52nd Annual Grammy Awards
The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards took place on January 31, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles honoring the best in music for the recording year beginning October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009. Neil Young was honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year on January 29, two days prior to the Grammy telecast. Nominations announced on December 2, 2009. The show was moved to January to avoid competing against the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Only ten of the 109 awards were received during the broadcast. The remaining 99 awards were given during the un-televised portion of the ceremony which preceded the broadcast.
Beyoncé, who also received the most nominations, with ten, won a total of six awards breaking the record for most wins by a female artist in one night. Taylor Swift won four while The Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z and Kings of Leon won three. Artists who won two awards include A. R. Rahman, Colbie Caillat, Eminem, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Maxwell, Jason Mraz and Rihanna. Judas Priest, AC/DC, and Imogen Heap each won a Grammy for the first time in their careers.
Taylor Swift's Fearless was awarded the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, at the time the youngest to win the award at age 20. "Use Somebody" by rock band Kings of Leon won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year, while "Single Ladies" by songwriters Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash and Christopher Stewart, was honored with Grammy Award for Song of the Year. Zac Brown Band was presented with the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, becoming the fourth country music act to ever win the award. They follow behind LeAnn Rimes in 1997, Shelby Lynne in 2001 and Carrie Underwood in 2007.
Performers
The following performed:Presenters
The following presented:- Stephen Colbert - presented Song of the Year.
- Jennifer Lopez - introduced Green Day.
- Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel - presented Best Country Album.
- Simon Baker - introduced Beyonce.
- Seal (singer) - paid tribute to Leonard Cohen as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement and introduced P!nk.
- Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban - paid tribute to Loretta Lynn as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement and presented Best New Artist.
- Miley Cyrus - introduced The Black Eyed Peas.
- The Jonas Brothers - introduced Lady Antebellum.
- Kaley Cuoco and Juanes - presented Best Comedy Album.
- Norah Jones and Ringo Starr - paid tribute to Bobby Darin as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement and presented Record of the Year.
- Robert Downey Jr. - introduced Jamie Foxx and T-Pain.
- Justin Bieber - talks about the audience-voted performance.
- Katy Perry and Alice Cooper - paid tribute to Florence Greenberg as a recipient of the Trustee's Award and presented Best Rock Album.
- Chris O'Donnell - paid tribute to Harold Bradley as a recipient of the Trustee's Award and introduced the Zac Brown Band and Leon Russell.
- Ryan Seacrest - introduced Taylor Swift.
- Lionel Richie - paid tribute to Michael Jackson as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award and introduced Celine Dion, Smokey Robinson, Jennifer Hudson, and Usher.
- Sheryl Crow - paid tribute to Doug Morris and introduced Bon Jovi.
- Placido Domingo and Mos Def - presented Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
- Wyclef Jean - introduced Mary J. Blige, Andrea Bocelli, and David Foster.
- Adam Sandler - introduced Dave Matthews Band.
- Ricky Martin and Lea Michele - presented Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
- LL Cool J - paid tribute to David "Honeyboy" Edwards and introduced Maxwell and Roberta Flack.
- Jeff Bridges - introduced Jeff Beck and Imelda May.
- Quentin Tarantino - paid tribute to Clark Terry and introduced Drake (rapper), Eminem, and Lil Wayne.
- Carlos Santana and John Legend - presented Album of the Year.
Awards
General
;Record of the Year"Use Somebody" – Kings of Leon- * Jacquire King & Angelo Petraglia, producers; Jacquire King, engineer/mixer
- "You Belong With Me" – Taylor Swift
- * Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift, producers; Chad Carlson & Justin Niebank, engineers/mixers
