Saving Country Music’s 2019 Grammy Awards LIVE Blog
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 2019 installment of the Saving Country Music LIVE blog covering the 61st Annual Gammy Awards. This could shape up as an important year in country music, with Brandi Carlie, Kacey Musgraves, Margo Price, Luke Combs, and others up for big awards over the evening, not to mention a big tribute to Dolly Parton.
As the night goes on, the blank space below will fill with observations and rolling commentary as we all watch along together. Please understand this is all off-the-cuff, so there will be occasional swear words and syntax errors. So get your little refresh finger ready, and let’s have a fun night.
To see the performers, presenters, and nominees, and big things to watch for, check out the 2019 Grammy Awards Complete Preview.
(All times CENTRAL time)
11:03 – The story of the 2019 Grammy Awards in country and roots music is Kacey Musgraves and Brandi Carlile. And even though Brandi won her three awards before the telecast, she delivered the evening’s marquee performance that many will be talking about around water coolers on Monday, while Musgraves walks away with the evening’s top award, and the top award in country for Album of the Year.
Yes, without the attention to inclusiveness, and without the Grammy’s Neil Portnow putting his foot in his mouth last year, Carlile and Musgraves may have never even been nominated, or at least not as heavily, and their chances may have not been as good to win. But none of this matters. Both Brandi Carlie and Kacey Musgraves are such better options and worthy recipients when it comes who country and roots should put forward as representatives than the vast majority of others who could have been nominated, or won.
This is a big win for quality and substance in country music, from artists who respect the roots, even if they don’t embody them 100% of the time in their songs. Of course you can name more worthy winners, but that’s not the point. This was also big moment for Americana, which was showcased on the biggest of stages. And now we get to watch what the repercussions of these wins might be, which is hopefully a step in the right direction to returning realness to the country format, and helping to save country music.
10:48 – THANK YOU to everyone for following along, commenting, liking, tweeting, retweeting, sharing, and everything else. I will be composing some final thoughts on the evening overall for here, and leave the rest for tomorrow.
10:45 – Obviously this is a huge moment for Kacey Musgraves, and a big moment for country music to take home the all-genre Album of the Year. I personally though that as an album, it was mild, but it had some monster songs, and those monster songs shined through, including “High Horse,” which won Best Country Song, and “Rainbow,” which Musgraves performed tonight, and will now test radio to see if they will play it. Awards shows have always loved Musgraves, but this is different. This is the biggest prize in all of music, and Kacey Musgraves now owns it.
10:42 – Not to toot my own horn, but I called it at 11:13 a.m. today:
10:39 – The Grammy Award for Album of the Year goes to Kacey Musgraves for “Golden Hour.”
10:38 – “This Is America” is definitely politics playing into the winner.
10:37 – The Grammy Award for Record of the Year goes to ‘This Is America,” Childish Gambino.
10:35 – Now on to the final two categories.
10:30 – Roy Clark, Harold Bradley, Kenny O’Dell, Bonnie Guitar, Ray Sawyer, Ed King, Tony Joe White, Clarence Fountain, Daryle Singletary, Lari White, Reggie Young, Dave Rowland, and others from the country world just paid tribute in the Grammy Award’s In Memoriam. Compare this with the CMAs and ACMs, who don’t dig nearly that deep, if they mention artists who’ve passed on at all.
10:27 – Neil Portnow, the head boss of the Grammys, pulling his golden parachute after being forced out for telling women to do better if they want more awards and nominations.
10:23 – Yeah yeah, the Grammys are awesome and do a bunch of great stuff. Let’s get to Album of the Year. I got stuff to do.
10:20 – Unimpressed with this Dua Lipa woman. Margo Price and even Luke Combs were big long shots. H.E.R. would have been a better choice from what I’ve seen.
10:18 – The 2019 Grammy for New Artist of the Year goes to Dua Lipa.
10:17 – Bob Newhart’s still got the deadpan down. Still more entertaining than most of the performances tonight.
10:16 – lol, Bob Newhart.
10:15 – Just make out already. Jeez.
10:12 – St. Vincent is music for masochists.
10:07 – Cardi B has to be considered the front runner for Album of the Year. I really think it’s between her and Kacey Musgraves at this point, with Brandi Carlile as the dark horse.
10:06 – Cardi B does have a good rags to riches story.
10:04 – The 2019 Grammy for Best Rap Album goes to Invasion of Privacy by Cardi B.
Congrats to her, but I’m still basking in the Brandi Carlile moment.
10:00 – I remember watching Brandi Carlile perform “The Joke” at the Mother Chruch of Country Music, the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville last September, and knew if she just believed in herself, she could rise to this Grammy opportunity and deliver a “moment,” and she did. You could tell the audience was mesmerized. Brandi Carlile has arrived.
9:56 – STUNNING performance by Brandi Carlile. Stopped typing just to soak it in. Carlile delivered as I knew she would. No trepidation, no measuredness. Just rear back and blast people away with one of the most important voices of our generation, set to a exquisitely-composed song. What a great moment for Brandi Carlile and Americana music on one of the world’s biggest stages. This moment will be insight into a new world of music for many.
9:56 – America, this is Brandi Carlie. She is a country & Americana artist, & one of the greatest singers/songwriters of our time. THIS is what people mean when they profess the importance of REAL music by REAL people, embedded with all the pain & love of the human condition.
9:50 – None of these people know who Kelsea Ballerini is.
9:47 – Oh thank God. Brandi Carlile coming up. This presentation needs some resuscitation.
9:45 – Why did they dress H.E.R. like she’ll be outside after the awards directing traffic?
9:44 – Good for H.E.R. I think she put on one of the best performances of the evening.
9:43 – The 2019 Grammy for Best R&B album goes to H.E.R.
9:42 – Oh shit, the Grammy Awards have succumb to K-pop.
9:40 – This is show tunes bullshit. Nothing about this embodies the soul and influence of Motown. Sorry.
9:38 – Love Motown, but this tribute feels like a bad Las Vegas stage show you get a ticket for with your super buffet.
9:36 – And now we’re into a Motown tribute.
