2003 Grammy Awards
And the nominees are . . .
By David Reese
Features Editor

Album of the Year

• Dixie Chicks, “Home”
• Eminem, “The Eminem Show”
• Norah Jones, “Come Away with Me”
• Nelly, “Nellyville”
• Bruce Springsteen, “The Rising”

Should win: Dixie Chicks, “Home”
Will win: Bruce Springsteen, “The Rising”

All of these albums have a special quality in their distinct musical genre. The rap genre has only won once previously in this category with Lauryn Hill but I don’t think Nelly has the same appeal. Eminem could do it but they didn’t give him this award two years ago with much weaker competition. Norah Jones will be recognized in other categories and her overall album isn’t the best one in the category. Although the Dixie Chicks are the dark horses, the country voting block could put them on top. Look at last year’s surprise winner, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack. Could a country artist do it again? Not likely, Springsteen will be the perennial favorite much like Bob Dylan, Santana, Steely Dan and Eric Clapton have done in the past.

Record of the Year

• Vanessa Carlton, “A Thousand Miles"
• Eminem, “Without Me”
• Norah Jones, “Don’t Know Why”
• Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland, “Dilemma”
• Nickelback, “How You Remind Me”

Should win: Eminem, “Without Me”
Will win: Norah Jones, “Don’t Know Why”

Vanessa Carlton and Nickelback should be thankful for their nominations because they have no chance. Nelly and Kelly Rowland have one of those hip singles but usually don’t find the votes with the older academy members. This award comes down to a fight between Norah Jones and Eminem. Eminem should definitely win because “Without Me” is a great song. Jones has the upper hand though because she has the strong older voting member crowd.

Song of the Year

• Vanessa Carlton, “A Thousand Miles”
• Jesse Harris, “Don’t Know Why” (Norah Jones)
• Avril Lavigne, “Complicated”
• Bruce Springsteen, “The Rising”
• Alan Jackson, “Where Were You”

Should win: Avril Lavigne, “Complicated”
Will win: Bruce Springsteen, “The Rising”

All of these songs are good, nothing to write home about. Lavigne’s “Complicated” was really a gem but she didn’t receive a record or album of the year nomination. Springsteen will hit it big in this category with his post-9/11 anthem.

Best New Artist

• Ashanti
• Michelle Branch
• Norah Jones
• Avril Lavigne
• John Mayer

Should win: John Mayer
Will win: Norah Jones

This is a great best new artist category. The only problem is that many of the acts were huge breakout artists. John Mayer has a great album and very different sound but this award tends to go to females like Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill and Toni Braxton in the past. Norah Jones has the momentum to go all the way although I’d be satisfied with any of them.

Best Pop Album

• Norah Jones, “Come Away with Me”
• Avril Lavigne, “Let Go”
• Pink, “M!ssundaztood”
• No Doubt, “Rock Steady”
• Britney Spears, “Britney”

Should win: Pink, “M!ssundaztood”
Will win: Norah Jones, “Come Away with Me”

I think this is one of the best pop album categories in the nine-year history of this award. All of these albums have the potential to win. Pink’s album is the best in the category but it was released so long ago. Norah Jones has the recent name recognition.

Best Contemporary R&B Album

• Ashanti, “Ashanti”
• Brandy, “Full Moon”
• Faith Evans, “Faithfully”
• Floetry, “Floetic”
• Meshell Ndegeocello, “Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape”

Should win: Brandy, “Full Moon”
Will win: Ashanti, “Ashanti”

The rhythm and blues album category usually goes to hot and upcoming female artists like Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. Ashanti will not be recognized in any major categories but she should clean up on this award as well as the female rhythm and blues performance. Brandy did make a better and infectious album but her pregnancy and lack of spotlight hurt her chances.

Best Rock Album

• Elvis Costello, “When I Was Cruel”
• Sheryl Crow, “C’mon, C’mon”
• Robert Plant, “Dreamland”
• Bruce Springsteen, “The Rising”
• Tonic, “Head on Straight”

Should win: Bruce Springsteen, “The Rising”
Will win: Bruce Springsteen, “The Rising”

In any other year, Sheryl Crow would take home this award but Bruce Springsteen is a critical and industry favorite. He should walk away with this award in a landslide.

Best Country Album

• Dixie Chicks, “Home”
• Alan Jackson, “Drive”
• Dolly Parton, “Halos and Horns”
• Willie Nelson, “The Great Divide”
• Joe Nichols, “Man with a Memory”

Should win: Dixie Chicks, “Home”
Will win: Dixie Chicks, “Home”

There is no doubt that the Dixie Chicks should and will win this award. The trio seem to continually surprise the music industry when they can transform sounds on each one of their albums. Alan Jackson could give them a run for their money but the Grammy train says Dixie Chicks all the way.