers come out. Then I’m gone.
Sbach66
January 28, 2018 @ 7:09 pm
A note on the Sting performance…that was Shaggy. The reason he joined in is because they have an album coming out. That was the first single.
Trigger
January 28, 2018 @ 7:11 pm
Yeah somehow I missed putting that on my 2018 Most Anticipated list.
But I’m sure it will be great.
Sbach66
January 28, 2018 @ 7:13 pm
I like Sting.
I can tolerate Shaggy in the right situation (that wasn’t it).
I will not be owning this album.
KSU
January 28, 2018 @ 7:12 pm
I thought you guys were being ‘tards when you said Reba was Col. Sanders, but there she/he is. Totes amaze, like omg. #snapchat filter #emojis
Jim L.
January 28, 2018 @ 7:18 pm
Did the sign language interpreter go home already? Can’t say I blame her.
Sam
January 28, 2018 @ 7:18 pm
Country Album found room in the broadcast even with the big, stupid comedy push this year. How was it pushed out of last year’s? Any comment Scott Borchetta? No? Oh ok. Well, Sturgill’s doing fine I’d say.
Trigger
January 28, 2018 @ 7:21 pm
Sturgill got pushed out for Beyonce last year. Plain and simple.
CountryCharm
January 28, 2018 @ 7:44 pm
I’m going to say that Sturgill is unknown to the larger audience while the people who watch the Grammys actually know who Stapleton is.
James
January 28, 2018 @ 7:19 pm
8.5
Huntermc6
January 28, 2018 @ 7:19 pm
Did I miss the Stapleton & Emmylou Harris performance?
Jtrpdx
January 28, 2018 @ 8:24 pm
No. I don’t think. It’s coming up
Pat
January 28, 2018 @ 7:22 pm
only thing i can take away from DJ Khaled having fame and money is that we are all doomed. Oh well, it was a nice run.
Gina
January 28, 2018 @ 7:25 pm
And a third win for Chris! Yeah!
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 7:27 pm
Fearless prediction: if Maren releases her next album before October it will get a grammy nomination
Gabe
January 28, 2018 @ 7:40 pm
That’s not happening cos she’s said in countless interviews that she hasn’t started recording her follow-up. That’s why “Rich” is being released and not a lead single…
Marmarbama
January 28, 2018 @ 8:49 pm
If she does, should be labeled as pop music.
KSU
January 28, 2018 @ 7:27 pm
Maren Morris could make a good country album if she tried.
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 7:30 pm
Yeah, but you have to want to make a good country album. Maren grew up listening to a bunch of different genres, and she likes singing all of them. Honestly, it’s not that much different than Sturgill, who doesn’t want to be put in a country box anymore either.
KSU
January 28, 2018 @ 7:42 pm
Sure. But I wish she would try a country album. Either way, I wish her the best of luck. Have a good night seak05.
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 7:43 pm
you too
Keep On Chooglin
January 28, 2018 @ 7:31 pm
Tribute song was not good. Not sure if it was song choice or who they chose to sing it. Or both.
Gina
January 28, 2018 @ 7:32 pm
It wasn’t.
Gina
January 28, 2018 @ 7:31 pm
Maren has a great voice.
Pat
January 28, 2018 @ 7:33 pm
maybe so, gina. but she’s garbage.
Gina
January 28, 2018 @ 7:36 pm
According to you.
Pat
January 28, 2018 @ 7:36 pm
fair point
Marie
January 29, 2018 @ 6:10 am
Maren Morris has a great voice. What a vocal range whether you like her or not. Now she can sing any music genre and sound good. Shes that good . Maren is a songwriter too. Maren or Carrie deserve to win in all the female country music awards categories now. Because they have actual vocal talent.
Gabe
January 28, 2018 @ 7:32 pm
Happy for Dave Cobb, he’s now won with the same artists twice.
Hopefully NO ONE is stupid to go their separate ways
Houston Erwin
January 28, 2018 @ 7:33 pm
Sorry but I thought that tribute was terrible. Such a tragic event and that was the best they could put together?
