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45th Grammy® Awards Coverage

The Grammys are back in New York for the first time in 5 years. Dustin Hoffman started off the show by introducing a performance by Lifetime Achievement honorees, Simon & Garfunkel.

Hoffman then went on to say that the show was being hosted by "the people of New York City." He then introduced No Doubt.

First up, the first presenters are Lou Reed and Dave Grohl. They were handing out Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. The winners, No Doubt for "Hey Baby."

Moving right along, Tony Bennett and Joe Pantoliano then introduced a performance by multi-nominee Norah Jones.

Next up, recent performance partners Kylie Minogue and Justin Timberlake handed out the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. The winner: Norah Jones. We're two for two for show performers winning.

Marc Anthony came out to pay tribute to the late Tito Puente, who is one of the Lifetime Achievement recipients. He then introduced Faith Hill, who belted out her hit "Cry."

Letterman bandleader Paul Shaffer was out next to introduce a performance segment paying tribute to singer/songwriters. Vanessa Carlton started off the segment performing "A Thousand Miles." She was followed by John Mayer, who performed "Your Body Is A Wonderland." Finally Yo-Yo Ma accompanied James Taylor on "Sweet Baby James."

After the segment, P. Diddy and Kim Cattrall handed out the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Grammy to John Mayer. He seemd quite honored to get the award at such a young age. They then handed out Best Rap Album to Eminem for The Eminem Show. He paid tribute to the various MC's who had inspired him, including Run D.M.C., the Beastie Boys, and LL Cool J.

Oscar®-nominee Queen Latifah then introduced the Dixie Chicks, who performed "Landslide."

Martina McBride, Herbie Hancock and Raphael Saadiq then came out to present Best Country Album. The winner: The Dixie Chicks for their album Home. They said they were glad they kissed and made-up with Sony, who they had been fighting with.

John Leguizamo paid tribute to the late big bandleader Glenn Miller, another recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement awards. Members of the New York Philharmonic then performed some of West Side Story. The Philharmonic was then joined by Coldplay to perform "Politik."

Hairspray's Harvey Fierstieen and Rod Stewart came out next to present the Grammy for Best Spoken Comedy Album to Robin Williams. He put the Grammy to his ear and said, "Listen, you can hear careers ending."

Busta Rhymes and Jamie-Lynn Sigler then paid tribute to another Lifetime Achievement recipient, Johnny Mathis. They then introduced Avril Lavigne, who performed "Sk8r Boi."

In an age of recycling, earlier presenter Queen Latifah is back out to introduce Nelly and Kelly Rowland. They performed a medley of "Hot In Herre" and "Dilemma."

Eve and Fred Durst were out to present Best Hard Rock Performance. Before they did, Fred made a quick reference to a potential war with Iraq. "I really hope we're all in agreeance: this war should go away as soon as possible." Great new word there, Fred: Agreeance. Someone call Merriam-Webster. Anyway, the Grammy went to the Foo Fighters. Besides thanking their label, etc., they thanked their "mommies and daddies, brothers and sisters."

Well, we're at the two hour mark. Right now, none of the performances have really knocked my socks off. I'm hoping the Joe Strummer tribute and Springsteen performance will change that.

Speaking of that, Grammy winner Robin Williams introduced Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Springsteen and his pals never disappoint. There's something about watching people who love playing together.

Erykah Badu, Train's Pat Monahan and B.B. King then came out to pay tribute to Lifetime Achievement winner Alan Lomax and present Best Song. Badu hadn't been at rehearsal and tripped over her speech. The winner: Jesse Harris, who wrote Don't Know Why for Norah Jones. It was a bit of a surprise for the crowd, who had yelled "Bruuuuuuuuuuuuce" before the envelope was opened. Hey, this is the first time tonight that the person who had just finished performng hasn't won.

Ja Rule and Kevin James came out next to introduce Ashanti, who performed Dreams circled by children wearing outfits symbolizing what they want to be when they grow up.

60 Minutes' Ed Bradley then intoduced the tribute to the Bee Gees, recipients of the 2003 Legends Award. After a video presentation, *Nsync paid tribute to them vocally, only going to prove what great singers the Gibb Brothers are. Barry and Robin then came out to a standing ovation. They thanked *Nsync and then saying "the measure of a man is his family" Barry introduced their late brother's family. They invited Maurice's son Adam on to the stage, saying that they were dedicating this honor to him. The brothers and the family were clearly moved by this tribute that couldn't not be shared by Maurice Gibb.

Willem Dafoe introduced the performance by Grammy-winner and Oscar® nominee Eminem, who was backed by members of The Roots. He ended his song saying "Jam Master Jay, rest in peace.

Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt paid tribute to Lifetime Achievement recipient Etta James before handing out the Grammy for Record of the Year to Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why." Norah was excited to share the stage with the two legends and was amazed at how far a song that was recorded as a demo could go.

After paying tribute to Trustee Award recipient Royal Blakeman, Vince Vaughan intro'd a performance by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow.

Alicia Keys and Cyndi Lauper did some lame comedy before skipping over the teleprompter and deciding to head straight to announce the Best New Artist. The winner: Norah Jones. She thanked her band.

It's running long. So far it doesn't feel worth it.

NYC's mayor, billionaire Michael Bloomberg, welcomed the Grammy's back. Calling New York the "musical capital of the World" he then introduced the president of NARAS, Neil Portnow. He said that despite what the doomsayers say, the music industry is still strong. They then paid tribute to all of the music industry members who had died in the past year. The segment ended with Joe Strummer, which segued into Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Steve Van Zandt, Tony Kanal and Dave Grohl joining forces to pay tribute to the late Joe Strummer and The Clash. They performed "London Calling" in what was one of the few moving performances tonight.