9:30 – A riot motif was appropriate for that “performance.” It made me want to flip cars.
Where’s the rap that actually says something?
9:28 – Which one is Travis Scott? The guy who was singing directly into an Antares Auto-tuner, or the guy who couldn’t sing at all, and looked like a Latvian professional basketball player?
9:27 – What the fuck is going on?
9:25 – Okay Travis Scott. What you got?
9:23 – Wonder if we’ll get an In Memoriam segment, or if they canned it for 9 minutes of Post Malone.
9:21 – LOL, apparently one of the Dan + Shay guys had their fly down.
9:15 – This Lady Gaga performance and the Red Hot Chili Peppers set is the perfect example of when fake energy ruins a performance. Be real, and people will respect you more. Good song. Bad performance.
9:13 – Man, Lady Gaga’s mannerisms are all wrong in this performance. It’s supposed to start of intimate, but she’s acting like Steve Tyler trying to hump anything not tied down circa 1986.
9:08 – Less than an hour folks. We can do this!
9:05 – Brandi Carlile coming up. When she hits that note on “The Kid” (you know which one), it’s gonna stun this Grammy crowd. Glad they are leaving it to near the end when more people are liekly to be watching for the big awards.
9:02 – Diana Ross is 75 years old!
I feel older 2 hours into a live blog than she looks.
9:00 – Diana Ross is a queen. The soul version of Loretta Lynn. Stunning and eloquent.
8:59 – Diana Ross’s 4’9″ grandson has more country cred than Dan + Shay.
8:58 – “We play an opinion based sport, not a factual based sport…you already won if you have people singing your songs word for word, if they’re singing in your hometown. You’re already winning, you don’t need this right here.” -Drake
Important thing to say.
8:55 – Okay, Grohl’s speech wasn’t along the same lines, but was still really good. From 2012:
8:52 – Drake’s speech ended pretty good, important to say about the importance of all musicians. But Dave Grohl said the same thing much better a few years ago.
8:51 – The 2019 Grammy for Best Rap something goes to Drake for “God’s Plan.” He comes out looking like he’s lost in a Kohls looking for his wife. It happens to the best of us.
8:50 – Wow, Dan (or Shay, don’t know which is which), you can sing a loud note for a long time. But music isn’t a skills competition.
8:49 – Dan + Shat is two haircuts that need to be spit out of the ass end of Music Row and resort to modeling men’s underwear, or being recycled back through The Voice.
8:47 – Dan + Shat
8:44 – Also, this Kacey Musgraves win sets up well with her single “Rainbow” going to radio. Remember, she didn’t send a proper single from Golden Hour to radio when it first came out. It still probably won’t be a hit, but it will give something for Musgraves to play chicken with against the radio programmers, and could crack the Top 20. If she wins the all-genre Album of the Year, it could do even better.
8:42 – Alicia Key running through a bunch of cover songs. Kinda cool.
8:40 – Alicia Keys is pretty badass, playing two pianos at the same time. She’s also been a good host. Loose, conversational style, and avoiding comedy, which can be such a mine field these days.
8:38 – Obviously this is a big win for Kacey Musgraves. This was a pretty obvious pick, especially with her wins earlier today. Nobody else really had a chance the way things were shaping up, even Chris Stapleton who award shows love. It also ups the ante for Musgraves to be in strong contention for the all-genre Album of the Year.
8:35 – Oh, and Kane Brown couldn’t even read his portion of the Best Country Album presentation without screwing up. So monotone. That dude could fuck up making a grilled cheese.
8:34 – Kacey Musgraves thanks her producers, and her husband Ruston Kelly, who she says the album wouldn’t have been possible without.
8:33 – And the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Country Album goes to “Mainstream Country Radio Is No Longer Relevant.” aka. KACEY MUSGRVES
8:30 – …but wait for tomorrow when all the Millennial critics call it “empowering.”
8:28 – This Cardi B performance is complete shit. Clearly lip synced, “Hey, watch me and 20 dancers making moves like we’re getting ripped up doggy style to make up for the fact that I have nothing interesting to say.”
8:27 – Whoah, I was about to say, Cardi B can play the hell out of some piano, but that was an actual musician.
8:20 – Really liking “H.E.R.” Now she’s laying down some nasty shit on her see-thru Stratocaster. One of the best performances of the night. R&B done right. I approve.
8:18 – Never heard of “H.E.R” (hardy har har), but she’s not bad. Singing live, great soulful voice, knows chords on a guitar. This is going in the right direction.
8:16 – Bras are about as endangered in popular music as steel guitars these days, apparently. Again, not necessarily complaining.
8:11 – Could have used some Kenny Rogers in that tribute. Weird face and all.
8:08 – Dolly sings a new song with Little Big Town, and the “9 to 5” with Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, Katy Perry, and Miley Cyrus. Fine tribute, though a little too busy for my tastes.
8:06 – If we can’t all agree on Dolly Parton, we will never be able to agree on anything.
8:04 – Love Dolly, but hate these medleys. Would rather have two great full songs than four partials where you never really get a chance to immerse in the song.
8:03 – Maren Morris almost train wrecked that early on, but pulled it out.
8:02 – Dolly, Miley Cyurs, and Maren Morris re-enacting the Trio, singing Neil Young.
8:00 – Told you, think what you want about Miley, but she she gets Dolly. Great duet here with Mrs. Parton. Not oversinging, and good little twangy warble to her voice. Best part of the tribute so far.
7:58 – Katy Perry’s WAY oversinging and Kacey Musgraves’ obvious wig is ruining this for me.
7:57 – Dolly!
7:53 – You’re old Red Hot Chili Peppers. Your pubes are grey. Embrace it with grace. Don’t gesticulate and prance around like you think you can make up for it with enthusiasm. Take some cues from Mick and the Rolling Stones.
7:52 – Well, Brandi Carlile won’t win Song of the Year. It’s the first Grammy she’s not won and been nominated for today.
7:50 – Loved the Chili Peppers when they wouldn’t resort to collaborating with SoundCloud stars with $100,000 grills and shit all over their face to make up for woefully average talent.
