Grammys 2010 Nominations & Results

Record Of The Year
Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s), if other than the artist.
Halo
Beyoncé
Beyoncé Knowles & Ryan Tedder, producers; Jim Caruana, Mark "Spike" Stent & Ryan Tedder, engineers/mixers
Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
[Music World Music / Columbia]
I Gotta Feeling
The Black Eyed Peas
David Guetta & Frédéric Riesterer, producers; will.i.am, Dylan "3-D" Dresdow & Padraic "Padlock" Kerin, engineers/mixers
[Interscope]
Use Somebody
Kings Of Leon
Jacquire King & Angelo Petraglia, producers; Jacquire King, engineer/mixer
[RCA Records]
Poker Face
Lady Gaga
RedOne, producer; Robert Orton, RedOne & Dave Russell, engineers/mixers
Track from: The Fame
[Streamline/Interscope/Konlive/Cherrytree]
You Belong With Me
Taylor Swift
Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift, producers; Chad Carlson & Justin Niebank, engineers/mixers
[Big Machine Records]

Album Of The Year
Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s)/Mixer(s) & Mastering Engineer(s), if other than the artist.
I Am... Sasha Fierce
Beyoncé
Shondrae "Mr. Bangledesh" Crawford, Ian Dench, D-Town, Toby Gad, Sean "The Pen" Garrett, Amanda Ghost, Jim Jonsin, Beyoncé Knowles, Rico Love, Dave McCracken, Terius "The Dream" Nash, Radio Killa, Stargate, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Ryan Tedder & Wayne Wilkins, producers; Jim Caruana, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Toby Gad, Kuk Harrell, Jim Jonsin, Jaycen Joshua, Dave Pensado, Radio Killa, Mark "Spike" Stent, Ryan Tedder, Brian "B-LUV" Thomas, Marcos Tovar, Miles Walker & Wayne Wilkins, engineers/mixers; Tom Coyne, mastering engineer
[Music World Music/Columbia]
The E.N.D.
The Black Eyed Peas
Apl.de.ap, Jean Baptiste, Printz Board, DJ Replay, Funkagenda, David Guetta, Keith Harris, Mark Knight, Poet Name Life, Frédéric Riesterer & will.i.am, producers; Dylan "3D" Dresdow, Padraic "Padlock" Kerin & will.i.am, engineers/mixers; Chris Bellman, mastering engineer
[Interscope Records]
The Fame
Lady Gaga
Flo Rida, Colby O'Donis & Space Cowboy, featured artists; Brian & Josh, Rob Fusari, Martin Kierszenbaum, RedOne & Space Cowboy, producers; 4Mil, Robert Orton, RedOne, Dave Russell & Tony Ugval, engineers/mixers; Gene Grimaldi, mastering engineer
[Streamline/Interscope/Konlive/Cherrytree]
Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King
Dave Matthews Band
Jeff Coffin, Tim Reynolds & Rashawn Ross, featured artists; Rob Cavallo, producer; Chris Lord-Alge & Doug McKean, engineers/mixers; Ted Jensen, mastering engineer
[RCA Records / Bama Rags Recordings, LLC.]
Fearless
Taylor Swift
Colbie Caillat, featured artist; Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift, producers; Chad Carlson, Nathan Chapman & Justin Niebank, engineers/mixers; Hank Williams, mastering engineer
[Big Machine Records]

Song Of The Year
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
Poker Face
Lady Gaga & RedOne, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
Track from: The Fame
[Streamline/Interscope/Konlive/Cherrytree; Publishers: Stefani Germanotta p/k/a Lady Gaga, Sony/ATV Songs/House of Gaga Publishing/GloJoe Music, Sony/ATV Songs/RedOne Productions.]
Pretty Wings
Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)
Track from: Blacksummers' Night
[Columbia; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tunes/Muszewell, EMI April Music, Ben Ami Music.]
Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
[Music World Music / Columbia; Publishers: Songs of Peer/March 9th Publishing, 2082 Music/WB Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Tunes, Suga Wuga Music, B-Day Publishing/EMI April Music.]
Use Somebody
Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon)
[RCA Records; Publishers: Martha Street Music/Songs of Combustion Music/Music of Windswept, Followill Music/Songs of Combustion Music/Music of Windswept, McFearless Music/Bug Music, Coffee, Tea or Me Publishing/Bug Music.]
You Belong With Me
Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
Track from: Fearless
[Big Machine Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Taylor Swift Music/Potting Shed Music, Barbara Orbison World Publishing.]

Best New Artist
For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.
Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.
Hometown Glory
Adele
Track from: 19
[XL/Columbia]
Halo
Beyoncé
Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
[Music World Music / Columbia]
Hot N Cold
Katy Perry
[Capitol]
Sober
Pink
Track from: Funhouse
[LaFace Records]
You Belong With Me
Taylor Swift
Track from: Fearless
[Big Machine Records]


Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.
This Time
John Legend
Track from: Evolver
[G.O.O.D. Music/Columbia]
Love You
Maxwell
Track from: Blacksummers' Night
[Columbia]
Make It Mine
Jason Mraz
Track from: We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.
[Atlantic]
If You Don't Know Me By Now
Seal
Track from: Soul
[143/Warner Bros.]
All About The Love Again
Stevie Wonder
[Hidden Beach Records]

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
For established duos or groups, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
I Gotta Feeling
The Black Eyed Peas
Track from: The E.N.D.
[Interscope Records]
We Weren't Born To Follow
Bon Jovi
[Island]
Never Say Never
The Fray
Track from: The Fray
[Epic]
Sara Smile
Daryl Hall & John Oates
Track from: Live At The Troubadour
[Shout! Factory]
Kids
MGMT
Track from: Oracular Spectacular
[Columbia]

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.
Sea Of Heartbreak
Rosanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen
[Manhattan]
Love Sex Magic
Ciara & Justin Timberlake
Track from: Fantasy Ride
[LaFace Records]
Lucky
Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
Track from: We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.
[Atlantic]
Baby, It's Cold Outside
Willie Nelson & Norah Jones
Track from: American Classic
[Blue Note]
Breathe
Taylor Swift & Colbie Caillat
Track from: Fearless
[Big Machine Records]

Best Pop Instrumental Performance
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
Besame Mucho
Herb Alpert
Track from: Anything Goes - Live
[Concord Jazz]
Throw Down Your Heart
Béla Fleck
Track from: Throw Down Your Heart: Tales From The Acoustic Planet, Vol. 3 - Africa Sessions
[Rounder]
The Fire
Imogen Heap
Track from: Ellipse
[RCA Records / Megaphonic Records]
Phoenix Rise
Maxwell
Track from: Blacksummers' Night
[Columbia]
Funk Joint
Marcus Miller
Track from: Marcus
[Concord Jazz/3 Dueces Records]


Best Pop Instrumental Album
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.
In Boston
Chris Botti
[Columbia]
Legacy
Hiroshima
[Heads Up International]
Potato Hole
Booker T. Jones
[Anti]
Modern Art
The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman
[Peak Records]
Down The Wire
Spyro Gyra
[Heads Up International]

Best Pop Vocal Album
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.
The E.N.D.
The Black Eyed Peas
[Interscope Records]
Breakthrough
Colbie Caillat
[Universal Republic Records]
All I Ever Wanted
Kelly Clarkson
[RCA Records / 19 Recordings LLC./ S Records]
The Fray
The Fray
[Epic]
Funhouse
Pink
[LaFace Records]

Best Dance Recording
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances. Vocal or Instrumental. Singles or tracks only.
Boom Boom Pow
The Black Eyed Peas
will.i.am, Jean Baptiste & Poet Name Life, producers ; Dylan Dresdow, mixer
Track from: The E.N.D.
[Interscope Records]
When Love Takes Over
David Guetta & Kelly Rowland
David Guetta & Frédéric Riesterer, producers; Veronica Ferraro, mixer
Track from: One Love
[Astralwerks]
Poker Face
Lady Gaga
RedOne, producer; Robert Orton, RedOne & Dave Russell, mixers
Track from: The Fame
[Streamline/Interscope/Konlive/Cherrytree]
Celebration
Madonna
Madonna & Paul Oakenfold, producers; Demacio Castellon, mixer
[Warner Bros.]
Womanizer
Britney Spears
K. Briscoe, producer; Serban Ghenea, mixer
Track from: Circus
[Jive/Zomba]

Best Electronic/Dance Album
For vocal or instrumental albums. Albums only.
Divided By Night
The Crystal Method
[Tiny E Records]
One Love
David Guetta
[Astralwerks]
The Fame
Lady Gaga
[Streamline/Interscope/Konlive/Cherrytree]
Party Rock
LMFAO
[Party Rock/Will.i.am/Cherrytree/Interscope]
Yes
Pet Shop Boys
[Astralwerks]

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.
A Swingin' Christmas
Tony Bennett
[Columbia]
Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden
Michael Bublé
[143/Reprise]
Your Songs
Harry Connick, Jr.
[Columbia]
Liza's At The Palace
Liza Minnelli
[Hybrid Recordings]
American Classic
Willie Nelson
[Blue Note]

Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance
For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.
Beyond Here Lies Nothin'
Bob Dylan
Track from: Together Through Life
[Columbia]
Change In The Weather
John Fogerty
Track from: The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again
[Verve Forecast]
Dreamer
Prince
Track from: LotusFlow3r
[NPG Records]
Working On A Dream
Bruce Springsteen
Track from: Working On A Dream
[Columbia]
Fork In The Road
Neil Young
Track from: Fork In The Road
[Reprise]

Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
Can't Find My Way Home
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
Track from: Live From Madison Square Garden
[Reprise]
Life In Technicolor II
Coldplay
Track from: Prospekt's March EP
[Capitol]
21 Guns
Green Day
Track from: 21st Century Breakdown
[Reprise]
Use Somebody
Kings Of Leon
[RCA Records]
I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
U2
Track from: No Line On The Horizon
[Interscope]

Best Hard Rock Performance
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
War Machine
AC/DC
Track from: Black Ice
[Columbia]
Check My Brain
Alice In Chains
[Virgin]
What I've Done
Linkin Park
Track from: Road To Revolution: Live At Milton Keynes
[Warner Bros.]
The Unforgiven III
Metallica
Track from: Death Magnetic
[Warner Bros.]
Burn It To The Ground
Nickelback
Track from: Dark Horse
[Roadrunner Records]


Best Metal Performance
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
Dissident Aggressor
Judas Priest
Track from: A Touch Of Evil - Live
[Epic]
Set To Fail
Lamb Of God
Track from: Wrath
[Epic]
Head Crusher
Megadeth
Track from: Endgame
[Roadrunner Records]
Señor Peligro
Ministry
Track from: Adios...
[13th Planet]
Hate Worldwide
Slayer
[American / Columbia]

Best Rock Instrumental Performance
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal. Singles or Tracks only.
A Day In The Life
Jeff Beck
Track from: Performing This Week...Live At Ronnie Scott's
[Eagle Records]
Warped Sister
Booker T. Jones
Track from: Potato Hole
[ANTI]
Playing With Fire
Brad Paisley
Track from: Play
[Arista Nashville]
Mr. Surfer Goes Jazzin'
Brian Setzer Orchestra
[Surfdog Records]
Now We Run
Steve Vai
[Favored Nations Entertainment]

