Grammy rooting interest

I watch two awards shows a year.

Two.

Out of the 50 or so that are televised.

One is the Academy Awards. It's good to go watch a particular Oscar Award-winning film after the awards show to see what all the hype was about.

Most of the time, the films that I think should be Oscar winners aren't event nominated and the films that get all the rave reviews are terrible.

I mean, really ... Beerfest wasn't nominated for an Academy Award this year? Really?

Seriously, the other award show I watch is the Grammy Awards. It provides some field research opportunities for the Real Texas Festival and it can also result in some additional publicity for the event.

The festival that takes place April 24-26, 2009 at Rodeo Plaza in Mesquite, LBJ and Military Parkway by the way.

This year, I have a rooting interest as James Otto (Friday, 7:45 p.m.) is nominated for Best Country Performance Male. I'd like to see him win it ... it would be great publicity for the festival to have a Grammy-winning artist performing on the main stage.

However, the competition is fierce as James will be going against Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, George Strait and Jamey Johnson. I'd like to think "Just Got Started Lovin You" could stand up along with the rest of the nominees and that James can win the Grammy.

But I think the smart money would be to go with George Strait or Brad Paisley.

I spend a lot time studying the music and recording industry. I like to go through an exercise in futility I call "Predicting the Grammy Awards." I know ... catchy title isn't it? I should rush to get that copyrighted so that no one steals my brilliance.

I'll offer my predictions on the big awards. Here we go.

Record of the Year -- Leona Lewis has had a brilliant year, but give me the safe pick. Coldplay's "Viva La Vida."

Album of the Year -- Cold Play would be a good choice here as well, but Radiohead with "Rainbows" might have something to say about it. I think I'm going with a bit of an upset here. Give me "Tha Carter III" from Lil Wayne. Lil Wayne is poised to have a Norah Jones-like year at the Grammys.

Song of the Year -- Again, "Viva la Vida" from Cold Play will be tough to beat. But give me "Love Song" from Sara Bareilles. That's a personal pick right there. I think it would be the ultimate irony for an artist to win music's highest honor for a song that was for all intents and purposes designed to tell her record label to shove it.

Best New Artist -- Two way race for my money and too close to call. Either Lady Antebellum or Adele. Remember, it's about excellence in the recording industry. Well, I guess for that matter, the Jonas Brothers might be a darkhorse. If you can take such marginal talent as that and make it sound as good as it does, you are a recording genius.

Female Pop Performance -- Katie Perry, "Kissed a Girl." Don't like the song and my favorite of that group was Leona Lewis ... the girl can sing.

Male Pop Performance -- Remember, Grammy loves the veteran artist who positions himself in the comeback role. I'll take that history and lean with "Wichita Lineman" from James Taylor.

Best Rock Performance Duo or Group -- "Violet Hill" from Coldplay -- again. But (see above) don't discount "Long Road out of Eden" from The Eagles.

Hard Rock Performance -- "Into the Fire" from Disturbed -- hands down. However, there are veterans in the field such as Motley Crue and Judas Priest. Watch out for them as well.

Metal Performance -- The winner will be "My Apocalypse" from Metallica. It should be Slipknot's "Psychosocial."

R&B Album -- Jennifer Hudson ... she should win simply based on her rendition of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl alone.

Rap Solo Performance -- "A Milli" from Lil Wayne. I don't think it will be much of a contest on this one.

Rap Album -- Yep ... "Tha Carter III" from Lil Wayne.

Country Female Performance -- We'll root for James Otto for best male and for fellow Texans LeAnn Rimes and Lee Ann Womack in this category. But give me Martina McBride as the winner.

Country Album -- There is no question who will win. George Strait and "Troubadour."

I could go on and on, but that's more than enough. Watch the Grammys on Sunday night to see if James Otto can pull of the upset and come to the Real Texas Festival April 24-26 at Rodeo Center.