7:48 – Post Malone is a musical mutt. First he’s trying to be Ed Sheeran, then some hip-hopper, and a rocker. A perfect example of stick to one thing and do it well.
7:46 – My impression of Post Malone: GIVE ME ATTENTION!!!
7:44 – The 2019 Grammy for Song of the Year goes to “This Is America” by Childish Gambino.
7:41 – Alicia Keys looks like she’s getting ready to test out a sleep number bed, not host a nationally-televised awards show. Beautiful as she is, of course.
7:34 – So many tasteless jokes I could make right now involving latex, but I’m a gentleman. Janelle Monae’s performance was snappy and fun, I guess.
7:32 – Sorry folks, my TV got switched over to Dancing with the Stars for a second. Wait, what?
7:30 – Don’t know how it bodes for Musgraves that her performance came so early, and not close to the giving out of an award. But it may be an interesting note as the night unfolds.
7:28 – You can tell Kacey Musgraves is a little nervous during this performance compared to when she performed it on Late Night and the audio is a little washed. But it’s very bold and brave to perform this on the Grammy Awards in stark contrast with all the overproduction, pyrotechnics, and choreographed dancers. Good performance.
7:25 – I think Kacey Musgraves “Rainbow” is an excellent song, exquisitely written and performed. Great selection for her Grammy performance, and smart to send it to radio just in case she hits the jackpot tonight.
7:22 – Lady Gaga is much more endearing fighting back tears that tell us how awesome she is and how we’re all pieces of shit for doubting her like she did in the opening. Like Miley, Gaga got good when she finally grew up.
7:19 – Remember, “Shallow” comes from the remake of “A Star Is Born,” which has a lot of country/Americana, tie-in’s, so I’ll chalk this up as a win for the good guys. Think “Maybe It’s Time” written by Jason Isbell is the superior track from that movie, but it will get a chance next year when the entire movie soundtrack becomes eligible (it’s not this year).
7:18 – The Grammy for Best Pop/Duo Group something goes to Lady Gaga for “Shallow.”
7:16 – Now that Miley Cyrus is through with her drug-influenced, huge inflatable dildo-riding phase, I wouldn’t be completely opposed to trying to hear her fuck with some country music. She’s one of the few that can do Dolly Parton right.
7:15 – Fifteen minutes in, and we’ve yet to see a bra. (Not that I’m particularly complaining, mind you.)
7:12 – Got no beef with Michelle Obama, but how are we celebrating the unifying power of music by bringing a strictly political figure on stage to rile all the red staters?
7:09 – I’d love if a crusty ol’ Donald Rumsfeld would have sauntered out with Michelle Obama, Gaga, and JaLo, just for the culture shock.
7:07 – Dolly Parton! Whose leg I gotta hump to get to the damn Dolly tribute right now and preempt all this other crap?
7:04 – Where the hell did they unearth Ricky Martin from? This dude hasn’t been relevant since the Clinton Administration.
7:02 – There is a 0.0002% chance this Chiquita Banana woman is singing live.
7:01 – Dan + Shay blows.
That has nothing to do with this opening performance. Just need to get the snark machine greased up.
7:00 – Here we go!
6:54 – FYI The “Like” feature on the comments will be off for the duration of the LIVE blog just to avoid any excessive potential server load. It will be turned on as soon as the “All-Clear” is sounded. Everyone is encouraged to leave their comments, snark, and observations below.
6:45 – Some observations from the early awards:
It could be a big night for Brandi Carlile and Kacey Musgraves. Both of them sweeping the awards they are up for so far means there’s strength behind them in the Grammy voting community. Of course they both can’t win the all-genre album of the year, but one of them could. Musgraves may have a better shot since she benefits from greater name recognition. But either way, both are already big winners. I went on record this morning predicting a Kacey Musgraves win for Album of the Year. She also might win Country Album of the Year, which will once again be televised.
Very happy for Brandi Carlile sweeping the Americana categories, and it’s hard to say it’s not deserving. But Americana has this tendency to give all three of its awards to the same person. They have done this with Jason Isbell, with Rosanne Cash, and others recently. John Prine, or maybe Lee Ann Womack could have used one of those awards. Spread the love, and use these awards to show the breadth of quality in Americana Music.
The best news from the country awards so far is Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line didn’t win, neither did Maren Morris for a Elton John cover song, or Keith Urban from his geometrically-challenged “Parallel Line.” Dan + Shay did win for “Tequila,” but generally, country has walked away mostly unscathed so far in 2019.
– – – – – –
6:40 – Country and roots winners from the Grammy Premier Ceremony this afternoon for those who missed them:
- Best Americana Album – Brandi Carlile – By The Way, I Forgive You
- Best American Roots Performance – Brandi Carlile – “The Joke”
- Best American Roots Song – “The Joke,” Brandi Carlile (Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth, songwriters)
- Best Bluegrass Album – The Travelin’ McCourys – The Travelin’ McCourys
- Best Folk Album – The Punch Brothers – All Ashore
- Best Traditional Blues Album – Buddy Guy – The Blues Is Alive and Well
- Best Contemporary Blues Album – Fantastic Negrito – Please Don’t Be Dead
- Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album – Willie Nelson – My Way (Frank Sinatra Tribute)
- Best Country Solo Performance – Kacey Musgraves – “Butterflies”
- Best Country Song – Kacey Musgraves – “Space Cowboy” (Luke Laird, Shane McAnally and Kacey Musgraves, songwriters)
- Best Country Do/Group Performance – Dan + Shay – “Tequila”
February 10, 2019 @ 6:09 pm
Does Brandi winning the Americana categories serve to take her out of the running for the bigger awards?
February 10, 2019 @ 6:25 pm
No, it arguably helps her cause. But I think that Carlile is going to have difficulty winning any of the three big awards due to name recognition. We’ll see. Musgraves has a better chance in my opinion.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:09 pm
The news for the rest of the night couldn’t get any better than to hear already that Bebe Rexha and FGL did NOT win!!!
February 10, 2019 @ 6:11 pm
MEANT TO BE LOST!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!! 🤣😂
February 10, 2019 @ 6:28 pm
Because the arts need a champion and there’s none in this Administration. Remember when Bush 41 would attend the CMAs?