- "Halo" – Beyoncé
- * Beyoncé Knowles & Ryan Tedder, producers; Jim Caruana, Mark "Spike" Stent & Ryan Tedder, engineers/mixers
- "I Gotta Feeling" – The Black Eyed Peas
- * David Guetta & Frederick Riesterer, producers; will.i.am, Dylan "3-D" Dresdow & Padraic "Padlock" Kerin, engineers/mixers
- "Poker Face" – Lady Gaga
- * Lady Gaga, RedOne, producer; Robert Orton, RedOne & Dave Russell, engineers/mixers
- * Colbie Caillat, featured artist; Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift, producers; Chad Carlson, Nathan Chapman & Justin Niebank, engineers/mixers; Hank Williams, mastering engineerI Am... Sasha Fierce – Beyoncé
- * Bangladesh, Ian Dench, D-Town, Toby Gad, Sean Garrett, Amanda Ghost, Jim Jonsin, Beyoncé Knowles, Rico Love, Dave McCracken, Terius Nash, Radio Killa, Stargate, Christopher 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 Thomas, Marcos Továr, Miles Walker & Wayne Wilkins, engineers/mixers; Tom Coyne, mastering engineerThe E.N.D. – The Black Eyed Peas
- * apl.de.ap, Jean Baptiste, Printz Board, DJ Replay, Funkagenda, David Guetta, Keith Harris, & will.i.am, producers; Dylan Dresdow, Padraic Kerin & will.i.am, engineers/mixers; Chris Bellman, mastering engineerThe 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 engineerBig 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
- * Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters
- "Poker Face"
- * Lady Gaga & RedOne, songwriters
- "Pretty Wings"
- * Hod David & Musze, songwriters
- "Use Somebody"
- * Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters
- "You Belong with Me"
- * Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters
Pop
;Best Female Pop Vocal Performance"Halo" - Beyoncé- "Hometown Glory" - Adele
- "Hot n Cold" - Katy Perry
- "Sober" - P!nk
- "You Belong with Me" - Taylor Swift
- "This Time" - John Legend
- "Love You" - Maxwell
- "If You Don't Know Me by Now" - Seal
- "All About the Love Again" - Stevie Wonder
- "We Weren't Born to Follow" - Bon Jovi
- "Never Say Never" - The Fray
- "Sara Smile" - Daryl Hall & John Oates
- "Kids" - MGMT
- "Breathe" - Taylor Swift & Colbie Caillat
- "Sea of Heartbreak" - Rosanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen
- "Love Sex Magic" - Ciara & Justin Timberlake
- "Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Norah Jones & Willie Nelson
- "Bésame Mucho" - Herb Alpert
- "The Fire" - Imogen Heap
- "Phoenix Rise" - Maxwell
- "Funk Joint" - Marcus Miller
;Best Pop Vocal AlbumThe E.N.D. - The Black Eyed PeasBreakthrough - Colbie CaillatAll I Ever Wanted - Kelly ClarksonThe Fray - The FrayFunhouse - P!nk
Dance
;Best Dance Recording"Poker Face" - Lady Gaga- * RedOne, producer; Robert Orton, RedOne & Dave Russell, mixers
- "Boom Boom Pow" - The Black Eyed Peas
- * will.i.am, Jean Baptiste & Poet Name Life, producers; Dylan Dresdow, mixer
- "When Love Takes Over" - David Guetta & Kelly Rowland
- * David Guetta & Frédéric Riesterer, producers; Veronica Ferraro, mixer
- "Celebration" - Madonna
- * Madonna & Paul Oakenfold, producers; Demacio Castellon, mixer
- "Womanizer" - Britney Spears
- * The Outsyders, producer; Serban Ghenea, mixer
Traditional Pop
;Best Traditional Pop Vocal AlbumMichael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden - Michael BubléA Swingin' Christmas - Tony BennettYour Songs - Harry Connick, Jr.Liza's at The Palace.... - Liza MinnelliAmerican Classic - Willie NelsonRock
;Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance"Working on a Dream" - Bruce Springsteen- "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'" - Bob Dylan
- "Change in the Weather" - John Fogerty
- "Dreamer" - Prince
- "Fork in the Road" - Neil Young
- "Can't Find My Way Home" - Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
- "Life in Technicolor II" - Coldplay
- "21 Guns" - Green Day
- "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" - U2
- "What I've Done " - Linkin Park
- "Check My Brain" - Alice in Chains
- "The Unforgiven III" - Metallica
- "Burn It to the Ground" - Nickelback
- "Set to Fail" - Lamb of God
- "Head Crusher" - Megadeth
- "Señor Peligro " - Ministry
- "Hate Worldwide" - Slayer
- "Warped Sister" - Booker T. Jones
- "Playing With Fire" - Brad Paisley
- "Mr. Surfer Goes Jazzin" - Brian Setzer Orchestra
- "Now We Run" - Steve Vai
- * Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters
- "The Fixer" - Pearl Jam
- * Matt Cameron, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready & Eddie Vedder, songwriters
- "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" - U2
- * Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge & Larry Mullen, Jr., songwriters
- "21 Guns" - Green Day
- * Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt & Tré Cool, songwriters
- "Working on a Dream" - Bruce Springsteen
- * Bruce Springsteen, songwriter
Alternative
;Best Alternative Music AlbumWolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - PhoenixEverything That Happens Will Happen Today - David Byrne & Brian EnoThe Open Door EP - Death Cab For CutieSounds of the Universe - Depeche ModeIt's Blitz! - Yeah Yeah YeahsR&B
;Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" - Beyoncé- "It Kills Me" - Melanie Fiona
- "That Was Then" - Lalah Hathaway
- "Goin' Thru Changes" - Ledisi
- "Lions, Tigers & Bears" - Jazmine Sullivan
- "The Point Of It All" - Anthony Hamilton
- "SoBeautiful" - Musiq Soulchild
- "Under" - Pleasure P
- "There Goes My Baby" - Charlie Wilson
- "Chocolate High" - India.Arie & Musiq Soulchild
- "IfULeave" - Musiq Soulchild & Mary J. Blige
- "Higher Ground" - Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters
- "Love Has Finally Come at Last" - Calvin Richardson & Ann Nesby
- "Soul Music" - Anthony Hamilton
- "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" - Boney James & Quinn
- "Sow Love" - Ann Nesby
- "Woman Gotta Have It" - Calvin Richardson
- "Daykeeper" - The Foreign Exchange
- "All Matter" - Robert Glasper & Bilal
- "A Tale Of Two" - Eric Roberson, Ben O'Neill & Michelle Thompson
- "Blend" - Tonex
- * Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart songwriters
- "Blame It" - Jamie Foxx & T-Pain
- * James T. Brown, John Conte, Jr., Jamie Foxx, Christopher Henderson, Brandon R. Melanchon, Breyon Prescott, T-Pain & Nathan L. Walker songwriters
- "Lions, Tigers & Bears" - Jazmine Sullivan
- * Salaam Remi & Jazmine Sullivan songwriters
- "Pretty Wings" - Maxwell
- * Hod David & Musze songwriters
- "Under" - Pleasure P
- * D. Babbs, L. Bereal, M. Cooper, A. Dixon, J. Franklin, T. Jones, R. New & K. Stephens songwriters
;Best Contemporary R&B AlbumI Am... Sasha Fierce - BeyoncéIntuition - Jamie FoxxThe Introduction of Marcus Cooper - Pleasure PReady - Trey SongzThr33 Ringz - T-Pain
Rap
;Best Rap Solo Performance"D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)" – Jay-Z- "Best I Ever Had" – Drake
- "Beautiful" – Eminem
- "Day 'n' Nite" – Kid Cudi
- "Casa Bey" – Mos Def
- "Too Many Rappers" – Beastie Boys & Nas
- "Money Goes, Honey Stay" – Fabolous & Jay-Z
- "Make Her Say" – Kid Cudi, Kanye West & Common
- "Amazing" – Kanye West & Young Jeezy
- "Ego" – Beyoncé & Kanye West
- "Knock You Down" – Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo
- "I'm on a Boat" – The Lonely Island & T-Pain
- "Dead and Gone" – T.I. & Justin Timberlake
- * Shawn Carter, R. Fenty, M. Riddick, Kanye West & E. Wilson, songwriters
- "Best I Ever Had"
- * Aubrey Drake Graham, D. Hamilton & M. Samuels, songwriters
- "Day 'n' Nite"
- * S. Mescudi & O. Omishore, songwriters
- "Dead and Gone"
- * C. Harris, R. Tadross & J. Timberlake, songwriters
- "D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)"
- * Shawn Carter & Ernest Wilson, songwriters
Country
;Best Female Country Vocal Performance"White Horse" - Taylor Swift- "Dead Flowers" - Miranda Lambert
- "I Just Call You Mine" - Martina McBride
- "Just a Dream" - Carrie Underwood
- "Solitary Thinkin'" - Lee Ann Womack
- "All I Ask For Anymore" - Trace Adkins
- "People Are Crazy" - Billy Currington
- "High Cost of Living" - Jamey Johnson
- "Living for the Night" - George Strait
- "Cowgirls Don't Cry" - Brooks & Dunn
- "Chicken Fried" - Zac Brown Band
- "Here Comes Goodbye" - Rascal Flatts
- "It Happens" - Sugarland
- "Beautiful World" - Dierks Bentley & Patty Griffin
- "Down the Road" - Kenny Chesney & Mac McAnally
- "Start a Band" - Brad Paisley & Keith Urban
- "Everything But Quits" - Lee Ann Womack & George Strait
- "Under The Wire" - Alison Brown
- "The Crystal Merchant" - The Greencards
- "Mansinneedof" - Sarah Jarosz
- * Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters
- "All I Ask For Anymore" - Trace Adkins
- * Casey Beathard & Tim James, songwriters
- "High Cost of Living" - Jamey Johnson
