The 2012 GRAMMY Awards

The 2012 GRAMMY Awards

Whitney Tribute, The story behind “I Will Always Love You”, Adele sweeps the Grammy Board, Nominees & WINNERS listed, Taylor Swift adds 2 more Grammys, Lady A win Country Album, The Civil Wars battle it out and win twice, Country performances , Quotes, Alison Krauss makes history ....

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards took place on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

Whitney Houston Tribute, Dolly’s song steals the show

The night of celebration was overshadowed this year as the music industry mourned the shock and sudden death of Whitney Houston the day earlier (Feb. 11), at just 48 years of age she was gone too soon from the world.  Faced with this dilemma The Grammy Awards made the last-minute decision to invite Jennifer Hudson to pay tribute to Whitney. Jennifer too possesses a strong set of pipes but she is someone herself who has had to face her own personal experience dealing with tragedy. In 2008 Hudson's mother, brother and nephew were all murdered while she was in the throws of promoting her self-titled debut album. After shunning the spotlight for a few months, the Chicago native triumphantly returned to the public eye at the 2009 Grammys - "Jennifer has had this experience herself in her own personal tragedy, " Neil Portnow, president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences told the press following the Grammy ceremony - "Taking the stage in that moment, you sort of think maybe she can deal with what the emotions will be. Not every artist can do that."

Portnow praised Hudson for keeping it simple during her rendition of 'I Will Always Love You,' (written by Dolly Parton) which was one of Houston's biggest hits and a career defining song. "When something like this happens what's great for me is I have the A-team that creatively figures these things out," Portnow said of the decision to choose Hudson. "We sat down and tried to figure out what we thought would be appropriate. If this were a week [after Houston's death], there may have been a different approach. My thinking was simple, elegant, something that's uplifting, something that inspirational, and something that's healing [because] we're all hurting."

Jennifer’s moving rendition of Houston's hit 'I Will Always Love You' barely left a dry eye in the house. Country star Carrie Underwood was one of the many assembled left in tears. Whilst performing the song images of musicians who had died in 2011 in 2012 including Amy Winehouse and Etta James were relayed on the screen behind her. Later Bonnie Raitt & Alicia Keys performed “Sunday Kinda Love” in memory of Etta. The pair were also on hand to present Adele for Best Pop Performance. 

LL Cool J Salutes Whitney Houston –

Grammy Host for the night LL Cool J led a prayer and introduced a classic clip of “The Voice” in action – Youtube 

“Country Tweets”: On hearing of Whitney’s sad death LeAnn Rimes said Whitney Houston was the first CD she ever bought. Sara Evans & Martina said Whitney was one of their singing idols. Chris Young tweeted, “truly one of the best vocalists of all time” & Luke Bryan added, “heartbreaking to lose someone that defined my generation”

Within 12 hours of Houston's death she occupied 26 slots in iTunes Top 200 in the UK, with I Will Always Love You and I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) leading the way.

Dolly Parton pays tribute to Whitney

Dolly Parton recalls she was listening to her car radio the first time she heard Whitney Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You," song actor and film producer Kevin Costner insisted she record for the 1992 film, The Bodyguard. "They started out with it a cappella," Parton said in 2011 when the bittersweet ballad grabbed the peak position on the CMT 40 Greatest Love Songs special. "And I thought, 'That sounds familiar. ... And it didn't hit me. It was just one of those things where [you think], 'What is that?' And, then all the sudden, when she started singing, 'I Will Always Love You,' I just about wrecked the car."

                            

Houston's dramatic rendition of "I Will Always Love You" sold more than 4 million singles and won two Grammys. The Bodyguard soundtrack sold 17 million copies.

How did Whitney Houston come to record Dolly’s song?

Parton wrote the song while attempting to make a break from her role on Porter Wagoner's syndicated television show. Even though she was determined to move on, Parton especially wanted to convey a message of gratitude in the song. "It's saying, 'Just because I'm going don't mean I won't love you. I appreciate you and I hope you do great and I appreciate everything you've done, but I'm out of here,'" she explained in a CMT interview. "[That's] basically what I was saying. And I took it in the next morning. I said, 'Sit down, Porter. I've written this song, and I want you to hear it.' So I did sing it. And he was crying. He said, 'That's the prettiest song I ever heard. And you can go, providing I get to produce that record.' And he did."

