There was a time when the Grammy nominations were announced at an untelevised, clothes optional ceremony conducted by the side of Frank Sinatra’s pool. Actually, that’s almost certainly not true. But there’s no doubt the nominations announcement has become a bigger and bigger deal. Earlier this evening, the countdown to the Grammy Awards—which can be seen live on CBS on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010 at 8 p.m. ET/PT—began with a TV special featuring performances by host LL Cool J, Nick Jonas, the Black Eyed Peas, Sugarland, and Maxwell. But who deserved a trophy for their efforts? And who required considerable effort just to keep watching?

THE GOOD

Sugarland
Good heavens, Jennifer Nettles has got a big voice—every glorious, country-bluesy inch of which was on display during the band’s rendition of “Coming Home.” One quibble? It was probably a mistake to have the backing choir wander on halfway through. I can’t have been the only one who initially assumed they were lost guests who had taken a wrong turn on the way back from the restrooms.

Maxwell
The resurgent R&B star paid tribute to Michael Jackson by performing the Thriller ballad “The Lady in My Life.” Though his voice wavered at times, I wouldn’t overly disagree with presenter Smokey Robinson’s later declaration that he did a “good job.” (Frankly, who am I to disagree with Smokey Robinson about anything?) And the performance did seem a fitting tip of the hat to the late Grammy favorite. The trailer I saw during an ad break for the forthcoming Jackson brothers reality TV show? Not so much.

Nick Jonas and the Administration
It seems like only yesterday that young Nick Jonas was hanging out with his brothers. But actually, it was today! Kevin and Joe were on hand to introduce their bro, who performed “Who I Am” with competence, confidence, and the look of someone suffering from extreme constipation. That’s right: John Mayer should be worried.

THE NOT SO GOOD READ FULL STORY »