February 10, 2019 @ 6:38 pm
You really think Grammy attendees want Sarah Huckabee Sanders showing up to this thing?
February 10, 2019 @ 8:07 pm
Michelle Obama is a champion now? Got it
February 10, 2019 @ 8:16 pm
No the champion is Elizabeth Warren and she has a blood test romlm prove it.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:30 pm
30 minutes in, and I’m not hating it yet, like I usually do.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:33 pm
With singers like Miley, Lady Gaga and Adele there is quite some vocal talent in this generation. All have best days ahead I think.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:38 pm
Kinda surprised Willie beat Tony Bennett here- not that I’m complaining, I thought he sang the Sinatra standards very well (in particular My Way, which may be one of the best versions of the song I’ve heard, and way better than the bloated Elvis one).
Anyway, here’s hoping Kacey wins best album
February 10, 2019 @ 6:40 pm
FYI, Brandi Carlile is gonna be the 15th/18 performer tonight, according to the greatness that is Twitter.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:57 pm
That might bode well for her, since that’s around when the biggest awards will be handed out. We’ll see.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:40 pm
Ooops. Just got a warning that it’s time to step away for at least a song or 2.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:45 pm
”I think Kacey Musgraves “Rainbow” is an excellent song, exquisitely written and perfomed. Great selection for her Grammy performance, ….”
Yup …just about the best write on the album …and THAT’S saying something .
She struggles vocally live …(pitchy) …BUT this was one of her best performances , IMO …..and keep i mind ….she is singing difficult melodies and melodies , in general , are a lost art in much contemporary music …no matter the genre .
February 11, 2019 @ 11:24 am
I worship Rainbow but I would have preferred a different track for the Grammys: Oh What a World or Love is a Wild Thing.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:47 pm
I despise Americana’s leftist politics … my only escape is listening to 80’s and 90’s country on Sirius.
February 11, 2019 @ 11:04 am
Sounds like a you problem.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:51 pm
”Alicia Keys looks like she’s getting ready to test out a sleep number bed, not host a nationally-televised awards show. Beautiful as she is, of course.”
I’m diggin her tonight , though Trigger ……if she isn’t the sweetest most loving person there , she’s doing a great job of posing as that person . The woman is LOVE tonight .
Post Malone sounds and looks like the guy busking Saturdays at our liquor store …..not quite as good a singer but at least he has six strings on his six string ( a busker’s luxury ).
February 10, 2019 @ 6:52 pm
“Best Contemporary Blues Album – Fantastic Negrito – Please Don’t Be Dead”
Everyone should really check him out! He opened for Sturgill Simpson in Detroit and absolutely KILLED it!!! He is awesome!!
February 10, 2019 @ 7:14 pm
Hell yeah, he’s amazing!
February 10, 2019 @ 6:58 pm
Late to the comments. Red Hot Chili Peppers are a rock band? Color me old. Kasey singing Rainbow: loved those high notes and the album. Makes the song. Miley: damn, that was good. Waiting for Brandi Carlisle. Gave her album, BTW I forgive you as a gift and got it for myself too. Fingers crossed.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:58 pm
Just saying as someone who likes pop music Lady Gaga was always good. She just went from being one of the best pop stars of the 2000’s (and all time) to doing what she’s doing now. Even though it’s not country per se it’s still exciting to see Shallow turn out as such a good song, gives me hope we’ll get more good music out of her long term
February 10, 2019 @ 6:59 pm
Edit: Miley, though, yeah she was a disaster at one poinit
February 10, 2019 @ 7:04 pm
Same here Baxter Brown! I still fuck with Poker Face 🤣
February 10, 2019 @ 7:15 pm
Both Gaga and Miley were talents. They just needed to put the music before the presentation for people to take them seriously. They have aged well.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:03 pm
love dolly ….but lyrically Jolene may be the most out- of- step-song around in these me too times .
and I COULD NOT CARE LESS ……amazing artist
February 10, 2019 @ 7:20 pm
How so?
February 10, 2019 @ 7:26 pm
How is Jolene out of step?
February 10, 2019 @ 10:01 pm
‘Jolene’ is a song about a women admitting her weakness (and dependence on her man) to another woman and begging that other woman not to take her man even though she knows she can . It just seems totally contradictory to these ‘me-too’ times of strong women standing up for themselves , and giving the finger to anyone who doesn’t acknowledge their right to do so and the sacrifices they will make for the justice they feel they deserve .
In contrast , what Loretta was writing and singing about women’s strength and injustices back in the day probably holds up a bit better in these times .( Dont Come Home , Fist City , The Pill …etc..
I’m taking NOTHING from Dolly whatsoever. My comment was only a remark about THAT particular song in THESE particular times . I LOVE both Loretta and Dolly
February 10, 2019 @ 11:01 pm
The metoo movement is about empowerment, but it is also about sexual assault. Jolene has nothing to do with that.
February 11, 2019 @ 11:50 am
”The metoo movement is about empowerment, but it is also about sexual assault. Jolene has nothing to do with that.”
hear ya RBC …..and you are right . I am feeling a bigger issue in the MeToo movement , I guess …..but you are right ….Jolene is certainly NOT about sexual assault or even unwanted advances . I should have been clearer .
February 11, 2019 @ 11:27 am
Empowerment is not being perfect, it’s being honest and vulnerable and fully human.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:08 pm
Oh, Lord I love Dolly!
February 10, 2019 @ 7:12 pm
so now I’m not sure WHO I’m gonna propose to …Alecia …or Dolly …damn ….
Big Little Town are good back-up singers . And that’s about all .
