Countdown to the Grammys

February 8, 2008 01:02 PM
With just a couple of days to go before the 50th Annual Grammy Awards , superstar acts continue to be added to the performance and presenter lineups.

Since last check, nominees Kanye West , Amy Winehouse , John Mayer and BeBe Winans have signed on to perform, according to a press release. West, whose television appearances have been limited over the past six months, is the night's frontrunner with eight nominations. Winehouse, the runner-up with six nods, will have to sing via satellite from London since her visa recently was denied.

The Grammy celebration will also feature a slate of interesting duets, including Josh Groban singing for the first time with Andrea Bocelli , and current nominee Fergie performing with John Legend . Ten-time Grammy winner and nominee Herbie Hancock will take the stage with piano phenom and best Instrumental Soloist nominee Lang Lang for a classical/jazz segment that will be conducted by famed maestro John Mauceri. In addition, John Fogerty will appear with Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard in a special "Cornerstones of Rock" performance, and Rihanna will join a reunited Time for a special 50th anniversary segment.

Four-time Grammy winners and current nominees The Foo Fighters will participate in this year's "My Grammy Moment," which will feature an orchestral performance of the song "The Pretender" led by a special guest conductor: Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones. Up to 20 unsigned musicians will be given an opportunity to play in the orchestra created specifically for the event.

Previously announced performers include Beyonce, Tina Turner, Feist, Alicia Keys, Kid Rock, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and the 2008 MusiCares Person of the Year, Aretha Franklin. A special Beatles segment will feature the casts from the movie "Across the Universe" and "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil," a live stage performance that has been playing since 2006 at The Mirage in Las Vegas.

Dierks Bentley, Carole King, Usher and will.i.am are among the latest presenters added to the fold, along with music stars including Cher, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Miley Cyrus, Ringo Starr, Taylor Swift, Lyle Lovett, Ludaris, Natalie Cole, Cyndi Lauper, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Brown, Solange Knowles and 12-time Latin Grammy winner Juanes.

This year's list of nominations reflects one of the Grammys' most diverse ever, with the Album of the Year category alone representing country, hip-hop, jazz, pop and rock genres with Vince Gill, Kanye West, Herbie Hancock, Amy Winehouse and Foo Fighters in the running. The nominees in several popular categories are included in a recent LiveDaily article and the full list is available at the Grammy Awards' website.

The Feb. 10 ceremony will be held at Los Angeles' Staples Center and broadcast on CBS television. It will also be supported on radio via Westwood One worldwide and XM Satellite Radio, and covered online at the Grammys' website.

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