Trigger
January 28, 2018 @ 7:46 pm
Not finding anyone who liked it.
Joe
January 28, 2018 @ 7:34 pm
I don’t blame any of the artists, but I think Trigger said it best that the tribute was very thin. Just felt like it was missing pieces that kept it from being a moment. Maybe they were going a copy of the Carrie CMA tribute, but if you want to do something like that, you need a voice like Carrie (and there’s only 1 of those in country music).
Joe
January 28, 2018 @ 7:37 pm
Off topic, but if you are out there reading these Trig when I tried to post my first comment, I received an error saying I was posting too often even though it was my first comment of the night. Not sure if it was just a fluke or if the site is having issues (as I know are possible when the live blogs are going).
On that note, THANK YOU for doing these events as they make the actual shows much more bearable and while I don’t always agree with your opinions, I do value them.
James
January 28, 2018 @ 7:38 pm
Chris has a better voice
Sam
January 28, 2018 @ 7:34 pm
Trig, do we really need to start the water is wet argument right now? (Water isn’t wet by the way)
DS
January 28, 2018 @ 7:36 pm
They should have just had Church sing “Why Not Me”
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 7:36 pm
Maren was fine. I think they wanted route91 performers, which I get, but that seriously limited the pool. The song choice was weak, Brothers Osborne is under-baked and not ready, and I don’t know what’s up with Eric, but the last few times I’ve heard him on TV have been not good.
Keep On Chooglin
January 28, 2018 @ 7:43 pm
That was a lot of women screaming at me through the television.
Gina
January 28, 2018 @ 7:45 pm
I was hoping we could go all night without being lectured. How wrong I was.
Jim L.
January 28, 2018 @ 7:47 pm
Amazing… U2 guitarists can play with gloves on!
Jim L.
January 28, 2018 @ 7:50 pm
OK I now see that Edge had bare fingertips. Not sure about Adam on bass.
albert
January 28, 2018 @ 8:09 pm
if i’m in the band U2 I’m not playing ANYWHERE i need to even wear gloves . i’m hiring someone to wear gloves and play it for me .
Jtrpdx
January 28, 2018 @ 8:27 pm
Jim – don’t be sorry. Any chance to talk crap about U2 is fine and dandy. Them and Coldplay and the Eagles.
Aggc
January 28, 2018 @ 8:34 pm
The Eagles? Really?
Jtrpdx
January 28, 2018 @ 8:50 pm
The most mediocre and overrated band in history. Fake “cowboys”, fake “environmentalists” flying around in private jets. Diva CokeHeads. Uninspired pop songs specifically designed to appeal to the bland masses. Joe Walsh is pretty cool, as a side note.
Jtrpdx
January 28, 2018 @ 9:58 pm
Sorry, just realized your “really?” comment was likely in sarcasm, as I’m assuming there aren’t many eagles fans commenting here. Either way, it was a good thing to expand on my original comment.
Farmer
January 28, 2018 @ 7:48 pm
This Kesha song will be the moment of the Grammy’s. Especially considering the me too movement.
wonkabar23
January 28, 2018 @ 7:49 pm
Does Bono look like Robin Williams to anyone else?
Jimmy Row
January 28, 2018 @ 9:01 pm
Ozzy
Krissy
January 28, 2018 @ 11:46 pm
Bono looks like Elton John.
Dave
January 28, 2018 @ 7:52 pm
This Adidas commercial caused at least 500 people to have seizures! Made my brain hurt just watching it!
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 8:02 pm
The grammy’s hashtag on twitter actually loved that “fire and fury” bit….and the ending was pretty good
KathyP
January 28, 2018 @ 8:06 pm
Miley cleans up pretty well. That’s some dress.
Banjo
January 28, 2018 @ 8:13 pm
Any chance of Tom Petty tribute?
