It’s been years since someone from our neck of the woods won one of the Grammy “Big 4” awards — best album, song, record or new artist. Kacey Musgraves last did it in 2019 with Golden Hour, an album that tips its hat to Golden, her tiny hometown east of Dallas-Fort Worth.
But the Big 4 isn’t the be-all, end-all. Every year, North Texas natives happily earn nominations in key genre categories. And just about every year, one or more take home a trophy or two.
Here’s a look at the acts with local ties who are up for a gramophone statue at the 68th Grammy Awards on Feb. 1.
Miranda Lambert
News Roundups
Contemporary country album, for Postcards from Texas.
The competition: Kelsea Ballerini, Tyler Childers, Eric Church and Jelly Roll.
The prediction: Ballerini’s chart-topping success, critical buzz and spotlight on The Voice will help her squeak past Lambert and others in a tight race.
Country duo/group performance, for “Trailblazer,” Lambert’s single with Lainey Wilson and Reba McEntire; a second nod for “A Song to Sing,” her collab with Chris Stapleton.
The competition: Margo Price and Tyler Childers; Shaboozey and Jelly Roll; George Strait and Chris Stapleton.
The prediction: Lambert’s two nods will cause some vote splitting. Strait, a bona fide legend, and Stapleton, a current Grammy fave, are a sure-fire, one-two punch.
Country song award, for “A Song to Sing,” which Lambert co-wrote with Chris Stapleton and two others.
The competition: Tyler Childers, Zach Top, Lainey Wilson, Shaboozey and various co-writers.
The prediction: Stapleton’s star power should help Lambert take home her fourth Grammy for the acclaimed “A Song to Sing.”
Charley Crockett is nominated in the traditional country album category, for “Dollar a Day.”
Jared Christopher
Charley Crockett
Traditional country album, for Dollar a Day.
The competition: Margo Price, Zach Top and two Nelsons (Willie and Lukas) with separate albums.
The prediction: It would be nice to see Crockett win after losing in this category last year. But voters won’t pass up the chance to give the Red Headed Stranger his 13th Grammy.
Jimmie Vaughan is nominated in the regional roots music album category for his contributions to “A Tribute to the King of Zydeco.”
Gage Skidmore
Charley Crockett and Jimmie Vaughan
Regional roots music album, for A Tribute to the King of Zydeco.
The competition: Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet; Kyle Roussel; Trombone Shorty and New Breed Brass Band; and the Preservation Brass and Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
The prediction: With more than 30 acts contributing, this 14-song homage to the late Louisiana accordionist Clifton Chenier has the best shot at winning a race packed with Bayou State artists. Sadly, even if Tribute does take the prize, Crockett and Vaughan might only get a certificate — not a trophy — since each performs on just one track.
Kirk Franklin is nominated for a Grammy for best gospel performance/song for “Do It Again.”
Tom Fox / 2024 File Photo
Kirk Franklin
Gospel performance/song, for “Do It Again.”
The competition: John Legend and Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Jonathan McReynolds and Jamal Roberts; Pastor Mike Jr.; CeCe Winans and Shirley Caesar; various songwriters.
The prediction: Franklin is well-positioned for victory. He’s won this trophy six times in the last decade as a performer and/or songwriter, and he’s getting the Grammys’ Black Music Icon Award this year. But the trophy will probably go to two other veterans: Winans and 87-year-old Caesar, the “First Lady of Gospel Music.”
The Dallas String Quartet is up for the Grammy Award for new age/ambient/chant album for “According to the Moon.”
UDR
The Dallas String Quartet
New age/ambient/chant album, for According to the Moon, a collaboration with Cheryl B. Engelhardt and Australian artist Gem.
The competition: Kirsten Agresta-Copely, Jahnavi Harrison, Chris Redding and Carla Patullo featuring the Scorchio Quartet and Tonality.
The prediction: The Dallas-based “Bach meets Bon Jovi” foursome will probably lose to Patullo, a well-connected Los Angeles musician-composer-film director with deep Grammy credentials.
Details
The 68th annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 1 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. on CBS and Paramount+. Trevor Noah hosts for the sixth year in a row. Performers include Sabrina Carpenter, Clipse and Pharrell Williams, and all eight best new artist nominees: Addison Rae, Alex Warren, Katseye, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, Sombr and the Marías.
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