Spinner http://www.spinner.com Spinner http://www.spinner.com/media/feedlogo.gif Spinner http://www.spinner.com en-us Copyright 2009 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this headlines and excerpts feed are available for limited commercial distribution. You may repost this feed to your site provided you link back to the original story, do not edit the material, and do not remove this copyright notice. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Dave Matthews Blasts Grammys for LeRoi Moore Snub http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/12/dave-matthews-blasts-grammys-for-leroi-moore-snub/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/12/dave-matthews-blasts-grammys-for-leroi-moore-snub/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/12/dave-matthews-blasts-grammys-for-leroi-moore-snub/#comments Filed under: ,


Dave Matthews Band saxophonist LeRoi Moroe died last August after complications from injuries he suffered in an ATV accident. But Moore did not make the list of faces and names showcased during the Grammys' 'In Memoriam' segment last Sunday. And it's a snub DMB fans are rallying against with online petitions that demand an apology.

NARAS President Neil Portnow responded to the criticism, saying in a statement, "Nearly 250 members of our music community have passed in the last year, and all of them have been listed in the program book for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, including LeRoi Moore. For the 'Encore' segment of our annual Grammy Awards telecast, unfortunately we are unable to include all of the talented and wonderful people within the allotted timeframe. The Academy recognizes Moore's contributions to music and music education, and we are deeply saddened by his premature passing."

]]> 1168056Dave Matthews BandDaveMatthewsBand Steve Baltin 2009-02-12T12:00:00 00:00 Death Cab for Cutie Address AA on Grammy Red Carpet http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/10/death-cab-for-cutie-address-aa-on-grammy-red-carpet/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/10/death-cab-for-cutie-address-aa-on-grammy-red-carpet/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/10/death-cab-for-cutie-address-aa-on-grammy-red-carpet/#comments Filed under: , ,


Kanye, this one's for you.

Death Cab for Cutie members raised eyebrows and elicited chuckles on Sunday when they showed up at the Grammy Awards wearing blue ribbons pinned to their jackets. Although they lost out to Radiohead in the Best Alternative Music Album category, the beloved indie rockers injected humor to the event by raising awareness about "Autotune Abuse" in pop music.

"Autotuning is a digital manipulation, a correction of a singer's voice that is affecting literally thousands of singers today and thousands of records that are coming out," frontman Ben Gibbard told reporters. ]]> 1333930Death Cab for CutieDeathCabForCutie John D. Luerssen 2009-02-10T16:00:00 00:00 M.I.A. Joins Rap Pack at Grammys, Avoids Giving Birth Onstage http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/m-i-a-joins-rap-pack-at-grammys-avoids-giving-birth-onstage/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/m-i-a-joins-rap-pack-at-grammys-avoids-giving-birth-onstage/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/m-i-a-joins-rap-pack-at-grammys-avoids-giving-birth-onstage/#comments Filed under: , ,


Despite coming home without a statue last night, M.I.A. deserves an award merely just for performing at the Grammys in her massively pregnant state. The rapper took the stage -- on her due date, people -- to join Jay-Z, T.I., Kanye West and Lil Wayne (aka the "Rap Pack") for 'Swagga Like Us.'

The expectant singer took the stage in skin-tight, sheer attire for a brief take on her hit 'Paper Planes,' before bouncing along with her tuxedo-clad boys. The audience gave the blistering performance a standing ovation and M.I.A. left the stage as pregnant as she came. She and her fiancée, the Exit's Ben Brewer, should welcome their new baby right about ... ]]> 2171476M.I.A. Dan Reilly 2009-02-09T14:00:00 00:00 Foo Fighters Hiatus Over? http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/foo-fighters-hiatus-over/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/foo-fighters-hiatus-over/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/foo-fighters-hiatus-over/#comments Filed under: , ,


Last year it was reported that the Foo Fighters would be going on hiatus after they finished touring for 'Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace,' but drumemr Taylor Hawkins tells Spinner it may be a very brief hiatus. "We're writing, working on music intermittently," Hawkins says. "We've already got together and worked on a little bit of stuff, but very tenatively, just ideas. We're just gonna take our time."