February 10, 2019 @ 7:13 pm
Did we really need three songs out of post malone and RHCP? I understand that post malone is gonna get a performance slot, but Jesus that was unnecessary
February 10, 2019 @ 7:25 pm
Yeah, for serious. An ugly face to give so much face time.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:15 pm
Dolly Parton is 73 and was still the best and most distinct voice on that stage, plus she wrote most of those songs. Agree with Trigger that Miley was also great, though. Not a fan of her pop career but her country covers are usually impressive.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:16 pm
Why did Katy Perry feel the need to sing a couple of octaves too low? Way overdid it. What a mess.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:26 pm
Katy Perry was all about Katy Perry with that performance. Dolly Parton was just a prop for her to go on bad vocal runs and expose herself.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:32 pm
Katy Perry is awful. She doesn’t belong on any stage, much less the Grammy’s. She just can’t sing.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:19 pm
All Hail Dolly! She is on another level.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:21 pm
what’s up with HER ?……….didn’t the Beatles call this Hey Jude ?
February 10, 2019 @ 7:42 pm
Agreed. I enjoy HER, but only in a nostalgic sort of way. She’s somewhere between tribute act and interestingly-updating-her-influences. Dare I say, she’s the Joshua Hedley of R&B
February 10, 2019 @ 7:23 pm
I never, ever got Katy Perry. Someone told me once she can’t sing live. I guess she overcompensates by screaming gyrating uncomfortably.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:38 pm
She’s Bebe Rexha with bigger boobs and a couple decent pop songs 7? years ago.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:33 pm
Kane Brown sounded like he just learned how to read.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:10 pm
Terrible.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:33 pm
Its pop music.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:33 pm
GOLDEN HOUR …… I’m gonna need a minute ……. tears ……..
February 10, 2019 @ 7:34 pm
Liberal mish mash yuck yuck. Winners are no surprise. Grammy wants to enlighten all us old crusty country music fans.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:19 pm
It goes without saying that the Grammy Awards have a left leaning bias. That doesn’t mean that they still don’t get it mostly right. Considering the field of nominees especially, I think most of the right people won. Would rather Kacey Musgraves win as opposed to Florida Georgia Line, Maren Morris, or Keith Urban.
February 11, 2019 @ 11:06 am
Well, Johnny Cash and Waylon and Willie and Kristofferson et al have all tried to enlighten you, but you’re pretty stuck in your backwards ways.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:36 pm
Comment from our local news feed on the Grammy’s
“Got excited that Kane Brown was performing… but he’s only presenting :'(
the biggest name in country music, who released two of the biggest albums of the past two years, snubbed for a performance yet again. Country duo Dan + Shay will be filling the ‘dude country artist’ slot instead (who are about as interesting as a soggy beige blanket)
It would seem even we have heard of Kane Brown here in little old New Zealand.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:36 pm
”This Cardi B performance is complete shit.”
….you flatter her , trigger . even shit is good fertilizer . emperor’s new clothes…..
February 10, 2019 @ 7:37 pm
Kacey Musgraves accepting the country album of the year award wearing the blood soaked pelt of big bird.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:46 pm
Comment of the night, so far! Hilarious!
February 10, 2019 @ 7:40 pm
I generally think that the Grammys are pretty dumb but High on Fire winning a Heavy Metal award is great. Those guys are just so consistently fabulous and really don’t get much recognition at all. Kacey Musgraves, Gretta Van Fleet, Brandi Carlisle are all fine but they’re popular already right now and barely need the attention. I can guarantee that crusty Matt Pike & co aren’t appearing on Obama’s or other celebrities Spotify lists!
February 10, 2019 @ 8:05 pm
GVF winning Rock Album of the Year is incredibly damning of the Grammys voters. Just how out of touch with rock music can you be to consider that shit the best rock record released this cycle? For gods sakes, the Grammys are more in touch with rap and hip-hop than rock music––and that’s saying something given their notorious misunderstanding/subjugation of black music. Smh…
February 10, 2019 @ 7:44 pm
DAMN….this Alecia Keys medley is about as good as this show has been all night ….she’s amazing
February 10, 2019 @ 7:44 pm
Love the songs Alicia is singing but she’s “off.” As we’re some other female vocals tonight.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:45 pm
Victoria justice is so much more talented than Ariana Grande!!
February 10, 2019 @ 7:48 pm
Well, yay for Kacey. That’s a win for not pop country tonight,
February 10, 2019 @ 7:49 pm
Alicia Keys is a much better host than James Carpool Corden and “Make some Noise” LL CoolJ
February 10, 2019 @ 10:25 pm
carpool corden has only one gear -OVER -THE-TOP pandering
February 10, 2019 @ 7:51 pm
#FreeTheBra
February 10, 2019 @ 7:53 pm
Would have loved an Ashley McBryde win there, but Kacey did make the better overall album (I’m just not super excited about Golden Hour being considered country). Still a win for the good guys, though, and, as you noted, another big blow to mainstream radio’s reputation (or what’s left of it).
February 10, 2019 @ 7:54 pm
They need to show more of Luke Combs’ lopsidingly gorgeous fiancé, and less of Luke. And where in the samhell is his red solo cup?
February 10, 2019 @ 8:00 pm
Wow, that’s rude. Luke worked hard to get here tonight, not his fiancee…
February 10, 2019 @ 8:07 pm
But this logic is what got to country radio being clogged up by pretty boys like Luke Bryan, Hunter Hayes, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton (not actually an attractive person but he seems to have tricked the world into thinking he is) etc.
February 10, 2019 @ 9:14 pm
Really? I just saw Mr. Shelton and he was quite attractive. And so tall. And very nice. Can’t go by his pictures. But you get offended by someone digging at Mr. Combs and you do the same to someone else.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:23 pm
Sorry. I was joking and trying to make a bit of a funny. Didn’t mean to upset Luke Combs fans. I don’t listen to the guy, but when put up against Dan y Shay, etc, he’s a hell of a better alternative for the radio mainstream realm.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:01 pm
So 7 minutes of Alicia Keys covering others’ hits is supposed to convince us Alicia Keys is still relevant?
There are many worthy artists who have to accept their awards before the telecast, and the telecast is already too long; cutting unnecessary ego-boosting shit like this Alicia Keys covers session is the first place to start.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:12 pm
I agree Phil. They should have shown Weird Al Yankovic winning his Grammy award earlier today rather than Keys covering stuff.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:12 pm
Did seem excessively long.
February 10, 2019 @ 10:27 pm
I thought Alicia’s covers were a statement that is was about the music. She has earned the right to share her favorites. Why not?
