I know, I know—it’s been a little more than a week since the nominees for the biggest ceremony in music were announced, so I’m a little slow on the uptake. But it’s better than not mentioning some of the local love that may be coming our way come February.
The Infamous Stringdusters are from Nashville, but get the local stamp of approval for having curated The Festy, and for recording their last record, Things That Fly, at the local Haunted Hollow studio. (Local sound pro Rob Evans, who also produced Trees on Fire’s latest, was the assistant engineer.) They’re up for a nod in the Best Country Instrumental Performance for their song "Magic #9."
The Infamous Stringdusters’ "Magic #9." (Live)
Mary Chapin Carpenter swung through the Paramount earlier this year with selections from her latest, The Age of Miracles, which is in the running for Best Contemporary Folk Album. It’s a business-as-usual scenario for Carpenter, who’s won 5 and been nominated for 15.
Mary Chapin Carpenter’s "I Have A Need For Solitude," from The Age of Miracles.
The Recording Academy has also seen fit to celebrate the third installment of Dave Matthews’ favorite hobby—releasing double live albums with buddy and ex-local Tim Reynolds—by nominating "Kundalini Bonfire" for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. Except, nuts to you, Dave: "Bonfire" is a track Reynolds wrote and originally released on his 1996 album Gossip of the Neurons.
Tim Reynolds’ "Kundalini Bonfire"
ATO and Red Light Management also sent over the list of their artists up for nods in various categories, which include some of the artists listed above. Behold:
Alicia Keys: Record Of The Year, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Best Rap Song (Empire State of Mind)
Herbie Hancock: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocal (“Imagine”); Best Improvised Jazz Solo (“A Change Is Gonna Come”); Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) (“Imagine”).
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds: Best Rock Instrumental Performance, ("Kundalini Bonfire")
Switchfoot: Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album (Hello Hurricane)
Los Lobos: Best Rock Instrumental Performance (“Do The Murray”); Best Americana Album (Tin Can Trust)
The Punch Brothers: Best Country Collaboration with Vocals (“Pride"); Best Country Instrumental Performance (“New Chance Blues”)
Widespread Panic: Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.
Mary Chapin Carpenter: Best Contemporary Folk Album (The Age Of Miracles)
Luther Dickinson: Best Traditional Folk Album (Onward and Upward)
Angelique Kidjo: Best Contemporary World Music Album (OYO)
Who should win what?