- * Jamey Johnson & James T. Slater, songwriters
- "I Run to You" - Lady Antebellum
- * Tom Douglas, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, songwriters
- "People Are Crazy" - Billy Currington
- * Bobby Braddock & Troy Jones, songwriters
New Age
;Best New Age AlbumPrayer for Compassion - David DarlingFaith - Jim BrickmanLaserium for the Soul - HentaIn A Dream - Peter Kater, Dominic Miller, Kenny Loggins & Jaques MorelenbaumImpressions of the West Lake - KitarōJazz
;Best Contemporary Jazz Instrumental Album75 - Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul SyndicateUrbanus - Stefon Harris & BlackoutSounding Point - Julian LageAt World's Edge - Philippe SaisseBig Neighborhood - Mike Stern;Best Jazz Vocal AlbumDedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane and Hartman - Kurt EllingNo Regrets - Randy Crawford So in Love - Roberta GambariniTide - Luciana SouzaDesire - Tierney Sutton
;Best Jazz Instrumental Performance"Dancin' 4 Chicken" - Terence Blanchard soloist
- "All Of You" - Gerald Clayton soloist
- "Ms. Garvey, Ms. Garvey" - Roy Hargrove soloist
- "On Green Dolphin Street" - Martial Solal soloist
- "Villa Palmeras" - Miguel Zenón soloist
;Best Large Jazz Ensemble AlbumBook One - New Orleans Jazz OrchestraLegendary - Bob Florence Limited EditionEternal Interlude - John Hollenbeck Large EnsembleFun Time - Sammy Nestico And The SWR Big BandLab 2009 - University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band
;Best Latin Jazz AlbumJuntos Para Siempre - Bebo Valdés And Chucho ValdésThings I Wanted To Do - Chembo CornielÁurea - Geoffrey KeezerBrazilliance X 4 - Claudio RoditiEsta Plena - Miguel Zenón
Gospel
; Best Gospel Performance"Wait on the Lord" - Donnie McClurkin & Karen Clark Sheard- "Free to Be Me" - Francesca Battistelli
- "Jesus Is Love" - Heather Headley & Smokie Norful
- "I Believe" - Jonny Lang With Fisk Jubilee Singers
- "Born Again" - Third Day featuring Lacey Mosley
- "Born Again" - Third Day
- "City on Our Knees" - TobyMac
- "Every Prayer" - Israel Houghton & Mary Mary
- "The Motions" - Matthew West
; Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel AlbumThe Power Of One - Israel HoughtonSpeaking Louder Than Before - Jeremy CampThe Long Fall Back to Earth - Jars of ClayLove Is on the Move - LeelandFreedom - Mandisa
; Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel AlbumJason Crabb - Jason CrabbDream On - Ernie Haase & Signature SoundThe Rock - Tracy LawrenceIn God's Time - Barry Scott & Second WindEveryday - Triumphant Quartet
; Best Traditional Gospel AlbumOh Happy Day - Various ArtistsGod Don't Never Change - Ashley ClevelandThe Law Of Confession, Part I - Donald Lawrence & Co.
- * Bill Hearn, Ken Levitan, Ken Pennell, Jack Rovner & Cedric Thompson, producersThe Journey Continues - The Williams BrothersHow I Got Over - Vickie Winans
Latin
; Best Latin Pop AlbumSin Frenos - La Quinta Estación5to Piso - Ricardo ArjonaTe Acuerdas... - Francisco CéspedesHu Hu Hu - Natalia LafourcadeGran City Pop - Paulina Rubio; Best Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban AlbumLos de Atras Vienen Conmigo - Calle 13Río - AterciopeladosY. - BebeLa Luz del Ritmo - Los Fabulosos CadillacsLa Revolución - Wisin & Yandel
; Best Tropical Latin AlbumCiclos - Luis EnriqueAsi Soy - Isaac DelgadoGuasábara - José Lugo OrchestraGracias - Omara PortuondoBach in Havana - Tiempo Libre
; Best Regional Mexican AlbumNecesito de Ti - Vicente FernándezCorazón Ranchero - Shaila DúrcalCompañeras - Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles10 Aniversario - Mariachi Divas de Cindy SheaPegadito Al Corazón - Joan Sebastian
; Best Tejano AlbumBorders y Bailes - Los TexmaniacsDivina - Stefani MontielAll the Way Live - Jay PerezPoint of View - Joe PosadaRadiación Musical - Sunny Sauceda y Todo Eso
; Best Norteño AlbumTu Noche con... Los Tigres del Norte - Los Tigres del NorteDejame Soñar - Cumbre NorteñaEl Niño de Oro - El Compa ChuyPese a Quien le Pese - Los Rieleros del NorteSoy Todo Tuyo - Los Tucánes de Tijuana
; Best Banda AlbumTu Esclavo y Amo - Lupillo RiveraSe Nos Murio el Amor - El Guero Y Su Banda CentenarioMas Adelante - La Arrolladora Banda el Limón de Rene CamachoDerecho de Antiguedad - La Original Banda el Limón de Salvador Lizárraga
American roots
