Two of the biggest selling albums of the year — Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter III” and Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” — were nominated for album of the year Grammys on Wednesday, along with Radiohead for their groundbreaking CD “In Rainbows.”
Rounding out the category was singer-songwriter Ne-Yo’s “Year of the Gentleman,” and Robert Plant’s musical collaboration with Alison Krauss, “Raising Sand.”
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Grammy Nominations Concert
The nominations were unveiled during a live concert special featuring the Foo Fighters, Celine Dion and others, designed to provide a grander showcase for music’s top awards show.
Also nominated were The Jonas Brothers for the best new artist category. While the Jonas Brothers have already released two CDs, their latest, “A Little Bit Longer,” was their biggest yet in their breakthrough year. The teen sensations join Duffy and Adele, both U.K. singers with a soul bent; singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan; and breakout country act Lady Antebellum.
The Recording Academy typically has announced their nominations like most top awards shows, during a morning news conference. But in an era where awards shows are as commonplace as reality shows, even the top-tier events are finding it hard to stand out.
So they put on the prime-time event, which kicked off with past Grammy winner Mariah Carey singing a song from her classic Christmas album, decked out in a short red minidress to give some holiday cheer.
LL Cool J and likely Grammy nominee Taylor Swift were the shows hosts. Swift, who at just 18 has become one of country and pop’s best-selling stars, was a best-new artist nominee last year.
“The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night,” held at the Nokia Theatre, will also celebrate the opening of the new Grammy Museum next door.
The Grammy Awards are scheduled for live broadcast on CBS on Feb 8. Last year’s show drew 17.2 million viewers, making it one of the least-watched Grammys and continuing the trend of shrinking awards-show audiences.
The full list of nominees can be viewed by clicking HERE.
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