Here's 3 new articles about the Grammy Awards that will air on channel 8, CBS 2morrow (Sunday).



MICHAEL JACKSON'S SURPRISE GRAMMY APPEARANCE
Friday, February 08, 2008
By Roger Friedman


Jacko's Surprise Grammy Appearance

Is it true? Well, my sources say that Michael Jackson may actually be performing at the Grammy Awards this Sunday.

A lot could change between now and Sunday night, but the scenario that’s been described for me goes something like this: Justin Timberlake starts the show singing along with a tape of Frank Sinatra. The next act up is Jackson, performing one of his hits from "Thriller," possibly even re-creating the dance number for "Billie Jean" he made famous at the Motown 25th anniversary show in 1983.

Will it happen? Who knows. Jackson, my sources insist, has been rehearsing at a Burbank studio and keeping away from the Staples Center, where the Grammy show takes place.

Of course, if it does happen, Jackson would get a huge boost for the special 25th anniversary edition of "Thriller" that Sony releases on Tuesday. And if it doesn’t work out, well, then … as they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Michael, the ball’s in your court. And believe it or not, we’re rooting for you.


ALL EYES ON AMY WINEHOUSE, KANYE WEST & MAYBE MICHAEL JACKSON HEADING INTO SUNDAY'S GRAMMYS
Friday, February 08, 2008



LOS ANGELES — Kanye West may have received a leading eight nominations, but the main question heading into Sunday night's Grammy Awards was: What will Amy Winehouse do?

Winehouse received six nominations after months of personal problems — including the release of a video that allegedly shows her smoking crack — that took the focus off her gritty, soulful music.

The British singer will not attend this year's Grammy Awards because her request for a visa was denied, but she will take a break from rehab to perform by satellite at Sunday's ceremony in Los Angeles.

West, known for throwing tantrums at awards shows when he doesn't win, has had a triumphant yet tragic year. He knocked 50 Cent off his throne when "Graduation" had the best-selling debut of the year with nearly one million copies sold, but his mother died suddenly in November at age 58 after plastic surgery.

West is planning an emotional tribute performance to his mom at the Grammys, People magazine reported. The rapper has not been officially announced as a performer for the awards show.

And Michael Jackson may actually be performing, FOXNews.com's FOX411 columnist Roger Friedman reported.

The possible scenario has Justin Timberlake starting the show singing along with a tape of Frank Sinatra. The next act up is Jackson, performing one of his hits from "Thriller," possibly even re-creating the dance number for "Billie Jean" he made famous at the Motown 25th anniversary show in 1983.

Other top nominees included the Foo Fighters, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Paul McCartney, T-Pain and Timbaland.

Both West and Winehouse were nominated for album of the year for their CDs "Graduation" and "Back to Black," respectively. Winehouse was also cited for best new artist, plus record and song of the year for the defiant hit "Rehab."

Other record of the year candidates include Beyonce's "Irreplaceable," the Foo Fighters' "The Pretender," Rihanna's "Umbrella" and "What Goes Around Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake.

In addition to West and Winehouse, the album of the year category also featured the Foo Fighters, for "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace," Vince Gill's four-disc set "These Days," — and, surprisingly, Herbie Hancock's tribute to Joni Mitchell, "River: The Joni Letters."

Other song of the year candidates included Corrine Bailey Rae's sweet-sounding "Like A Star," Carrie Underwood's revenge anthem "Before He Cheats," The Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah" and "Umbrella."

Winehouse was competing against Feist, Paramore, Taylor Swift and Ledesi in the best new artist category.

The show is set to air at 8 p.m. ET on CBS from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Photo Essay: Grammy Nominees

Click here for the list of nominations

The Associated Press contributed to this report.




ARTISTS PAY TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN
Saturday, February 09, 2008
By Roger Friedman


Aretha Parties; Jacko Leaves

Grammy 2008 weekend began with a bang. Aretha Franklin got a big, eclectic tribute at the Convention Center and Michael Jackson left town.

That’s right: Jacko aborted his rehearsal and performance plan and returned to Las Vegas with his kids. "He’s telling people he’s sick," a source said. That’s Jackson code for "I don’t want to do this." He’s used it before many, many times, sometimes getting sued in the process.

On Friday, legendary producer Quincy Jones spent the whole day doing publicity for Sony on Jackson’s "Thriller" anniversary album, which he created in 1982. But Jackson was nowhere to be found.