Still, Hawkins says the band may pop up in some form for one simple reason -- they like each other. "It would be hard for us to go a year without making music together," he says. "We have fun being together. That's the whole trip -- we still enoy that, whether it's a Neil Diamond cover or whatever. We still like to get in the jam room." ]]> 1120799Foo FightersFooFighters Steve Baltin 2009-02-09T13:00:00 00:00 Green Day Announce New Album Details at Grammys http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/green-day-announce-new-album-details-at-grammys/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/green-day-announce-new-album-details-at-grammys/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/green-day-announce-new-album-details-at-grammys/#comments Filed under: , ,


Green Day had a little surprise in store for fans at the 2009 Grammy Awards. The punk trio announced their long-awaited new album's title will be called '21st Century Breakdown,' slated for a May release. Green Day dropped the news just before presenting Album of the Year honors to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.

Although its release is three months away, the follow up to 2004's 'American Idiot' is already available for pre-order through the band's official website. According to reports, the trio's eighth album is split into three acts: 'Heroes and Cons,' 'Charlatans and Saints,' and 'Horseshoes and Handgrenades.'

See the full list of 2009 Grammy winners here. ]]> Green DayGreenDay John D. Luerssen 2009-02-09T09:15:00 00:00 Robert Plant Says No to Zeppelin, Yes to Folk Backstage at Grammy Awards http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/robert-plant-says-no-to-zeppelin-yes-to-folk-backstage-at-gramm/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/robert-plant-says-no-to-zeppelin-yes-to-folk-backstage-at-gramm/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/robert-plant-says-no-to-zeppelin-yes-to-folk-backstage-at-gramm/#comments Filed under: ,


You'd think Robert Plant's five Grammy wins with Alison Krauss -- including prestigious prizes of Record and Album of the Year -- would be enough to put Led Zeppelin on the back burner at least for one night. Well, you'd be wrong.

When the name of his former band was uttered during a post-show press conference, one reporter couldn't resist, prefacing a question with, "Speaking of Zeppelin ..." It prompted a quick, mocking scream of "No!" from the good-spirited Plant.

Still, he couldn't escape questions of a Zeppelin reunion tour. Firing back at the gray-haired scribe, Plant joked, "Look, I don't know how old you are, pal. You look a bit older than me. Try and do 'Communication Breakdown' with some tight jeans on."

While Led Zeppelin were awarded a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2005, the legendary band never won a statue for their work. But Plant doesn't hold grudges. "We threw some Grammys -- they weren't ours -- out of the window," he joked. "But it was a different time. The blokes who were turning us down and trying to bury us were running the 'Rolling Stone' magazine," he explained. "Saying that we were insignificant philanderers, and they couldn't have been more right. And now I'm as old as they were, and I don't like a lot of the s--- going on now."

See the full list of 2009 Grammy winners here.

]]> 10005031004427alison kraussAlisonKraussled zeppelinLedZeppelinrobert plantRobertPlant Steve Baltin 2009-02-09T08:42:00 00:00 Blink-182 Reuniting for Album and World Tour http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/blink-182-reuniting-for-album-and-world-tour/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/blink-182-reuniting-for-album-and-world-tour/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/09/blink-182-reuniting-for-album-and-world-tour/#comments Filed under: , ,


Blink-182 is reuniting. Appearing together at together at last night's Grammy ceremony to present Coldplay with Best Rock Album honors, Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker made the announcement. "We used to play music together, and we decided to play music together once again," Barker told viewers. "Blink-182 is back"

A statement released by the trio -- which had been on official hiatus since February 2005 -- read, "This past week there've been a lot of questions about the current status of the band, and we wanted you to hear it straight from us. To put it simply, we're back. We man, really back. Picking up where we left off and then some. In the studio writing and recording a new album. Preparing to tour the world yet again. Friendships reformed. 17 years deep in our legacy."