Best Rock Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Rock, Hard Rock & Metal songs. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see the Song Of The Year award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
The Fixer
Matt Cameron, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready & Eddie Vedder, songwriters (Pearl Jam)
[Monkeywrench; Publishers: Innocent Bystander, Jumpin' Cat Music, Theory of Color, Write Treatage Music.]
I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge & Larry Mullen Jr., songwriters (U2)
Track from: No Line On The Horizon
[Interscope; Publishers: Universal Music Publishing, Upala Music.]
21 Guns
Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt & Tré Cool, songwriters (Green Day)
Track from: 21st Century Breakdown
[Reprise; Publishers: WB Music Corp./Green Daze Music.]
Use Somebody
Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon)
[RCA Records; Publishers: Martha Street Music/Songs of Combustion Music/Music of Windswept, Followill Music/Songs of Combustion Music/Music of Windswept, McFearless Music/Bug Music, Coffee, Tea or Me Publishing/Bug Music.]
Working On A Dream
Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen)
Track from: Working On A Dream
[Columbia; Publisher: Bruce Springsteen]

Best Rock Album
Vocal or Instrumental. Includes Hard Rock and Metal.
Black Ice
AC/DC
[Columbia]
Live From Madison Square Garden
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
[Reprise/Duck]
21st Century Breakdown
Green Day
[Reprise]
Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King
Dave Matthews Band
[RCA Records / Bama Rags Recordings, LLC.]
No Line On The Horizon
U2
[Interscope]

Best Alternative Music Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
David Byrne & Brian Eno
[Todomundo/Opal]
The Open Door
Death Cab For Cutie
[Atlantic]
Sounds Of The Universe
Depeche Mode
[Capitol]
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Phoenix
[Loyaute/Glassnote Records]
It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
[DGC Records/Interscope]

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.
Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Beyoncé
Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
[Music World Music/Columbia]
It Kills Me
Melanie Fiona
[SRC/Universal Motown]
That Was Then
Lalah Hathaway
Track from: Self Portrait
[Stax Records/Concord Music Group]
Goin' Thru Changes
Ledisi
Track from: Turn Me Loose
[Verve Forecast]
Lions, Tigers & Bears
Jazmine Sullivan
[J Records]

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.
The Point Of It All
Anthony Hamilton
Track from: The Point Of It All
[So So Def]
Pretty Wings
Maxwell
Track from: Blacksummers' Night
[Columbia]
Sobeautiful
Musiq Soulchild
Track from: OnMyRadio
[Atlantic]
Under
Pleasure P
Track from: The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper
[Swagga Ent./Atlantic]
There Goes My Baby
Charlie Wilson
Track from: Uncle Charlie
[Jive Records]

Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
Blame It
Jamie Foxx & T-Pain
[J Records]
Chocolate High
India.Arie & Musiq Soulchild
Track from: Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
[Soulbird/Universal Republic]
Ifuleave
Musiq Soulchild & Mary J. Blige
Track from: OnMyRadio
[Atlantic]
Higher Ground
Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters
Track from: Oh Happy Day
[EMI Gospel]
Love Has Finally Come At Last
Calvin Richardson & Ann Nesby
Track from: Facts Of Life The Soul Of Bobby Womack
[Shanachie Entertainment/Numo Records]


Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
At Last
Beyoncé
Track from: Cadillac Records Music From The Motion Picture
[Music World Music/Columbia]
Soul Music
Anthony Hamilton
Track from: Soul Men Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
[Stax/Concord]
Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
Boney James & Quinn
Track from: Send One Your Love
[Concord Records]
Sow Love
Ann Nesby
Track from: The Lula Lee Project
[It's Time Child Records/Tyscot]
Woman Gotta Have It
Calvin Richardson
Track from: Facts Of Life The Soul Of Bobby Womack
[Shanachie Entertainment/Numo Records]

Best Urban/Alternative Performance
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
Daykeeper
The Foreign Exchange, Feat. Muhsinah
Track from: Leave It All Behind
[Hard Boiled Records]
All Matter
Robert Glasper & Bilal
Track from: Double Booked
[Blue Note]
Pearls
India.Arie & Dobet Gnahore
Track from: Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
[Soulbird/Universal Republic]
A Tale Of Two
Eric Roberson, Ben O'Neill & Michelle Thompson
Track from: Music Fan First
[Blue Erro Soul]
Blend
Tonex
Track from: Unspoken
[Battery Records]

Best R&B Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see the Song Of The Year award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
Blame It
James T. Brown, John Conte, Jr., Jamie Foxx, Christopher Henderson, Brandon R. Melanchon, Terius Nash, Breyon Prescott, Christopher Stewart, T-Pain & Nathan L. Walker, songwriters (Jamie Foxx & T-Pain)
[J Records; Publishers: Sly As A Foxx Music/Bug Music, Gifted Source Music/EMI April Music, Ultra Tunes/It's N8 Publishing, James T. Brown, Brandon R. Melanchon, John Conte, Jr., Nappypub Music/Universal Music Z Songs, Chameleon Publishing, Tenyor Music.]
Lions, Tigers & Bears
Salaam Remi & Jazmine Sullivan, songwriters (Jazmine Sullivan)
[J Records; Publishers: Nappy Puddy Music/Universal Music-Z Tunes, Salaam Remi Music/EMI April Music.]
Pretty Wings
Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)
Track from: Blacksummers' Night
[Columbia; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tunes/Muszewell, EMI April Music, Ben Ami Music.]
Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
[Music World Music / Columbia; Publishers: Songs of Peer/March 9th Publishing, 2082 Music/WB Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Tunes, Suga Wuga Music, B-Day Publishing/EMI April Music.]
Under
Durrell Babbs, Joseph Bereal, Marcus Cooper, Antonio Dixon, Jerry Franklin, Thai Jones, Robert Newt & Kristina Stephens, songwriters (Pleasure P)
Track from: The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper
[Swagga Ent./Atlantic; Publishers: Tank1176Music/Blackfountain/Antonio Dixon's Muzik/EMI April Music/Notting Dale Songs/Lonnalistic/Songs4ronnie/Doverland 301 Music/Thailand Music/K.Stephens Music/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing, Silverplatinumy2k.]

Best R&B Album
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.
The Point Of It All
Anthony Hamilton
[So So Def]
Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
India.Arie
[Soulbird/Universal Republic]
Turn Me Loose
Ledisi
[Verve Forecast]
Blacksummers' Night
Maxwell
[Columbia]
Uncle Charlie
Charlie Wilson
[Jive Records]


Best Contemporary R&B Album
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.
I Am... Sasha Fierce
Beyoncé
[Music World Music / Columbia]
Intuition
Jamie Foxx
[J Records]
The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper
Pleasure P
[Swagga Ent./Atlantic]
Ready
Trey Songz
[Songbook/Atlantic]
Thr33 Ringz
T-Pain
[Jive Records]


Best Rap Solo Performance
For a solo Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.
Best I Ever Had
Drake
[Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown]
Beautiful
Eminem
Track from: Relapse
[Aftermath/Interscope Records]
D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)
Jay-Z
[Roc Nation]
Day 'N' Nite
Kid Cudi
[Universal Motown/Good/Fool's Gold]
Casa Bey
Mos Def
Track from: The Ecstatic
[Downtown Records]


Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group
For duo, group or collaborative performances of Rap only. Singles or Tracks only.
Too Many Rappers
Beastie Boys & Nas
[Capitol]
Crack A Bottle
Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent
Track from: Relapse
[Aftermath/Interscope]
Money Goes, Honey Stay
Fabolous & Jay-Z
Track from: Loso's Way
[Def Jam]
Make Her Say
Kid Cudi, Kanye West & Common
[Universal Motown/GOOD Music]
Amazing
Kanye West & Young Jeezy
Track from: 808s & Heartbreak
[Roc-A-Fella]

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
For a Rap/Sung collaborative performance by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.
Ego
Beyoncé & Kanye West
[Music World Music/Columbia]
Knock You Down
Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo
Track from: In A Perfect World...
[MMG/Zone 4/Interscope Records]
Run This Town
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
[Roc Nation]
I'm On A Boat
The Lonely Island & T-Pain
Track from: Incredibad
[Universal Republic Records]
Dead And Gone
T.I. & Justin Timberlake
Track from: Paper Trail
[Grand Hustle/Atlantic]

Best Rap Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see the Song Of The Year award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
Best I Ever Had
Dwayne Carter, Aubrey Drake Graham & Matthew Samuels, songwriters (Nakia S. Coleman & Danny Robert Hamilton, songwriters) (Drake)
[Aspire/Young Money/Cash Money; Publisher: Sony/ATV Tunes.]
Day 'N' Nite
S. Mescudi & O. Omishore, songwriters (Kid Cudi)
[Universal Motown/Good/Fool's Gold; Publishers: Elsie's Baby Boy, Owo Olorun, Universal Music Publishing.]
Dead And Gone
C. Harris, R. Tadross & J. Timberlake, songwriters (T.I. & Justin Timberlake)
Track from: Paper Trail
[Grand Hustle/Atlantic; Publishers: Crown Club Publishing/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing/Tenman Tunes/Universal Z Tunes/Cleopatra's Sons Music/EMI April Music.]
D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)
Shawn Carter & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Gary DeCarlo, Dale Frashuer, Paul Leka, Janko Nilovic & Dave Sucky, songwriters) (Jay-Z)
[Atlantic; Publishers: EMI April Music, Carter Boys Music/Chrysalis Songs/No ID Music, Unichappell Music, APM Music.]
Run This Town
Jeff Bhasker, Shawn Carter, Robyn Fenty, Kanye West & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Athanasios Alatas, songwriter) (Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West)
[Roc Nation; Publishers: EMI April Music, Carter Boys Music/Please Gimme My Publishing/EMI Blackwood/Chrysalis Songs/No ID Music/All The Above Publishing/Sony ATV/Annauhi Music/Athanasios Alatas Publishing.]

Best Rap Album
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.
Universal Mind Control
Common
[Geffen]
Relapse
Eminem
[Aftermath/Interscope]
R.O.O.T.S.
Flo Rida
[Poe Boy/Atlantic]
The Ecstatic
Mos Def
[Downtown Records]
The Renaissance
Q-Tip
[Universal Motown]

Best Female Country Vocal Performance
For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.
Dead Flowers
Miranda Lambert
[Columbia Records]
I Just Call You Mine
Martina McBride
Track from: Shine
[RCA Records]
White Horse
Taylor Swift
Track from: Fearless
[Big Machine Records]
Just A Dream
Carrie Underwood
Track from: Carnival Ride
[Arista Nashville]
Solitary Thinkin'
Lee Ann Womack
Track from: Call Me Crazy
[MCA Nashville]


Best Male Country Vocal Performance
For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.
All I Ask For Anymore
Trace Adkins
Track from: X (Ten)
[Capitol Records Nashville]
People Are Crazy
Billy Currington
Track from: Little Bit Of Everything
[Mercury Records]
High Cost Of Living
Jamey Johnson
Track from: That Lonesome Song
[Mercury Records]
Living For The Night
George Strait
Track from: Twang
[MCA Nashville]
Sweet Thing
Keith Urban
Track from: Defying Gravity
[Capitol Records Nashville]

Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
For established duos or groups with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
Cowgirls Don't Cry
Brooks & Dunn
Track from: Cowboy Town
[Arista Nashville]
Chicken Fried
Zac Brown Band
Track from: The Foundation
[Home Grown/Big Picture/Atlantic]
I Run To You
Lady Antebellum
Track from: Lady Antebellum
[Capitol Records Nashville]
Here Comes Goodbye
Rascal Flatts
Track from: Unstoppable
[Lyric Street Records]
It Happens
Sugarland
Track from: Love On The Inside
[Mercury Records]

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals
For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.
Beautiful World
Dierks Bentley & Patty Griffin
Track from: Feel That Fire
[Capitol Records Nashville]
Down The Road
Kenny Chesney & Mac McAnally
Track from: Lucky Old Sun
[BNA Records Label]
Start A Band
Brad Paisley & Keith Urban
Track from: Play
[Arista Nashville]
I Told You So
Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis
[19/Arista Nashville]
Everything But Quits
Lee Ann Womack & George Strait
Track from: Call Me Crazy
[MCA Nashville]

