Comments on: 2012 Grammy Nominations

By: Priscila

Priscila — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:59:12 +0000

I don’t think Nicki Minaj will win the Best New Artist award. If the past is any indication, it will go to either The Band Perry or Bon Iver.

I originally thought it would be The Band Perry’s award to lose, but the more I think about it, I’m beginning to realize that Bon Iver may take it since he’s the only artist of the five BNA Artists to be nominated in the Song of the Year and Record of the Year categories, as well, which could be a good example of Grammy love.

This year will be interesting. I’m thinking that it’s between The Band Perry and Bon Iver.

By: Sweetcheeks

Sweetcheeks — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:07:32 +0000

Dan Milliken – I agree that the Grammys shouldn’t recognize only that which is ubiquitous. However, the Grammys are a televised event and I think some amount of commercial success and ubiquity is thus an important criteria for a song to be nominated. An obscure song of course can make it – I allowed for that when I said there should be exceptions for the “rarest situations.” But those obscure songs ought to be very, very good. “Cost of Living” is a decent song, but in my mind, nothing great. I actually preferred “Bleed Red.” There are many country songs that had commercial success and are “artistically interesting” that I would place before “Cost of Living.”

“Independence Day” really doesn’t go against my point. Theres a big difference in airplay between #12 and #19 and also “Independence Day” went on to be one of Martina’s signature hits. It still gets occasional airplay in my area. It was “ubiquitous.”

And “Sin Wagon” was not a radio hit but the Dixie Chicks were a huge commercial force around 2000. Some of their albums went Diamond. They were “ubiquitous:” Nominating the Dixie Chicks surely wasn’t going to be a move that would hurt ratings or cause casual viewers to lose interest.

The grammys are trying to attract a mass viewing audience. With that in mind, I think they should limit the number of songs they nominate that failed to attract a mass radio audience. Some noncommercial songs are fine, of course, but they ought to be exceptionally meritorious. I just don’t see “Cost of living” as belonging. I’m glad some people like it however. If its resonating with some Ronnie Dunn can be proud of his work.

By: Dan Milliken

Dan Milliken — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:01:08 +0000

“Independence Day” “died” at #12. “Sin Wagon” “died” at #52. Bon Iver’s “Holocene” – up for all-field Song and Record this year – didn’t chart on U.S. radio at all that I know of. Random assortment of examples off the top of my head. If awards only recognized that which was already ubiquitous, they’d be very redundant. If anything, that’s the danger the Grammys are in right now – the Album/Single/Song fields this year feel only a step or two removed from the total fluff of AMAs or People’s Choice Awards.

By: Diamond

Diamond — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:07:08 +0000

Where a song peaks on the charts is only one criteria when judging its overall impact and artistry, and determing whether it might be award-worthy. Since when does the arbitrary world of “country radio” (whatever that is these days) have the last word? “Cost of Living” is not a classic, but it is a strong, moving song, and until you pointed out it “died” at 19 on some song chart, I didn’t even care. In fact, I still don’t.

By: Sweetcheeks

Sweetcheeks — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 04:56:07 +0000

Sweetcheeks. “Cost of Living” resonated with a lot cuz of its topic but the song died at 19 on the charts. Thats makes the song a radio failure in my book, at least for an established artist. I think its great if a lot of people connected with the song due to its theme but I don’t think a song that bombed radio-wise is grammy material, except in the rarest situations. Sweetcheeks out.

By: Diamond

Diamond — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:50:47 +0000

“Cost of Living” resonated pretty well with a lot of folks facing hard times where I live. Ronnie’s vocal was heartfelt, and the lyrics certainly struck a chord with me. Guess it’s not as meaningful and “radio-friendly” as “Honeybee.” As for “Mean” and “Tequila,” I found one sort of condescending, the other sort of boring. Different strokes….

By: Sweetcheeks

Sweetcheeks — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:34:26 +0000

I think Taylor Swift (Mean), Adele, and Nikki Minaj deserve to win their categories.

I think Mean should win best vocal performance and probably song too.

As for “Cost of Living.” Even if it was submitted, it really doesn’t deserve to be on the list, much less win. The song bombed on the charts in a major way. It didn’t win favor with country listeners and/or radio programers. So unless it has major artistic merit (and it doesn’t really; its topical but kinda boring) I don’t think it deserves recognition. Ronnie Dunn needs to release more radio-friendly music, like Brooks & Dunn did, or his career should end. I think “Honey Bee” “You and Tequila” and “Mean” are far more deserving.

By: Paul W Dennis

Paul W Dennis — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:38:20 +0000

I disagree – Hancock’s album was a great album – his best in many years. I also have the Vince Gill and Amy Winehouse sets and have always felt that Herbie’s was the better album, although my rooting interests were elsewhere

By: Dan Milliken

Dan Milliken — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:06:13 +0000

Spalding’s win was awesome, but in a race against some of Amy Winehouse’s and Vince Gill’s best work, the Hancock win was a lazy career achievement award.

By: Paul W Dennis

Paul W Dennis — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:58:39 +0000

Pretty dreary cast of nominees across the board in all genres.

I haven’t paid much attention to these awards in recent years, and even when the Academy gets one right such as Esperanza Spalding’s win last year or Herbie Hancock’s a few years back, it almost seems like an accident (and most of this blog’s readership gets their tail feathers ruffled about it, to boot)