By MARK FRANKLIN
American Idols go for four straight Sunday night in downtown Los Angeles.
That’s four straight years in which a former American Idol contestant has walked away with a Grammy.
Kelly Clarkson started the streak back in 2005; Carrie Underwood extended it each of the last two years.
This year, four Idols are up for Grammys, including Carrie. She’s been nominated in the category Best Female Vocal Performance for “Last Name.” It’s a category she’s won the last two years.
But if I had to predict a likely Idol winner, it would be Jennifer Hudson (right), who didn’t even make the finals when she competed on the show back in season three.
Jennifer’s been nominated for three Grammys for a smash hit debut album that deserves consideration on its own merit. And here’s guessing Grammy voters might be influenced just a little by the personal tragedy she’s endured with the October murder of her mother, brother and nephew.
Idols won’t just be sitting in the audience awaiting their Grammy fate Sunday night.
Carrie, Jennifer and 2007 Idol winner Jordin Sparks (right)are also on the list of performers for music’s grandest event (8 p.m. Sunday on CBS).
Not bad for a show that made its debut as a summer replacement in 2002 and was originally rejected by all the major networks.
A list of past Idol Grammy recipients, this year’s Idol nominees and the competition they’re up against follows. So does a video of Jordin and Chris Brown performing “No Air” on Idol last season, as well as links to the other Grammy nominated songs.
Check back Monday for the latest on Idols at the Grammys and a photo gallery from Sunday’s festivities.
And for a complete Grammy preview, go here.
IDOL NOMINEES
Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
Idol Nominated: Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown for “No Air.”
Up Against: “Lesson Learned” by Alicia Keys and John Mayer; “4 Minutes” by Madonna, Justin Timberlake & Timbaland; “Rich Woman” by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss; and “If I Never See Your Face Again” by Rihanna and Maroon 5.
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Idol Nominated: Jennifer Hudson for “Spotlight.”
Up against: “Me Myself and I” by Beyonce; “Heaven Sent” by Keyshia Cole; “Superwoman” by Alicia Keys; “Need U Bad” by Jazmine Sullivan.
Note: “Spotlight” is also nominated as Best R&B Song, a songwriters’ award.
Best R&B by a Duo or Group with Vocals
Idol Nominated: Jennifer Hudson, featuring Fantasia, on “I’m His Only Woman.”
Up against: “Never Give Up” by Raphael Saadig, featuring Stevie Wonder and C.J. Hilton; “Stay with Me” by Al Green, featuring John Legend; “Words” by Anthony David, featuring India.Arie; “Robbin in the Sky” by Boyz II Men.
Best R&B Album
Idol Nominated: Jennifer Hudson for her self-titled debut album.
Up against: “Love & Life by Eric Benet; “Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA” by Boyz II Men; “Lay It Down” by Al Green; “The Way I See It” by Raphael Saadig.
Best Female Country Vocal Performance
Idol Nominated: Carrie Underwood for “Last Name.”
Up against: “This is Me You’re Talking To” by Trisha Yearwood; “Last Call” by Lee Ann Womack; “What I Cannot Change” by LeAnn Rimes; “For These Times” by Martina McBride.
PAST IDOL WINNERS
2005:
Kelly Clarkson, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “Since U Been Gone.”
Kelly Clarkson, Best Pop Vocal Album, for “Breakaway,” produced by Clive Davis.
2006
Carrie Underwood, Best New Artist
Carrie Underwood, Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Jesus Take the Wheel.”
2007
Carrie Underwood, Best Female Country Vocal Performance, for “Before He Cheats.”
Now, as promised, the links, and “No Air.”
Leave a reply