BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE 54th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS
We’re at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards today, and we are psyched! The Grammy Awards are by far one the most entertaining award shows around – and the most authentic when it comes to really celebrating music… all types of music. What most people don’t know is that awards are given out all day. The early part of the ceremony (the part that is not televised) celebrates the artists, musicians and groups that, while not radio friendly mainstream, are the biggest and best in their categories. From folk album to spoken word, to Hawaiian music, there are amazing talented passionate people who LOVE music – and all kinds. So this year, while we’re backstage in the interview room, we’re going to do our best to share with you the names and stories of people who come back here.
Today is a day of celebration, but it’ll also be a day to mourn and reflect on one of music’s biggest icons, Whitney Houston, who sadly passed away yesterday. Today will be a day of mixed emotions, so check back often as we continue to update you on what music’s greatest have to say about today.
1:50pm – Did you know that Paul McCartney has never heard the archived collection of his “Band On The Run” album? McCartney admitted this fact to Grammy winner Sam Okell who won for Best Historical Album while working alongside each other while remastering the collection.
2:21pm – Best New Artist nominee Skrillex has already SCORED and the show hasn’t officially begun yet. He walked away with two pieces of gold, a Grammy for Best Dance/Electronica Album and Best Dance Recording for “Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites.”
2:36pm – Adele just won a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video for “Rolling In The Deep.”
2:38pm – Foo Fighters won a Grammy for Best Long Form Music Video for “Foo Fighters: Back And Forth.”
3:06pm – It was touching as Amy Winehouse’s parents accepted her Grammy award for “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.” She worked alongside Tony Bennett on the track from “Duets II.” They mentioned during their acceptance speech how much it meant to Amy that Tony Bennett wanted to work with her. The best part of the speech was when Amy’s Dad recalled asking his daughter if she knew the words to the song before she began working with Tony and she told him — Of course Dad, you’ve been singing them to me all my life. You heard a big, “Awww…” backstage.
4:24pm – Melanie Fiona & Cee-Lo Green won a Grammy for Best R&B Song (A Songwriter(s) Award). The song is “Fool For You” and working alongside Cee-Lo Green to create this hit was a dream come true. She personally thanked Whitney Houston for her win and couldn’t of done it without her. Her very first album was named “The Bridge,” inspired by Whitney because Melanie was born and grew up listening to Whitney’s voice. She describes Whitney as one of those artists who bridged all genres of music and therefore inspired the title of her first album. By the way, her sophomore album is coming out March 27th, so definitely check it out.
5pm – Bruce Springsteen opens up the show with “We Take Care Of Our Own” and ROCKS it out! We saw Paul McCartney rockin’ out in the audience too!
5:13pm – Bruno Mars does the James Brown and very well might we add! He takes it way back with his performance of “Runaway Baby.”
5:20pm – Bonnie Raitt and Alicia Keys pay tribute to Etta James with their rendition of “A Sunday Kind Of Love.”
5:22pm – By the way, Alicia Keys and Bruno Mars decided to wear the same hair style to the Grammys. Who wore it better?
5:23pm – Adele won a Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance. “Someone Like You” changed her life as well as ours. She’s here with her new man by the way and they look SO cute together. We’re happy for you Miss Adele!!
5:28pm – Chris Brown shows off his awesome dance moves while performing “Turn Up The Music” and “Beautiful People.”
5:32pm – Just heard Deadmau5 showed up to the Grammy Awards
wearing a t-shirt with Skrillex’s phone number on it. Haha!
5:35pm – AND…the Grammy for “Best Rap Performance” goes to Jay-Z & Kanye West for “Otis,” their hit track off the album “Watch The Throne.”
4:45pm – Foo Fighters, who won 4 Grammy Awards tonight, performed their hearts out. They went against the norm and ROCKED out their single “Walk” outside of The Staples Center in front of hundreds of fans! Did you know that they recorded their album, “Wasting Light,” in Dave Grohl’s garage? With just a microphone and a tape machine. Talk about the basics….it totally paid off!
5:57pm – Rihanna performs “We Found Love,” followed by “Princess of China” with Coldplay. A simple, beautiful duet. Love her raw voice. Coldplay wraps it up with one of our personal favorites, “Paradise.”