Kevin Costner & Whitney Houston
Scene from The Bodyguard

It was way back in 1974 when Parton's original cut (single artwork) reached No. 1 on Billboard's country songs chart. Then in 1982 it topped the chart a second time when Dolly re-recorded it for the film, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Then when Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard as the film's soundtrack and lead-off single it became a worldwide #1 smash hit. Rolling Stone called her rendition "the tour-de-force" The single peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for a then-record-breaking 14 weeks and it made a lot of peoples Christmas in 1992. The single was certified 4× platinum by the RIAA and became the best-selling single by a female artist in America.

"Kevin Costner and his secretary are the ones that loved the song," Parton said. "They had another song that was going to go in that place, and someone had recorded the song they were going to use. They were just in a panic at the last minute. And so they asked me about the song. I sent it. I didn't hear anything more."

Speaking of the Grammys Dolly said in a press statement: "I was brought to tears again last night, as I'm sure many were, when Jennifer Hudson sang 'I Will Always Love You' on the Grammys in memory of Whitney," "Like everybody else, I am still in shock [about Houston's death]. But I know that Whitney will live forever in all the great music that she left behind," Parton added. "I will always have a very special piece of her in the song we shared together and had the good fortune to share with the world."

Kevin Costner made an emotional  speech which lasted 20 minutes at Whitney’s funeral today (Sat Feb 18). “The song ‘I Will Always Love You’ almost wasn’t, it wasn’t supposed to be in the movie. The first song was going to be ‘What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted’ but it was out the year before in another movie [Paul Young’s cover surfaced in comedy-drama film Fried Green Tomatoes] and we felt it wouldn’t have the impact, so they couldn’t use it , so what becomes of our broken hearts” he said. Costner later  explained Whitney feared she wasn't good enough for the Bodyguard movie role, which she made famous with her rendition of I Will Always Love You.

"Whitney, if you could hear me now, I would tell you, you weren't just good enough, you were great," he said.

"You weren't just pretty, you were as beautiful as a woman could be. And people didn't just like you Whitney, they loved you. "Off you go Whitney, off you go. Escorted by an army of angels to your heavenly father. When you sing before him, don't you worry. You'll be good enough”  (Photo from scene in The Bodyguard)

Adele sweeps the Grammy Board

The 23-year British songstress , scored an award in all six categories she was nominated for including Album of the Year (Presented by Diana Ross), Best Pop Solo Vocal Performance(“Someone Like You”), Short Form Music Video (“Rolling In The Deep”), Record Of The Year (presented by Lady Antebellum), and Song Of The Year(“Rolling In The Deep”).  With six wins she went one better than the late Amy Winehouse (5) and matched Eric Clapton’s haul of six for his Unplugged album in 1993, the most previously for a British artist. With wins for Best Album, Song and Record it made her the first artist since, The Dixie Chicks in 2007, to sweep all three of these top prizes (the country trio did so in 2007).

Adele made her live performance comeback since recently undergoing throat surgery in November. Her performance was introduced by Gwyneth Paltrow, who called her "something special." Paltrow described 21, Adele's sophomore album “21” as "a global music movement."  The Grammy audience clapped along enthusiastically throughout the performance, and the singer seemed completely in her element on the simple stage. She received a standing ovation when she finished and milked the applause and why not.

WATCH Adele - Rolling In The Deep (Grammy 2012)  - Youtube

Adele poses backstage with her six awards at the 54th annual Grammy Awards. (AP – photo) 

Who were the winners and who lost out?

Jason Aldean (3 nominations), Blake Shelton (3 nominations), Kenny Chesney (2 nominations) and Thompson Square with 2 nominations left empty-handed.

2012 Grammy Awards Nominees & WINNERS (Country):

4. Best New Artist
The Band Perry  -  Photo

Bon Iver   -- WINNER
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex

25. Best Country Solo Performance
Jason Aldean, ‘Dirt Road Anthem’
Martina McBride, ‘I’m Gonna Love You Through It’
Blake Shelton, ‘Honey Bee’  ----- photo

Taylor Swift, ‘Mean’  -- WINNER  - photo

Carrie Underwood, ‘Mama’s Song’ –  photo

26. Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’
Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter, ‘You and Tequila’
The Civil Wars, ‘Barton Hollow’   -- WINNER -  Photo
Thompson Square , ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not’  -- Photo