Jones, who's 75, is rightfully reclaiming his legacy as producer of Jackson’s best albums, while Jackson retreats into his odd world. If Jackson shows up for the Grammys, it will be to wave and take a bow. But don’t count on that.

"We thought he’d just come on, do a little moonwalk, and that’s it," a production insider said. "But he’s not even doing that."

A concert promoter told me if Jackson can’t even manage an appearance on Sunday, "He’s finished."

Michael, here’s some advice: Surprise everyone; come back to Los Angeles.

Jackson isn’t the only no-show of the weekend. Operatic singer Andrea Bocelli cancelled his performance at Franklin’s MusiCares tribute 12 minutes before he was supposed to go on as a duet with classical pianist Lang Lang.

"He said he could tell it was all about Lang Lang and didn’t want to do it," an insider told me. The pianist performed on his own, and was brilliant as usual.

The other Aretha cancellation was Angie Stone, who got sick at the last minute. A backup singer named Carmen Carter filled in, singing "Think" while Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi recreated a moment from the Blues Brothers original movie.

Other than Franklin herself, who was sterling when she finally took the reins of the show, the night was a little weird.

MusiCares shows usually feature top stars doing the songs of the honoree. There was little of that Friday night. Instead, the highlights included Bebe and Cece Winans singing a soulful "You’ve Got a Friend," Anthony Hamilton did his hit, "Can’t Let It Go," gospel great Shirley Caesar went to church, as they say, and the trio of Patti Austin, Herbie Hancock, and Roy Hargrove wowed the crowd with a jazz rave up on "I Say a Little Prayer."

The rest of the night was uneven to say the least. Even though Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Sam Moore, Quincy Jones, and Josh Groban were in the house, they were not asked to perform.

Conspicuously absent were Franklin friends Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and Etta James. Fantasia performed, with a splash of white in her hair and plumped lips. John Legend made Franklin’s "Daydreaming" sound like one of his own songs. Corinne Bailey Rae turned "Angel" into a nursery rhyme. An 11-year-old girl sang, inappropriately, "Baby Won’t You Call Me?"

Luckily the night was saved, first by the Austin-Hancock-Hargrove trio, but also a touching convocation by Rev. Al Sharpton, a beautiful speech by Tony Bennett about the importance of MusiCares supporting indigent jazz musicians, and then Aretha herself.

I guess the deck was stacked against all the guests anyway, because if Aretha’s in the room, you can’t win. She moved through "Chain of Fools" and "One Night With the King," then took over the piano and hit such a tremendous gospel groove that Tavis Smiley was able to bounce a blonde in his lap to the beat. Cool.

After the show, most everyone headed to the Four Seasons bar to figure out what happened and discuss what they’d seen and heard. John Mayer was on the patio with someone named Minka from "Friday Night Lights" who I’m told is his girlfriend and a TV star.

He was happy and animated. Groban hung out in the main room. Curfew was called a little after 1 because this is Los Angeles, the strangest place in the world.

A little gossip: Wonder and Bennett are going to do an album together, probably in March, for Columbia Records… the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum is opening a satellite branch in Manhattan. It will feature exhibits of artists, many of whom have been shunned by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Awards. Very ironic and funny…Warner M. (the M is for Mismanaged, Muddle, Mishegos, Miscellaneous, Meandering, Misbegotten) Group, despite losing millions and millions and releasing nothing, is still having a Grammy after-party tomorrow. Hilarious! Where are the stockholders of this publicly traded company? Where are the burning torches? The thrown rocks? The stockades?



[Edited 2/10/08 15:54pm]

Fried Chicken just said that Michael won't be there at the Grammys tomorrow, lol.

Friedman is just trying to cover his butt.....first he says MJ isgonna be therem actually performing and Mj has apparently skip town!....he's just covering all his bases!

Entertainment Today is the first site to report that Janet WILL be performing.

http://www.entertainmentt...ew/502/30/

The writer of this article is a former Hollywood Reporter editor and Billboard news director.
[Edited 2/9/08 18:20pm]

VoicesCarry said:

I sure hope he's correct. Mikel from Janet Xone trying not to hear it, "oh it's not true!" LOL

Timmy84 said:

Michael is only repeating what Janet and Gil have told him. He is purposefully stating the official word.

WTF! This is fucking confusing

VoicesCarry said:

Yeah, LOL But ya know what though? I'm gonna take Mikel's word for it...
[Edited 2/9/08 18:35pm]

Timmy84 said:

Just make sure you DVD-R it

VoicesCarry said:

If Janet's on it, I'll make sure someone does.

DANGEROUSx said: