Related Items
Byrd's Eye View: The Grammy Party
Loews Vanderbilt Plaza was shining from all the stars who gathered for the annual Grammy nominee party on Jan. 26, which was held in the hotel ballroom. Robert Plant strolled in and opted to skip the red carpet, but many first-time nominees and repeat winners gushed with excitement over their chances to take home awards.
Little Big Town, nominated for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals with Sugarland and Jake Owen for “Life In A Northern Town,” is making its first trip to the ceremony this year. They heard news of their nomination during a tour party with Carrie Underwood. Singer Karen Fairchild was nice enough to relay the story.
“Phillip [Sweet] came running up and he goes, ‘I just got a text from my mother-in-law saying congrats on your Grammy nomination and I was like ‘Text her back; she’s crazy; we have not gotten nominated! And then Carrie goes, ‘I just got a text; I got nominated too!’ So we had a big ole party right there!”
Of course, there were those on the carpet who were already giving the whole it’s-just-nice-to-be-nominated spiel and then there were those artists like Lady Antebellum, who are nominated for Best New Artist, that were ready to throw down the gauntlet in order to take home an award.
“I think we could take them in a fight. I think we have a foot on them!” laughed Hillary Scott talking about fellow nominees The Jonas Brothers.
Trace Adkins, who is nominated for Best Country Male Performance for “You’re Gonna Miss This,” had a decidedly more laid-back attitude about all the awards hoopla.
“I’ve never been invited so I’ve never been. I’ve survived in this business for 12 years without winning a Grammy and I’ll survive the rest of my career without winning one too. This is not a make-or-break thing for me,” he said matter-of-factly before chuckling, “I mean, I want to win but I’m not putting a lot of stock in it.”
And then there was Brenda Lee, who is being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Grammy Awards. She had some words for those in the industry who are just getting started.
“Be true to yourself,” she said while pointing her finger to make her point, “Don’t prostitute your beliefs for trends and fads. Listen to your heart and be a kid. You got plenty of time to be a grown up. It comes at you real quick.”
PICTURED: Lady Antebellum
