The Dixie Chicks swept five awards at the 49th annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday night, a defiant comeback after being shunned by the country music establishment over the group's anti-Bush comments leading up to the Iraq invasion.
The Texas trio won both Record and Song of the Year for the no-regrets anthem Not Ready to Make Nice. They also won Album of the Year and Best Country Album, which was especially ironic given the group's admission that they don't consider themselves country artists anymore.
"I'm ready to make nice!" lead singer Natalie Maines exclaimed as the group accepted the Album of the Year award. "I think people are using their freedom of speech with all these awards. We get the message."
The Dixie Chicks won all five awards they were nominated for, sweet vindication after the superstars' lives were threatened and sales plummeted when Maines criticized President Bush on the eve of the Iraq war in 2003. Almost overnight, one of the most successful groups of any genre was boycotted by Nashville and disappeared from country radio.
Mary J. Blige's comeback also was richly rewarded: She received three trophies for her double-platinum album The Breakthrough. The Red Hot Chili Peppers won four for their double-disc Stadium Arcadium.
Chinese ballad singer Song Zhuying failed to win for Best Classical Crossover Album in the award's announcement at the pre-ceremony.
The award was taken by British bass-baritone Bryn Terfel for his album Simple Life.
Song Zhuying was nominated for her album Bainian Liusheng, a reinterpretation of the best Chinese film music from 1905 to 2005. Song was the first Chinese folk musician to receive a nomination for the world-famous awards.
Other Chinese artists who have received Grammy nominations in the past are well-known musician Tan Dun, cello performer Wang Jiang and singer Dai Yuqiang.
The Grammy tried to tap into new technology with its "My Grammy Moment" contest, in which three unknown singers vied for the chance to perform on stage with Justin Timberlake. Viewers determined the winner by voting on the Internet and text messaging, but the winner's performance was forgettable.
Though the show featured a medley with bright new stars such as John Mayer, John Legend, and Corinne Bailey Rae, it relied heavily on the classics: nominee Lionel Richie sang his '80s hit Hello and Smokey Robinson sang the Motown classic The Tracks of My Tears in a tribute to R&B. The Police, who split in 1984, reunited to kick off the show with their rendition of Roxanne -- even though they were not nominated for anything.
Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder's duet on a remake of the Wonder's For Once In My Life beat out two of the year's biggest songs -- Nelly Furtado and Timbaland's Promiscuous and Shakira and Wyclef Jean's Hips Don't Lie -- for best pop vocal collaboration.
Even some of the more contemporary artists were relegated to singing songs that weren't their own. Christina Aguilera sang the late James Brown's It's A Man's Man's Man's World instead of her own nominated songs, while Carrie Underwood, the newcomer with one of last year's most successful albums, crooned Desperado and San Antonio Rose instead of her signature tune Jesus, Take the Wheel, which was nominated for song of the year.
But new artists were still celebrated, a bit. Chris Brown injected some hot-footed funk with his Run It, while Underwood was celebrated as the best new artist. And double winners included youngsters John Mayer, T.I., and Ludacris.
Complete list of Grammy Award winners
Winners at Sunday's 49th Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles:
Album of the Year: "Taking the Long Way," Dixie Chicks.
Record of the Year: "Not Ready to Make Nice," Dixie Chicks.
Song of the Year: "Not Ready to Make Nice," Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Emily Robison and Dan Wilson (Dixie Chicks).
New Artist: Carrie Underwood.
Female R&B Vocal Performance: "Be Without You," Mary J. Blige.
Pop Vocal Album: "Continuum," John Mayer.
Pop Collaboration With Vocals: "For Once in My Life," Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder.
Country Album: "Taking the Long Way," Dixie Chicks.
Rap Album: "Release Therapy," Ludacris.
Rock Album: "Stadium Arcadium," Red Hot Chili Peppers.
R&B Album: "The Breakthrough," Mary J. Blige.
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Rick Rubin.
Traditional Pop Vocal Album: "Duets: an American Classic," Tony Bennett.
Female Pop Vocal Performance: "Ain't No Other Man," Christina Aguilera.
Male Pop Vocal Performance: "Waiting on the World to Change," John Mayer.
Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: "My Humps," Black Eyed Peas.
Pop Instrumental Performance: "Mornin'," George Benson (& Al Jarreau).
Pop Instrumental Album: "Fingerprints," Peter Frampton.
Rock Instrumental Performance: "The Wizard Turns On ... ," the Flaming Lips.
Rock Song: "Dani California," Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers);
Solo Rock Vocal Performance: "Someday Baby," Bob Dylan.
Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: "Dani California," Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Hard Rock Performance: "Woman," Wolfmother.
Metal Performance: "Eyes of the Insane," Slayer.
Alternative Music Album: "St. Elsewhere," Gnarls Barkley.
Dance Recording: "Sexy Back," Justin Timberlake and Timbaland.
Electronic/Dance Album: "Confessions on a Dance Floor," Madonna.
Rap Solo Performance: "What You Know," T.I.
Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: "Ridin," Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone.
Rap/Sung Collaboration: "My Love," Justin Timberlake featuring T.I.
Rap Song: "Money Maker," Christopher Bridges and Pharrell Williams (Ludacris featuring Pharrell).
Urban/Alternative Performance: "Crazy," Gnarls Barkley.
Male R&B Vocal Performance: "Heaven," John Legend.
R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: "Family Affair," (Sly and the Family Stone), John Legend, Joss Stone With Van Hunt.
Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: "God Bless the Child," George Benson and Al Jarreau featuring Jill Scott.
R&B Song: "Be Without You," Johnta Austin, Mary J. Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox and Jason Perry (Mary J. Blige).
Contemporary R&B Album: "B'Day," Beyonce.
Traditional Blues Album: "Risin' With the Blues," Ike Turner.
Contemporary Blues Album: "After the Rain," Irma Thomas.
Female Country Vocal Performance: "Jesus, Take the Wheel," Carrie Underwood.
Male Country Vocal Performance: "The Reason Why," Vince Gill.
Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: "Not Ready to Make Nice," Dixie Chicks.
Country Collaboration With Vocals: "Who Says You Can't Go Home," Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles.
Country Instrumental Performance: "Whiskey Before Breakfast," Bryan Sutton and Doc Watson.
Country Song: "Jesus, Take the Wheel," Brett James, Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson (Carrie Underwood).
Bluegrass Album: "Instrumentals," Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.
Contemporary Jazz Album: "The Hidden Land," Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.
Jazz Instrumental Solo: "Some Skunk Funk," Michael Brecker.
Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group: "The Ultimate Adventure," Chick Corea.
Large Jazz Ensemble Album: "Some Skunk Funk," Randy Brecker With Michael Brecker, Jim Beard, Will Lee, Peter Erskine, Marcio.
Jazz Vocal Album: "Turned to Blue," Nancy Wilson.
Instrumental Composition: "A Prayer for Peace," John Williams, composer (John Williams), from "Munich — Soundtrack."
Instrumental Arrangement: "Three Ghouls," Chick Corea, arranger (Chick Corea), from "The Ultimate Adventure."
Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): "For Once in My Life," Jorge Calandrelli, arranger (Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder), from "Duets: an American Classic."
Gospel Performance: "Victory," Yolanda Adams.
Gospel Song: "Imagine Me," Kirk Franklin (Kirk Franklin).
Rock or Rap Gospel Album: "Turn Around," Jonny Lang.
Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: "Wherever You Are," Third Day.
Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album: "Glory Train," Randy Travis.
Traditional Gospel Album: "Alive in South Africa," Israel and New Breed.
Contemporary R&B Gospel Album: "Hero," Kirk Franklin.
Short Form Music Video: "Here It Goes Again," OK Go.
Long Form Music Video: "Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run," Bruce Springsteen.
Producer of the Year, Classical: Elaine Martone.
Classical Album: "Mahler: Symphony No. 7," Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor, Andreas Neubronner, producer (San Francisco Symphony).
Orchestral Performance: "Mahler: Symphony No. 7," Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor (San Francisco Symphony).
Opera Recording: "Golijov: Ainadamar: Fountain of Tears," Robert Spano, conductor, Kelley O'Connor and Dawn Upshaw; Valerie Gross and Sid McLauchlan, producers (Women of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra).
Choral Performance: "Part: Da Pacem," Paul Hillier, conductor (Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir).
Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra): "Messiaen: Oiseaux Exotiques (Exotic Birds)," John McLaughlin Williams, conductor; Angelin Chang (Cleveland Chamber Symphony).
Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra): "Chopin: Nocturnes," Maurizio Pollini.
Chamber Music Performance: "Intimate Voices," Emerson String Quartet.
Small Ensemble Performance: "Padilla: Sun of Justice," Peter Rutenberg, conductor (Los Angeles Chamber Singers' Cappella).
Classical Vocal Performance: "Rilke Songs," Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (Peter Serkin), track from Lieberson: Rilke Songs, The Six Realms, Horn Concerto.
Classical Contemporary Composition: "Golijov: Ainadamar: Fountain of Tears," Osvaldo Golijov (Robert Spano).
Classical Crossover Album: "Simple Gifts," Bryn Terfel (London Voices; London Symphony Orchestra).
Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: "Walk the Line," Joaquin Phoenix and Various Artists.
Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: "Memoirs of a Geisha," John Williams, composer.
Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: "Our Town (From Cars)," Randy Newman (James Taylor).
Musical Show Album: "Jersey Boys."
Musical Album for Children: "Catch That Train," Dan Zanes and Friends.
Comedy Album: "The Carnegie Hall Performance," Lewis Black.
New Age Album: "Amarantine," Enya.
Traditional Folk Album: "We Shall Overcome — the Seeger Sessions," Bruce Springsteen.
Contemporary Folk/Americana Album: "Modern Times," Bob Dylan.
Latin Pop Album (tie): "Adentro," Arjona. "Limon Y Sal," Julieta Venegas.
Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album: "Amar Es Combatir," Mana.
Tropical Latin Album: "Directo Al Corazon," Gilberto Santa Rosa.
Mexican/Mexican-American Album: "Historias De Mi Tierra," Pepe Aguilar.
Tejano Album: "Sigue El Taconazo," Chente Barrera.
Norteno Album: "Historias Que Contar," Los Tigres Del Norte.
Banda Album: "Mas Alla Del Sol," Joan Sebastian.
Latin Jazz Album: "Simpatico," the Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmieri Project.
Native American Music Album: "Dance With the Wind," Mary Youngblood.
Hawaiian Music Album: "Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar — Live From Maui," Various Artists.
Reggae Album: "Love Is My Religion," Ziggy Marley.
Traditional World Music Album: "Blessed," Soweto Gospel Choir.
Contemporary World Music Album: "Wonder Wheel," the Klezmatics.
Polka Album: "Polka in Paradise," Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra.
Spoken Word Album for Children: "Blah Blah Blah: Stories About Clams, Swamp Monsters, Pirates and Dogs," Bill Harley.
Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books and Story Telling). (Tie): "Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis (Jimmy Carter)," Jimmy Carter. "With Ossie and Ruby: In This Life Together (Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee)," Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.
Recording Package: "10,000 Days," Adam Jones, art director (Tool).
Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: "Stadium Arcadium," Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith and Matt Taylor, art directors (Red Hot Chili Peppers).
Album Notes: "If You Got to Ask, You Ain't Got It!" Dan Morgenstern, album notes writer (Fats Waller).
Historical Album: "Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922."
Engineered Album, Classical: "Elgar: Enigma Variations; Britten: the Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Four Sea Interludes," Michael Bishop, engineer (Paavo Jarvi and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra).
Engineered Album, Non-Classical: "At War With the Mystics," the Flaming Lips and Dave Fridmann, engineers (The Flaming Lips).
Remixed Recording, Non-Classical: "Talk (Thin White Duke Mix)," Jacques Lu Cont, remixer (Coldplay).
Surround Sound Album: "Morph the Cat," Darcy Proper, surround mastering.
(Agencies via China Daily, CRI, Xinhua, Sina.com February 12, 2007)
