The 57th Annual Grammy Awards occurred and they were amazing, as expected. The prestigious awards ceremony show took place on Sunday, February 8th and were broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. LL Cool J hosted the show for the fourth consecutive year in a row. Every prominent artist, performer and music figure attends the Grammy’s, as it is the biggest night for music. The annual awards ceremony features performances by prominent artists throughout the show. It’s the highest honor one can receive in the music and recording industry.
The big winner of the night was Sam Smith, who was awarded Best New Artist. He won Pop Vocal Album for In The Lonely Hour, Record of the Year for “Stay With Me,” as well as being awarded the Song of the Year for “Stay With Me.” Best Country Album went to talented country singer songwriter, Miranda Lambert, for her incredible album Platinum. Best Country Solo Performance went to country cutie Carrie Underwood for ‘Something in the Water’ and Best Country Duo/Group Performance was awarded to The Band Perry for the sibling’s ‘Gentle On My Mind.’ Best Country Song was ‘I’m Not Gonna Miss You’ by Glen Campbell. Best Historical Album was given to Hank Williams, for The Garden Spot Programs, 1950. The Man In Black, Johnny Cash’s daughter, Roseanne Cash won Best Americana Album for The River and the Thread.
Album of the Year was awarded to Beck for Morning Phase. Best Pop Solo Performance was for Happy by Pharrell Williams. Best R&B Song was awarded to Beyoncé for Drunk In Love, which featured her hubby Jay Z. Best Rap Song was I, by Kendrick Lamar and Best Rap Album was The Marshall Mathers by Eminem LP2. The Best Rap Sung Collaboration was for ‘The Monstor’ by Eminem featuring Rihanna.
Best Rock Song was Ain’t It Fun by Paramore’s, Hayley Williams, and Taylor York. Best Rock Performance was ‘Lazaretto’ by Jack White. Best Blues Album went to Johnny Winter, for ‘Step Back.’ Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album went to superstars Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, for ‘Cheek to Cheek’ and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance was awarded to Great Big World and Christina Aguilar for ‘Say Something.’ Best Song Written for Visual Media went to Frozen’s smashing success “Let It Go” by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez, performed by Idina Menzel. Best Gospel Album was Erica Campbell, for Help and Best Surround Sound Album went to Beyoncé for Beyoncé. Pearl Jam took home Best Recording Package for Lighting Bolt.
The lineup up performers and presenters was amazing. Legendary group AC/DC opened up the show with a phenomenal performance of “Rock or Bust” and “Highway to Hell.” Kanye West and Kim Kardashian strutted the red carpet, Taylor Swift danced in the audience and was a presenter, and Madonna performed with a bunch of hot backup dancers. Beyoncé sang the gospel song “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” and Chris Martin joined Beck for a performance of Beck’s “Heart Is A Drum.” Beck won Album of the Year and Best Rock Album for “Morning Phrase.” There were also wonderful performances by: Sam Smith and Mary J. Blige, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Kanye West and Rihanna sang her song “Four Five Seconds.” Kristen Wiig performed while Sia sang “Chandelier.” Country singer Eric Church sang “Give Me Back My Hometown,” and Usher sang Stevie Wonder’s “If It’s Magic” and a harp was playing in the background.
Katy Perry performed “By the Grace of God” and Annie Lennox went on stage with Hozier for a cover of “I Put a Spell On You.” Gwen Stefani and Adam Levine sang “My Heart Is Open,” Madonna did her new hit single “Living for Love,” Kanye West performed “Only One” and pop star Ariana Grande sang, “Just a Little Bit of Your Heart.” Country superstar Miranda Lambert wowed the crowd with her performance of “Little Red Wagon.” John Legend performed ‘Glory’ to close the awards show. The hit song from the movie ‘Selma’ even won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
A Grammy Award, originally called Gramophone Award, is an award given by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The NARAS recognizes outstanding achievement in the music industry. The first Grammys took place in 1959. NBC covered it from its start until 1970, then ABC covered it from 1971 to 1972, and CBS has aired it from 1973 until the present. Record companies and individuals submit recordings to be nominated for the awards. Nominations are done online and a physical copy of the work is sent to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Reviewing sessions are held, by more than 150 experts from the recording industry, to determine whether the work is eligible and entered into the correct category for official nomination. Then all of the members vote. They are required to vote on quality, and are not to be influenced by sales, chart performance, personal friendships, regional preferences or company loyalty.
The famous trophies are gold-plated and are shaped like a gramophone. They are made and assembled by hand by Billings Artworks in Colorado. The trophies with the recipient’s name engraved on them are not available until after the award announcements so stunt trophies are re-used each year for the broadcast. This way nobody knows who has won, until it is announced live.
People are still listening to the hit songs, watching the talented artists perform and talking about the fashion that was seen on the Grammy’s red carpet.