Best Country Instrumental Performance
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Singles or Tracks only.
Under The (Five) Wire
Alison Brown
Track from: The Company You Keep
[Compass Records]
The Crystal Merchant
The Greencards
Track from: Fascination
[Sugar Hill Records]
Mansinneedof
Sarah Jarosz
Track from: Song Up In Her Head
[Sugar Hill Records]
Producer's Medley
Steve Wariner
Track from: Steve Wariner c.g.p. My Tribute To Chet Atkins
[SelecTone Records]

Best Country Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see the Song Of The Year award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
All I Ask For Anymore
Casey Beathard & Tim James, songwriters (Trace Adkins)
Track from: X (Ten)
[Capitol Records Nashville; Publishers: Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing, T-Bird's Music.]
High Cost Of Living
Jamey Johnson & James Slater, songwriters (Jamey Johnson)
Track from: That Lonesome Song
[Mercury Records; Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music/Big Gassed Hitties, Hope-N-Cal Music/Pick Them Maters Music/Diversion Music.]
I Run To You
Tom Douglas, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, songwriters (Lady Antebellum)
Track from: Lady Antebellum
[Capitol Records Nashville; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing/DWHaywood Music/Radiobulletspublishing/Hillary Dawn Publishing/Shaw Enuff Songs/Sony/ATV Music Publishing/Tomdouglasmusic.]
People Are Crazy
Bobby Braddock & Troy Jones, songwriters (Billy Currington)
Track from: Little Bit Of Everything
[Mercury Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Tiltawhirl Music/Crozier Music Enterprise.]
White Horse
Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
Track from: Fearless
[Big Machine Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Taylor Swift Music/Sony/ATV/Care Taker Music/ole]

Best Country Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
The Foundation
Zac Brown Band
[Home Grown/Big Picture/Atlantic]
Twang
George Strait
[MCA Nashville]
Fearless
Taylor Swift
[Big Machine Records]
Defying Gravity
Keith Urban
[Capitol Records Nashville]
Call Me Crazy
Lee Ann Womack
[MCA Nashville]

Best New Age Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Faith
Jim Brickman
[Compass Productions]
Prayer For Compassion
David Darling
[Wind Over The Earth]
Laserium For The Soul
Henta
[henta.co.uk]
In A Dream
Peter Kater, Dominic Miller, Kenny Loggins & Jaques Morelenbaum
[Point Of Light Records]
Impressions Of The West Lake
Kitaro
[Domo Records]


Best Contemporary Jazz Album
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.
Urbanus
Stefon Harris & Blackout
[Concord Jazz]
Sounding Point
Julian Lage
[Emarcy/Decca]
At World's Edge
Philippe Saisse
[E1 Music]
Big Neighborhood
Mike Stern
[Heads Up International]
75
Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate
[Heads Up International]

Best Jazz Vocal Album
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.
No Regrets
Randy Crawford (& Joe Sample)
[PRA Records]
Dedicated To You: Kurt Elling Sings The Music Of Coltrane And Hartman
Kurt Elling
[Concord Jazz]
So In Love
Roberta Gambarini
[Groovin' High/Emarcy]
Tide
Luciana Souza
[Verve]
Desire
Tierney Sutton (Band)
[Telarc Jazz]

Best Improvised Jazz Solo
For an instrumental jazz solo performance. Two equal performers on one recording may be eligible as one entry. If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter's name is in parenthesis for identification. Singles or Tracks only.
Dancin' 4 Chicken
Terence Blanchard, soloist
Track from: Watts (Jeff "Tain" Watts)
[Dark Key Music]
All Of You
Gerald Clayton, soloist
Track from: Two-Shade
[ArtistShare]
Ms. Garvey, Ms. Garvey
Roy Hargrove, soloist
Track from: Emergence
[Groovin' High/Emarcy]
On Green Dolphin Street
Martial Solal, soloist
Track from: Live At The Village Vanguard
[CamJazz]
Villa Palmeras
Miguel Zenón, soloist
Track from: Esta Plena
[Marsalis Music]

Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual Or Group
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.
Quartet Live
Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow & Antonio Sanchez
[Concord Jazz]
Brother To Brother
Clayton Brothers
[ArtistShare]
Five Peace Band - Live
Chick Corea & John McLaughlin Five Peace Band
[Concord Records]
Remembrance
John Patitucci Trio
[Concord Jazz]
The Bright Mississippi
Allen Toussaint
[Nonesuch]

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
For large jazz ensembles, including big band sounds. Albums must contain 51% or more INSTRUMENTAL tracks.
Legendary
Bob Florence Limited Edition
[MAMA Records]
Eternal Interlude
John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble
[Sunnyside]
Fun Time
Sammy Nestico And The SWR Big Band
[Hänssler Classic]
Book One
New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
[World Village]
Lab 2009
University Of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band
[North Texas Jazz]
Best Latin Jazz Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Things I Wanted To Do
Chembo Corniel
[Chemboro Records]
Áurea
Geoffrey Keezer
[ArtistShare]
Brazilliance X 4
Claudio Roditi
[Resonance Records]
Juntos Para Siempre
Bebo Valdés And Chucho Valdés
[Sony Music/Calle 54]
Esta Plena
Miguel Zenón
[Marsalis Music]


Best Gospel Performance
For solo, duo, group as collaborative performances. Singles or tracks with vocal containing Gospel lyrics. All genres of Gospel music are eligible.
Free To Be Me
Francesca Battistelli
[Fervent Records/ Word Entertainment]
Jesus Is Love
Heather Headley Featuring Smokie Norful
Track from: Audience Of One
[EMI Gospel]
I Believe
Jonny Lang With Fisk Jubilee Singers
Track from: Oh Happy Day
[Vector Recordings/EMI Gospel]
Wait On The Lord
Donnie McClurkin Featuring Karen Clark Sheard
Track from: We All Are One (Live In Detroit)
[Verity]
Born Again
Third Day, Featuring Lacey Moseley
Track from: Revelation
[Essential Records]

Best Gospel Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see the Song Of The Year award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
Born Again
Tai Anderson, David Carr, Mark Lee & Mac Powell, songwriters (Third Day, Featuring Lacey Moseley)
Track from: Revelation
[Essential Records; Publisher: Consuming Fire Music.]
City On Our Knees
Cary Barlowe, Toby McKeehan & Jamie Moore, songwriters (TobyMac)
[Forefront Records; Publishers: Achtober Songs, Emack Music, Jamnu Music, Castle Bound, Bummerman Music.]
Every Prayer
Dayna Caddell, Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey & Ricardo Sanchez, songwriters (Israel Houghton & Mary Mary)
Track from: The Power Of One
[Integrity Music; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing, Aaron Lindsey Publishing, Integrity's Praise! Music, Sound of the New Breed, gnidybab music, Ricardo Music Dot Com.]
God In Me
Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell & Warryn Campbell, songwriters (Mary Mary Featuring Kierra "KiKi" Sheard)
Track from: The Sound
[Columbia Records; Publishers: EMI April Music, Wet Ink Red Music, That's Plum Song, It's Tea Tyme.]
The Motions
Jason Houser, Sam Mizell & Matthew West, songwriters (Matthew West)
Track from: Something To Say
[Sparrow Records; Publishers: Word Music/Songs For Lulu/Simple Tense Songs/Wyzell Music/Songs of Extreme/Cedar Sides.]

Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.
The Big Picture
Da' T.R.U.T.H.
[Cross Movement Records]
Crash
Decyfer Down
[INO Records]
Innocence & Instinct
Red
[Essential Records]
Live Revelations
Third Day
[Essential Records]
The Dash
John Wells-The Tonic
[Cross Movement Records]

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.
Speaking Louder Than Before
Jeremy Camp
[BEC Recordings]
The Power Of One
Israel Houghton
[Integrity Music]
The Long Fall Back To Earth
Jars Of Clay
[Gray Matters/Essential Records]
Love Is On The Move
Leeland
[Essential Records]
Freedom
Mandisa
[Sparrow Records]


Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel Album
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.
Jason Crabb
Jason Crabb
[Spring Hill Music Group]
Dream On
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
[Gaither Music Group]
The Rock
Tracy Lawrence
[Rocky Comfort Records/Artist2Market Distribution]
In God's Time
Barry Scott & Second Wind
[Rebel Records]
Everyday
Triumphant Quartet
[Daywind Records]

Best Traditional Gospel Album
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.
God Don't Never Change
Ashley Cleveland
[E1 Music]
The Law Of Confession, Part I
Donald Lawrence & Co.
[Quiet Water/Verity]
Oh Happy Day
(Various Artists)
Bill Hearn, Ken Levitan, Ken Pennell, Jack Rovner & Cedric Thompson, producers
[EMI Gospel/Vector Recordings]
The Journey Continues
The Williams Brothers
[Blackberry Records]
How I Got Over
Vickie Winans
[Destiny Joy Records]


Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album
For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.
Audience Of One
Heather Headley
[EMI Gospel]
Renewed
Sheri Jones-Moffett
[EMI Gospel]
Just James
J Moss
[GospoCentric/ Verity]
Smokie Norful: Live
Smokie Norful
[EMI Gospel]
Bold Right Life
Kierra Sheard
[EMI Gospel]


Best Latin Pop Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
5to Piso
Ricardo Arjona
[Warner Music Latina]
Te Acuerdas...
Francisco Céspedes
[Warner Music Latina]
Sin Frenos
La Quinta Estación
[Sony Music Latin]
Hu Hu Hu
Natalia Lafourcade
[Sony Music Latin]
Gran City Pop
Paulina Rubio
[Universal Music Latino]


Best Latin Rock, Alternative Or Urban Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Rio
Aterciopelados
[Nacional Records]
Y.
Bebe
[EMI Spain]
Los De Atras Vienen Conmigo
Calle 13
[Sony Music Norte]
La Luz Del Ritmo
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
[Nacional Records]
La Revolucion
Wisin Y Yandel
[Machete Music/Wy Records]


Best Tropical Latin Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Asi Soy
Isaac Delgado
[Machete Music]
Ciclos
Luis Enrique
[Top Stop Music]
Guasábara
José Lugo Orchestra
[Caminalo Discos Inc./Sony Music Norte]
Gracias
Omara Portuondo
[World Village]
Bach In Havana
Tiempo Libre
[Sony Classical]


Best Regional Mexican Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Corazón Ranchero
Shaila Dúrcal
[EMI Mexico]
Necesito De Ti
Vicente Fernández
[Sony Music Norte]
Compañeras
Mariachi Reyna De Los Angeles
[Serenata Records]
10 Aniversario
Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
[Shea Records/East Side Records]
Pegadito Al Corazón
Joan Sebastian
[Balboa Records Co. & Discos Musart]


Best Tejano Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Borders Y Bailes
Los Texmaniacs
[Smithsonian Folkways Recordings]
Divina
Stefani Montiel
[Ro Records/World Records]
All The Way Live
Jay Perez
[Tejas Records]
Point Of View
Joe Posada
[Baby Dude Records]
Radiación Musical
Sunny Sauceda Y Todo Eso
[Tejas Records]


Best Norteño Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Dejame Soñar
Cumbre Norteña
[Sony Music Latin]
El Niño De Oro
El Compa Chuy
[Sony Music Norte]
Pese A Quien Le Pese
Los Rieleros Del Norte
[Fonovisa]
Tu Noche Con...Los Tigres Del Norte
Los Tigres Del Norte
[Fonovisa]
Soy Todo Tuyo
Los Tucanes De Tijuana
[Fonovisa]


Best Banda Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Se Nos Murio El Amor
El Güero Y Su Banda Centenario
[A.R.C. Discos]
Mas Adelante
La Arrolladora Banda El Limón De Rene Camacho
[Disa]
Derecho De Antiguedad
La Original Banda El Limón De Salvador Lizárraga
[Fonovisa]
Tu Esclavo Y Amo
Lupillo Rivera
[Disa]