27. Best Country Song

Thompson Square, ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not’  (Jim Collins & David Lee Murphy (photo), songwriters) 

Blake Shelton ‘God Gave Me You’ (Dave Barnes, songwriter) -  Miranda Lambert Photo - Trace Adkins, ‘Just Fishin” (Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell & Ed Hill, songwriters)

Taylor Swift, ‘Mean’  (written by Taylor Swift)  --WINNER – photo – [LISTEN ] - Amazon.uk – Amazon.com

Vince Gill, ‘Threaten Me With Heaven’ (Vince Gill –photo , Amy Grant, Will Owsley & Dillon O’Brian)
Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter, ‘You and Tequila’  (written by Matraca Berg & Deana Carter - photo)

28. Best Country Album
Jason Aldean, ‘My Kinda Party’
Eric Church, ‘Chief’
Lady Antebellum, ‘Own the Night’   --  WINNER  - Photo – Amazon.uk – Amazon.com

Blake Shelton, ‘Red River Blue’
George Strait, ‘Here for a Good Time’
Taylor Swift, ‘Speak Now’

43. Best Americana Album
Linda Chorney, ‘Emotional Jukebox’
Ry Cooder, ‘Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down’
Emmylou Harris, ‘Hard Bargain’
Levon Helm, ‘Ramble at the Ryman’  --WINNER - Amazon.uk  -  Amazon.com
Lucinda Williams, ‘Blessed’

44. Best Bluegrass Album
Alison Krauss and Union Station, ‘Paper Airplane’     --WINNER  - Photo

Jim Lauderdale, ‘Reason And Rhyme: Bluegrass Songs By Robert Hunter & Jim Lauderdale’
Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, ‘Rare Bird Alert’ – Photo

The Del McCoury Band, ‘Old Memories: The Songs of Bill Monroe’
Ralph Stanley, ‘A Mother’s Prayer’
Chris Thile & Michael Daves, ‘Sleep With One Eye Open’

46. Best Folk Album

The Civil Wars,  ‘Barton Hollow’ [Sensibility Music LLC]  -- WINNER – Amazon.uk  - Amazon.com

Steve Earle,  ‘I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive’  [New West Records]  - Photo

Fleet Foxes, ‘Helplessness Blues’ [Sub Pop]

Eddie Vedder, Ukulele Songs [Moneywrench Inc./Universal Republic]

Gillian Welch, ‘The Harrow & The Harvest’ [Acony Records]

 

Taylor Swift adds 2 more Grammys and it “means” a lot to her

Taylor Swift Live at the 54th Grammys

Taylor Swift's latest Grammy wins have now brought her career tally to six. In 2010, FEARLESS won for Album of the Year and Best country Album and in addition she claimed best Female Country Performance and Best Country Song due to the success of her single "White Horse". In those latter 2 categories this year she beat off opposition from the likes of Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride and Vince Gill with her self penned song “Mean”.
It started off as a promotion single from her album SPEAK NOW then an official release in March 2011 and peaked at #2 on the Billboard charts in late June 2011. Its lyrics concern the issues of bullying acting as a universal message in response to bullies in the world. The singles artwork (image) show Swift as a woman tied up on railway tracks by a villain which depicts the maltreatment felt by victims of bullying.

When her name was called in the category listing of
Best Country Solo Performance, Taylor strolled to the stage in astonishment. "Oh wow! Hi, this is fantastic!" she stated from the stage. "You know, it's always going to mean the world to me -- the idea of getting to go to the Grammys and the idea of getting to possibly have a chance at winning a Grammy. But this one really means a lot to me because this is for a song called 'Mean' that I wrote. There's really no feeling quite like writing a song about someone who's really mean to you, and someone who completely hates you and makes your life miserable -- and then winning a Grammy for it."

Moments later, Swift returned to the stage to claim the Grammy for Best country Song.

"Oh, wow! Thank you to anyone who voted for this song. That is so incredible of you for doing that," she told the audience. "Wow, this is another Grammy. I want to thank Scott Borchetta at Big Machine Records for letting me create this album and believing in this song and putting it out at radio. When we put this out as a single, a few people said, 'Really you're going to do that? Wow, OK.' My label stood by it and country radio played it a lot, which was wonderful."

Swift also thanked her manager, her family and her band, and then added, "This is unbelievable. I am so happy right now. Thank you to all the Grammy voters and everyone who clapped when I won this."