Wow, 11:22...what is this, the Oscars?

Elvis Costello, Peter Gabriel and Michelle Branch then presented the Album of the Year Grammy to...Norah Jones. Wow...quite a few for Norah tonight. Her production team then took about a year to say their thanks. Finally, Peter Gabriel said goodnight as the show fizzled to an end, as dentist's music...oops, Norah Jones' music, played in the background.

Great performances by Simon and Garfunkel, Springsteen and the Clash tribute. Big yawns for everything else. See ya next year!

The winners are:

Category 1 - 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.)

Category 2 - 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.)

Category 3 - 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 parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 4 - Best New Artist

(For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.)

Category 5 - Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 6 - Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 7 - Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal

(For established duos or groups, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 8 - Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals

(For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 9 - Best Pop Instrumental Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 10 - Best Pop Instrumental Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

Category 11 - Best Pop Vocal Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Category 12 - Best Dance Recording

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances. Vocal or Instrumental. Singles or tracks only.)

Category 13 - Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Category 14 - Best Female Rock Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 15 - Best Male Rock Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 16 - Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal

(For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 17 - Best Hard Rock Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 18 - Best Metal Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 19 - Best Rock Instrumental Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 20 - Best Rock Song

(A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Rock, Hard Rock & Metal songs. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 21 - Best Rock Album

(Vocal or Instrumental. Includes Hard Rock and Metal.)

Category 22 - Best Alternative Music Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 23 - Best Female R&B Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 24 - Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 25 - Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal

(For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 26 - Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 27 - Best Urban/Alternative Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 28 - Best R&B Song

(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 29 - Best R&B Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Category 30 - Best Contemporary R&B Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Category 31 - Best Female Rap Solo Performance

(For a solo Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 32 - Best Male Rap Solo Performance

(For a solo Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 33 - Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group

(For duo, group or collaborative performances of Rap only. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 34 - Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

(For a Rap/Sung collaborative performance by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 35 - Best Rap Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Category 36 - Best Female Country Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 37 - Best Male Country Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 38 - Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal

(For established duos or groups with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 39 - Best Country Collaboration With Vocals

(For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 40 - Best Country Instrumental Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 41 - Best Country Song

(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 42 - Best Country Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 43 - Best Bluegrass Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 44 - Best New Age Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 45 - Best Contemporary Jazz Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

Category 46 - Best Jazz Vocal Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Category 47 - Best Jazz Instrumental 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.)

Category 48 - Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

Category 49 - Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album

(For large jazz ensembles, including big band sounds. Albums must contain 51% or more INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

Category 50 - Best Latin Jazz Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 51 - Best Rock Gospel Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Category 52 - Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Category 53 - Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Category 54 - Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Category 55 - Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Category 56 - Best Gospel Choir Or Chorus Album

(For choirs or choruses only, with or without lead vocalist(s).)

Category 57 - Best Latin Pop Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 58 - Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 59 - Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 60 - Best Salsa Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 61 - Best Merengue Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 62 - Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 63 - Best Tejano Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 64 - Best Traditional Blues Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 65 - Best Contemporary Blues Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 66 - Best Traditional Folk Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 67 - Best Contemporary Folk Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 68 - Best Native American Music Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 69 - Best Reggae Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 70 - Best World Music Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 71 - Best Polka Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Category 72 - Best Musical Album For Children

(For albums consisting of predominantly music or song vs. spoken word.)

Category 73 - Best Spoken Word Album For Children

(For albums consisting of predominantly spoken word vs. music or song.)

Category 74 - Best Spoken Word Album

(Narrated/dramatized books include authors' names in parenthesis for identification.)

Category 75 - Best Spoken Comedy Album

(For spoken word comedy recordings.)

Category 76 - 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 parenthesis.))

Category 77 - Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For A 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.)

Category 78 - Best Score Soundtrack Album For A 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.)

Category 79 - Best Song Written For A 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 parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 80 - Best Instrumental Composition

(A Composer's Award for an original composition (not an adaptation) first released during the Eligibility Year. Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 81 - Best Instrumental Arrangement

(An Arranger's Award. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 82 - Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)

(An Arranger's Award. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 83 - Best Recording Package

Category 84 - Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package

Category 85 - Best Album Notes

Category 86 - Best Historical Album

Category 87 - Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical

(An Engineer's Award. (Artists names appear in parenthesis.))

Category 88 - Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical

(A Producer's Award. (Artists names appear in parenthesis.))

Category 89 - Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical

(A Remixer's Award. (Artists names appear in parenthesis for identification.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Category 90 - Best Engineered Album, Classical

(An Engineer's Award. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.))

Category 91 - Producer Of The Year, Classical

(A Producer's Award. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.))

Category 92 - Best Classical Album

(Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s) if other than the Artist.)

Category 93 - Best Orchestral Performance

(Award to the Conductor and to the Orchestra.)

Category 94 - Best Opera Recording

(Award to the Conductor, Album Producer(s) and Principal Soloists.)

Category 95 - 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.)

Category 96 - Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra)

(Award to the Instrumental Soloist(s) and to the Conductor.)

Category 97 - Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra)

(Award to the Instrumental Soloist.)

Category 98 - Best Chamber Music Performance

(Award to the Artists.)

Category 99 - Best Small Ensemble Performance (with or without Conductor)

(Award to the Ensemble (and to the Conductor.))

Category 100 - Best Classical Vocal Performance

(Award to the Vocal Soloist(s).)

Category 101 - 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.))

Category 102 - Best Classical Crossover Album

(Award to the Artist(s) and/or to the Conductor.)

Category 103 - Best Short Form Music Video

(For an individual track or single promotional clip. Award to the Artist and to the Video Director/Producer.)

Category 104 - 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.)