Best Americana Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Together Through Life
Bob Dylan
[Columbia]
Electric Dirt
Levon Helm
[Dirt Farmer Music/Vanguard Records]
Willie And The Wheel
Willie Nelson & Asleep At The Wheel
[Bismeaux Records]
Wilco (The Album)
Wilco
[Nonesuch]
Little Honey
Lucinda Williams
[Lost Highway Records]

Best Bluegrass Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Could We Get Any Closer?
Jim Lauderdale
[Sky Crunch Records]
The Crow / New Songs For The Five-String Banjo
Steve Martin
[Rounder]
Buckaroo Blue Grass
Michael Martin Murphey
[Rural Rhythm Records]
Almost Live
Bryan Sutton And Friends
[Sugar Hill Records]
Destination Life
Rhonda Vincent
[Rounder]


Best Traditional Blues Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
A Stranger Here
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
[ANTI]
Blue Again
The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band Featuring Rick Vito
[429 Records]
Rough & Tough
John Hammond
[Chesky Records]
Stomp! The Blues Tonight
Duke Robillard
[Stony Plain Records]
Chicago Blues: A Living History
Billy Boy Arnold, Lurrie Bell, Billy Branch & John Primer
Larry Skoller, producer
[Raisin' Music]


Best Contemporary Blues Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
This Time
The Robert Cray Band
[Nozzle Records/Vanguard]
The Truth According To Ruthie Foster
Ruthie Foster
[Blue Corn Music]
Live: Hope At The Hideout
Mavis Staples
[ANTI]
Back To The River
Susan Tedeschi
[Verve Forecast]
Already Free
The Derek Trucks Band
[Victor Records]


Best Traditional Folk Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Cutting Loose
David Holt And Josh Goforth
[High Windy Audio]
Naked With Friends
Maura O'Connell
[Sugar Hill Records]
Polka Cola: Music That Refreshes
Jimmy Sturr And His Orchestra
[Starr Records]
Singing Through The Hard Times: A Tribute To Utah Phillips
(Various Artists)
Jacqui Morse, Kendall Morse & Dan Schatz, producers
[righteous babe records, inc.]
High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project
Loudon Wainwright III
[2nd Story Sound Records]


Best Contemporary Folk Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Middle Cyclone
Neko Case
[ANTI]
Our Bright Future
Tracy Chapman
[Elektra]
Live
Shawn Colvin
[Nonesuch]
Secret, Profane & Sugarcane
Elvis Costello
[Hear Music]
Townes
Steve Earle
[New West Records]


Best Hawaiian Music Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
He Nani
Tia Carrere & Daniel Ho
[Daniel Ho Creations]
Friends & Family Of Hawai`i
Amy Hanaiali`i
[UA Records]
Nani Mau Loa: Everlasting Beauty
Ho`okena
[Ho`omau Inc.]
Masters Of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Volume 2
(Various Artists)
Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku, Jr., Paul Konwiser & Wayne Wong, producers
[Daniel Ho Creations]

Best Native American Music Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Siyotanka
Michael Brant DeMaria
[Ontos Music]
Spirit Wind North
Bill Miller
[Cool Springs Music Group]
True Blue
Northern Cree
[Canyon Records]
Wind Songs - Native American Flute Solos
John Two-Hawks
[Circle Studios]
Riders Of The Healing Road
Johnny Whitehorse
[Silver Wave Records]

Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Alligator Purse
Beausoleil Avec Michael Doucet
[Yep Roc Records]
Lay Your Burden Down
Buckwheat Zydeco
[Alligator]
Stripped Down
The Magnolia Sisters
[Arhoolie Records]
Live At 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Pine Leaf Boys
[MunckMix, Inc.]
L'Ésprit Créole
Cedric Watson et Bijou Créole
[Valcour Records]

Best Reggae Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Rasta Got Soul
Buju Banton
[Gargamel Music, Inc.]
Brand New Me
Gregory Isaacs
[Tad's Record]
Awake
Julian Marley
[Ghetto Youths/Tuff Gong/Universal Republic]
Mind Control - Acoustic
Stephen Marley
[Ghetto Youths/Tuff Gong/Universal Republic]
Imperial Blaze
Sean Paul
[VP/Atlantic]

Best Traditional World Music Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Ancient Sounds
Rahim Alhaj And Amjad Ali Khan
[UR Music]
Double Play
Liz Carroll & John Doyle
[Compass Records]
Douga Mansa
Mamadou Diabate
[World Village]
La Guerra No
John Santos Y El Coro Folklórico Kindembo
[Machete Records]
Drum Music Land
Ten Drum Art Percussion Group
[Wind Music]


Best Contemporary World Music Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
Welcome To Mali
Amadou & Mariam
[Nonesuch]
Throw Down Your Heart: Tales From The Acoustic Planet, Vol. 3 - Africa Sessions
Béla Fleck
[Rounder]
Day By Day
Femi Kuti
[Mercer Street Records]
Seya
Oumou Sangare
[Nonesuch]
Across The Divide: A Tale Of Rhythm & Ancestry
Omar Sosa
[Half Note Records]


Best Musical Album For Children
For albums consisting of predominantly music or song vs. spoken word.
American Heroes #3
Jonathan Sprout
[Sprout Recordings]
Banjo To Beatbox
Cathy & Marcy With Special Guest Christylez Bacon
[Community Music, Inc.]
Family Time
Ziggy Marley
[Tuff Gong Worldwide]
Great Day
Milkshake
[Milkshake Music]
Jumpin' & Jammin'
Greg & Steve
[Greg & Steve Productions]
Pete Seeger Tribute - Ageless Kids' Songs
Buck Howdy
[Prairie Dog Entertainment]


Best Spoken Word Album For Children
For albums consisting of predominantly spoken word vs. music or song.
Aaaaah! Spooky, Scary Stories & Songs
Buck Howdy
[Prairie Dog Entertainment]
Captain Nobody
Dean Pitchford
[Random House Audio/Listening Library]
Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales
(Various Artists including Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johannson, Helen Mirren, Forest Whitaker & others)
Sharon Gelman, Michele McGonigle & Alfre Woodard, producers
[Hachette Audio]
The Phantom Tollbooth
David Hyde Pierce
[Harper Children's Audio]
Scat
Ed Asner
[Random House Audio/Listening Library]
Through The Looking-Glass And What Alice Found There
Harlan Ellison
[Blackstone Audio Inc.]


Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Story Telling)
Always Looking Up
Michael J. Fox
[Hyperion Audio]
Jonathan Winters - A Very Special Time
Jonathan Winters (Music By Verne Langdon & Skip Edwards)
[Dejavu Record Company/The Orchard]
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Richard Dreyfuss & David Strathairn
[BBC Audiobooks America]
The Maltese Falcon (Dashiell Hammett)
Various Artists Including Michael Madsen, Sandra Oh, Edward Herrmann & OthersYuri Rasovsky & Josh Stanton, producers
[Blackstone Audio Inc.]
We Can Have Peace In The Holy Land
Jimmy Carter
[Simon & Schuster Audio]
Wishful Drinking
Carrie Fisher
[Simon & Schuster Audio]


Best Comedy Album
For comedy recordings, spoken or musical
Back From The Dead
Spinal Tap
[The Label Industry/Artist2Market Distribution]
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All!
Stephen Colbert
[Comedy Central Records]
Internet Leaks
"Weird Al" Yankovic
[Volcano]
My Weakness Is Strong
Patton Oswalt
[Degenerate/Warner Bros.]
Suckin’ It For The Holidays
Kathy Griffin
[Music With A Twist]
Tall, Dark & Chicano
George Lopez
[Comedy Central Records]


Best Musical Show Album
Award to the Album Producer(s), and to the Lyricist(s) & Composer(s) of 51% or more of a new score. (Artist, Lyricist & Composer names appear in parentheses.)
Ain't Misbehavin'
Robert Sher, producer (Various, composer; Various, lyricist) (30th Anniversary Cast Recording With Ruben Studdard, Frenchie Davis & Others)
[Rhino]
Hair
Noah Cornman, Kurt Deutsch, Joel Moss & Steve Norman, producers (Galt MacDermot, composer; James Rado & Gerome Ragni, lyricists) (New Broadway Cast With Sasha Allen, Gavin Creel & Others)
[Razor & Tie Entertainment/Ghostlight Records]
9 To 5 The Musical
Alex Lacamoire, Stephen Oremus & Dolly Parton, producers; Dolly Parton, composer; Dolly Parton, lyricist (Original Broadway Cast With Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty & Others)
[Dolly Records/Artist2Market Distribution]
Shrek The Musical
Original Broadway Cast With Brian d'Arcy James, Sutton Foster & Others
Peter Hylenski & Jeanine Tesori, producers; Jeanine Tesori, composer; David Lindsay-Abaire, lyricist (Original Broadway Cast With Brian d'Arcy James, Sutton Foster & Others)
[Decca Broadway]
West Side Story
David Caddick & David Lai, producers (Leonard Bernstein, composer; Stephen Sondheim, lyricist) (New Broadway Cast with Matt Cavenaugh, Josefina Scaglione & Others)
[Masterworks Broadway]


Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
Award to the Artist(s) and/or Producer(s) of a majority of the tracks on the album, or to the individual(s) actively responsible for the concept and musical direction and for the selection of artists, songs and producers, as applicable.
Cadillac Records
(Various Artists)
Steve Jordan, producer
[Music World Music/Columbia]
Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds
(Various Artists)
Quentin Tarantino, producer
[A Band Apart/Warner Bros.]
Slumdog Millionaire
(Various Artists)
A.R. Rahman, producer
[N.E.E.T./Interscope Records]
True Blood
(Various Artists)
Alan Ball, Gary Calamar & Kevin Weaver, producers
[Elektra]
Twilight
(Various Artists)
Paul Katz & Alexandra Patsavas, producers
[Summit Ent./Chop Shop/Atlantic]
Best Score Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
Award to Composer(s) for an original score created specifically for, or as a companion to, a current legitimate motion picture, television show or series or other visual media.
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (Disc 1)
Alexandre Desplat, composer
[Concord Records]
Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
Nicholas Hooper, composer
[New Line Records]
Milk
Danny Elfman, composer
[Decca]
Star Trek
Michael Giacchino, composer
[Varèse Sarabande]
Up
Michael Giacchino, composer
[Walt Disney Records]


Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
A Songwriter(s) award. For a song (melody & lyrics) written specifically for a motion picture, television or other visual media, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
All Is Love (From Where The Wild Things Are)
Karen O & Nick Zinner, songwriters (Karen O & The Kids)
[DGC Records/Interscope; Publishers: Warner Barham Music/Chrysalis Songs]
Decode (From Twilight)
Josh Farro, Hayley Williams & Taylor York, songwriters (Paramore)
Track from: Twilight
[Summit Ent./Chop Shop/Atlantic; Publishers: WB Music Corp/But Father, I Just Want To Sing Music/Josh's Music/FBR Music, Meaux Hits/Hunterboro Music, Rimutaka Music.]
Jai Ho (From Slumdog Millionaire)
Gulzar, A.R. Rahman & Tanvi Shah, songwriters (A.R. Rahman, Sukhvinder Singh, Tanvi Shah, Mahalaxmi Iyer & Vijay Prakash)
Track from: Slumdog Millionaire - Music From The Motion Picture
[N.E.E.T./Interscope Records; Publisher: KM Musiq.]
Once In A Lifetime (From Cadillac Records)
Ian Dench, James Dring, Amanda Ghost, Beyoncé Knowles, Scott McFarnon & Jody Street, songwriters (Beyoncé)
Track from: Cadillac Records
[Music World Music/Columbia; Publishers: B-Day Publishing/EMI April Music, Amanda Ghost Bucks Music Group Ltd./EMI Blackwood, Red Ink Music Ltd., Ian Dench Music/Songs of Kobalt Music, Chrysalis Music.]
The Wrestler (From The Wrestler)
Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen)
Track from: Working On A Dream
[Columbia; Publisher: Bruce Springsteen.]


