GRAMMY WATCH - Dance and Traditional Pop Music Categories - Picks & Predictions

While I may be gaga over Lady GaGa, I wonder about how the Academy may feel about her. Seeing as the jury is still out as to why Bad Romance wasn't a Record or Song of the Year nominee - it is tough to call her as the winner in the wee dance cat. That being said, I am hopeful. As for Traditional Pop - Michael Buble seems to be the popular choice, I am always a fan of Barbra Striesand - and, hey, Johnny Mathis has never even won a Grammy Award, although he is in the Recording Academy's prestigious Hall of Fame - I think he is way overdue, as he still sounds as smooth as silk. We shall see, if Grammy does the right thing here.

Don't bet on it though.

Best Dance Recording

My Pick: DANCE IN THE DARK - Lady Gaga; Fernando Garibay & Lady Gaga, producers; Robert Orton, mixer (Track from: The Fame Monster) [Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope]

My Prediction: ONLY GIRL (IN THE WORLD) - Rihanna [Island Def Jam]

And don't count out LaRoux - they are the only ones in this category nominated for Best Electronic/Dance Album - so they may pull an upset...BUT, I think Rihanna's ties with R&B, Rap & Pop voting members will pull her through over La GaGa.

Best Electronic/Dance Album

My Pick & Prediction: FURTHER - [Astralwerks] - The Chemical Brothers

Chemical Brothers is well known and beloved in this category. However, and again, don't count out LaRoux. People who didn't for them in the previous category may think they are worthy here. And then there is always Groove Armada - just depends how electronic they want to go here.

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

My Pick & Prediction: LET IT BE ME: MATHIS IN NASHVILLE - Johnny Mathis

[Columbia Records]

I really want Mathis to win, so I will predict him...lol, as if that will make it so. Michael Buble, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart & Barbra Streisand are all here - WOW! What a competition, when you really look at it. Shall be interesting... Part of me still thinks Buble really, but I am putting the positive vibes in the universe to finally give Mr. Mathis his due already.

GRAMMY WATCH - Blues (American Roots) Categories - Picks & Predicitons

Can you say 'ladies night'? For once, the two blues categories could (and should) go to two vibrant divas in song. Blues music (at least as far as Grammy's goes) seems to be nothing more than a Gentleman's club to date. Since the category's inception in 1970, when it was Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording (including Traditional Blues), only four women have won in one or the other (two newer categories are Best Traditional Blues or Best Contemporary Blues Album). Koko Taylor was the first (albeit in a group) in 1984 for Blues Explosion. Bonnie Raitt won (in a duet with John Lee Hooker) in 1989. Etta James was actually the first female solo winner in the category (Contemporary) in 2003 for Let's Roll!. James won her second in 2004 (this time in the Traditional category) for Blues to the Bone. Irma Thomas' After the Rain won in 2006 (Contemporary).

This year the Billboard Blues charts were dominated by two female artists in particular - Cyndi Lauper & Bettye LaVette. Both are nominated and I believe each lady has a strong chance at making a bit of history - even if I am the only one to take notice. Both recordings are solid efforts and both artists have certainly paid their dues and are quite deserving. Both are up against some of the best of the best in Blues music, legends even, many past winners numerous times in their respective categories.

That being said - it just may be time for the gentlemen to step to the side and let the Divas of Blues have their day, if not night.

Kudos to them both!

Best Contemporary Blues Album

My Pick & Prediction:

INTERPRETATIONS: THE BRITISH ROCK SONGBOOK

Bettye LaVette

[ANTI-]

Best Traditional Blues Album

My Pick & Prediction:

MEMPHIS BLUES

Cyndi Lauper

[Mercer Street Records]

The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards will be telecast live on Sunday, February 13, 2011 on CBS at 8pm, EST. To get full coverage and to see the complete list of nominees, please visit the Grammy site.