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Life & Arts

Music biz veterans sweep at Grammys

Dixie Chicks lead with Album of the Year at awards ceremony; Chili Peppers win big in rock category 

Music Notes 

Eli Jabbe

The Grammy Awards featured plenty of younger and more experienced artists being nominated, but ultimately it was the older artists who had the spotlight.

Most notably, the Dixie Chicks had a memorable night with five awards won, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. In addition to their album, Taking The Long Way, their politically-charged song "Not Ready To Make Nice," nabbed the latter two awards as its strong success became a testament to how many people supported the band in their comments about President Bush. 

That comment led to damaging effects on their music, as the group wasn't allowed to perform at concerts or have their records played on a number of radio stations in America.

In the end, the Dixie Chicks bounced back from the treatment they have received since 2003 (including death threats) and reached the ultimate glory at the awards. 

Veteran super-producer Rick Rubin, who produced "Not Ready to Make Nice," was the common link with another award-winning band: The Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

The band's album Stadium Arcadium, which Rubin produced along with other previous gems Californication and Blood Sugar Sex Magik, was also nominated for Best Album, which they lost to the Dixie Chicks. The Red Hot Chili Peppers did win the Best Rock Album, however. It was a perfect scene for the group as they performed their latest hits "Snow" and "Dani California" in their hometown Los Angeles for the audience.

In addition to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, another notable legend had a great night at the awards: Mary J Blige. The r&b veteran, who debuted in the early-1990s and is still going strong, was nominated for a hefty eight awards and went home with three: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album. The first two awards were given to her hit "Be Without You." And her album The Breakthrough won the latter. It has truly been a breakthrough for Blige, who has had solo success and hits, collaborating with everyone in music from U2 to the late Biggie Smalls. Besides wining at the Grammys, Blige also won at the American Music Awards and the Billboard Music Awards.
 

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