Nashville Honors Grammy Noms

Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, and the legendary George Jones were on hand Tuesday night as the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences honored Nashville area Grammy nominees. 

One of the first to enter the celebration was 80-year-old George Jones, who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award next month.  “It’s a great thrill.  It’s a big honor, and at my age it’s nice to have somebody remember you.  I’m looking forward to going to Los Angeles and thank everybody, especially our fans who made it all possible.  This award means quite a bit to me.  It makes me very happy.”   

At that point, triple nominee Jason Aldean came by.  He had a chance to speak with George Jones, and pose for pictures with their wives.  Jason then came over an talked about the excitement of his three Grammy nominations: “Last year was such a great year, and we ended the year with 3 Grammy nominations, so what can you say?  This is as big as it gets for an artist.  I was excited before we found out we were performing, and now we’re performing on the show, so it’s getting better and better.  I’m excited, I’ve never been to the Grammys, I’ve never had a reason to go, so the fact I have a reason to go is pretty exciting.”  Jason will perform his nominated #1 hit, “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson.  Jason’s other nominations are Best Country Performance for “Dirt Road Anthem” and Best Country Album for “My Kinda Party.

Other nominees attending the Grammy Gala included two nominees for Best Country Song: Dave Barnes, the writer of Blake Shelton’s recent hit “God Gave Me You,” and David Lee Murphy, one of the writers of “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not,” recorded by Thomspon Square.”

One of the last nominees to enter the party was Kenny Chesney.  His hit “You & Tequila,” is nominated for Best Country Performance by a Duo and Best Country Song.  He was joined by the song’s writers, Deana Carter & Matraca Berg. “The song to me was a very simple but beautifully written, brilliantly written, and shows you a great song has a life of its own.  I say every night it’s the favorite song I’ve ever recorded.  I was driving up the Pacific Coast Highway in 2007, and heard it on the radio, and it killed me because I was at that spot in my life.  It was  a gift from God.”

 

Tags: grammy, jason, kenny

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