Mavis Staples Wins First Ever Grammy for Best Americana Album

Mavis Staples is finally in the winner's circle after nabbing her first ever Grammy tonight for her record 'You Are Not Alone' in the Best Americana Album category.

Overcome with emotion, Staples, 71, clutched her award during the Pre-Telecast Ceremony and proclaimed the honour had been "a long time coming."

Staples may have been flustered after the unexpected win, but the Chicago native, who's been in the music industry since the 1950s, was nonetheless utterly charismatic during her acceptance speech.

Before thanking 'You Are Not Alone' producer Jeff Tweedy of Wilco for bringing the "youngsters" back to her, the legendary singer took pause to remark how ravishing she looked in her shimmering maroon gown after catching a glimpse of herself on a television monitor. It was a move that was met by cheers from the room, and exemplified her lasting star power as did her performance earlier in the night along side Buddy Guy and Cyndi Lauper.

Staples beat out Rosanne Cash, Los Lobos, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant for the Grammy, and promises this isn't the last the world has seen from Mavis Staples.

Read more about Mavis Staples and her 60 years of making music in our Spinner Interview.

Watch Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy Perform 'You Are Not Alone'
Grammys 2011 Grammy Red Carpet