Following the announcements, Swift paused by the Grammy's "thank you cam" to chat about her victories.

"This is so amazing to have won two Grammys already before the televised portion even starts," she said. "It's unbelievable. I won two Grammys for the song that I wrote called 'Mean' that really meant a lot to me. Then my friends, the Civil Wars, just won, too, like right after I won, and it means so much to me that the Grammy voters decided to vote that way. I'm just having such a wonderful time."

"Honestly, this song [has] been so close to my heart, and it was a song that I wrote when I was really, really hurting and going through a lot," Swift said backstage. "The fact that it would go on to win two Grammys ... life is beautiful.

Before the Awards themselves Taylor, who this month's Vogue cover girl, sparkled on the red carpet wearing a

Zuhair Murad gown. She later dressed down sporting an Americana-Great Depression-esque drapey dress with washed-out floral print. It was something that could have been borrowed from the closet of Grammy nominated Gillian Welch! Taylor described in some quarters as “shabby-chic... minus the chic” hit the stage following her introduction from folk-country-influenced pals The Civil Wars who kicked off Swift’s performance with a quick take on “Barton Hollow.” Taylor playing banjo joined her “ragtag band mates” to have fun with the song.

Taylor why Do ya have to look so “mean”? photo

Taylor Swift performing “Mean” Live @ the Grammys 2012 – photo

Taylor acceptance speech for her Grammy award for “Mean” – Youtube

"Mean" performed Live @ the 2012 Grammys:

212212213725 by YardieGoals

Lady A win Country Album Of the Year

In 2011 Lady Antebellum had a whirlwind year at the Grammys and found personal happiness. The trio of Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood not only led all the country acts with Best Country Song, Record of the Year and Best Country Album but their five trophies included Song of the Year and Record of the Year in all genres due to their crossover smash, 'Need You Now.'

So how did they fare in 2012?

During the ceremony, their latest release and million seller OWN THE NIGHT and claimed the Grammy for Country Album of the Year (Presented by Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley) the only county category presented on the show. Taylor Swift's awards for best country song and best country solo performance, both for "Mean," were handed out in a separate ceremony prior to the formal ceremony. Miranda got to the show 1 ½ hours late as her driver got lost and Rand’s new buddy was Grammy seat-mate Lady Gaga - I guess they share a love of cooking!

"We did not expect this!" Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley said upon accepting the Grammy award for Country Album of the Year. Charles sported a new casual fashion trend with his shirt unbuttoned to his waist and multiple necklaces!

And with stiff competition, it's safe to say none of the nominees expected to win. The trio's 'Own the Night' album won over chart-topping projects by Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Blake Shelton, George Strait and Taylor Swift.

"Thanks for changing our lives last year on this night," said Charles

Watch video at www.grammy.com

The Band Perry loose out in Best New Artist but get to perform with Glen Campbell!

With 3 CMA wins behind then in 2011 the trio The Band Perry were beaten out by folk band Bon Iver founded by American indie folk singer-songwriter Justin Vernon who took home two Grammys. Front man Justin Vernon has described the Grammy Awards as "too self-important". In his acceptance speech he stated that he felt "uncomfortable" accepting the prize. (Photo) and Presentation Video @ grammy.com

The National & Bon Iver perform "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" - Youtube

During the awards shows The Band Perry and Blake Shelton paid tribute to Glen Campbell (who has Alzheimer's) received a Lifetime Achievement Award. Introduced by Taylor Swift country trio The Band Perry kicked off the performance with Campbell's song 'Gentle on my Mind', before handing the music baton to Blake who performed 'Southern Nights'. The Voice judge Shelton then introduced Campbell himself, who took the stage to perform his hit 'Rhinestone Cowboy'. He commanded the audience's attention on an enjoyable rendition of his signature hit. Campbell embraced The Band Perry's Kimberly Perry and shook hands with Shelton as he concluded his performance. Paul McCartney sang along to ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ and Glen knew more words than he did! After the song as the stage went dark, he said, “where do I go, somewhere or should I just shut up?”  