Best Instrumental Composition
A Composer's Award for an original composition (not an adaptation) first released during the Eligibility Year. Singles or Tracks only.
Borat In Syracuse
Paquito D'Rivera, composer (Paquito D'Rivera Quintet)
Track from: Jazz-Clazz
[Timba Records]
Counting To Infinity
Tim Davies, composer (Tim Davies Big Band)
Track from: Dialmentia
[Origin Records]
Fluffy
Bob Florence, composer (Bob Florence Limited Edition)
Track from: Legendary
[MAMA Records]
Ice-Nine
Steve Wiest, composer (University Of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band)
Track from: Lab 2009
[North Texas Jazz]
Married Life (From Up)
Michael Giacchino, composer (Michael Giacchino)
Track from: Up - Soundtrack
[Walt Disney Records]


Best Instrumental Arrangement
An Arranger's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
Emmanuel
Jeremy Lubbock, arranger (Chris Botti & Lucia Micarelli)
Track from: In Boston
[Columbia]
Hope
Vince Mendoza, arranger (Jim Beard With Vince Mendoza & The Metropole Orchestra)
Track from: Revolutions
[Sunny Side Records]
Slings And Arrows
Vince Mendoza, arranger (Chuck Owen & The Jazz Surge)
Track from: The Comet's Tail: Performing The Compositions Of Michael Brecker
[MAMA Records]
Up With End Credits (From Up)
Michael Giacchino & Tim Simonec, arrangers (Michael Giacchino)
Track from: Up - Soundtrack
[Walt Disney Records]
West Side Story Medley
Bill Cunliffe, arranger (Resonance Big Band)
Track from: Resonance Big Band Plays Tribute To Oscar Peterson
[Resonance Records]


Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)
An Arranger's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
A Change Is Gonna Come
David Foster & Jerry Hey, arrangers (Seal)
Track from: Soul
[143/Warner Bros.]
Dedicated To You
Laurence Hobgood, arranger (Kurt Elling)
Track from: Dedicated To You: Kurt Elling Sings The Music Of Coltrane And Hartman
[Concord Jazz]
In The Still Of The Night
Thomas Zink, arranger (Anne Walsh)
Track from: Pretty World
[AtoZink Music]
My One And Only Thrill
Vince Mendoza, arranger (Melody Gardot)
Track from: My One And Only Thrill
[Verve]
Quiet Nights
Claus Ogerman, arranger (Diana Krall)
Track from: Quiet Nights
[Verve]


Best Recording Package
Back From The Dead
Brian Porizek, art director (Spinal Tap)
[The Label Industry/Artist2Market Distribution]
Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Stefan Sagmeister, art director (David Byrne & Brian Eno)
[Todomundo/Opal]
Middle Cyclone
Neko Case & Kathleen Judge, art directors (Neko Case)
[ANTI]
Splitting Adam
Jeff Harrison, art director (Splitting Adam)
[Independent]
Tathagata
Szu Wei Cheng & Hui Chen Huang, art directors (Various Artists)
[Wind Music]


Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package
A Cabinet Of Curiosities
Mathieu Bitton & Scott Webber, art directors (Jane's Addiction)
[Warner Bros./Rhino]
The Clifford Ball
Masaki Koike, art director (Phish)
[Rhino]
Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Stefan Sagmeister, art director (David Byrne & Brian Eno)
[Todomundo/Opal]
Lost In The Sound Of Separation (Deluxe Edition)
Jordan Butcher, art director (Underoath)
[Tooth & Nail Records]
Neil Young Archives Vol. I (1963-1972)
Gary Burden, Jenice Heo & Neil Young, art directors (Neil Young)
[Reprise]

Best Album Notes
The Complete Louis Armstrong Decca Sessions (1935-1946)
Dan Morgenstern, album notes writer (Louis Armstrong)
[Mosaic Records]
Dance-O-Mania: Harry Yerkes And The Dawn Of The Jazz Age, 1919-1923
Mark Berresford, album notes writer (The Happy Six)
[Rivermont Records]
Gonzo: The Life And Work Of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson - Music From The Film
Douglas Brinkley & Johnny Depp, album notes writers (Various Artists)
[Legacy Recordings]
My Dusty Road
Ed Cray & Bill Nowlin, album notes writers (Woody Guthrie)
[Rounder]
Origins Of The Red Hot Mama, 1910-1922
Lloyd Ecker & Susan Ecker, album notes writers (Sophie Tucker)
[Archeophone Records]


Best Historical Album
The Complete Chess Masters (1950-1967)
Andy McKaie, compilation producer; Erick Labson, mastering engineer (Little Walter)
[Hip-O Select/Geffen Records]
My Dusty Road
Scott Billington, Michael Creamer & Bill Nowlin, compilation producers; Doug Pomeroy, mastering engineer (Woody Guthrie)
[Rounder]
Origins Of The Red Hot Mama, 1910-1922
Meagan Hennessey & Richard Martin, compilation producers; Richard Martin, mastering engineer (Sophie Tucker)
[Archeophone Records]
Take Me To The Water: Immersion Baptism In Vintage Music And Photography 1890-1950
Steven Lance Ledbetter & Jim Linderman, compilation producers; Robert Vosgien, mastering engineer (Various Artists)
[Dust-To-Digital]
Woodstock - 40 Years On: Back To Yasgur's Farm
Cheryl Pawelski, Mason Williams & Andy Zax, compilation producers; Dave Schultz, mastering engineer (Various Artists)
[Rhino]


Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
An Engineer's Award. (Artists names appear in parentheses.)
Ellipse
Imogen Heap, engineer (Imogen Heap)
[RCA/Megaphonic Records]
Gossip In The Grain
Ethan Johns & Dominic Monks, engineers (Ray LaMontagne)
[RCA Records]
My One And Only Thrill
Helik Hadar & Al Schmitt, engineers (Melody Gardot)
[Verve]
Safe Trip Home
Jon Brion, Grippa, Greg Koller & Jim Scott, engineers (Dido)
[Arista]
Swan Feathers
Richard Alderson, Chris Allen, Roman Klun, Lawrence Manchester, Rob Mounsey, Jay Newland, Gene Paul, Jamie Polaski & Gordie Sampson, engineers (Leslie Mendelson)
[Rykodisc]


Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical
A Producer's Award. (Artists names appear in parentheses.)
T Bone Burnett
• Moonalice (Moonalice) (A)
• Secret, Profane & Sugarcane (Elvis Costello) (A)
Ethan Johns
• Gossip In The Grain (Ray LaMontagne) (A)
Larry Klein
• Acadian Driftwood (Zachary Richard) (T)
• Bare Bones (Madeleine Peyroux) (A)
• My One And Only Thrill (Melody Gardot) (A)
• Our Bright Future (Tracy Chapman) (A)
• Tide (Luciana Souza) (A)
Greg Kurstin
• It's Not Me, It's You (Lily Allen) (A)
• Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future (The Bird And The Bee) (A)
Brendan O'Brien
• Black Ice (AC/DC) (A)
• Crack The Skye (Mastodon) (A)
• The Fixer (Pearl Jam) (S)
• Killswitch Engage (Killswitch Engage) (A)
• Working On A Dream (Bruce Springsteen) (A)


Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
A Remixer's Award. (Artists names appear in parentheses for identification.) Singles or Tracks only.
Don't Believe In Love (Dennis Ferrer Objektivity Mix)
Dennis Ferrer, remixer (Dido)
[Arista]
The Girl And The Robot (Jean Elan Remix)
Jean Elan, remixer (Röyksopp)
[Astralwerks]
I Want You (Dave Audé Remix)
Dave Audé, remixer (Dean Coleman Featuring DCLA)
Track from: I Want You
[Yoshitoshi Recordings]
No You Girls (Trentemøller Remix)
Anders Trentemøller, remixer (Franz Ferdinand)
Track from: Blood: Franz Ferdinand
[Domino]
When Love Takes Over (Electro Extended Remix)
David Guetta, remixer (David Guetta Featuring Kelly Rowland)
[Astralwerks]


Best Surround Sound Album
For vocal or instrumental albums. Albums only.
Colabs
David Miles Huber, surround mix engineer; David Miles Huber, surround mastering engineer; David Miles Huber, surround producer (David Miles Huber, Allen Hart, DJ Muad'Deep, Seren Wen, Musetta, Henta, Marcell Marias & Gail Pettis)
[51bpm]
Flute Mystery
Morten Lindberg & Hans Peter L'Orange, surround mix engineers; Morten Lindberg, surround mastering engineer; Morten Lindberg, surround producer (Emily Beynon, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Fred Johnny Berg, Catherine Beynon & Philharmonia Orchestra)
[2L/Lindberg Lyd]
Kleiberg: Treble & Bass
Morten Lindberg & Hans Peter L'Orange, surround mix engineers; Morten Lindberg, surround mastering engineer; Morten Lindberg, surround producer (Daniel Reuss, Trondheim Symfoniorkester, Marianne Thorsen & Göran Sjölin)
[2L/Lindberg Lyd]
1970 - 1975
Nick Davis, surround mix engineer; Tony Cousins, surround mastering engineer; Nick Davis, surround producer (Genesis)
[Atlantic/Rhino]
Transmigration
Michael Bishop, surround mix engineer; Michael Bishop, surround mastering engineer; Elaine Martone, surround producer (Robert Spano, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Choruses)
[Telarc]


Best Engineered Album, Classical
An Engineer's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.)
Britten: Billy Budd
Neil Hutchinson & Jonathan Stokes, engineers (Daniel Harding, Nathan Gunn, Ian Bostridge, Gidon Saks, Neal Davies, Jonathan Lemalu, Matthew Rose, London Symphony Chorus & London Symphony Orchestra)
[Virgin Classics]
Mahler: Symphony No. 8; Adagio From Symphony No. 10
Peter Laenger, engineer (Michael Tilson Thomas & San Francisco Symphony)
[SFS Media]
QSF Plays Brubeck
Judy Kirschner, engineer (Quartet San Francisco)
[Violinjazz Recordings]
Ravel: Daphnis Et Chloé
Jesse Lewis & John Newton, engineers (James Levine, Tanglewood Festival Chorus & Boston Symphony Orchestra)
[BSO Classics]
Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 15
John Newton & Dirk Sobotka, engineers (Valery Gergiev & Orchestra Of The Mariinsky Theatre)
[Mariinsky]