See the full list of 2009 Grammy winners here. ]]> 441182353409114429194angels airwavesangels and airwavesAngelsAirwavesAngelsAndAirwavesblink 182blink-182Blink182grammygrammysmark hoppusMarkHoppusplus 44Plus44reuniontom delongeTomDelongetravis barkerTravisBarker John D. Luerssen 2009-02-09T07:39:00 00:00 Grammy Winners 2009: Robert Plant, Coldplay Lead British Invasion at the Grammys http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/robert-plant-coldplay-lead-british-invasion-at-the-grammys/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/robert-plant-coldplay-lead-british-invasion-at-the-grammys/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/robert-plant-coldplay-lead-british-invasion-at-the-grammys/#comments Filed under: ,


Robert Plant and Coldplay lead a full-on British invasion at this year's Grammys, with Plant and his partner-in-crime, Alison Krauss, going five-for-five on the night, including wins for Album of the Year with their collaborative album, 'Raising Sand,' and Record of the Year for 'Please Read the Letter.'

"In the old days we would've called this selling out," Plant said. "I think it's a good way to spend a Sunday."

The duo also took home trophies for Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album, Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for 'Rich Woman' and Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for 'Killing the Blues.'

Meanwhile, Coldplay, dressed in attire straight from the Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,' took home trophies for Song of the Year ('Viva La Vida'), Best Rock Album ('Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends') and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals. ]]> 100442710325461402140519343736851AdeleAlison KraussAlisonKraussColdplayDuffyRadioheadRobert PlantRobert Plant and Alison KraussRobertPlantRobertPlantAndAlisonKrauss Jessica Robertson 2009-02-08T23:30:00 00:00 Four Tops Honored With Lifetime Achievement Grammy http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/four-tops-honored-with-lifetime-achievement-grammy/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/four-tops-honored-with-lifetime-achievement-grammy/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/four-tops-honored-with-lifetime-achievement-grammy/#comments Filed under: ,


The Four Tops have been bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award during the 51st Grammy Awards. Sole surviving original member Abdul "Duke" Fakir accepted the accolade on behalf of the linchpin Motown group, adding one more plaudit to a long string of career highlights, including a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1990.

As Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs had passed away this past October, predeceased by bandmates Renaldo "Obie" Benson and Lawrence Payton, Fakir took the opportunity to join a newly assembled Tops tribute group onstage during the awards broadcast. Comprising Fakir, Smokey Robinson, Ne-Yo and Jamie Foxx, this cross-generational soul quartet did an able job of filling the shoes of Fakir's fallen comrades on a medley of 'Reach Out I'll Be There' and 'I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch).'

See the full list of 2009 Grammy winners here. ]]> 1003658four topsFourTops Gaylord Fields 2009-02-08T23:00:00 00:00 Adele Wins Best New Artist Grammy http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/adele-wins-best-new-artist-grammy/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/adele-wins-best-new-artist-grammy/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/adele-wins-best-new-artist-grammy/#comments Filed under: ,


It was a battle of Brits between Duffy and Adele for Best New Artist at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Jonas Brothers, Lady Antebellum and Jazmine Sullivan were also up for the award, but, let's face it, Battle of the Brits has a little pizzazz. We digress.

Adele, who we named No. 1 on our 2008 Women Who Rock list, walked away with the honor, thanks in part to her smash 'Chasing Pavements,' a contemplative kiss-off to her ex-boyfriend. "I'm gonna cry," she said as she accepted the award. After thanking a slew of record label and industry folks, she gave shout outs to those that matter. "I want to thank my mom in London, and Duffy, I love you -- I think you're amazing. Jonas Brothers, I love you, too."

Winning a Grammy? The ultimate vindication.