Glen Campbell tribute with Glen, Blake Shelton and The Band Perry (performance photo )

(Photo - Glen Campbell with his wife Kim Campbell and daughter Ashley)

Video - http://dai.ly/yLTbX4

The Band Perry’s reactions appeared in a press release: The Band Perry received a flurry of press following their performance with Glen Campbell at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards this past Sunday night but perhaps the real story for them happened off- stage. It was their very first Grammy nomination and performance. That performance inspired an intersection of two generations, that of Campbell’s and the new fans that The Band Perry is bringing to the country music format.

The performance on the CBS broadcast of the Grammy Awards was also quite possibly the legend’s final television appearance as well.

“We are so honored to have been a part of the tribute to Glen Campbell,” says Kimberly Perry. “It was special in so many ways. Our parents have always been big fans and they introduced us to his music in our early years.

Our performance with him was such an amazing crossroads between our parent’s generation and ours. His timeless songs and talent have truly left a legacy that will continue to inspire new artists and new fans alike.”

“Performing in such a historical moment is something that we will remember forever. We grew up listening to songs like “Gentle on My Mind” and then to be able to perform it as a tribute to the man himself was just incredible,” says Reid Perry.

“It was not only special to perform with Glen Campbell but also with his band. We are a family band and his family is also in his band, his children are part of the group. We really felt like everything had come full circle for us. They made us feel so comfortable and part of the family,” commented Neil Perry (backstage photo)

Carrie Underwood and Tony Bennett perform

As well as presenting “Best New Artist Carrie Underwood and Tony Bennett performed a duet, their version of the standard 'It Had to Be You', receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. The two first cut the song for Bennett's late 2011 release Duets II. Bennett has praised Underwood's beauty, adding that he has loved collaborating with her. "She's beautiful and she sings great and she's so popular. It's just a wonderful experience to be on the show." Underwood described the 85-year-old singer, who performed at the very first Grammy Awards in 1959, as "America's most enduring artist". Tony won for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for the collaborative Duets II.

Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson duet

Jason had 3 Grammy nominations including Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Don't You Wanna Stay" with Kelly Clarkson. The two of them performed it on the night but it was spoiled with some sound issues. The support band sounded too loud drowning the vocalists.  Kelly's microphone wasn't turned on at the beginning and towards the end Jason's stopped working and his voice suddenly disappeared but proved that lip-syncing was not employed. Watch on Youtube

The Civil Wars battle it out to scoop themselves 2 Grammys

The Civil Wars consisting of duo John Paul White and a pregnant Joy Williams won two Grammys on Sunday. (photo) 

Their title cut Barton Hollow won for Best Country Duo/Group Performance while the album of the same name received the Best Folk Album Award at a pre-cast event. The duo introduced Swift's performance later that night during the televised portion, where she sang a lively rendition of "Mean."

Commenting on the wins, White explained: "It feels like it was an out-of-body experience. I keep wondering if it actually happened as I'm back home emptying the trash and cleaning the bathroom!"

Williams added: "I think it might hit us a little bit more when they arrive. You get the Grammy handed to you, but they've not actually been inscribed”. "So the win is a total high and then as soon as you turn the corner it's taken off ready to be given to the next presenter. We're not complaining and we're glad to have a few coming in the mail soon!"

It wasn't until late fall of 2009 that The Civil Wars started to surface in the public awareness. White and Williams released a digital extended play album called "Poison & Wine." The title track was featured on "Grey's Anatomy," the ABC medical drama that helped further the careers of other folksy artists like Ingrid Michaelson and The Fray. It was then that they caught the attention of Taylor Swift. According to the Civil Wars' website, Swift tweeted her love of the country duo and included "Poison & Wine" on her official iTunes playlist. "I think this is my favorite duet. It's exquisite," she said of the song.

The Civil Wars Crack an ‘Opening Act’ Joke

On a sombre night it was a fun joke from John Paul White that set just the right light-hearted tone for the night and possibly their natural appeal could launch this truly Inde duo into the music stratosphere.

Appearing on a secondary stage in the middle of the crowd shortly after the likes of Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen had performed, White cracked:

“We’d like to thank all of our opening acts tonight. Especially that very promising kid from Liverpool. That was a good job.” Band mate Joy Williams then added that they were there to play a quick 60-second song before Taylor Swift took the stage. The selection? “Barton Hollow.”