February 11, 2019 @ 12:00 am
Umm… for the two reasons I mentioned
February 10, 2019 @ 8:03 pm
DIANA ROSS omg omg omg…..she sounds INCREDIBLE !!
cardi who..????
remember when actual songwriters wrote the songs ..?
February 10, 2019 @ 8:22 pm
Diana ….. ”The soul version of Loretta Lynn. Stunning and eloquent.”
February 10, 2019 @ 9:54 pm
To me, the soul version of Loretta Lynn would be Gladys Knight or Patti LaBelle. Diana Ross’s country equivalent? Maybe Barbara Mandrell?
February 11, 2019 @ 1:01 am
Actually, Mandrell was billed as the queen of country soul. Her first charted single was an Otis Redding cover (“I’ve Been Loving You Too Long To Stop Now”). R&B/soul music has always influenced her catalog, including “If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don’t Want To Be Right),” “Angel In Your Arms,” “Santa Bring My Baby Home,” and numerous album cuts, She recorded “The Thrill Is Gone” with the great BB. King, and her second Grammy win was a duet with Bobby Jones. The soul in her voice is endearing…and very underrated. The Diana Ross of country music? I think it suits her beautifully.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:16 pm
Gaga………(I’ll have what she’s having )….
what the hell is she on ..?…mountain from a molehill …..
February 10, 2019 @ 8:17 pm
That’s a beautiful song from GaGa not sure why it needed all the gryating sort of ruined it for me
February 11, 2019 @ 1:04 am
I’m sure her performance on the Oscars will be much different, as Bradley will be singing with her. It seems like this was an attempt to set the two performances apart.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:19 pm
Lady Gaga should have just sat at a piano for that song (Shallow).
February 10, 2019 @ 8:20 pm
I don’t think that Diana Ross wrote most of the songs she sang.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:24 pm
”I don’t think that Diana Ross wrote most of the songs she sang”
.exactly …REAL professional songwriters did ( or co-wrote )
February 10, 2019 @ 8:20 pm
Trig, the Grammys are all about fake energy dude.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:33 pm
Well of course. But not for everyone. Some artists really do try and evoke a “moment.”
February 10, 2019 @ 8:29 pm
The whole show is an ‘In Memoriam’ segment Trig, in memory of when there were talented artists who played their instruments and made good music. Remember those days?
February 10, 2019 @ 8:31 pm
You thought Steven Tyler with Gaga. I mentioned to my wife it reminded me of Freddy Mercury. Very much a 70’s feel.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:31 pm
It’s 10:30 and this thing isn’t wrapping up for another hour (even if they cut out the dead people tribute)!
February 10, 2019 @ 8:34 pm
You mean this things going past 3 hours? That wasn’t in my contract.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:47 pm
You better not leave us hangin’. Where else would we go?
February 10, 2019 @ 8:33 pm
too bad travis scott didn’t have a song to sing ….
too bad philip bailey had to fly in for one line
too bad somebody had to invent autotune for T-payne there on the steps ….
damn …what I wouldn’t give to be in Tony Bennett’s limo on the ride home …….
Tony is THE ‘ get off my lawn ‘ KING when it comes to shit music ….
February 10, 2019 @ 8:35 pm
Brandi should be next after Motown. But they aren’t advertising her…weird
February 10, 2019 @ 8:41 pm
This Motown thing feels like something you’d see/hear on a cruise. Why is Jennifer Lopez so prominent in it?
February 10, 2019 @ 9:00 pm
Agreed. Not only was the tribute not particularly well done, JLo was just not a good choice to lead much of the segment
February 10, 2019 @ 10:22 pm
Agreed. Old people entertainment, and not in a good way.
February 10, 2019 @ 10:33 pm
I would only say that there’s a HUGE difference between standing and singing a song and actually PERFORMING a song. Adele sings a song . If you appreciate PERFORMANCE , you had to appreciate the work and time J-Lo had to put into rehearsing all of those songs , those arrangements , the blocking for the choreography, not to mention the fitness level required to even THINK about performing that medley AND delivering the vocals . Quite an amazing task and she rose to it as well as anyone imaginable . Tons of work …..credit where its due .
February 10, 2019 @ 8:42 pm
wow …..jayLo is now in the running for a marriage proposal …..WHAT A PERFORMANCE …..WHAT A KILLER JOB …..
February 10, 2019 @ 8:44 pm
Too bad BTS isn’t performing — they are amazing dancers.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:44 pm
Travis was the tall dude with the Jenner.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:46 pm
Kacey gave such gorgeous performance. Janelle Monae was so awesome.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:47 pm
Note to self – check youtube videos tomorrow with Miley singing with Dolly, enjoy Diana Ross – else, what else…
Back to my artists in rotation – actually listening to Steve Earle’s “GUY,” Hayes Carll’s “WHAT IT IS,” and Joshua Ray Walker’s “WISH YOU WERE HERE.” All superb and my stress level doesn’t need a Xanax to make it through the Grammys.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:54 pm
How is that new Hayes Carll?
February 10, 2019 @ 9:00 pm
Love that album – great songwriting, awesome “old-school” (outlaw)-country – no screaming guitars, some of the strings may lull you a bit – but else – one of my favs so far this year.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:49 pm
Hey Trig, an EP just won a grammy, we all know how much you love those…
February 10, 2019 @ 8:58 pm
What kind of EP has 21 tracks, and a run time over 70 minutes?
February 10, 2019 @ 9:04 pm
her words not mine…
February 10, 2019 @ 9:35 pm
EPs work great in pop, Hip-hop, and R&B, because they playing into the streaming and pop radio model. In independent country and Americana, they’re where good music goes to die. Remember Margo Price’s EP? If you do, you’re one of a select few. THere are exceptions of course, but EPs should always be approached with caution.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:50 pm
”Good for H.E.R. I think she put on one of the best performances of the evening.”
we musta been watching two different HER segments, trigger ……
just not into HER based on the one I saw …..
February 10, 2019 @ 8:50 pm
Is H.E.R somehow related to the Finnish rock band HIM?
