The wonder women in Grammy Awards: Dixie Chicks sweep Grammys, and show goes for 'Idol' votes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 13, 2007 -- Country-pop trio the Dixie Chicks claimed five Grammys: song, record and album of the year, best country performance by a group and best country album. The wins seemed like vindication after many gigs on last year's tour were cancelled in Red states, where fans continue to boycott the singers because of their political statements.

"To quote the great Simpsons: 'Ha ha!,' " lead vocalist Natalie Maines said when claiming the song of the year statue. Later, accepting album of the year, she elaborated.

"I think people are using their freedom of speech here tonight with all these awards," Maines said. "I think people were using their voice the same way this loudmouth did."

Mary J. Blige had eight nominations and only won three prizes: best female R&B vocal, best R&B song and best R&B album. But the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul viewed the wins as public redemption after years of personal turmoil.

"For so many years, I've been talked about negatively, and this time I am being talked about positively," Blige said. Later, she added, "I don't think you can have a great peak if you haven't had a valley, because it's in the valley where you find out who you really are."

Also among the night's big winners -- though less deserving than the ladies -- were punk-funksters turned soggy balladeers the Red Hot Chili Peppers, whose wins included best rock album, best performance by a group with vocal and best rock song.

Rapper Lupe Fiasco had topped the list of Chicago nominees, but he lost in all three of his categories. This was especially disappointing in the best rap album contest, since the winner, Ludacris, was announced by two Chicago rap superstars: Common and Kanye West.

The most high-profile Chicago area winner: power-pop band OK Go, which won best shortform music video for "Here It Goes Again."

With 97 of the 108 Grammy categories presented during the non-televised ceremony before the broadcast, the show had less to do with the actual awards than ever. Instead, viewers got 3� hours of a mainstream variety show wishing it was "American Idol."

Source: http://www.msn.com
POSTED BY JIM DeROGATIS

Chicago nominees     chili     grammy awards     hip-hop     music album     r b     rap superstar