Following in the footsteps of the Great Yo, I am going to see how well I do on predicting the winners of the Grammy's. Here goes:

RECORD OF THE YEAR
(Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s), if other than the artist.)

* Let's Get It Started
The Black Eyed Peas

* Here We Go Again
Ray Charles & Norah Jones

* American Idiot
Green Day
Billie Joe Armstrong, Rob Cavallo, Mike Dirnt & Tré Cool

* Heaven
Los Lonely Boys

* YEAH!
USHER FEATURING LIL JON & LUDACRIS

While I think that "Heaven" will be a tight contender, Usher is definately superb. Norah and Ray might have a chance since Ray died and he might get a sympathy vote... but again... Usher is superb.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s)/Mixer(s) & Mastering Engineer(s), if other than the artist.)

* Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles & Various Artists

* American Idiot
Green Day
Billie Joe Armstrong, Rob Cavallo, Mike Dirnt & Tré Cool

* The Diary Of Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys

* CONFESSIONS
USHER

* The College Dropout
Kanye West

I will be ticked if Ray Charles gets any of these. Usher has my vote again. Alicia should be a contender, but Usher has rocked the charts for the past year.

SONG OF THE YEAR
(A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)

* Daughters
John Mayer, songwriter (John Mayer)
Track from: Heavier Things

* IF I AIN'T GOT YOU
ALICIA KEYS, SONGWRITER (ALICIA KEYS)
TRACK FROM: THE DIARY OF ALICIA KEYS

* Jesus Walks
Miri Ben Ari, C. Smith & Kanye West, songwriters (Kanye West)
Track from: The College Dropout

* Live Like You Were Dying
Tim Nichols & Craig Wiseman, songwriters (Tim McGraw)
Track from: Live Like You Were Dying

* The Reason
Daniel Estrin & Douglas Robb, songwriters (Hoobastank)
Track from: The Reason

Awesome song... she should win it. John Mayer is popular though, and this song is cute... who knows? Hoobastank might have a chance... no, it's Alicia all the way.

BEST NEW ARTIST
(For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.)

* Los Lonely Boys

* Maroon5

* Joss Stone

* KANYE WEST

* Gretchen Wilson

My personal vote would go for Maroon 5; however, Kanye West has been all over the news, so I think he'll win it. Maybe Gretchen will get the Country sympathy vote though:)-- "I leave my Christmas lights on the front porch all year long, and I know every word to every Charlie Daniels song"... "Victoria's secret... yeah that stuff's real nice... but I can find the same damn thing on a Walmart shelf, half price."

BEST FEMALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

* Oceania
Björk
Track from: Medulla
[Elektra/Atlantic]

* The First Cut Is The Deepest
Sheryl Crow
Track from: The Very Best Of Sheryl Crow
[A&M Records]

* SUNRISE
NORAH JONES
TRACK FROM: FEELS LIKE HOME
[BLUE NOTE RECORDS]

* What You Waiting For?
Gwen Stefani
[Interscope Records]

* You Had Me
Joss Stone
[S-Curve Records]

Norah Jones has to get something for that wonderful album- this song is superb.

BEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

* Let's Misbehave
Elvis Costello
Track from: De-lovely - Music From The Motion Picture (Various Artists)
[Columbia]

* YOU RAISE ME UP
JOSH GROBAN
TRACK FROM: CLOSER
[143/REPRISE]

* Daughters
John Mayer
Track from: Heavier Things
[Aware Records/Columbia]

* Cinnamon Girl
Prince
Track from: Musicology
[Columbia Records/NPG Records]

* Love's Divine
Seal
Track from: Seal IV
[Warner Bros.]

Josh Groban wins by voice alone- no contest.

BEST POP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCAL
(For established duos or groups, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

* My Immortal
Evanescence
Track from: Fallen
[Wind-up Records, LLC]

* The Reason
Hoobastank
Track from: The Reason
[Island Records]

* HEAVEN
LOS LONELY BOYS
TRACK FROM: LOS LONELY BOYS
[OR MUSIC/EPIC RECORDS]

* She Will Be Loved
Maroon5
Track from: Songs About Jane
[Octone/J]

* It's My Life
No Doubt
Track from: The Singles 1992-2003
[Interscope Records]

Oh... this one is tough... My personal vote would be for Evanesence; however, the "Heaven" song was big with all age groups, was catchy, and was always on the radio. I dunno. I hope Evanesence wins this one.

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

* Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles & Various Artists
[Concord Records/Hear Music]

* Feels Like Home
Norah Jones
[Blue Note Records]

* AFTERGLOW
SARAH MCLACHLAN
[ARISTA RECORDS]

* Mind, Body & Soul
Joss Stone
[S-Curve Records]

* Brian Wilson Presents Smile
Brian Wilson
[Nonesuch Records]

After a girl-fight, Sarah McLachlan comes out on top of Norah. Yeah!

Well, that's all I have time for (my dinner is ready)... I think these are the most important anyway.

ttyl,

boo