; Best Americana AlbumElectric Dirt - Levon HelmTogether Through Life - Bob DylanWillie and the Wheel - Willie Nelson & Asleep at the WheelWilco - WilcoLittle Honey - Lucinda Williams; Best Bluegrass AlbumThe Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo - Steve MartinCould We Get Any Closer? - Jim LauderdaleBuckaroo Blue Grass - Michael Martin MurpheyAlmost Live - Bryan Sutton And FriendsDestination Life - Rhonda Vincent
; Best Traditional Blues AlbumA Stranger Here - Ramblin' Jack ElliottBlue Again - The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band Featuring Rick VitoRough & Tough - John HammondStomp! The Blues Tonight - Duke RobillardChicago Blues: A Living History - Various Artists
- * Larry Skoller, producer
; Best Traditional Folk AlbumHigh Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project - Loudon Wainwright IIICutting Loose - David Holt And Josh GoforthNaked With Friends - Maura O'ConnellPolka Cola: Music That Refreshes - Jimmy Sturr And His OrchestraSinging Through The Hard Times: A Tribute to Utah Phillips - Various Artists
- * Jacqui Morse, Kendall Morse & Dan Schatz, producers
; Best Hawaiian Music AlbumMasters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Volume 2 - Various ArtistsDaniel Ho, George Kahumoku, Jr., Paul Konwiser & Wayne Wong, producersHe Nani - Tia Carrere & Daniel HoFriends & Family Of Hawaii - Amy HanaialiiNani Mau Loa: Everlasting Beauty- Ho'okena
; Best Native American Music AlbumSpirit Wind North - Bill MillerSiyotanka - Michael Brant DeMariaTrue Blue - Northern CreeWind Songs - Native American Flute Solos - John Two-HawksRiders of the Healing Road - Johnny Whitehorse
; Best Zydeco or Cajun Music AlbumLay Your Burden Down - Buckwheat ZydecoAlligator Purse - Beausoleil Avec Michael DoucetStripped Down - The Magnolia SistersLive at 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Pine Leaf BoysL'Ésprit Créole - Cedric Watson et Bijou Créole
Reggae
;Best Reggae AlbumMind Control - Acoustic - Stephen MarleyRasta Got Soul - Buju BantonBrand New Me - Gregory IsaacsAwake - Julian MarleyImperial Blaze - Sean PaulWorld music
; Best Traditional World Music AlbumDouga Mansa - Mamadou DiabateAncient Sounds - Rahim Alhaj And Amjad Ali KhanDouble Play - Liz Carroll & John DoyleLa Guerra No - John Santos Y El Coro Folklórico KindemboDrum Music Land - Ten Drum Art Percussion Group; Best Contemporary World Music AlbumThrow Down Your Heart: Tales from the Acoustic Planet, Vol. 3 - Africa Sessions - Béla FleckWelcome To Mali - Amadou & MariamDay By Day - Femi KutiSeya - Oumou SangareAcross the Divide: A Tale of Rhythm & Ancestry - Omar Sosa
Children's
; Best Children's Music AlbumFamily Time - Ziggy MarleyAmerican Heroes #3 - Jonathan SproutBanjo to Beatbox - Cathy & Marcy & Christylez BaconGreat Day - MilkshakeJumpin' & Jammin - Greg & StevePete Seeger Tribute - Ageless Kids' Songs - Buck Howdy; Best Children's Spoken Word AlbumAaaaah! Spooky, Scary Stories & Songs - Buck Howdy'Captain Nobody - Dean PitchfordNelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales - Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Helen Mirren, Forest Whitaker & Various Artists
- * Sharon Gelman, Michele McGonigle & Alfre Woodard, producersThe Phantom Tollbooth - David Hyde PierceScat - Ed AsnerThrough the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There - Harlan Ellison
Spoken word
;Best Spoken Word AlbumAlways Looking Up - Michael J. FoxJonathan Winters - A Very Special Time - Jonathan WintersThe Lincoln-Douglas Debates - Richard Dreyfuss & David StrathairnThe Maltese Falcon - Various Artists Including Michael Madsen, Sandra Oh, Edward Herrmann and OthersYuri Rasovsky- * Josh Stanton, producersWe Can Have Peace in the Holy Land - Jimmy CarterWishful Drinking - Carrie Fisher
Comedy
; Best Comedy AlbumA Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! – Stephen ColbertBack from the Dead – Spinal TapInternet Leaks – "Weird Al" YankovicMy Weakness Is Strong – Patton OswaltSuckin' It for the Holidays – Kathy GriffinTall, Dark & Chicano – George LopezMusical show
;Best Musical Show AlbumWest Side Story- *David Caddick & David Lai producers Ain't Misbehavin'
- *Robert Sher, producer Hair9 to 5: The Musical
- ''Shrek the Musical''
Film, TV and other visual media
; Best Compilation Soundtrack AlbumSlumdog Millionaire - Various Artists, A. R. Rahman, P. A. Deepak Cadillac Records - Various ArtistsQuentin Tarantino's Inglourious BasterdsTrue BloodTwilight; Best Score Soundtrack AlbumUp - Michael GiacchinoThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Alexandre DesplatHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Nicholas HooperMilk - Danny ElfmanStar Trek - Michael Giacchino, Varèse Sarabande
; Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media"Jai Ho"
- * A. R. Rahman, Sukhwinder Singh, Tanvi Shah, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Vijay Prakash, songwriters
- "All Is Love"
- * Karen O & Nick Zinner, songwriters
- "Decode"
- * Josh Farro, Hayley Williams & Taylor York, songwriters
- "Once in a Lifetime"
- * Ian Dench, James Dring, Amanda Ghost, Beyoncé Knowles, Scott McFarnon & Jody Street, songwriters
- "The Wrestler"
- * Bruce Springsteen, songwriter
"The Climb"- *
Jessi Alexander and Jon Mabe, songwriter
Composing and arranging
; Best Instrumental Composition"Married Life"- * Michael Giacchino, composer
- "Borat in Syracuse"
- * Paquito D'Rivera, composer
- "Counting To Infinity"
- * Tim Davies, composer
- "Fluffy"
- * Bob Florence, composer
- "Ice-Nine"
- * Steve Wiest, composer
- * Bill Cunliffe, arranger
- "Emmanuel"
- * Jeremy Lubbock, arranger
- "Hope"
- * Vince Mendoza, arranger
- "Slings And Arrows"
- * Vince Mendoza, arranger
- "Up With End Credits"
- * Michael Giacchino & Tim Simonec, arrangers
- * Claus Ogerman, arranger
- "A Change Is Gonna Come"
- * David Foster & Jerry Hey, arrangers
- "Dedicated To You"
- * Laurence Hobgood, arranger
- "In The Still of the Night"
- * Thomas Zink, arranger
- "My One And Only Thrill"
- * Vince Mendoza, arranger
Package
; Best Recording PackageEverything That Happens Will Happen Today- * Stefan Sagmeister, art director Back from the Dead
- * Brian Porizek, art director Middle Cyclone
- * Neko Case & Kathleen Judge, art directors Splitting Adam
- * Jeff Harrison, art director Tathagata
- * Szu Wei Cheng & Hui Chen Huang, art directors
- * Gary Burden, Jenice Heo & Neil Young, art directors A Cabinet of Curiosities
- * Mathieu Bitton & Scott Webber, art directors The Clifford Ball
- * Masaki Koike, art director Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
- * Stefan Sagmeister, art director Lost in the Sound of Separation
- * Jordan Butcher, art director
Album notes
; Best Album NotesThe Complete Louis Armstrong Decca Sessions- * Dan Morgenstern, album notes writer
- Dance-O-Mania: Harry Yerkes And The Dawn of the Jazz Age, 1919–1923
- * Mark Berresford, album notes writer
- Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson - Music From The Film
- * Douglas Brinkley & Johnny Depp, album notes writers
- My Dusty Road
- * Ed Cray & Bill Nowlin, album notes writers
- Origins of the Red Hot Mama, 1910–1922
- * Lloyd Ecker & Susan Ecker, album notes writers
Historical
;Best Historical AlbumThe Complete Chess Masters- * Andy McKaie, compilation producer; Erick Labson, mastering engineer My Dusty Road
- * Scott Billington, Michael Creamer & Bill Nowlin, compilation producers; Doug Pomeroy, mastering engineer Origins of the Red Hot Mama, 1910-1922
- * Meagan Hennessey & Richard Martin, compilation producers; Richard Martin, mastering engineer 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 Woodstock: 40 Years On: Back to Yasgur's Farm
- * Cheryl Pawelski, Mason Williams & Andy Zax, compilation producers; Dave Schultz, mastering engineer
Production, non-classical
; Best Engineered Album, Non ClassicalEllipse- * Imogen Heap, engineer Gossip in the Grain
- * Ethan Johns & Dominic Monks, engineers My One and Only Thrill
- * Helik Hadar & Al Schmitt, engineers Safe Trip Home
- * Jon Brion, Grippa, Greg Koller and Jim Scott, engineers Swan Feathers
- * Richard Alderson, Chris Allen, Roman Klun, Lawrence Manchester, Rob Mounsey, Jay Newland, Gene Paul, Jamie Polaski & Gordie Sampson, engineers
- * Black Ice
- * Crack the Skye
- * "The Fixer"
- * Killswitch Engage
- * Working on a Dream
- T Bone Burnett
- * Moonalice
- * Secret, Profane & Sugarcane
- Ethan Johns
- * Gossip in the Grain
- Larry Klein
- * "Acadian Driftwood"
- * Bare Bones
- * My One and Only Thrill
- * Our Bright Future
- * Tide
- Greg Kurstin
- * It's Not Me, It's You
- * Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future
- "Don't Believe in Love" - Dennis Ferrer, remixer
- "The Girl and the Robot" - Jean Elan, remixer
- "I Want You" - Dave Audé, remixer
- "No You Girls" - Anders Trentemøller, remixer
Production, surround sound