See the full list of 2009 Grammy winners here. ]]> 519343Adele Jessica Robertson 2009-02-08T21:45:00 00:00 Coldplay Turn Grammy Rehearsals Into Comedy Show http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/coldplay-turn-grammy-rehearsals-into-comedy-show/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/coldplay-turn-grammy-rehearsals-into-comedy-show/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/coldplay-turn-grammy-rehearsals-into-comedy-show/#comments Filed under: , ,


If Coldplay were nervous about playing the Grammys with the likes of U2, Radiohead and Paul McCartney, it wasn't apparent at the band's performance rehearsal. During the practice run of their collaboration with Jay-Z, frontman Chris Martin, wearing a "Barack to the Future" shirt, enteratined the Staples Center crowd of friends, family and media with somke stand-up humor.

In an announcer accent, Martin joked, "Welcome to 'American Idol.'" "I would never make it on 'Americal Idol,'" he quipped. "I don't have the cheekbones. I would have to hide behind my band." ]]> 1402140Coldplay Steve Baltin 2009-02-08T18:00:00 00:00 Neil Diamond Honored as MusiCares Person of the Year http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/neil-diamond-honored-as-musicares-person-of-the-year/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/neil-diamond-honored-as-musicares-person-of-the-year/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/08/neil-diamond-honored-as-musicares-person-of-the-year/#comments Filed under: , ,


"I'm still in a state of shock," Neil Diamond told Spinner in an interview following the MusiCares tribute to him as 2009's Person of the Year, which featured Coldplay, Foo Fighters and Kid Rock, among others, honoring the music legend with renditions of his songs.

Despite a more than 40-year-career of countless successes Diamond remains charmingly humble, to the point he doubted anybody would show. "When they first presented this idea I said to my managers, 'I wouldn't want to be you,' because I didn't think anybody would want to sing my songs," he says. "I'm overwhelmed all this talent showed up." ]]> 1003460ColdplayFoo FightersFooFightersJennifer HudsonJenniferHudsonKid RockKidRockNeil DiamondNeilDiamond Steve Baltin 2009-02-08T17:30:00 00:00 Duffy Wants to Win Leo DiCaprio at the Grammys http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/06/duffy-wants-to-win-leo-dicaprio-at-the-grammys/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/06/duffy-wants-to-win-leo-dicaprio-at-the-grammys/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/06/duffy-wants-to-win-leo-dicaprio-at-the-grammys/#comments Filed under: , ,


Duffy has a goal for Grammy night. Sure, winning any or all of the three awards the Welsh songstress is nominated for would be nice, but she's going for a bigger prize.

"I want to meet Leonardo Dicaprio," she tells Spinner. Remind her that this is the Grammys, not the Oscars and she's undeterred. Anything can happen in Hollywood. "We're just going to miraculously bump into each other and fall in love. He's a bit of a hottie. He's the crème de la crème of gorgeousness. Who doesn't fancy him? Even my mom fancies him." ]]> 736851Duffy Melinda Newman 2009-02-06T10:00:00 00:00 Sir Elton and Eminem Together Again? http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/05/sir-elton-and-eminem-together-again/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/05/sir-elton-and-eminem-together-again/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/05/sir-elton-and-eminem-together-again/#comments Filed under: , ,


Sing it with us: "Reunited and it feels so good." Yeah, maybe not. Still, one of music's most unlikely couples (next to Bing Crosby and David Bowie, of course) Elton John and Eminem are reportedly joining forces for a duet on the rapper's long-awaited new album, titled 'Relapse' -- Slim Shady's first new effort in five years.