Trigger
January 28, 2018 @ 8:20 pm
Yeah really, what the hell? I haven’t heard of one yet, but I’m sure they will do something. There will definitely be an In Memoriam segment.
KathyP
January 28, 2018 @ 8:24 pm
Patti Lupone, a Broadway legend. What a voice. She sang that song night after night on Broadway. Saccharine by today’s standards I guess. Powerful in its context, tho. Madonna couldn’t compete.
albert
January 28, 2018 @ 8:24 pm
you said it trigger ….an “actual singer ”
‘don’t cry for me ‘ was absolutely stunning …the voice , the orchestration , the arrangement .
the epitome of how music and lyrics can touch the soul. thank goodness the grammy’s remember and acknowledge this .
albert
January 28, 2018 @ 8:33 pm
wow…what a busy ,noisy cacaphone of unnecessary sound this is
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 8:39 pm
Just sitting here sharpening my pitchforks for when a generic pop album beats an actually good hip hop (or r&b or country) album, for album of the year for the billionth straight year.
Gina
January 28, 2018 @ 8:47 pm
I think Patti probably wins for performance of the night. What a voice.
albert
January 28, 2018 @ 8:48 pm
totally agree gina
seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 9:05 pm
Oh look, generic pop album wins again. Grammy’s are never going to give a top award to a hip hop album
Gina
January 28, 2018 @ 9:16 pm
He was robbed again. And I love Bruno Mars, but cmon!
Jeffro
January 28, 2018 @ 9:09 pm
” A good tearjerker can go a long way way to helping you feel better as opposed to a song you feel is lying to you about how amazing and beautiful you are.” – Trigger
Excellent point!!
Also, does the world know any other Don Williams songs besides “Tulsa Time” ? Damn
Aggc
January 28, 2018 @ 9:11 pm
I agree with Trigger’s comment about Emmy Lou Harris being a timeless angel. I’ve been following her since her days with Gram Parsons and The Flying Burrito Brothers and remember watching her and The Hot Band on Austin City Limits. I was a big fan of Albert Lee, her guitarist too. Most of you weren’t born yet.
Arlene
January 28, 2018 @ 9:22 pm
Don’t mean to sound snarky, but if you’ve been following her that long, you should know that her first name is spelled “Emmylou,” not “Emmy Lou.”
Aggc
January 29, 2018 @ 3:43 am
You can thank my phone’s auto-correct for that.
Arlene
January 29, 2018 @ 12:06 pm
Understandable. Sorry. I know how annoying that can be.
Gina
January 28, 2018 @ 9:20 pm
Thank you, Trigger for the commentary. I was supposed to be there tonight but didn’t get tickets in time so I was kind of bummed. But honestly it was more fun commenting with y’all.
Trigger
January 28, 2018 @ 9:40 pm
Thanks for reading Gina.
the pistolero
January 28, 2018 @ 9:27 pm
I saw James Corden on his late night show once, a couple of weeks ago. I was not impressed.
Could have been worse though. It could have been that prancing shitbird Stephen Colbert.
albert
January 28, 2018 @ 9:42 pm
I’m reading the disappointment about a rap/hip hop album NOT winning a grammy from the same folks that thinks it has no business in country music and I just find that ironic and interesting .
Here’s the thing , I believe. if the grammy’s are about MUSIC ….aren’t we happy that a record as amazingly musical as 24K by Bruno and Co, gets the nod ? I think hip hop and rap are a completely valid and unique art-form and as such have garnered an enormous fan base , obviously . but calling it music , to my mind , is a huge misnomer . the grammy for best MUSIC album went to the right place amongst those nominated
Gina
January 28, 2018 @ 10:15 pm
Fair enough, I really thinks it’s more about Kendrick Lamar not winning, IMO. But Bruno is great. So yes.
Trainwreck92
January 28, 2018 @ 11:15 pm
Albert, if hip-hop isn’t music, then what would you call it? Merriam-Webster says that music is vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony. I’d say that hip-hop fits that description perfectly.
albert
January 29, 2018 @ 9:22 am
I guess I’d argue again , given your Merriam Webster quote .( BTW …is she a rap artist ..? badabump ) …which album was MOST musical ? Kendrick …or Bruno’s .
