Notes:
The 53rd Grammy Awards Pre-Telecast Ceremony (streamed online) featured a performance by Trombone Shorty. After his performance, show co-host Esperanza Spalding declared "That settles it, I'm moving to New Orleans" ... Louisiana guitar slingers Buddy Guy and Kenny Wayne Shepherd also performed, sitting in with Cyndi Lauper, Betty Wright, Maria Muldaur and Mavis Staples on a rollicking version of "Wang Dang Doodle".
Cyndi Lauper's "Memphis Blues" is nominated in the Best Traditional Blues Album category. The album features Allen Toussaint on 3 tracks.
"Treme: Music From the HBO Original Series, Season 1" includes tracks by John Boutte, Rebirth Brass Band, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Kermit Ruffins, Trombone Shorty & James Andrews, Soul Rebels Brass Band & John Mooney, Free Agents Brass Band, Dr. John, John Boutte (with Paul Sanchez, Glen David Andrews & New Birth Brass Band), Louis Prima, Tom McDermott & Lucia Micarelli, Mardi Gras Indians, Donald Harrison, Irma Thomas & Allen Toussaint, Treme Brass Band, Lil' Queenie, and others. See full list of contributors.
"Down in New Orleans" (from The Princess and The Frog soundtrack) - written by Randy Newman - is nominated in the Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media category. The song was performed by Dr. John with Trombone Shorty. The award in this category goes to the songwriter.
Eminem's Recovery is nominated for Best Rap Album [Grammy winner] and Album of the Year. The album includes a track ("No Love") featuring Lil Wayne. The song was written by Eminem, Lil Wayne, Justin Smith (Just Blaze), Dee Dee Halligan and Junior Turello.
Drake's Thank Me Later is nominated in the Best Rap Album category. The album was released on the Young Money Entertainment label, an imprint of Cash Money Records. Lil Wayne is featured on the track Miss Me (and also co-wrote the song). Executive producers on the album were Ronald "Slim Tha Don" Williams, Bryan "Baby Birdman" Williams, Lil Wayne, Cortez Bryant and Gee Roberson.