Producer Of The Year, Classical
A Producer's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.)
Blanton Alspaugh
• Carlson, David: Anna Karenina (Stewart Robertson, Christine Abraham, Sarah Colburn, Robert Gierlach, Christian Van Horn, Kelly Kaduce, Opera Theatre Of Saint Louis & Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra)
• Menotti: Amahl And The Night Visitors; My Christmas (Alastair Willis, Ike Hawkersmith, Kirsten Gunlogson, Dean Anthony, Todd Thomas, Kevin Short, Bart LeFan, Chicago Symphony Chorus, Nashville Symphony Chorus & Nashville Symphony Orchestra)
• Ravel: L'Enfant Et Les Sortilèges (Alastair Willis, Julie Boulianne, Chicago Symphony Chorus, Chattanooga Boys Choir, Nashville Symphony Chorus & Nashville Symphony Orchestra)
• Schubert: Death And The Maiden (JoAnn Falletta &; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra)
• Sierra, Roberto: Missa Latina 'Pro Pace' (Andreas Delfs, Nathaniel Webster, Heidi Grant Murphy, Milwaukee Symphony Chorus & Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra)
Steven Epstein
• Adams: Doctor Atomic Symphony (David Robertson & Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra)
• Bernstein: Mass (Marin Alsop, Jubilant Sykes, Asher Edward Wulfman, Morgan State University Choir, Peabody Children's Chorus & Baltimore Symphony Orchestra)
• Corigliano: A Dylan Thomas Trilogy (Leonard Slatkin, George Mabry, Sir Thomas Allen, Nashville Symphony Chorus & Nashville Symphony Orchestra)
• Fauré: Piano Quintets (Fine Arts Quartet & Cristina Oritz)
• Yo-Yo Ma & Friends: Songs Of Joy And Peace (Yo-Yo Ma & Various Artists)
John Fraser
• Britten: Billy Budd (Daniel Harding, Nathan Gunn, Ian Bostridge, Gidon Saks, Neal Davies, Jonathan Lemalu, Matthew Rose, London Symphony Chorus & London Symphony Orchestra)
• Midsummer Night (Kate Royal, Edward Gardner, Crouch End Festival Chorus & Orchestra Of English National Opera)
• Schubert: Schwanengesang (Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano)
• Shadows Of Silence (Leif Ove Andsnes, Franz Welzer-Möst & Sinfonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks)
David Frost
• An American Journey (Eroica Trio)
• Journey To The New World (Sharon Isbin, Mark O'Connor & Joan Baez)
• Korngold: Violin Concerto; Schauspiel Overture; Much Ado About Nothing (Philippe Quint, Carlos Miguel Prieto & Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria)
• Mozart: Piano Concertos 21 & 22 (Jonathan Biss & Orpheus Chamber Orchestra)
• O'Connor, Mark: String Quartets Nos. 2 & 3 (Ida Kavafian, Mark O'Connor, Paul Neubauer & Matt Haimovitz)
James Mallinson
• MacMillan, James: St. John Passion (Sir Colin Davis, Christopher Maltman, London Symphony Chorus & London Symphony Orchestra)
• Mahler: Symphony No. 8 (Valery Gergiev, Choir Of Eltham College, Choral Arts Society Of Washington, London Symphony Chorus & London Symphony Orchestra)
• Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 15 (Valery Gergiev & Orchestra Of The Mariinsky Theatre)
• Shostakovich: The Nose (Valery Gergiev, Andrei Popov, Sergei Semishkur, Vladislav Sulimsky, Chorus Of The Mariinsky Theatre & Orchestra Of The Mariinsky Theatre)


Best Classical Album
Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s) if other than the Artist.
Bernstein: Mass
Marin Alsop, conductor; Jubilant Sykes; Steven Epstein, producer; Richard King, engineer/mixer (Asher Edward Wulfman; Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Morgan State University Choir & Peabody Children's Chorus)
[Naxos]
Mahler: Symphony No. 8; Adagio From Symphony No. 10
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; Ragnar Bohlin, Kevin Fox & Susan McMane, choir directors; Andreas Neubronner, producer;
Peter Laenger, engineer/mixer; Andreas Neubronner, mastering engineer (Laura Claycomb, Anthony Dean Griffey, Katarina Karnéus, Quinn Kelsey, James Morris, Yvonne Naef, Elza van den Heever & Erin Wall; San Francisco Symphony; Pacific Boychoir, San Francisco Girls Chorus & San Francisco Symphony Chorus)
[SFS Media]
Ravel: Daphnis Et Chloé
James Levine, conductor; Elizabeth Ostrow, producer; Jesse Lewis & John Newton, engineers/mixers; Mark Donahue, mastering engineer (Boston Symphony Orchestra; Tanglewood Festival Chorus)
[BSO Classics]
Ravel: L'Enfant Et Les Sortilèges
Alastair Willis, conductor; Julie Boulianne; Blanton Alspaugh, producer; Mark Donahue & John Hill, engineers/mixers (Nashville Symphony Orchestra; Chattanooga Boys Choir, Chicago Symphony Chorus & Nashville Symphony Chorus)
[Naxos]
Shostakovich: The Nose
Valery Gergiev, conductor; Andrei Popov, Sergei Semishkur & Vladislav Sulimsky; James Mallinson, producer; John Newton & Dirk Sobotka, engineers/mixers; Mark Donahue, mastering engineer (Orchestra Of The Mariinsky Theatre; Chorus Of The Mariinsky Theatre)
[Mariinsky]


Best Orchestral Performance
Award to the Conductor and to the Orchestra.
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
Simon Rattle, conductor (Susan Graham; Berliner Philharmoniker)
[EMI Classics]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 5
Benjamin Zander, conductor (Philharmonia Orchestra)
[Telarc]
Ravel: Daphnis Et Chloé
James Levine, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra; Tanglewood Festival Chorus)
[BSO Classics]
Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 15
Valery Gergiev, conductor (Orchestra Of The Mariinsky Theatre)
[Mariinsky]
Szymanowski: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4
Antoni Wit, conductor (Jan Krzysztof Broja, Ewa Marczyk & Marek Marczyk; Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra)
[Naxos]


Best Opera Recording
Award to the Conductor, Album Producer(s) and Principal Soloists.
Britten: Billy Budd
Daniel Harding, conductor; Ian Bostridge, Neal Davies, Nathan Gunn, Jonathan Lemalu, Matthew Rose & Gidon Saks; John Fraser, producer (London Symphony Orchestra; Gentlemen Of The London Symphony Chorus)
[Virgin Classics]
Messiaen: Saint François D'Assise
Ingo Metzmacher, conductor; Armand Arapian, Hubert Delamboye, Rod Gilfry, Henk Neven, Tom Randle & Camilla Tilling; Ferenc van Damme, producer (The Hague Philharmonic; Chorus Of De Nederlandse Opera)
[Opus Arte]
Musto, John: Volpone
Sara Jobin, conductor; Anne-Carolyn Bird, Lisa Hopkins, Joshua Jeremiah, Museop Kim, Jeremy Little, Rodell Rosel, Steven Sanders & Faith Sherman; Blanton Alspaugh, producer (Wolf Trap Opera Company)
[Wolf Trap Recordings]
Shostakovich: The Nose
Valery Gergiev, conductor; Andrei Popov, Sergei Semishkur & Vladislav Sulimsky; James Mallinson, producer (Orchestra Of The Mariinsky Theatre; Chorus Of The Mariinsky Theatre)
[Mariinsky]
Tan Dun: Marco Polo
Tan Dun, conductor; Stephen Bryant, Sarah Castle, Zhang Jun, Nancy Allen Lundy, Stephen Richardson & Charles Workman; Ferenc van Damme, producer (Netherlands Chamber Orchestra; Cappella Amsterdam)
[Opus Arte]


Best Choral Performance
Award to the Choral Conductor, and to the Orchestra Conductor if an Orchestra is on the recording, and to the Choral Director or Chorus Master if applicable.
Handel: Coronation Anthems
Harry Christophers, conductor (Alastair Ross; The Sixteen Orchestra; The Sixteen)
[CORO]
Mahler: Symphony No. 8; Adagio From Symphony No. 10
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; Ragnar Bohlin, Kevin Fox & Susan McMane, choir directors
(Laura Claycomb, Anthony Dean Griffey, Elza van den Heever, Katarina Karnéus, Quinn Kelsey, James Morris, Yvonne Naef & Erin Wall; San Francisco Symphony; Pacific Boychoir, San Francisco Symphony Chorus & San Francisco Girls Chorus)
[SFS Media]
Penderecki: Utrenja
Antoni Wit, conductor
(Gennady Bezzubenkov, Iwona Hossa, Piotr Kusiewicz, Piotr Nowacki & Agnieszka Rehlis; Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra; Warsaw Boys' Choir & Warsaw Philharmonic Choir)
[Naxos]
Song Of The Stars: Granados, Casals & Blancafort
Dennis Keene, conductor (Erica Kiesewetter; Mark Kruczek & Douglas Riva; Voices Of Ascension)
[Naxos]
A Spotless Rose
Paul McCreesh, conductor (The Gabrieli Consort)
[Deutsche Grammophon]


Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (With Orchestra)
Award to the Instrumental Soloist(s) and to the Conductor.
Bartók: 3 Concertos
Pierre Boulez, conductor (Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Yuri Bashmet, Gidon Kremer, Neil Percy, Tamara Stefanovich & Nigel Thomas; Berliner Philharmoniker & London Symphony Orchestra)
[Deutsche Grammophon]
Bermel, Derek: Voices For Solo Clarinet And Orchestra
Gil Rose, conductor; Derek Bermel (Boston Modern Orchestra Project)
Track from: Bermel, Derek: Voices
[BMOP/Sound]
Korngold: Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35
Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor; Philippe Quint (Orquesta Sinfónica de Mineria)
Track from: Korngold Violin Concerto; Schauspiel Overture; Much Ado About Nothing
[Naxos]
Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3
Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor; Evgeny Kissin (Philharmonia Orchestra)
[EMI Classics]
Salonen, Esa-Pekka: Piano Concerto
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor; Yefim Bronfman (Los Angeles Philharmonic)
Track from: Salonen
[Deutsche Grammophon]


Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (Without Orchestra)
Award to the Instrumental Soloist.
Caroline Goulding
Caroline Goulding (Christopher O'Riley & Janine Randall)
[Telarc]
Chopin
Maria João Pires
[Deutsche Grammophon]
Journey To The New World
Sharon Isbin (Joan Baez & Mark O'Connor)
[Sony Classical]
Oppens Plays Carter
Ursula Oppens
[Cedille Records]
Sonatas & Etudes
Yuja Wang
[Deutsche Grammophon]


Best Chamber Music Performance
Award to the Artists.
Ginastera: String Quartets (Complete)
Enso Quartet (Lucy Shelton)
[Naxos]
The Hungarian Album
Guarneri Quartet
[RCA Red Seal]
Intimate Letters
Emerson String Quartet
[Deutsche Grammophon]
Schumann/Bartók: The Berlin Recital
Martha Argerich & Gidon Kremer
[EMI Classics]
Takemitsu, Toru: And Then I Knew 'Twas Wind
Yolanda Kondonassis, Cynthia Phelps & Joshua Smith
Track from: Debussy & Takemitsu: Air: Music For Harp, Flute & Strings
[TELARC]

Best Small Ensemble Performance
Award to the Ensemble (and to the Conductor.)
Bach: Orchestral Suites For A Young Prince
Monica Huggett, conductor; Gonzalo X. Ruiz; Ensemble Sonnerie
[Avie Records]
Josquin: Missa Malheur Me Bat
Peter Phillips, conductor; Tallis Scholars
[Gimell]
Lang, David: The Little Match Girl Passion
Paul Hillier, conductor; Ars Nova Copenhagen & Theatre Of Voices
[Harmonia Mundi]
Song Of Songs
Stile Antico (Alison Hill & Benedict Hymas)
[harmonia mundi]
Vivaldi: Concertos
Daniel Hope & Anne Sofie von Otter; Chamber Orchestra Of Europe (Kristian Bezuidenhout)
[Deutsche Grammophon]


Best Classical Vocal Performance
Award to the Vocal Soloist(s).
Bach
Anne Sofie von Otter (Lars Ulrik Mortensen; Anders J. Dahlin, Jakob Bloch Jespersen, Tomas Medici & Karin Roman; Concerto Copenhagen)
[Deutsche Grammophon]
Bel Canto Spectacular
Juan Diego Flórez (Daniel Oren; Daniella Barcellona, Patrizia Ciofi, Plácido Domingo, Mariusz Kwiecien, Anna Netrebko & Fernando Piqueras; Orquestra De La Comunitat Valenciana; Cor De La Generalitat Valenciana)
[Decca]
Recital At Ravinia
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (Drew Minter; Peter Serkin)
[Harmonia Mundi]
Un Frisson Français
Susan Graham (Malcom Martineau)
[Onyx Classics]
Verismo Arias
Renée Fleming (Marco Armiliato; Jonas Kaufmann; Orchestra Sinfonica Di Milano Giuseppi Verdi; Coro Sinfonica Di Milano Giuseppi Verdi)
[Decca]

