Grammy awards go to three locals

Jason Mraz Photo from macinate via Flickr

If you watched the Grammys last Sunday then you know that Beyonce’, Taylor Swift, and the Black Eyed Peas were the big winners of the night. What you may not know is that a Poway resident, Steve Vaus, was also a winner.

Vaus won the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for Children. Other nominees included Ed Asner and an album dedicated to Nelson Mandella. Steve Vaus is better known as Buck Howdy, a children’s entertainer who has been nominated four times in the past three years. “As a professional artist, there is no higher honor than to win a Grammy,” stated Vaus.

Singer Jason Mraz, who lives in Bonsall, near Fallbrook, won his first awards after previous nominations. Mraz won the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Make it Mine” and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for “Lucky,” a duet with Colbie Callait. You did not see the presentation of these awards because they were announced during an un-televised pre-show.

Finally, Hillcrest resident Rob Halford who leads Judas Priest, won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance for “Dissident Agressor” from their album “A Touch of Evil — Live.”

All of our local winners’ awards were presented off air, as the Grammy broadcast has shifted greatly to emphasize performances rather than award presentations.

Lady Gaga opened the show with a very theatrical performance. Popping out of a “fame factory” machine, Gaga performed her hit “Poker Face” until she was discarded by her dancers. Lady Gaga has said before that she likes to show her “inevitable demise” to the public in order to continue evolving as an artist. Many people will recall her bloody performance at the MTV VMAs.  Lady Gaga returned to the Grammy stage covered in soot ready to perform with Sir Elton John. It was a unique and entertaining performance that you can watch right here.

Taylor Swift’s performance with Stevie Nicks has caused some controversy, with many people wondering why an artist of Nicks’ caliber would stoop so low as to be a backup singer for Swift. Swift’s performance is also being criticized due to her off key vocals. It was enough to make you wonder if Kanye West wasn’t so wrong to be upset over Swift’s win over Beyonce’ at the MTV VMAs. You can decide for yourself with this video.

Other performers included Beyonce’ who won a total of six awards, the most of any female artist in a single night, Pink, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Jamie Foxx, T-Pain, Little Wayne, Slash, Bon Jovi, Drake, Eminem, Doug E. Fresh,  Maxwell,  David Foster, Mary J. Blige, Andrea Bocelli, Dave Mathews Band, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Dave Beck, and Jennifer Nettles.

Beyonce’s performance was pitch perfect and she mixed a little of Alanis Morisett’s “You Oughta Know” into her rendition of her song “If I Were a Boy.” The highlight of the night was the much anticipated Michael Jackson tribute. The Grammy audience gave Michale Jackson’s children, Prince Michael and Paris, a standing ovation as they accepted a Lifetime Achievement award for their beloved father. Prince Michael gave a moving speech about how his father always spread a message of love and how he hoped to continue with his legacy. Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood and Usher performed Jackson’s “Earth Song” while a never-before-seen 3-D  short film played behind them. The film was designed for Jackson’s “This is It” tour.

San Diegans should be proud to have three San Diego residents be among the all of the winners of this year’s Grammys. Our local artists are in good company with some of the biggest stars in music. Congratulations to you all.