50th Annual Grammy Awards

The Grammy gods have spoken and so has the striking writer’s guild. The Writer’s Guild of America has agreed to allow its writers to work on the Grammy ceremonies and deliver a picket-free music event.
The American music industry’s top honour event will take place live on Sunday, Feb.10 at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcasted on the CBC Television Network. Performers at the 2008 Grammy Awards will include Beyoncé, Foo Fighters, Carrie Underwood, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Feist, Alicia Keys and Brad Paisley. Don’t miss music’s biggest night.
Now the race is on. Who’s taking home the trophies this year? Best New Artist nominee Paramore and Best Electronic/Dance nominee Shiny Toy Guns talk about the honour and their 2008 Grammy predictions.

Best New Artist nominee:

Paramore

Formed in Franklin, Tennessee in 2004, Hayley Williams (lead vocals/keyboards), Josh Farro (lead guitar/vocals), Jeremy Davis (bass) and Zac Farro (drums) have become one of 2007’s most talked about bands. The boys back William’s whirlwind vocals with infectious pop punk on their latest album Riot!
With a gold record, their new single “Misery Business” hitting the airwaves this month, a co-headlining tour with Jimmy Eat World, and of course a Grammy nomination, these four young talents have a lot on their minds. The group even found themselves suspending their current European tour to attend the ceremony. Life is good for Paramore.
Drummer Zac Farro shared his thoughts on the 2008 Grammy Awards.

Marc Soucy: You’re nominated for Best New Artist alongside Amy Winehouse, Feist, Ledisi and Taylor Swift. The pressure is on. What’s on your mind as Grammy night approaches?

Farro: It’s crazy! We can’t even comprehend what this means. Three years ago we were playing for eight kids a night and this year we got a gold record and this nomination. It’s insane! We feel so honoured. Just being in a Grammy category is the most amazing thing. Just being there and having our name called out is more than enough.

Zac’s Grammy Predictions:

Record of the year

Everybody seems to be thinking Rihanna, but I say Justin Timberlake. We were watching him on the Kids Choice Awards and that dude can go anywhere and
everybody just loves him. I feel he will be taking this one home.

Song of the year

Rihanna! There’s Carrie Underwood too. I think they’re neck and neck but Rihanna’s “Umbrella” is like the song of the year.

Best female

Man! I’m not sure. This is a tough one! People have voted for these other nominees before like Christina Aguilera and Nelly Furtado, but Amy Winehouse is like the new girl. I feel this year is the year for newcomers. Amy Winehouse, best female.

Best male

This one is between Justin Timberlake and John Mayer. If I think of hits on the radio this year, I think of Justin Timberlake. His record is it! I’m not normally surprised, but sometimes they give the award to someone I didn’t expect. I really think Justin Timberlake is going to take this one too, but I’m such a big fan of John Mayer. I hope Mayer wins.

Best Electronic/Dance Album: Shiny Toy Guns
Carrah Faye Charnow (vocals, bass, synthesizer) Chad Petree (vocals, guitar), Jeremy Dawson (synthesizer, bass) and Mikey Martin (drums) are hit makers Shiny Toy Guns.

After three straight years of touring, the Shinys find their 2006 major label debut We Are Pilots nominated for a Grammy Award. Combining electro, synthpop and indie rock, the Los Angeles based foursome found massive success and a strapping fan base.
Jeremy Dawson sat for some Grammy talk before running on stage to a screaming crowd during the Shiny’s tour stop in Montreal earlier this winter.

How do you feel about the artists you are running against for Best Electronic/Dance album?

Justice is unbelievable. That French house sound, I love it so much. The new Chemical Brother’s record is great. These artists are like an inspiration. We are up against 4 really solid records!

Jeremy’s Grammy Predictions:

Record of the year

Beyoncé! (Laughs) No! Amy Winehouse is going to win. I would vote for Justin Timberlake or Amy. But I think Amy will take that one. She’s got a great album and a great sound. It’s just an amazing album.

Album of the year

It’s the album of the year, so Amy Winehouse will take this one too.

Song of the year

Plain White T’s are good friends of ours. We played with them several times. They’re great people. Their whole record is good. It’s not really my sound and what I enjoy listening to, but for what it is I really enjoy the song writing. This one goes to either Plain White T’s or Amy Winehouse.

Best Pop Album

Maroon 5. It’s not something I would normally go out and buy, but I did buy this album. I don’t know why I bought it. I couldn’t help it; the singles are just so catchy.

Best Dance Recording

I don’t know who’s going to win this one! Probably Justin Timberlake. I think he is a bad ass! He’s just amazing.

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