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Kanye West, Bonnie Raitt, others tapped for Grammy performances
The list of artists slated to perform at next month's 47th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony now includes Kanye West , Bonnie Raitt , Keith Urban and others.
Joining West on stage during his performance will be newcomer John Legend, R&B veteran Mavis Staples and The Blind Boys of Alabama. West is nominated for Best New Artist; Album of the Year (as an artist on "The College Dropout" and as a producer on "The Diary Of Alicia Keys"); Best Rap Album ("The College Dropout"); Best Rap Solo Performance ("Through The Wire"); Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Slow Jamz" with Twista and Jamie Foxx, and "All Falls Down" with Syleena Johnson); Song of the Year and Best Rap Song ("Jesus Walks"); and Best R&B Song ("You Don't Know My Name").
Staples will be honored this year with The Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award. The Blind Boys Of Alabama are nominated with Ben Harper for their collaborative effort: Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album (There Will Be A Light) and Best Gospel Performance for the album's title track.
Nine-time Grammy winner Raitt will team with two-time Grammy winner Billy Preston during a tribute to the late Ray Charles, who is posthumously nominated for seven Grammys: Record of the Year ("Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones), Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album ("Genius Loves Company"), Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals ("Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" with Elton John and "Here We Go Again"), Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance ("Sinner's Prayer" with B.B. King), and Best Gospel Performance ("Heaven Help Us All" with Gladys Knight).
Urban, meanwhile, is slated take part in a tribute to Southern rock that will also feature fellow nominees Gretchen Wilson and previously announced performer Tim McGraw, as well as veteran Southern rockers Dickie Betts (Allman Bros.), Elvin Bishop and members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. McGraw and Urban are both contenders for Best Country Album and Best Male Vocal Performance--McGraw for his album "Live Like You Were Dying" and its title-track, and Urban for his album "Be Here" and the single "You'll Think of Me"--while Wilson is up for Best New Artist, Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song ("Redneck Woman"), and Best Country Album ("Here For the Party")
As previously reported, the ceremony's performance roster also includes U2, Green Day and Alicia Keys.
Organizers have also announced that five-time Grammy-winner Norah Jones, rapper Ludacris, singer/television co-host Mark McGrath and actor Gary Sinise will appear as presenters.
The 47th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony takes place in Los Angeles on Feb. 13 and will air on CBS.
Click here for a complete list of all of this year's nominees.