Best Classical Contemporary Composition
A Composer's Award. (For a contemporary classical composition composed within the last 25 years, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year.) Award to the librettist, if applicable.
Crumb, George: The Winds Of Destiny
George Crumb (James Freeman)
Track from: Crumb: American Songbooks 2 & 4
[Bridge Records]
Higdon, Jennifer: Percussion Concerto
Jennifer Higdon (Marin Alsop)
Track from: Alsop Conducts MacMillan, Ad
[London Philharmonic Orchestra]
Pärt, Arvo: In Principio
Arvo Pärt (Tõnu Kaljuste)
Track from: P
[ECM New Series]
Sierra, Roberto: Missa Latina 'Pro Pace'
Roberto Sierra (Andreas Delfs)
[Naxos]
Wyner, Yehudi: Piano Concerto "Chiavi In Mano"
Yehudi Wyner (Robert Spano)
Track from: Wyner, Yehudi: Orchestral Works
[Bridge Records]



Best Classical Crossover Album
Award to the Artist(s) and/or to the Conductor.
A Company Of Voices: Conspirare In Concert
Craig Hella Johnson, conductor; Conspirare (Tom Burritt, Ian Davidson & Bion Tsang)
[Harmonia Mundi]
Jazz-Clazz
Paquito D'Rivera Quintet (Trio Clarone)
[TIMBA Records]
The Melody Of Rhythm
Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain & Edgar Meyer (Detroit Symphony Orchestra)
[E1 Music]
QSF Plays Brubeck
Quartet San Francisco
[Violinjazz Recordings]
Twelve Songs By Charles Ives
Theo Bleckmann; Kneebody
[Winter & Winter]
Yo-Yo Ma & Friends: Songs Of Joy And Peace
Yo-Yo Ma
(Odair Assad, Sergio Assad, Chris Botti, Dave Brubeck, Matt Brubeck, John Clayton, Paquito d'Rivera, Renée Fleming, Diana Krall, Alison Krauss, Natalie McMaster, Edgar Meyer, Cristina Pato, Joshua Redman, Jake Shimabukuro, Silk Road Ensemble, James Taylor, Chris Thile, Wu Tong, Alon Yavnai & Amelia Zirin-Brown)
[Sony Classical]


Best Short Form Music Video
For an individual track or single promotional clip. Award to the Artist and to the Video Director/Producer.
Mr. Hurricane
Beast
Ben Steiger Levine, video director; Sach Baylin-Stern, video producer
[Verve Forecast]
Boom Boom Pow
The Black Eyed Peas
Mathew Cullen & Mark Kudsi, video directors; Javier Jimenez, Anna Joseph & Patrick Nugent, video producers
[Interscope Records]
Life In Technicolor II
Coldplay
Dougal Wilson, video director; Matthew Fone, video producer
[Capitol]
Wrong
Depeche Mode
Patrick Daughters, video director; Jonathan Lia, video producer
[Capitol]
Her Morning Elegance
Oren Lavie
Oren Lavie, Merav and Yuval Nathan, video directors; Michal Dayan, Chris Douridas & Oren Lavie, video producers
[A Quarter Past Wonderful/Adrenaline]

Best Long Form Music Video
For video album packages consisting of more than one song or track. Award to the Artist and to the Video Director/Producer of at least 51% of the total playing time.
In Boston
Chris Botti
Jim Gable, video director; Bobby Colomby, video producer
[Columbia]
Johnny Cash's America
(Johnny Cash)
Robert Gordon & Morgan Neville, video directors; Robert Gordon & Morgan Neville, video producers
[Columbia/Legacy]
Anita O'Day - The Life Of A Jazz Singer
(Anita O'Day)
Robbie Cavolina & Ian McCrudden, video directors; Robbie Cavolina, Melissa Davis & Ian McCrudden, video producers
[AOD Productions]
Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy World Tour Live
Keith Urban
Chris Hicky, video director; Blake Morrison, video producer
[Capitol Nashville]
The Beatles Love - All Together Now
(Various Artists)
Adrian Wills, video director; Martin Bolduc & Jonathan Clyde, video producers
[Apple/Capitol]

_____________________________________________________

01 Feb 2010
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyonce made history at the Grammys on Sunday as she collected six trophies, including song of the year for her anthem "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," making her the most decorated woman in one night in the 52-year history of the awards show.

The multihyphenate entertainer won her sixth trophy with best female pop vocal for her soaring ballad "Halo." Perhaps she was not aware of her record-setting feat; her acceptance speech was decidedly low key.

"Thank you so much. This has been such an amazing night for me and I'd love to thank the Grammys," Beyonce said in her brief remarks. "I'd like to thank all of the fans for their support over the years."

The Kings of Leon, whose "Use Somebody" trumped her "Halo" to win record of the year, were a bit more entertaining when they picked up their trophy, the family quartet's third of the night.

"I'm not going to lie, we're all a little drunk. But we're happy drunks," said lead singer Caleb Followill.

Beyonce, who in 2004 won five Grammys on the strength of her debut album "Dangerously in Love," a mark tied by the likes of Alicia Keys, Norah Jones and Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse and Alison Krauss, reached that milestone again Sunday en route to the new record. She is the first to reach that mark twice.

She won the songwriting trophy along with three writers for her omnipresent anthem "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)." The superstar also won best R&B contemporary album for "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" among her other awards, and still had the opportunity to win the evening's remaining top award — album of the year.

Lady Gaga, who won two Grammys during the pre-telecast ceremony, kicked off the night with a sequined green leotard with massive shoulders as she sang her Grammy-nominated hit "Poker Face" amid an elaborate stage that included dramatic choreography and pyrotechnics.

Moments later, she scaled things down a bit — as much as Lady Gaga can — and brought out Elton John as they melded her song "Speechless" and his classic "Your Song" together in a performance that featured dueling pianos, and glitter-painted faces.

Taylor Swift, who was second to Beyonce in Grammy nominations with eight nods, won three early awards, including best country album. Though the 20-year-old has won just about every award imaginable over the past year for her best-selling CD "Fearless," she was wide-eyed when she accepted her trophy for country album.

"I just keep thinking back to when you're in second grade and you sing in the talent show for the first time and people joke around and say, 'Maybe we'll see you at the Grammys some day.' But that just seems like an impossible dream," she said. "I just feel like I'm standing here accepting an impossible dream."

Later, she also collaborated with a rock legend: Stevie Nicks joined her on stage as they both sang Nicks' "Rhiannon" and Swift's "You Belong With Me."

The Grammy for best new artist went to the Zac Brown Band, while best rock album went to Green Day for "21st Century Breakdown."

The Black Eyed Peas also had three trophies, as well as Jay-Z, who won for best rap solo performance and two awards for "Run This Town" with Rihanna and Kanye West.

Rihanna — who was forced to bow out of last year's awards as a performer after being assualted by then-boyfriend Chris Brown, accepted the trophy along with Jay-Z with Beyonce's young nephew in tow. West — who has been keeping a relatively low profile since his dustup with Swift a few months back — was a notable no show.

Maxwell, up for six awards, also won his first Grammys — best R&B male vocal for the ballad "Pretty Wings" and best R&B album for "BLACKsummers' night." The album marked the R&B crooner's return after an absence of eight years from the music business.

While Beyonce has won a caseload of Grammys during her career, she hasn't won album of the year, but that had the potential to change Sunday. The superstar was nominated for album of the year for "I Am ... Sasha Fierce," along Swift's "Fearless," the most popular album of any genre last year.

Rounding out the album of the year category were the Black Eyed Peas' "The E.N.D.," Lady Gaga's "The Fame" and the Dave Matthews Band's "Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King." The latter album was the band's first release since the death of founding member and saxophonist LeRoi Moore.

Many participants in the program wore red cross buttons in support of Haiti earthquake relief. Mary J. Blige joined Andrea Bocelli in a rousing rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water," which was not only designed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the song's big Grammy wins, but to raise money for the people in Haiti. The performance, introduced by Haitian native Wyclef Jean, will be available via iTunes.com/target, with the funds going to earthquake relief.

The show also included a special 3-D tribute to Michael Jackson featuring a video clip he made of "Earth Song" as Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson and Smokey Robinson sang along.

Jackson's young children, Prince and Paris, accepted a lifetime achievement award for their late father.

"Through all his songs his message was simple, love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world," Prince said.
_________________________________________________

Winners in selected major categories at Sunday's 52nd Annual Grammy Awards:

Record of the Year: "Use Somebody," Kings of Leon

Album of the Year: "Fearless," Taylor Swift

Song of the Year: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On it)," Beyonce Knowles

New Artist: Zac Brown Band

Pop Vocal Album: "The E.N.D.", The Black Eyed Peas

Female Pop Vocal Performance: "Halo," Beyonce Knowles

Male Pop Vocal Performance: "Make It Mine," Jason Mraz

Rock Album: "21st Century Breakdown," Green Day

Rock Song: "Use Somebody," Kings of Leon

R&B Album: "BLACKsummers'night, "Maxwell

R&B Song: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," Beyonce Knowles

Rap Album: "Relapse," Eminem

Rap Song: "Run This Town," Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: "Run This Town," Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West

Country Album: "Fearless," Taylor Swift

Female Country Vocal Performance: "White Horse," Taylor Swift

Male Country Vocal Performance: "Sweet Thing," Keith Urban,

Latin Pop Album: "Sin Frenos," La Quinta Estacion

Contemporary Jazz Album: "75," Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate

Classical Album: "Mahler: Symphony No. 8; Adagio from Symphony No. 10"

Traditional Gospel Album: "Oh Happy Day," various artists

Dance Recording: "Poker Face," Lady Gaga

Electronic Dance Album: "The Fame," Lady Gaga

Alternative Music Album: "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix," Phoenix

Spoken Word Album: "Always Looking Up," Michael J. Fox

Comedy Album: "A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!" Stephen Colbert

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Grammys Trivia


A golden gramophone
The Grammys are voted on annually by credited music industry professionals who belong to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
The Grammy is the only peer- presented award that honors artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position.

The Recording Academy was founded in 1957 as an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals "dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural conditions for music and its makers."

Some say the awards were launched to ward off the threat of the rock 'n roll explosion. The Best Rock and Roll Recording category was finally added in 1962.

Members and record companies suggest entries for consideration; academy member committees place qualifying entries in appropriate categories. Academy members vote to determine nominees, then vote again to determine winners in more than 100 categories. Record companies are not allowed to vote.

Originally known as the Gramophone Awards, the name soon became Grammys.

The Grammy itself is a golden gramophone.

The first Grammy Awards were presented on May 4, 1959 in the Grand Ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hilton. The Record of the Year was "Volare" by Domenico Modugno, Album of the Year was "Peter Gunn" by Henry Mancini. Best R&B performance was "Tequila" by the Champs.

The first Grammy given out for a Rap Performance was awarded to The Fresh Prince (Will Smith) and DJ Jazzy Jeff in 1989.

In 1989, Milli Vanilli became the first artists to be stripped of their Grammy for Best New Artist when it was discovered that it was not actually them singing on their album.

LeAnn Rimes became the youngest person to win a top Grammy in 1997 when she won the Best New Artist award at age 14.

The first annual Latin Grammy Awards were held in Los Angeles' Staple Center in September 2000.

Stevie Wonder holds the record for most Grammys won by a solo artist with 19.

Sir George Solti holds the record for most Grammys with a 30 awards while directing the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic.

Lauryn Hill broke Carol King's record for most wins by a female artist in one year with five Grammys in 1999. Alicia Keys tied Lauryn's record in 2002, and Norah Jones also tied with five in 2004.