I’m not suggesting that Bruno’s record was or wasn’t more creative ( artistic ) than the other nominees …I’m only arguing musicality here ….vocally and instrumentally
emfrank
January 28, 2018 @ 11:22 pm
That makes no sense. It is entirely reasonable to say hip hop doesn’t belong in country music, and still like and respect the genre and prefer an artist who does it particularly well and avoids the pop influences.
albert
January 29, 2018 @ 9:09 am
totally agree,emfrank …and I think that’s what I indicated above
emfrank
January 29, 2018 @ 1:57 pm
So why say it is ironic?
albert
January 29, 2018 @ 5:30 pm
again ….I think the grammy’s should be about music in music categories .. putting rap albums in a category with music and singing seems a bit ridiculous to me .
Tammyswift
January 29, 2018 @ 12:47 am
Um..have you heard Bruno’s album? Its about as shallow as those bro-country anthems you all complain about.
Google the lyrics to any of Brunos songs, “versace on the floor” , “thats what I like” or my favourite “chunky”, which celebrates a certain part of the female anatomy.
Kendrick shouldve won. You dont have to be a hip hop fan to see that Kendricks music was objectively much deeper than anything on Bruno’s party album.
albert
January 29, 2018 @ 9:17 am
”Its about as shallow as those bro-country anthem”
Lyrically speaking I can’t argue with your statement here Tammy …It is indeed lyrically quite shallow . But in terms of musical ideas , rhythms , vocal arrangements , interesting chord structures and voicings , musical diversity song to song , passion in the performances ….this stands heads, hands s and feet above all the bro- crap you refer to . AND again lyric aside , ..24k was FAR more musical than much hip hop and rap that I heard nominated .
I understand its hard to be objective about these kinds of contests….but I stand by my contention that 24K was a music record nominated at a music awards show and much hip hop and rap is spoken word , machine driven and far less interesting from a MUSICAL standpoint .
Perhaps the answer is to have a complete other category for rap/hip/hop/beat poetry ?
Tammyswift
January 29, 2018 @ 6:35 pm
Im guessing you’re from the “real music is singing and live instruments” school of thought.
Hip hop is music. The words are itself used as an instrument to create rhythmic beats, in the same way drums do in other genres. Not only is Kendrick lyrically deeper than Bruno but musically more original. Because Kendricks lyrics are so intertwined with the instrumentation and song structure, it can go from soft to heavy, slow to fast, unexpectedly within a song depending on where Kendrick is lyrically. He doesnt follow the verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-verse-chorus formula of most songs. You never where a kendrick song is going to take you when you start listening.
Musically Bruno just emulates the old funk/rnb sounds that came before him and he openly admits it.
No Name
January 29, 2018 @ 11:33 pm
There are categories for Best Rap song, Best Rap Album, etc. Why should certain genres be excluded from the major awards like Song/Album of the year?
Also, what is wrong with Childish Gambino or the song, Redbone? Or the album from Lorde? Those weren’t hip-hop.
Seak05
January 28, 2018 @ 9:48 pm
Thanks for blogging, show was a snooze fest
Trigger
January 28, 2018 @ 9:54 pm
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Marc
January 28, 2018 @ 9:53 pm
What the hell! Is Zak Brown auditioning for the role of Mr. French in a Family Affair remake?
Gina
January 28, 2018 @ 10:16 pm
Ha!
The Dot
January 28, 2018 @ 10:01 pm
I’ve got to give credit to anyone who made it through the whole telecast. After they messed up the sound on the Vegas tribute, I gave up.
Jtrpdx
January 28, 2018 @ 11:08 pm
Where was Stapleton’s “badass” duster coat and hat? Maybe his wifey talked him out of playing dress up outlaw tonight. Smart woman.
