| If there was one thing the country music artists who | | | | “America The Beautiful” and ended with |
| performed at the recent Grammy Awards proved | | | | “Chicken Fried.” |
| through their performances, it is the fact that country | | | | Underwood later took to the stage as part of the |
| music remains as a vital part of the American music | | | | ensemble of singers who joined the 3D tribute to |
| industry through all these years. Performers such as | | | | Michael Jackson. Another highlight of the awards show |
| Lady Antebellum and The Zac Brown Brand joined | | | | was when Sugarland’s Nettles came out on stage |
| onstage by the legendary Leon Russell, as well as | | | | to do a duet with Jon Bon Jovi with the song “Who |
| country singers Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and | | | | Says You Can’t Go Home.” Of course, the night |
| Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles all represented the | | | | would not have been complete if America’s |
| past, present, and future of country music, showing the | | | | reigning country sweetheart did not perform her latest |
| world how much it has grown over the years. | | | | country love songs. Swift also took to the stage and |
| First to take the stage was fast-rising band Lady | | | | did her songs “Today Was A Fairytale,” |
| Antebellum, known for their well written country love | | | | “You Belong With Me,” and was later joined by |
| songs, who earlier won the award for Best Country | | | | Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks for a duet of the |
| Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals, | | | | band’s “Rhiannon.” Although Swift’s |
| establishing their hold on the group category by | | | | off-key singing was widely panned by critics the next |
| wresting the award from fan favorites Brooks & Dunn | | | | day, her haul of four Grammy awards (Album Of The |
| and Rascal Flatts. Their rendition of their latest single | | | | Year, Best Female Country Vocal Performance, Best |
| “Need You Now,” from their latest album of the | | | | Country Song, and Best Country Album) still validated |
| same title, wowed the audience because of their great | | | | this young country singer’s undeniable talent and |
| vocal harmonies—one trademark country music is | | | | panache. |
| known for. | | | | Apart from the performers, other country singers also |
| Next to perform were The Zac Brown Band who also | | | | graced the event. Underwood and country great |
| won the Best New Artist Award over peers from | | | | Randy Travis’ duet of Travis’ hit song "I Told |
| other genres. It was such a great moment for the | | | | You So" won an award as the Best Country |
| band especially since their win was announced by | | | | Collaboration with Vocals. In addition, bluegrass veteran |
| country singers Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert who | | | | Alison Krauss also made history by winning her 27th |
| were both heavyweights in the industry. In their | | | | Grammy for her participation in the album “Yo Yo |
| performance, a mix of country, blues, rock and even | | | | Ma & Friends: Songs of Joy & Peace.” |
| reggae, the band announced their surprise guest, and | | | | All in all, Nashville’s legends, superstars, and |
| out came Russell in front of the piano singing “Dixie | | | | upcoming talents did the music community proud |
| Lullaby”, a collaboration he did with the band. The | | | | proving that country music is a genre to reckon with in |
| band also performed parts of their hit songs | | | | next year’s Grammy Awards. |