Norah Jones' five wins in 2004 included Best New Artist and Record of the Year. Sheryl Crow and Christopher Cross are the only other artists to win those two top awards in the same year.

U2 has won five Grammys, the most of any group in the Best Rock Duo or Group Performance category.

Comic Robin Williams has won four Grammy Awards, including one for "Robin Williams Live at the Met on HBO," the culmination of a 23-city tour.

The record for the most nominations in one year is held by two artists. Michael Jackson was nominated 12 times in 1983 and Babyface was nominated 12 times in 1992.

In 2001, the Bahamian group Baha Men won a Grammy in the Dance-Recording category for their hit "Who Let the Dogs Out?"

Elvis Presley never won a Grammy in a top category, though he did win for his gospel music.
Sinead O'Connor is the only artist to refuse a Grammy, declining to accept the award for Best Alternative Music Performance for "I Do No Want What I Haven't Got" in 1990.

Eminem has won both a Grammy and an Oscar. In 2002 he won seven Grammy Awards and an Oscar for Best Original Song for "Lose Yourself" from the movie "8 Mile."

The 45th Grammy Awards were held at New York's Madison Square Garden on Feb. 23, 2003, after four years away from the Big Apple. The Academy and then-New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani had a highly public feud in 1998, which drove the awards show back to Los Angeles. Prior to that, the show alternated between the two music centers.

The Ultimate Grammy Box, a four-disc box set, was released in 1999 and chronicles four decades of Grammy winners. It includes tracks from artists like Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, John Lennon, The Bee Gees and many more.

Paul McCartney, winner of 13 Grammys, performed for the first time in the history of the Grammy telecast at the 48th Grammy Awards at Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

The most Grammys awarded to one person in a single year is 8.


Michael Jackson won 8 Grammys in 1983 and Santana tied this Grammy record in 1999 for the most Grammys won by an individual/group.

Alison Kraus has won the most Grammys of any female singer. She has won a total of 20 Grammys.

Life As A Chinese Muslim Convert in Malaysia

Inside a Kuala Lumpur mosque - Photo by Oxymanus

Juggling dual cultural identities

2009/12/13 - Excerpt from New Straits Times

Chinese Muslim researcher Rosey Wang Ma opens up about the identity dilemma faced by her community in Malaysia, writes SUZIEANA UDA NAGU

IT was past 5pm and Datuk Mustafa Ma had not performed his Asar prayers.

As Ma had time to kill before his flight to Kuala Lumpur, he headed for the surau at the Penang International Airport to pray.

There, a man stopped him and pointed to a sign next door.

“Toilet is that way,” said the man, oblivious of the fact that Ma is Muslim-born, had performed the Hajj and is president of the Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association.

In Malaysia, being Muslim is constitutionally associated with being Malay.
Chinese Muslims, with shared cultural traditions and religion with the Chinese and Malays, can be a catalyst for nation-building.

Ma’s distinct Chinese features had made the man at the surau to assume that he was non-Muslim.
“It is not apparent to most Malaysians that a person who does not look, speak, dress or act (like a) Malay might be Muslim,” says Rosey Wang Ma, who recently graduated from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia with a doctoral degree.

The above incident is one of many examples of identity dilemma faced by Chinese Muslims in Malaysia — whether converts or born into the religion — captured in Wang Ma’s doctoral thesis Negotiating Identities: Hui, The Chinese Muslims.

The thesis examines the identity construction and evolution of the Hui — Chinese Muslims in China — in countries outside China such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

It also includes a special study of the identity dilemma of the Chinese Muslims in Malaysia.

“Through a multi-layered process extending more than a millennium, they have defined, redefined and reconstructed various aspects of their cultural, political and social identities to survive in the vastly assimilative China,” says Wang Ma, a Muslim since birth.

The study also exposes the tension that exists between Chinese Muslims in Malaysia and the Malays as well as the non-Muslim Chinese.
“Malaysia is a country where ethnicity is entwined with religion.

And Chinese Muslims belong to the ethnicity of one community (the Chinese) while professing the religion of another (the Malays).

“Although they have one foot in each ethnic group, the Chinese Muslims find themselves marginalised by both,” says Wang Ma, who grew up in Turkey and has resided in Malaysia since 1973.


Wang Ma is vocal in her thesis but the mother of six was not always comfortable discussing openly about the Chinese Muslims’ struggle for acceptance.
Without the study, the larger community will never understand the Chinese Muslims, says Rosey Wang Ma


“I once thought it was something private that did not need to be shared with others.

But I realised later how important it is to open up because (without the study), the larger community will never understand the Chinese Muslims,” she says.

Until now little is known about this community.
According to the Malaysian 2000 census, there are 57,211 Chinese Muslims throughout the country.

It is believed that Chinese Muslims have had a presence in Malaysia as early as the 13th century.

They came to the Malay World from different regions in China, spurred on by various reasons.

They comprised traders, missionaries and officials; victims who fled from the Qing government’s persecution; imported labourers during European colonial times; and those who wanted to escape poverty, famine, and the chaos of the civil war in the early 1900s.

Over the years, some have assimilated into the Malay culture and assumed Malay identity as a result of interracial marriages.

Others, on the other hand, had abandoned Islam after marrying non-Muslim Chinese.

“Descendants of this group — which can be found in Penang, Ipoh, Malacca and Johor — may not even realise their great-grandparents were Muslims,” says Wang Ma.

However, mixed marriages over the years have also produced a steady stream of Muslim converts among Malaysian Chinese.

For the Chinese Muslims in Malaysia, juggling their dual identity is a constant battle.

Most are torn between keeping to their ancestral culture and proving their devotion to Islam.

Conversations Wang Ma had with Chinese Muslims reveal that practising the Chinese culture raises suspicions among Malay Muslims, who “tend to measure devotion to Islam based on how much a non-Malay Muslim adapts to the Malay culture”.

“The more the person adapts, the better a Muslim he is assumed to be,” says Wang Ma.

On the other hand, internalising this “Malayness” and demonstrating Islamic piety can alienate Chinese Muslims from their own ethnic group.

While living in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Wang Ma had gone to the local market to buy slaughtered chicken.

“I had got along well with a chicken seller, who is Chinese, and had even bantered with him in Mandarin.

However, his friendly demeanour turned hostile the moment Wang Ma requested that the seller’s Muslim worker slaughter the chicken.

“His attitude changed.

Never mind that I spoke better Chinese than he did and had Chinese culture deeply ingrained in me,” she says.

The strong reaction, Wang Ma believes, stems from erroneous knowledge of Islam.
“To some, being Muslim is equivalent to becoming Malay.

Many Malaysian Chinese refer to Islam as Malay jiao (Malay religion).

“Some parents believe that once their children become Muslims, they will not be able to carry their surname or allowed to perform certain rituals at their parents’ funeral,” she adds.

These examples perpetuate the belief that there is a dichotomy between being Muslim and Chinese.

Yet the Hui in China and Malaysia have proven that it is possible to “negotiate the dual cultural identities with the demand of changing times and political social environment without compromising their faith”.

The key to overcoming the identity dilemma among Chinese Muslims is to be knowledgeable and confident about both their ethnic heritage and Muslim faith.

The Chinese Muslims — with shared cultural traditions and religion with the Chinese and Malays — could be a catalyst for nation-building.

“They must assert their role in leading the creation of a recognisable and acknowledged Chinese Muslim identity within the Malaysian social context,” says Wang Ma.
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Aishah Ong - From Buddhism to atheism to Islam, the story of a Chinese Muslim.


Islam has done me a world of good

I was born a Buddhist but I was not taught anything about Buddhism, its teachings or its principles. All that I knew about Buddhism was following my parents to the temples during festive seasons (which is on a birthday, nearly every month, of one god or another) or praying at home to the god of Heaven, the god of the lounge, the god of the kitchen and so on.

We used joss sticks to pray to those idols, or even colored metal plates with inscriptions on them. When we prayed, we prayed only for our own good, making up a very long 'Shopping list'. In our worship we did not think of anybody except ourselves and our immediate family.

In Malaysia, the Chinese think that they are superior. Most Chinese are either Buddhists or Christians and there is only a very small minority who are Muslims. These Chinese Muslims are looked down upon. All the Malays are Muslims and the Chinese consider them stupid and lazy. Therefore to associate with any Malays was a terrible 'sin'.

To the older generation of Chinese and their ignorant way of thinking, Islam is only for the Malays, and since all the Malays are Muslims, Islam is a stupid religion. This is because to the non-Muslim Chinese the Muslims seem, when praying with their faces turned towards Qibla (direction of prayer, i.e. Mecca), to be praying to the wall, while they, the Buddhists pray to idols which, to them, is more realistic. Secondly, the Muslim fast is considered stupid as the Chinese enjoy their food. Thirdly, Muslims do not eat pork while the Chinese love it. And the sin of all sins-Muslims can marry four wives whereas the Chinese would not admit that they have a few mistresses, although keeping up the appearance of only one official wife.

Because I was brought up in such a society, I also accepted their ignorant way of thought. Moreover, because of the racial tension in my country, I did not trust any Malays and so my knowledge of Islam was practically nil.

I was never a religious person at home so when I came to England I became an atheist. All my friends were not religious either. All we were interested in was amusement and entertainment, like parties, discos, going out with men, etc. I was, if you would like to term it, a very bad girl.

It was after two years in England and one broken marriage, that I met a Muslim Malay. He gave me a few books on Islam and in order to please him I read them. I was very suspicious of Islam but I was willing to learn and soon my interest grew.

He then took me to the Mosque at Malaysia Hall and introduced me to someone who then introduced me to the Ladies Islamic Circle where I could learn more about Islam.

I did not have much opportunity to go to the Circle in the beginning because of my work. However, my fiance was always there to answer my questions when I was in doubt.

Then one day I came across a copy of the book 'Islam Our Choice', I read this book carefully and the feeling that those brothers and sister of Islam expressed in that book made a great impression on me. I realized then that Islam would be the right path for me to follow.

Another thing that made me to embrace Islam was the close unity I felt towards the Muslims I met. I have never felt or seen such close brotherhood.

The five pillars of Islam, when I analyzed them, made more sense to me than worshipping the idols:

1. Belief in One God and that Muhammad is His Prophet and the last of the Prophets. This made more sense than praying to Buddha (who was a man) and to idols made by man.

2. Prayer reminds one of God and Prevents one committing sins. Also praying towards Makkah brings about a central focus for all Muslims of all races and notions.

3. Fasting develops one's will-power, and self-control. At the same time, it reminds one of the poor and needy and starving people.

4. Zakat (alms giving) ensures that the materialistic urge within us does not overpower our tendency to share with others.

5. Hajj (pilgrimage) during which we visit Makkah once in a lifetime is a gathering of Muslims of all colors and races.

What really impressed me most about Islam was its moral teachings; that one must dress decently and cover up one's body especially in the case of women. This is to prevent any destructive or unbefitting trends or desires to prevail in the society.

Another aspect of Islam that attracted me was cleanliness, which in Islam is very important. Cleaning after answering the call of nature, and taking Wudhu (ritual purification/ablution) before going for prayer sounded natural to me and very wise.

Against my parent's wishes, I became a Muslim after six months of studying the religion. I hope one day my parents will come to understand that Islam has done me a world of good, much more than even what they had taught me for eighteen years.

I became a Muslim because I believe in Allah as the only God and that Muhammad is his Prophet, and because I accept the teachings of Islam as they are laid down in the Glorious Our'an and the practice of the Prophet.

I intend, In Sha'Allah (if Allah wills) , to be a good and true Muslimah (Muslim Woman) and I would like to thank all the brothers and sisters who have helped me, in one way or another, to discover and embrace Islam.

Aisha Ong