Jack Williams
January 29, 2018 @ 7:41 am
Are you referring to the Tom Petty tribute duet with Emmylou? If so, I’m guessing he didn’t wear his hat on stage out of respect.
KSU
January 29, 2018 @ 7:44 am
He was going to wear that green J-Lo dress, but United lost his luggage.
Gina
January 29, 2018 @ 7:22 pm
I love Chris but I thought the duet was a little blah and I was really looking forward to it.
Trainwreck92
January 28, 2018 @ 11:24 pm
I really don’t have anything against Bruno Mars, but it’s fucking ludicrous that he won album of the year. I really thought that Kendrick or Childish Gambino would get it. Both “Damn” and “Awaken, My Love” were critically acclaimed when they dropped and were fairly popular as far as I know. Most importantly, they were legit albums, not just collections of disparate, uninspired pop songs. I haven’t listened to Jay-Z or Lorde’s respective albums in their entirety, but based on the singles I’ve heard, I’d put them above “24K Magic”.
Aggc
January 29, 2018 @ 4:24 am
“8:56 – If a song that’s a phone number wins anything, it better be 867-5309.”
Or ‘Echo Valley 2-6809’.
Digs
January 29, 2018 @ 6:14 am
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/woman-alessia-cara-won-main-award-grammys-article-1.3785174
Anybody read Neal Portnows comments on why barely any women won major awards? Does this guy even listen to music? Loads of quality music by female artists deserving of major category awards this year.
Mark
January 29, 2018 @ 11:19 am
Yes I saw that as well.
different article.
wonder if some sort of explanation will be made soon by him.
Gina
January 29, 2018 @ 7:27 pm
If you read his full statement, I get what he’s saying. And the Recording Academy used to have gender specific awards that they got rid of. Now people are calling for them to come back. Frankly, turning absolutely everything into a gender war is getting tiresome and will probably backfire on us. Last year was heavily female as was the year before. But no one is talking about that.
Troy
January 29, 2018 @ 12:10 pm
Im glad to see Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell win. What pissed me off is the fact that Bruno Mars won awards for an album that is essentially a throwback to 90s R&B. Total and complete BULLSHIT.
albert
January 29, 2018 @ 8:05 pm
”What pissed me off is the fact that Bruno Mars won awards for an album that is essentially a throwback to 90s R&B. ”
…. when Daft Punk did that a couple of years ago it received HUGE accolades and sales …and LEGS .Bruno has done some different things along the way ( check out his singles …check out his tribute to Prince and his guitar playing ) ……this one was different again and the vibe is absolutely uplifting and contagious . AND people loved it . You could argue that people even NEEDED it in light of the social and political climate right now . Its an homage , in some respects , to that R &B stuff you refer to …magnificently executed musically , vocally and production-wise …not to mention the live show that accompanied it . It’s REAL playing and singing , for the most-part . He’s built this record upon some timeless tried and true elements . Isn’t that what Lamar is doing ? …and everyone else in the hip hop/rap realm ? Aren’t they just using the tried and true elements of the genre to ” speak’ their message ? I even heard a whole Santana song used as the music for a ‘new’ song last night …Hmmm?
You could say that Stapleton and Isbell are doing similar kinds of things in their respective genres . They are revisiting the things that made music REAL musically , vocally , lyrically ,emotionally ..although Mars’ stuff is not particularly good lyrically ,as I’ve admitted to in earlier posts.
The key word is MUSIC and Bruno and Co. delivered that y the truckload on 24K.
Ryan
January 29, 2018 @ 3:24 pm
People in here hating on that Childish Gambino performance. Hilarious.
It was one of the best musical performances of the night.
Gina
January 29, 2018 @ 7:28 pm
He was great I thought but I’m a fan.
A.K.A. City
January 31, 2018 @ 8:33 am
Great live blog- I watched the WWE Royal Rumble with my houseful of boys instead. Just to point out, the “phone number” song is the number for the suicide prevention hotline.