Eminem, Nelly among top Grammy runners
By Nekesa Mumbi Moody
Associated Press
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They were among the eight artists who received a leading five Grammy nominations each. The other four: R&B singer Ashanti, neo-soul artist Raphael Saadiq, rapper Nelly and perennial Grammy favorite Sheryl Crow.
Springsteen's 9/11-themed "The Rising" was nominated for album of the year, and the title track for song of the year.
Eminem, nominated for best album in 2000, received a nomination in that category again for "The Eminem Show" — the year's top seller — and a record citation for "Without Me."
Newcomer Jones, 23, was nominated for record of the year for her underground hit "Don't Know Why." Her "Come Away With Me" was nominated for album of the year, and she received a best-new-artist nod.
Another nominee for best new artist, Lavigne, also came up big: The 18-year-old was nominated for song of the year, best female pop vocal performance, best female rock vocal performance and best pop vocal album. "I would have freaked out if I just had one. Now that I have five — I'm just trying to pinch myself," Lavigne said.
Other nominees for album of the year were the Dixie Chicks' "Home" and Nelly's "Nellyville."
Nelly's "Dilemma," featuring Kelly Rowland, was cited for record of the year; he also was nominated in three rap categories. "Any one they want to give me, I'm more than happy to receive," said Nelly, who's been nominated in the past but never won.
The Dixie Chicks were up for four awards, including country album of the year. Alan Jackson also was nominated in that category, and his Sept. 11 ode "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" was nominated for song of the year.
Other multiple Grammy nominees included India.Arie, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash and Vanessa Carlton, whose song "A Thousand Miles" was nominated for record and song of the year.
Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" rounded out the record-of-the-year category — lead singer Chad Kroeger also got three other nominations, including best movie song ("Hero" from "Spider-Man").
Saadiq's five nominations may have been one of the morning's biggest surprises; the former Tony! Toni! Tone! singer released his debut album, "Instant Vintage," but it was a poor seller.
Another neo-soul artist, Canadian singer Remy Shand, also was a multiple nominee with four nods.
Among Crow's nominations: best female pop vocal performance for her feel-good summer hit, "Soak Up the Sun," and best female rock vocal performance for "Steve McQueen."
Ashanti, whose self-titled debut sold more than 3 million copies, was nominated for best R&B vocal performance and best contemporary R&B album, among other awards.
Rounding out the nominees for new artist were singer-songwriters Michelle Branch and John Mayer.
"I feel official as an artist," said Mayer, who was on hand for the Grammy announcements at Madison Square Garden. "It's pretty amazing for one nomination to do that. But I feel kind of realized."
One notable omission was Josh Groban. His eponymous debut album sold 2.7 million copies with little radio airplay; the classically inspired baritone was one of the surprise successes of the year, and some thought he would at least get a best new artist nomination.
Also left out were much-hyped garage bands the Strokes, the Vines, the Hives and the White Stripes.
The awards are to be handed out Feb. 23. This year there are 104 categories, up from 101 last year.
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