February 10, 2019 @ 8:54 pm
Holy crap. Real music and real music on the Grammys stage. That was incredible.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:56 pm
Meant to say “real music and real singing…” My mistake.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:55 pm
Brandi – amazing.
February 10, 2019 @ 9:05 pm
That was freaking fantastic
February 10, 2019 @ 9:09 pm
Good for Brandi!
That song was built for this kind of moment. She didn’t have her best performance, and the production and sound didn’t help, but she still killed.
February 10, 2019 @ 9:11 pm
I don’t know about “Brandi Carlile has arrived.” This is the third reincarnation of her career. I remember in 07 sitting with label executives saying she was going to be a Grammy darling.
With that said, it was a great moment for someone who has really put in her work. Almost like Chris Stapleton, I feel she’s made a lot of friends in the industry the past 15 years.
February 10, 2019 @ 9:26 pm
I have no idea what you’re talking about with these “reincarnations” and “skins.” I think Carlile has been very consistent. I think her last album was better than this one, but the Grammy Awards are always an album behind, especially in roots. Same went for Sturgill and Jason Isbell.
February 10, 2019 @ 11:05 pm
I’m going to have to go back and listen to The Story (and the following albums) to better formulate my thoughts.
But, you know what I really liked about her performance tonight? You know some ignorant TV producer told those people in the pit to do that trite, arm-sway at the beginning of the song (like the do for every slow song on every award show). And the first time though the chorus, the people stopped … like yeah this isn’t that kind of song.
February 10, 2019 @ 11:57 pm
This popped into my head as I was falling asleep… Colbie Caillat … that was the target market for Carlile in 07 … which is a stretch from where she’s evolved today. Hell the whole industry has changed.
I’m going to spend more time with this tomorrow… the evolution of Carlile.
February 11, 2019 @ 7:54 am
I first become aware of Brandi Carlile when I went on the Cayamo music cruise in 2011. I picked up The Story and Give Up The Ghost before the cruise to get familiar with some of her music. I liked them OK and liked her performance on the cruise but my overall feeling was that I loved her big rock and roll voice, but the songs didn’t resonate all that much with me. Like they were for a younger crowd. Too pop rock, maybe. Now, I think she has the songs to go with that heavyweight voice.
February 10, 2019 @ 10:36 pm
Brandi , unquestionably , has a great voice …and it was that voice and strong melody , IMO , that sold that song .
February 11, 2019 @ 6:41 am
Quote: “I feel she’s made a lot of friends in the industry the past 15 years”
And that’s the best line to sum these award shows up – it’s all about being the darlings of the industry, not that this is necessarily a bad thing compared to public voting. But it sure has it’s limitations as all the voters vote in all of the categories.
So, I make this up – theoretically, if I would have to vote in the best Children’s album category I would nominate/vote for Farmer Jason (as in Jason Ringenberg) because of the name recognition and being unfamiliar with the other stuff.
And If I’m a friend of Shooter Jennings (I’m not) I would have voted twice for Brandi Carlile in the record and album of the year categories, because he’s featured as a producer.
Best regional Mexican album would have gone to Los Texmaniacs as I know Max Baca.and definitely not to Luis Miguel (the winner) who’s winning since he’s 14 with “Me Gustas Tal Como Eres” more than three decades ago. I actually can’t stand his synth sound.
Remember Linda Chorney who played the system and became buddy buddies with the electorate in 2011 and had her album “Emotional Jukebox” nominated as one of the best Americana albums of the year?
So all that said – take these awards with a grain of salt – they may not be what they appear to be. Life goes on and many independent artists regardless of the genre will have better quality music out there than the ones who were awarded a golden chimney-sill gramophone.
February 10, 2019 @ 9:16 pm
St. Vincent is a badass. Looking forward to the new Sleater-Kinney album she is currently producing.
February 10, 2019 @ 9:17 pm
Bob Newhart wins the show!!!
February 10, 2019 @ 9:22 pm
Annie Clark is a badass.
February 10, 2019 @ 9:36 pm
… and Dua Lipa is a joke.
February 10, 2019 @ 9:25 pm
This broadcast is, as usual, a huge disappointment. Music is much more diverse than they present.
February 10, 2019 @ 10:16 pm
”Music is much more diverse than they present.”
i think we need to understand that they are marketing , not just awarding , and the market is the same for the Grammys as for radio …a younger , music-centric , disposeable dollar demographic .
Impulsive , trend-chasers , ‘hip’ and impressionable . 40-50 year olds have KILLER music collections already …they have a house , furniture , couple cars too ……that’s why you wont see real-estate , automobile or furniture store ads on shows targeting mostly kids .
Kids aren’t interested in jazz, classical , folk or anything they haven’t been conditioned by mainstream radio to respond to . So you won’t find those artists on broadcast TV award shows , generally speaking .
February 10, 2019 @ 9:29 pm
”Unimpressed with this Dua Lipa woman.”
likewise ….still waiting for a reason to pay attention to her in terms of talent , not popularity .
February 10, 2019 @ 9:37 pm
Neil Portnow is like the flu, he comes around every February and ppp makes people wish he’d go away .
February 10, 2019 @ 9:41 pm
GOLDEN HOUR yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
February 10, 2019 @ 9:41 pm
YOU CALLED IT! THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!!
February 10, 2019 @ 9:45 pm
Take THAT Country Radio!
February 10, 2019 @ 9:46 pm
Awesome, glad KM won!
February 10, 2019 @ 9:48 pm
Amen!
February 10, 2019 @ 9:47 pm
Thrilled about Kacey Musgraves winning album of the year and not Cardi B. I’m waiting for her 15 long minutes to be up.
February 10, 2019 @ 9:51 pm
GOLDEN HOUR
..melody , vibe , actual songs and music win over trend , beat poetry and image ….
February 10, 2019 @ 10:01 pm
Called Golden Hour as AOTY in April. I’m so happy for her, and for all the people who’ll hear this album for the first time tomorrow!
