Mus World

Every year the Grammy Awards come around and prove once again that I am listening to the wrong radio stations. The 2009 collection is no different. The 2009 Grammy Nominees CD includes an amazing cross-section of the radio waves, some of which I hadn't heard before listening to the CD.

2008 was a great year for pop, rock, and R&B artists across the board, and on February 8, 2009, we'll know who wins in the usual categories: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

Coldplay's album and song "Viva La Vida" is up in multiple categories, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or group with Vocals. It's amazing how many times I've seen amateur renditions of this song on YouTube this year.

Next we have Estelle with her song "American Boy" (featuring Kanye West) off her album Shine. "American Boy" is up for Song of the Year and faces some stiff competition in the category.

After that we have Sara Bareilles "Love Song" released as a single in 2008, which is up for Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. "Love Song" has received a ton of play on my local radio stations, and I have to admit it's pretty catchy. I haven't checked out the rest of her album Little Voice, but hope to do so.

Ne-Yo's album Year of the Gentleman is up for Album of the Year. You'll find the first track, "Closer" on the Nominees CD. And Ne-Yo is competing with Lil Wayne for Album of the Year. Lil Wayne's album Tha Carter III is represented on the CD by "Got Money", which also features T-Pain.

One of my own favorite albums of the year, Raising Sand by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, is up for Album of the Year and Record of the Year. The song "Please Read the Letter" is on the CD, represents the album, and shows the fruit of this amazing duo.

Radiohead, another great group with staying power, is up for Album of the Year with In Rainbows. "House of Cards" is here and proves that Radiohead still has what it takes to create amazing music.

Lady Antebellum came on the country music scene last year and is up for Best New Artist. Their song "Love Don't Live Here" from their self-titled album was chosen to represent.

The Jonas Brothers are also up for Best New Artist. Their song "Burnin' Up" is off their album A Little Bit Longer. This is a hugely popular group at my eldest daughter's elementary school.

Jazmine Sullivan is another artist up for Best New Artist. Her album Fearless is represented with her song "Need U Bad."