;Best Surround Sound AlbumTransmigration- * Michael Bishop, surround mix engineer; Michael Bishop, surround mastering engineer; Elaine Martone, surround producer Colabs
- * David Miles Huber, surround mix engineer; David Miles Huber, surround mastering engineer; David Miles Huber, surround producer Flute Mystery
- * Morten Lindberg & Hans Peter L'Orange, surround mix engineers; Morten Lindberg, surround mastering engineer; Morten Lindberg, surround producer Kleiberg: Treble & Bass
- * Morten Lindberg & Hans Peter L'Orange, surround mix engineers; Morten Lindberg, surround mastering engineer; Morten Lindberg, surround producer Genesis 1970–1975
- * Nick Davis, surround mix engineer; Tony Cousins, surround mastering engineer; Nick Davis, surround producer
Production, classical
; Best Engineered Album, ClassicalMahler: Symphony No. 8; Adagio From Symphony No. 10 - Peter Laenger, engineer Britten: Billy Budd - Neil Hutchinson & Jonathan Stokes, engineers QSF Plays Brubeck - Judy Kirschner, engineer Ravel: Daphnis Et Chloé - Jesse Lewis & John Newton, engineers Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 15 (Shostakovich)|15] - John Newton & Dirk Sobotka, engineers; Producer of the Year, ClassicalSteven Epstein
- * Adams: Doctor Atomic Symphony
- * Bernstein: Mass
- * Corigliano: A Dylan Thomas Trilogy
- * Fauré: Piano Quintets
- * Yo-Yo Ma & Friends: Songs Of Joy And Peace
- Blanton Alspaugh
- * Carlson, David: Anna Karenina
- * Menotti: Amahl And The Night Visitors; My Christmas
- * Ravel: L'Enfant Et Les Sortilèges
- * Schubert: Death And The Maiden
- * Sierra, Roberto: Missa Latina 'Pro Pace'
- John Fraser
- * Britten: Billy Budd
- * Midsummer Night
- * Schubert: Schwanengesang
- * Shadows Of Silence
- David Frost
- * An American Journey
- * Journey to the New World
- * Korngold: Violin Concerto; Schauspiel Overture; Much Ado About Nothing
- * Mozart: Piano Concertos 21 & 22
- * O'Connor, Mark: String Quartets Nos. 2 & 3
- James Mallinson
- * MacMillan, James: St. John Passion
- * Mahler: Symphony No. 8
- * Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 15
- * Shostakovich: The Nose
Classical
; Best Classical AlbumMahler: 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 Bernstein: Mass
- * Marin Alsop, conductor; Jubilant Sykes; Steven Epstein, producer; Richard King, engineer/mixer Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé
- * James Levine, conductor; Elizabeth Ostrow, producer; Jesse Lewis & John Newton, engineers/mixers; Mark Donahue, mastering engineer Ravel: L'Enfant et les Sortilèges
- * Alastair Willis, conductor; Julie Boulianne; Blanton Alspaugh, producer; Mark Donahue & John Hill, engineers/mixers 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
- * James Levine, conductor
- "Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique"
- * Simon Rattle, conductor
- "Bruckner: Symphony No. 5"
- * Benjamin Zander, conductor
- "Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 15"
- * Valery Gergiev, conductor
- "Szymanowski: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4"
- * Antoni Wit, conductor
- * Daniel Harding, conductor; Ian Bostridge, Neal Davies, Nathan Gunn, Jonathan Lemalu, Matthew Rose & Gidon Saks; John Fraser, producer
- "Messiaen: Saint François D'Assise"
- * Ingo Metzmacher, conductor; Armand Arapian, Hubert Delamboye, Rod Gilfry, Henk Neven, Tom Randle & Camilla Tilling; Ferenc van Damme, producer
- "Musto, John: Volpone"
- * Sara Jobin, conductor; Lisa Hopkins, Joshua Jeremiah, Museop Kim, Jeremy Little, Rodell Rosel & Faith Sherman; Blanton Alspaugh, producer
- "Shostakovich: The Nose"
- * Valery Gergiev, conductor; Andrei Popov, Sergei Semishkur & Vladislav Sulimsky; James Mallinson, producer
- "Tan Dun: Marco Polo"
- * Tan Dun, conductor; Stephen Bryant, Sarah Castle, Zhang Jun, Nancy Allen Lundy, Stephen Richardson & Charles Workman; Ferenc van Damme, producer
- * Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; Ragnar Bohlin, Kevin Fox & Susan McMane, choir directors
- "Handel: Coronation Anthems"
- * Harry Christophers, conductor
- "Penderecki: Utrenja"
- * Antoni Wit, conductor
- "Song of the Stars: Granados, Casals & Blancafort"
- * Dennis Keene, conductor
- "A Spotless Rose"
; Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (With Orchestra)"Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3"
- * Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor; Evgeny Kissin
- "Bartók: 3 Concertos"
- * Pierre Boulez, conductor
