Texas artists, or artists with Texas roots, scored fewer nominations than usual when the Recording Academy announced its choices for the 53rd annual Grammy Awards Wednesday night. Perpetual nominees Beyonce and George Strait were nominated for residual tracks from I Am... Sasha Fierce and Twang, respectively, but neither released an album of new material during this year's period of eligibility.
Leading the 2010-11 Lone Star crop is Lindale-born country singer Miranda Lambert, who netted five nominations for her album Revolution, including Best Country Album, Song of the Year and Best Country Song. The latter two are songwriter's awards that would go to the tune's authors, Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin. Arcade Fire, anchored by Woodlands-raised brothers Win and Will Butler, got three nominations including Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album for The Suburbs.
Besides Beyonce, former Houstonian saxophonist Kirk Whalum received four nods across the pop, R&B and gospel fields. Ars Lyrica Houston was nominated for Best Opera Recording for Hasse: Marc' Antonio E Cleopatra. Best Regional Mexican Album, traditionally a Texan-heavy category, was omitted because fewer than ten artists entered the field this year.
Eminem led all nominees with ten, for his album Recovery and Rihanna duet "Love It When You Lie." The awards will be presented February 13 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. A complete list of nominees is at Grammy.com, and this year's Texas crop (that Rocks Off knows of) is after the jump.
ARCADE FIRE
- Album Of The Year: The Suburbs
- Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group with Vocals: "Ready To Start"
- Best Alternative Music Album: The Suburbs
ARS LYRICA HOUSTON
Best Opera Recording: Hasse: Marc' Antonio E Cleopatra (Matthew Dirst, conductor; Jamie Barton & Ava Pine; Keith Weber, producers
BEYONCE
- Best Female Pop Vocal Performance: "Halo (Live)"
- Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals: "Telephone" (with Lady Gaga)
RYAN BINGHAM & T-BONE BURNETT
Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media: "The Weary Kind (from Crazy Heart)
CAROL BURNETT
Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Story Telling): This Time Together: Laughter And Reflection
GUY CLARK
Best Contemporary Folk Album: Somedays The Song Writes You
STEVE EARLE
Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media: "This City" (From Tremé)
PATTY GRIFFIN
Best Traditional Gospel Album: Downtown Church
BUDDY HOLLY
Best Historical Album: Not Fade Away: The Complete Studio Recordings and More (Andy McKaie, compilation producer; Erick Labson, mastering engineer)
GRUPO FANTASMA
Best Latin Rock, Alternative Or Urban Album: El Existential