On Monday, the group — likely lifted by the sweet-sounding number and White’s sense of humour — found their Barton Hollow album at number 5 on the iTunes album download charts. On Amazon.com, three of their albums shot up the charts, POISON & WINE jumped from 2,497th to 159th overall. And BARTON HOLLOW went from 4,444 to 338 with gains of 1,470% and 1,214%. With a timely joke, followed by a wonderful minute of two singers and a guitar and now 2 Grammy wins under their belts the future looks bright.

The Civil Wars will return to the UK in March for a headline tour, which will start at Birmingham's HMV Institute.

They have claimed that Adele's Grammy performance highlighted real musical talent. The duo toured with the 'Rumour Has It' star last year and revealed that everybody in the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on Sunday (February 12) was anticipating her performance.

Speaking about Adele's six Grammy wins, Williams told Digital Spy: "It was no surprise for any of us that that was going to be a remarkable night for Adele.”Nobody was cheering more loudly than John Paul and I were for her. Everybody was rooting for her and it was lovely to be able to catch up backstage."

Talking about Adele's performance of 'Rolling In The Deep', White added: "I think that's what everyone was waiting for; to hear her. "The beauty of her standing on stage with just her band and a total lack of bells and whistles and production really highlighted just how great a singer she really is.

"If the music is great you don't need it. It's all about the ears and not the eyes to paraphrase her."

Video “Barton Hollow” -  Youtube  

Levon Helm and Alison Krauss & Union Station win

Alison Krauss & Union Station and Levon Helm were also among the early winners in country-related categories.

Levon Helm, came to prominence in the late '60s as a member of The Band, received Best Americana Album honours for RAMBLE AT THE RYMAN, a live album recorded at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.

Alison and her band won in the Bluegrass Album category for their #1 Billboard album PAPER AIRPLANE. The project also resulted in a Grammy for Best Engineered Non-Classical Album for recording engineers Neal Cappellino and Mike Shipley and mastering engineer Brad Blackwood. AKUS saw off some stiff competition, including that from Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, who were nominated for Rare Bird Alert. Martin later tweeted his congratulations to Krauss, joking that she had beaten "a field of incredible nominees”

Krauss and Union Station - Jerry Douglas, Ron Block, Dan Tyminski and Barry Bales - also played at the MusiCares Person of the Year gala in the Grammy week honouring Paul McCartney, performing a version of No More Lonely Nights.

For Alison Krauss winning a Grammy is as certain as night becoming day. These 2 additional Grammy awards make her the most awarded living artist of all time with 28 awards from 41 nominations. At the time of her first award, in 1991, she was the second youngest winner ever.  

The 40-year-old Alison passed record producer, conductor, arranger, film composer Quincy Jones, who had 27 Grammys, and she is now only three short of equaling Georg Solti, the Hungarian-born conductor who died in 1997.

Krauss: "It's still exciting after all this time. We don't make a record every year or every couple of years so you are never sure if you are going to get the chance to come back."

All-time top 5 Grammy awards winners

1: Georg Solti (31)

2: Alison Krauss (28)

3: Quincy Jones (27)

4: Pierre Boulez, Vladimir Horowitz (25)

5: Stevie Wonder, U2 (22)

Alison was dressed perhaps more for a vintage night at the Grand Ole Opry than the Grammy Awards?  (Dress photo) 

GRAMMY FASHION

Best Dressed? See photo

Julianne Hough – Country-pop and Rock Of Ages” star added some sparkle to her GRAMMY look on Sunday night when she arrived at the Staples Center in a strapless gown by KaufmanFranco. The 23-year-old dancer-turned-singer-turned actress wore a nude gown with a sheer black overlay that was embellished with spiky prints of black sequins.

Hillary Scott - Lady Antebellum gal wore one of my most favorite designs by Monique Lhuillier ever tonight when she attended the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards. The newlywed singer hit the red carpet at the Staples Center in this ombré gown from the Pre-Fall 2011 collection with gathering at the hip in gorgeous hues of eggplant and raspberry-purple. See Photo

Miranda Lambert - Dazzled for the GRAMMY Awards in her second look by PAVONI in as many days!

The 28-year-old Country singer slipped into a beautiful crystal beaded blush silk tulle gown with cap-sleeves and a scalloped edge wide v-neckline. Photo – Photo 2

Carrie Underwood - The ceremony may have been all about the music, but that doesn’t mean fashion took a back seat.