- "Bermel, Derek: Voices For Solo Clarinet And Orchestra"
- * Gil Rose, conductor; Derek Bermel
- "Korngold: Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35"
- * Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor; Philippe Quint
- "Salonen, Esa-Pekka: Piano Concerto"
- * Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor; Yefim Bronfman
- "Caroline Goulding" - Caroline Goulding
- "Chopin" - Maria João Pires
- "Oppens Plays Carter" - Ursula Oppens
- "Sonatas & Etudes" - Yuja Wang
- "Ginastera: String Quartets" - Enso Quartet
- "The Hungarian Album" - Guarneri Quartet
- "Schumann/Bartók: The Berlin Recital" - Martha Argerich & Gidon Kremer
- "Takemitsu, Toru: And Then I Knew 'Twas Wind" - Yolanda Kondonassis, Cynthia Phelps & Joshua Smith
- * Paul Hillier, conductor; Ars Nova Copenhagen & Theatre Of Voices
- "Bach: Orchestral Suites For A Young Prince"
- * Monica Huggett, conductor; Gonzalo X. Ruiz; Ensemble Sonnerie
- "Josquin: Missa Malheur Me Bat"
- * Peter Phillips, conductor; Tallis Scholars
- "Song Of Songs"
- * Stile Antico
- "Vivaldi: Concertos"
- * Daniel Hope & Anne Sofie von Otter; Chamber Orchestra Of Europe
- "Bach" - Anne Sofie von Otter
- "Bel Canto Spectacular" - Juan Diego Flórez
- "Recital at Ravinia" - Lorraine Hunt Lieberson
- "Un Frisson Français" - Susan Graham
- "Crumb, George: The Winds Of Destiny" - George Crumb
- "Pärt, Arvo: In Principio" - Arvo Pärt
- "Sierra, Roberto: Missa Latina 'Pro Pace'" - Roberto Sierra
- "Wyner, Yehudi: Piano Concerto "Chiavi In Mano"" - Yehudi Wyner
- * Craig Hella Johnson, conductor; Conspirare Jazz-Clazz - Paquito D'Rivera Quintet The Melody Of Rhythm
- * Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain & Edgar Meyer QSF Plays Brubeck - Quartet San FranciscoTwelve Songs by Charles Ives
- * Theo Bleckmann; Kneebody
Music video
; Best Short Form Music Video"Boom Boom Pow" – The Black Eyed Peas- * Mat Cullen & Mark Kudsi, video directors; Anna Joseph & Patrick Nugent, video producers
- "Mr. Hurricane" – Beast
- * Ben Steiger Levine, video director; Sach Baylin-Stern, video producer
- "Life in Technicolor II" – Coldplay
- * Dougal Wilson, video director; Matthew Fone, video producer
- "Wrong" – Depeche Mode
- * Patrick Daughters, video director; Jonathan Lia, video producer
- "Her Morning Elegance" – Oren Lavie
- * Oren Lavie, Merav Nathan and Yuval Nathan, video directors; Oren Lavie, video producer
- * Adrian Wills, video director; Martin Bolduc and Jonathan Clyde, video producers
- "In Boston" – Chris Botti
- * Jim Gable, video director; Bobby Colomby, video producer
- "Johnny Cash's America" – Johnny Cash
- * Robert Gordon & Morgan Neville, video directors; Robert Gordon and Morgan Neville, video producers
- "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
- "Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy World Tour Live" – Keith Urban
- * Chris Hicky, video director; Blake Morrison, video producer
Special merit awards
; MusiCares Person of the YearNeil Young; Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
- Leonard Cohen
- Bobby Darin
- David "Honeyboy" Edwards
- Michael Jackson
- Loretta Lynn
- André Previn
- Clark Terry
; Technical Grammy Award WinnersAKGThomas Alva Edison
; President's Merit AwardDoug MorrisKenny BurrellKen Ehrlich
- '''Plácido Domingo'''
Artists with multiple nominations and awards
The following artists received nominations more than two:- Ten: Beyoncé
- Eight: Taylor Swift
- Six: The Black Eyed Peas, Maxwell, and Kanye West
- Five: Jay-Z, Lady Gaga
- Four: Kings of Leon
- Three: Colbie Caillat, Eminem
In Memoriam
A tribute to the music personalities lost in 2009: Mary Travers, Mike Seeger, Kate McGarrigle, Alan W. Livingston, Allen Klein, Pop Winans, Sami Bradley, Willie Mitchell, Snooks Eaglin, Koko Taylor, Louie Bellson, Gerry Niewood, Sam Butera, Hank Crawford, Dan Seals, Kenny Rankin, Vern Gosdin, Shelby Singleton, Larry Knechtel, Barry Beckett, Teddy Pendergrass, Hal Gaba, Skip Miller, Uriel Jones, Jim Dickinson, DJ AM, Stephen Bruton, Jay Bennett, Vic Chesnutt, Bob Bogle, Tom Wilkes, Maurice Jarre, Vic Mizzy, Ali Akbar Khan, George Russell, Arthur Ferrante, Lukas Foss, Erich Kunzel, Alicia de Larrocha, Wilma Cozart Fine, Mercedes Sosa, Orlando "Cachaíto" López, Ellie Greenwich, Greg Ladanyi, Al Martino, Pierre Cossette, Les Paul, and Michael Jackson.Note: Michael Jackson and Les Paul were given special tributes.