6:13pm – Foo Fighters just picked up ANOTHER Grammy Award for “Best Rock Performance.” Where will they be storing all of these pieces of gold? That’ll be our first question when they come back to the press room…stay tuned!
6:25pm – We caught Lady Gaga groovin’ to “Good Vibrations,” performed tonight by The Beach Boys, Maroon 5 and Foster The People.
6:31pm – Paul McCartney sets the mood tonight with his performance of “My Valentine,” which he performs alongside Diana Krall and Joe Walsh.
6:38pm – Chris Brown walks away with a Grammy tonight, he won Best R&B Album for “F.A.M.E.”
6:42PM – Can you believe this is the first time The Beach Boys ever performed at the Grammy Awards? They describe the experience as, “it’s about time!” They’re about to celebrate their 50th anniversary as a group together and are excited about working on some new material. What do they remember about their early days? They weren’t making any money and being told in their college days that they’d never make it. Their message to all striving artists, never listen to the doubters!
6:50pm – The “Song Of The Year” Grammy Award goes to Adele for “Rolling In The Deep.” She looks absolutely stunning, as always.
6:57pm – NY Giants players Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham admit Sundays are much easier on the football field versus being presenters at the Grammy Awards. Winning the Superbowl was a dream come true and they look forward to getting their Superbowl rings. Victor Cruz admits the real celebrity that Sunday was his grandmother who was happy he celebrated with a Salsa dance and represented his heritage. As for the Grammy’s, they’re excited to see and meet Rihanna and Nicki Minaj. They love music just as much as football and that’s why they’re excited to be here. Music plays such a huge role before they hit the field every Sunday. What do they listen to to get pumped up? Drake and Kanye West…good choices.
7:07pm – Adele’s performance of “Rolling In The Deep” — Perfection. She got a standing ovation and never-ending applause which brought tears to her eyes.
7:33pm – Best New Artist = Bon Iver. Woo hoo!
7:38pm – As Jennifer Hudson sings “I Will Always Love You” in memorium of Whitney Houston, it’s completely silent in the press room. Still can’t believe it….
8:06pm – Nicki Minaj’s performance of “Roman’s Revenge” and “Roman Holiday” is shall we say…interesting.
8:10pm – So who walks away with the “Record Of The Year”? No surprise…Adele! Go girl! She accepted her award with the words, “This is ridiculous.” So humble…no surprise.
8:18pm – The Album Of The Year Grammy Award will go home with Adele for “21″ – the girl has swept the Grammy’s!! She accepted it with tears and thanks her mom. This record was inspired by a “rubbish relationship.” What comes around, goes around…doesn’t it? 
8:23pm – Lady Antebellum remembers listening to Whitney Houston and actually “The Bodyguard” soundtrack was one of Hilary Scott’s favorite. They told us that love, and simply love, inspires them to write songs. The entire group has grown closer as a band since they first started out and hope to keep growing in the right direction. They are so proud of this third record. They truely didn’t think they had a shot tonight and winning the Grammy certainly was a dream come true.
8:46pm – Ryan Tedder won a Grammy for Album Of The Year for Adele’s “21″ album. He says the win was phenomenal. He says nobody deserves it more than Adele because he witnessed first hand when she first lost her voice. Her struggle to get it back was what made her stronger aaaand all her Grammys prove that. So what inspires Ryan these days? He feeds off the energy of the artists in the room when he’s working with them. He looks for the “goose bump” factor. What’s next for him? He’s working on B.o.b.’s single, he’s working with Gavin DeGraw, new Beyonce material and last but not least Onerepublic, of course. His favorite motto to live by these days — “There’s no victims in life, only volunteers.”
9:02pm – Bon Iver won for Best New Artist and as he reflects back to what inspired him to play guitar…it was Joan Baez back when he was 14 years old. He admits he was nervous about coming to the Grammys. He felt like he didn’t deserve to attend and he felt a lot of confusion but definitely feels very honored. It’s surprising to hear especially when it comes out of the mouth of this years Best New Artist.
9:27pm – That wraps it up…Adele and Foo Fighters have left the building!