February 10, 2019 @ 10:01 pm
What a phenomenal moment. Kacey Musgraves is proof that Country Radio is completely unaware of what people truly want from their music. I’m also so, so happy that a person who actually plays an instrument and writes their own music won this award. This is a win for the little guy, for country music, for women, and most importantly, for artists who might not be considered “radio worthy” to realize that the path to success isn’t one that has to follow the old traditional routes. Pave your own road and the people will care. Also: IM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL IT WASNT CARDI B
February 10, 2019 @ 10:01 pm
What’s with the dude in Kacy’s crew in the space invaders uniform?
February 10, 2019 @ 10:03 pm
Obviously the later part of the show is going to be overshadowed here by Kacey winning, but 2 thoughts on the memoriam portion.
1) While the Grammy’s has been the best at it, the CMA has done well at times with honoring those that we’ve lost, especially Carrie Underwood’s Softly & Tenderly’s performance.
2) Nice to see the Grammy’s give a clip of Daryle Singletary’s version of Old Violin.
February 10, 2019 @ 10:04 pm
Watching award shows today makes you realize how far music has fallen. It’s not just Country. Modern Hip-Hop is terrible in the same way Modern Country is. Both genres have been destroyed. What happened to the authentic music of dudes like Waylon and Willie on the Country side and of 2Pac, Biggie, NWA, etc on the Hip-Hop side?
I know music evolves, but Jesus H Christ.
February 10, 2019 @ 11:07 pm
How would you like to be a fan of rock or metal? You got evolved off the stage.
The closest we got to a rock song (unless I missed something) was Keys’ covering Kings of Leon’s Be Somebody I accidentally over heard while on the crapper.
February 11, 2019 @ 11:30 am
You’re forgetting the Post Malone & Red Hot Chili Peppers dumpster fire 🙂
If only I could be so lucky as you.
February 10, 2019 @ 11:30 pm
Exactly. Kendrick Lamar is actually talented and he mainly got shut out last night. Rap and Hip Hop used to have big themes and ideas.
February 11, 2019 @ 12:34 am
Still does. For example: Pusha’s DAYTONA, Saba’s <CARE FOR ME, Noname’s Room 25, and Earl Sweatshirt’s Some Rap Songs are all incredible 2018 albums––lyrically and otherwise––that are well-known to those mildly in touch with the rap/hip-hop community. And if you’re looking for “big themes and ideas,” Future, Juice WRLD, and the Soundcloud artists are speaking about depression, mental health, and drug addiction more frankly and popularly than nearly anyone else in pop culture; and this is to say nothing of hip hop artists with liberationist/political “big themes and ideas”, such as Meek Mill’s 2018 album decrying the injustices of the criminal justice system.
Of course, like in the roots categories we’re more familiar with, the Grammys often don’t recognize the best stuff (though DAYTONA‘s nomination was a promising step forward)––but that doesn’t mean that the “genre has been destroyed” or that it doesn’t have “big themes and ideas” anymore. Being fans of independent country & roots, we should know better than to confidently over-generalize an entire genre like this.
February 11, 2019 @ 12:37 am
I am familiar with those artists. Our point is that we have done from Public Enemy and Grandmaster Flash and Tupac to Cardi B. being celebrated at these things, which I’m sure you realize.
February 11, 2019 @ 12:52 am
You are, of course, correct––the Grammys aren’t recognizing the best of rap and hip hop. Neither do they always recognize the best of rock, country, etc.
Sorry for coming off as accusatory. I was simply attacking the inference from a sad fact––that the Grammys often miss the best of rap and hip-hop––to the statements in this thread claiming that rap & hip-hop as a genre has “been destroyed,” is not authentic, and doesn’t address “big themes and ideas.”
Like all genres, there are good and bad rap & hip-hop artists; not always are the good ones championed, and based on that some will wrongly over-generalize to indictments of the genre as a whole.
February 11, 2019 @ 2:57 am
Still heated about Coloring Book beating out And the Anonymous Nobody in 2016, not to mention Tribe not even getting fuckin NOMINATED last year.
February 10, 2019 @ 10:25 pm
Not to take away from your prediction, since these are never easy to predict, but Kacey was a comfortable betting favorite to win Album of the Year. So picking her really wasn’t going out on a limb.
Black Panther and Drake were the only ones with reasonably decent odds … everyone else (including Cardi B) was considered a massive longshot.
February 10, 2019 @ 11:13 pm
I’m glad “Tequila” won and not “Meant to Be.”
February 11, 2019 @ 3:54 am
Congratulations to all the winners. It was an excellent show.
February 11, 2019 @ 9:28 am
Kaycey won the same 4 awards as Taylor Swift did for “Fearless”
Another note as I don’t actually want to her the song of the year, I read the lyrics. In what way is this worthy of an award of any kind?
Last year Bruno Mars won for horrendous lyrics, now this. From “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. “You’ve Got A Friend” “The Way We Were” song that have become standards covered by many vocalists to those with no shelf life beyond this year.
February 11, 2019 @ 12:08 pm
in general , lyrics are nowhere near as good , as well-crafted and as timeless and universal as they once were , Bamstrait . The PROFESSIONAL songwriter is a thing of the past . Now its writers who work in a profession where gatekeepers ( standards ) are conspicuous by their absence and the internet allows the far less knowledgeable fans to do their own gatekeeping .I don’t want a 16 year old girl telling my a lyric is great . Unfortunately , though , they dictate the new standards by their listening and purchasing habits . GREAT writing is still out there , of course , but mainstream wouldn’t be aware of it , for the most-part . For that matter , there is an endless parade of indie acts who SOUND like they are relevant but lyrically ( when you can even discern what they are saying ) are far from the writers people THINK they are .
February 12, 2019 @ 1:02 pm
Congratulations to Kacey Musgraves and Brandi Carlile. That said, the lesson of Neil Portnow’s treatment is: never tell the truth, because people don’t want to hear it.
February 13, 2019 @ 11:40 am
I was a voting member of the Americana Music Association for a couple of years. Artists and labels lobby hard for those awards. I would assume the lobbying for a Grammy is fierce. Things one considers when voting: Were any of my buddies on this project? Who do I want to curry favor with? Who sent me free stuff? Is the music any good?
Notice what is last on the list.