Rumors of the odd couple have been swirling since the fall, when Sir Elton was spotted in Detroit around the same time Shady was in the studio. If the pair have indeed recorded together, it would mark their first collaboration since sharing the stage at the 2001 Grammys, performing Em's hit 'Stan' amidst allegations that the rapper was homophobic. John was later both criticized and praised by members of the gay community for supporting Eminem. ]]> 10039451316056Elton JohnEltonJohnEminem Jon Chattman 2009-02-05T15:00:00 00:00 Robert Plant, Alison Krauss Plan Second Project http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/04/robert-plant-alison-krauss-plan-second-project/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/04/robert-plant-alison-krauss-plan-second-project/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/04/robert-plant-alison-krauss-plan-second-project/#comments Filed under: ,


The pairing of rock icon Robert Plant and Alison Krauss has proved to be a match made in music heaven. Such a great match, in fact, that they're following their 'Raising Sand' duets album with another joint project.

"We've got a whole bunch of songs, and we're just going, 'Does that work, and does that work?'" Plant tells the UK's Absolute Radio. "So we're trying it out again."

Working on new music, the two know they have a tough act to follow. 'Raising Sand' landed five Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year. Their tour supporting the album sold out in cities across the country, and sales of the CD have topped one million. ]]> 10005031004051alison kraussAlisonKraussLed ZeppelinLedZeppelinrobert plantRobertPlant Beville Darden 2009-02-04T16:00:00 00:00 Coldplay Might Get Served More Than Drinks at Grammys http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/04/coldplay-served-grammys/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/04/coldplay-served-grammys/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/04/coldplay-served-grammys/#comments Filed under: , ,


When Chris Martin and his Coldplay mates show up at the Grammys this weekend, they'll have fiercer predators to contend with than the normal cadre of paparazzi: process servers.

Back in December, guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the British hitmakers, claiming they lifted a melody line from one of his songs for their Grammy-nominated hit 'Viva La Vida.' Satriani's attorney Howard King tells Fox News that the band has so far dodged getting served the legal papers, and that a big awards show like the Grammys seems like a perfect place to corner Martin and Co.

"We have warned their British lawyers that we have hired a fleet of process servers lined up to dog the band everywhere they go this weekend in the hopes of serving them," King says. ]]> 10046091402140coldplayJoeSatriani Marc Schneider 2009-02-04T12:00:00 00:00 Coldplay, Lil Wayne Lead Grammy Performers http://www.spinner.com/2009/01/13/coldplay-lil-wayne-lead-grammy-performers/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/01/13/coldplay-lil-wayne-lead-grammy-performers/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/01/13/coldplay-lil-wayne-lead-grammy-performers/#comments Filed under: , ,


Coldplay, Lil Wayne and the Jonas Brothers are among this year's Grammy performers, as confirmed by a Grammy spokesperson to Spinner. The full lineup is expected to be announced on Wednesday.

Weezy leads the nominations with eight, including Album of the Year for 'Tha Carter III,' and entries in every rap category. Chris Martin and Co. follow with seven, and their 'Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends' will battle it out with Mr. Wayne for Album of the Year. Meanwhile, the Jonas Brothers are up for Best New Artist, and their performance will likely mark the point in the broadcast when anyone over the age of 15 takes a snack break.

Or not. We don't judge.

The 51st Grammy Awards air February 8th on CBS. ]]> 13523861402140ColdplayJonas brothersJonasBrothersLil WayneLilWayne Dan Reilly 2009-01-13T16:00:00 00:00 Stevie Wonder, Thom Yorke Get Artsy for Grammys http://www.spinner.com/2009/01/13/steve-wonder-thom-yorke-get-artsy-for-grammys/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/01/13/steve-wonder-thom-yorke-get-artsy-for-grammys/ http://www.spinner.com/2009/01/13/steve-wonder-thom-yorke-get-artsy-for-grammys/#comments Filed under: ,


With the 51st Grammy Awards just around the corner, Spinner obtained some exclusive artwork, featuring Stevie Wonder, Rihanna and Lil Wayne, surrounding and promoting the soireee. Each of the three artists, in addition to Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Lenny Kravitz, provided a list of at least 15 songs that inspire them. Those song titles were then morphed into portraits of the artists' faces. The art will be featured on various billboards, TV spots and online campaigns leading up to the big night on Feb. 8. Here's your sneak preview.