The Country singing beauty arrived at the Staples Center in a sparkling “Starlet” long-sleeve confetti open backed gown by Gomez-Gracia made of stretch tulle and embellished with white sequins in a leopard print.  Carrie finished off her look with a lovely unkempt french braid hairstyle, complimentary make-up, diamond tear drop earrings and a glittery black evening clutch by René Caovilla.

Photo – Photo 2

Taylor Swift - Opted for a sparkling sequin gown for her GRAMMY Awards red carpet walk, selecting a dress amongst from Fall/Winter 2011 haute couture.  The “Mean” tall and slender singer wore a detailed cap-sleeve embroidered metallic gold and nude silk gown by Zuhair Murad with a sheer skirt. She dropped her signature look of tight curls and red lips as she showed off a polished ballerina bun and neutral makeup. Like a model on the runway, Tay-Tay also wore her long blonde locks pulled into a tight up-do before finishing off the look with Neil Lane jewelry and gold metallic Prada sandals.

Photo – Photo 2 – Photo 3

Adele - The 23-year-old songbird looked stunning in a custom Giorgio Armani sequin ring designed gown with a black mesh overlay, cinched waist and three-quarter length sleeves.  Photo

Katy Perry - Performed her new single “Part of Me” in a cool Transformer-esqué cat-suit designed by Abigail Greydanus. Photo

Leggy ladies - OMG! They’ve got legs and they know how to use them!

Anne V (Vyalitsyna) girlfriend of Adam Levine Marooon 5’s choose from a daring Anthony Vaccarello‘s cutting-edge collection. The Victoria’s Secret model left mouths opened and many a male envious at the 2012 GRAMMY Awards.

Photo – Photo 2

Italian singer D'manti (photo) and stunning model Sade (photo ) wore fitted minidresses. English actress Kate Beckinsale showed off her amazing figure in a white silk minidress, teamed with black heels and a high ponytail (photo) –

Rihanna - Graced the red carpet in a stunning backless gown split to the thigh. She had jaws dropping wearing a Giorgio Armani black silk custom gown, it was simple, elegant and stunning and one if not the best of the night. The gown featured a plunging neckline that is complemented by a respectable still daring central split the back was dramatically open before the gown cascades into an elegant train. Rihanna revealed that she had co-designed the dress with Giorgio Armani, and that she’s currently working on a capsule collection for the designer. Her inspiration for this dress was Michelle Pfeiffer in ‘Scarface’. Pendant necklaces, a gold clutch and Christian Louboution PVC-accented pumps completed her look. Photo

Fashion Misses?

Robyn an acclaimed Swedish singer who wore some unusual high platform tan boots. Photo

Nicki Minaj - Everyone awaited to see what crazy outfit would wear. The 29-year-old rapper, ripping a leaf out of Lady Gaga's style manual arrived in a Red-Riding-Hood-like costume (?) accompanied on the arm of a guest dressed as the Pope! - She wore a red satin nun’s habit gown created by Atelier Versace with a black bead-embellished logo on the skirt.

Photo – Photo 2

Bonnie McKee – The Songwriter isn't a household name like most of the red carpet super-star-come-celeb competition, but she competes against pop’s leading ladies of shock value. With a deranged and tasseled Gladiator look by designer Falguni & Shane Peacock is a creation Lady Gaga would have tried on, then binned, in 2008. How many times did Bonnie trip over herself or did others give her a wide berth to avoid a mishap! (photo) 

Grammy Tweets

Miranda Lambert’s not too happy with R&B star Chris Brown. She tweeted Sunday 12 Feb she wasn’t pleased he sang twice on the Grammy's. After the show she wrote, "I don't get it. He beat on a girl. It’s not cool we act like that didn't happen.” She suggests he listen to 'Gunpowder & Lead' a few times.

Natalie Maine’s became a country music critic, recently taking a shot at Jason Aldean on Twitter. She talked about his performance at the Grammys writing, “the good thing about his mic going out is suddenly the song got a lot more in tune. I don’t know him but it wasn’t a good night for him.” The comment has gone down well with some of Natalie’s Dixie Chick fans.

ABC World News Now: Grammy Awards 2012 Recap: Youtube

ABC World News Now: Grammy Awards 2012 -Jennifer Hudson Tribute to Whitney Houston, Adele's Wins Highlight Grammys: Youtube

SOURCES – Grammy.com, CMT, Daily Mail, hosted AP / Getty Images, The Telegraph, Fashion Court