Idols and Grammies

Nominees were announced today for the The 50th Grammy Awards to be held on Feb. 10 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. I counted no less than fifteen nominations across eleven categories among Idol alums! Their vocals, lyrics, melodies, and musical licks are shoulder to shoulder with some of the most notable names in music history like Bruce Springsteen, Alison Krauss, Alicia Keys, Tricia Yearwood, Bon Jovi, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, U2.....wowee. Now I wonder....who among them will perform? Who will present? Idol will be in the house that night.

Chris Daughtry co-leads the Idol Alum Grammy Pack with four nominations: his 2006 debut album Daughtry is nominated for Best Rock Album, while two singles on it are also nominated...."Home" for Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal, and "It's Not Over" for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and for Best Rock Song...WOW. (By the way, can something be both pop and rock at the same time? HHHmmm......). Congrats, Chris....you showed 'em for sure (the naysayers, that is). And don't forget Ace Young, who gets songwriting credit on "It's Not Over." Wow! Guess he's more than just a pretty face.

Carrie Underwood also gets four nods, three for the hit single "Before He Cheats" (Best Country Song, Best Female Country Vocal Performance, and the granddaddy award, Song of the Year) but was also nominated for her duet with cutie Brad Paisley on the lovely "Oh Love" in the category Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. I'll say.

Fantasia has an amazing three nominations. I thought she was too busy on Broadway to be doing much else, but her sophomore album Fantasia is nominated for Best Contemporary R & B Album. The hit single "When I See U" is nominated for Best Female R & B Vocal Performance and for Best R & B song...I'd better pull that one up and give a listen!

Miss Jennifer Hudson keeps the Academy star shining now with two Grammy nominations, both "Dreamgirl" related, in the categories Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television, or Other Visual Media and for Best Song Written for Motion Picture, yada yada (that's a mouthfull.) Now, I know she would like to be here again this time next year representing her debut CD.

Remember Mandisa? How could we forget that smile and that huge voice. She should be VERY proud (especially since Barry Manilow didn't make good on his promise to hire her as a back up singer) because her CD True Beauty is nominated in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category. Can I get an Amen?

And Kelly, Kelly....the original Idol brings her powerhouse vocals to the Grammy table again this year on that haunting countrified remake of her hit single,"Because of You" with Reba, nominated also for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals (and therefore competing with the Brad/Carrie duet....that's a toughie!!)

All I can say is, wow. For all of those people out there still insisting that Idol is a gimmick, this should convince otherwise!