Grammy-Inspired Art 2009

    The Grammy's celebrate the year in music with 'Music Makes Us,' a campaign that celebrates the power of music. The artworks focuses on several of the artists that are making a difference in music today, and paying tribute to the music that influences and inspires them.

    Stevie Wonder: With 22 Grammy's under his belt, including back-to-back Album of the Year awards, Stevie Wonder looks to add another for his performance of 'Never Give You Up' with Raphael Saadiq, nominated for Best R&B Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals.

    Stevie Wonder

    Lenny Kravitz: A four-time Grammy winner, Lenny Kravitz wears his love for Prince clearly in his tribute art.

    Lenny Kravitz

    Rihanna: The superstar, who won a Grammy in 2007 for 'Umbrella,' is up again this year for three more awards. Rihanna's inspiration ranges from Celine Dion to Destiny's Child.

    Rihanna

    Lil Wayne The New Orleans rapper tops this year's Grammy nominations with 8, including Album of the Year. Sir Wayne will also battle himself in the Best Rap Song category.

    Lil Wayne

    Thom Yorke: As a two-time Grammy winner with his band Radiohead, Tom Yorke may expand his collection by five at this year's awards.

    Thom Yorke

]]> 10325461116057Lenny KravitzLennyKravitzLil WayneLilWayneRadioheadRihannaStevie WonderStevieWonder Rae Votta 2009-01-13T12:00:00 00:00 B.B. King Waxes Poetic About Obama at Grammy Noms http://www.spinner.com/2008/12/04/b-b-king-waxes-poetic-about-obama-at-grammy-noms/ http://www.spinner.com/2008/12/04/b-b-king-waxes-poetic-about-obama-at-grammy-noms/ http://www.spinner.com/2008/12/04/b-b-king-waxes-poetic-about-obama-at-grammy-noms/#comments Filed under: , ,


Many musicians have weighed in on the significance of Barack Obama's historic presidential election win. But few offer as much perspective or eloquence as the legendary B.B. King, a man, who at 83, lived through the civil rights struggle. Backstage at the 2009 Grammy nominations on Wednesday night, King told Spinner what the victory meant to him.

"I never thought I would live long enough to see a black president in my lifetime," King said. "But I believed all of my life that one day there would be someone like Dr. King once said, [and] people would be thought of and loved and appreciated for what they did and not their color. And that to me makes me very happy to think of that. ]]> 1075698B.b. kingB.b.King Steve Baltin 2008-12-04T12:00:00 00:00 Grammy Nominations 2009 http://www.spinner.com/2008/12/03/grammy-nominations-2009-/ http://www.spinner.com/2008/12/03/grammy-nominations-2009-/ http://www.spinner.com/2008/12/03/grammy-nominations-2009-/#comments Filed under: ,


Summon Paul Revere. The British are coming! It was a veritable British invasion as for the first time in 15 years, three acts from the other side of the pond received Grammy nominations Wednesday night for the coveted Album of the Year.

The Brits score a clean sweep for Record of the Year, with all five of the nominated songs performed by British acts (as with Album of the Year, Robert Plant is joined here by American Allison Krauss, but he's British enough for both of them.) Meanwhile, in Song of the Year, three British acts scored a nod, and a pair of British lasses garnered Best New Artist nods.

Both Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends' and Radiohead's 'In Rainbows,' whom many pundits feared would cancel each other out, will vie for Album of the Year with Plant and Krauss' 'Rising Sand,' Lil Wayne's 'Tha Carter lll' and Ne-Yo's 'Year of the Gentleman.' 'Tha Carter' is this year's top seller, having notched more than 2.7 million copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Wayne leads all nominees with eight nods. He is followed by Coldplay with seven, while Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West each have six. Meanwhile, shut out from the Album of the Year category was Grammy favorite Alicia Keys, who was widely expected to garner a nomination for 'As I Am.' ]]> Melinda Newman 2008-12-03T23:30:00 00:00