Distinctive Assets Had the Stars Covered at Grammy’s Gifting Suite 2009

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards took place this past week, and featured unforgettable performances from Sir Paul McCartney, Jennifer Hudson, U2 and more. As rehearsals took place throughout the weekend, Distinctive Assets got the goods to music’s hottest celebrities at their 51st Grammy Awards official gifting suite. Distinctive Assets proudly celebrated its ten-year milestone of entertainment marketing at the Grammy’s. “We are so excited to kick off our 10th year of gifting with such an incredible event,” says Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets. This year we endeavor to outdo ourselves in honor of our anniversary and this incomparable event.

Presented by Xbox 360, the presenters and performers were wowed with gifts in the form of the desirable Grammy Gift Bag and the Grammy Talent Lounge.

Rock Star Games

The GRAMMY Talent Lounge, open during rehearsals, encouraged celebs to play around on two new entertainment video games – Xbox 360 singing party game, “LIPS” and Harmonix’s “RockBand 2”. Microsoft’s Xbox 360® all-new singing game takes to a whole new stage with Lips, the only singing game offering wireless motion sensitive microphones and the ability to sing from your own collection of DRM-free songs*. Keiichi Yano, celebrated developer behind some of the industry’s most popular rhythm games, brings his vision of collaborative and social musical entertainment to the first and only singing game offering interactive sound effects and the music, that is on a whole new level that anything before! Pop legend Taylor Dayne channeled Duffy on LIPS for Xbox 360.

Who knew Kathy Griffin could sing too? She wowed the crowd while playing “RockBand 2” with a worthy fan. Drumming legend Sheila E rocked out on “RockBand 2” while celebs such as Jennifer Hudson, Kid Rock, Kate Beckinsale, Jack Black, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, The Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus dug the Xbox 360 entertainment systems too. Rock Band 2 lets you take the stage, rise to fame, and become a Rock legend. Choose guitar, drums, vocals, or bass – develop your inner solo artist or get down with your pals and experience the thrill of collaborative play as your band tours the world.Rock Band Track Pack Volume 1 is a musical expansion to Rock Band, the collaborative, competitive, and single player music game. Rock Band lets you and your friends form your own band and live out your rock and roll fantasies to music’s greatest soundtrack. more information, go to www.harmonix.com

Going for the Glow

Music’s greats were all aglow over Janet Harris’s Skin Rejuvenation Center of Beverly Hills (SRC) in the Grammy Lounge. SRC features today’s cutting-edge technology for face and body treatments such as ReFirm to achieve tight and film skin, Fractional Skin Resurfacing to improve tone, texture and color, and VelaShape Cellulite treatment and circumferential reduction. Also available at SRC is a concierge injectables service overseen by world-renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Steven Mulholland of Toronto and Beverly Hills.

Janet Harris has recently been featured in Robin McGraw’s new top selling book “What’s Age Got to Do With It” and co-authored the chapters on skin care. Janet is the featured celebrity skin care expert on television shows such as Dr. Phil® and The Rachel Ray Show®. Celebrities received services valued at $2000, Robin McGraw’s book, plus a gift bag full of Janet’s highly sought-after body treatment products, as well as her Green Tea Total Care, a 3-pack of Mint which flushes fat cells, Passion fruit with its calming effect, and Peach, a great immune booster…which happen to be quite delicious as well!

This year’s recipients that received services  (which are estimated to be upward of $2,000.00) are Leona Lewis, Pink, Katie Perry, Alicia Keys, Madonna, Kanye West, Estelle, Jason Mraz, Jonas Brothers, Coldplay, Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, Jordan Sparks, Sheryl Crow, Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper, Kylie Minogue, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, John Mayer, Kid Rock, Paul McCartney, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Trisha Yearwood, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Maroon 5, Eagles and Bruce Springsteen to mention a few. www.janetharris.com, www.janet.us Call:     (888…   

The Grammy stars were so bright, they had to wear (Soltice) Shades!

Although it was a rainy day, Solstice Sunglass Boutique made a splash with the stars. Solstice takes sunglass shopping to the next level with more choices, more locations. Kate Beckinsale’s daughter, Lily, picked out the same glasses at Solstice Sunglass Boutique that Katy Perry walked away with from Juicy Couture (in fact, Katy pointed to them immediately upon stepping up to the Solstice Sunglass Boutique gift station and said “I want those!”). Jennifer Hudson selected gorgeous crystal-encrusted Valentino shades. The Jonas Brothers couldn’t resist the Carerras. Rihanna was there with Chris Brown (their last happy moments together?), who both chose the Vintage Carerra’s (see above in picture insert).

21st Century Specks

Another company that provided not only optical fashion but technology at its best was GUNNAR Optiks. GUNNAR Optiks presents shades that protect your eyes while working or watching your computer screen. Although not as bright as the sun, looking into the bright screen of a monitor or video game wears on the eye. The lenses are designed to help eye muscles relax and prevent dry, tired eyes. The frames are fashion forward and can accommodate a prescription. Taylor Swift’s loved the GUNNAR Optiks digital performance eyewear and said “I have so much homework; I use a computer all the time!” www.gunnaroptiks.com

Grammy Celebs got their Bling On

Lorenzo Jewelers made a repeat performance from last year’s Grammy’s and presented luminaries of the music world with stunning, beautifully-faceted black onyx sterling silver and 18 carat gold pendants , made specially for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.

Lorenzo searches the world for the most vibrant and beautiful natural gemstones. He then designs and frames these gemstones in sterling silver and accents with sculpted 18K gold. The Lorenzo Collection is truly a magnificent and exquisite line. Very affordable, elegant pieces for your own collection. www.lorenzojewelers.com. Look for this special 51st Grammy black onyx pendant to be made available to the public within months. Have your very own special piece of the famed Grammys.

Groovin’ With Gibson

Gibson is a longtime favorite of musicians across the board. Gibson’s self-tuning guitar, the latest in technology, allows you to change key on the fly. A digital read-out on the knob indicates the key you’re in. Micro-motors adjust the strings automatically. Also, Gibson guitars presented an electric guitar autographed for charity by Taylor Swift and other stars. The money will go to help children affected by Katrina get instruments and get back into music. www.gibson.com

Italy does Jewelry Better!

Italian Misis Jewelry was a favorite with the women. Their pieces were colorful, unique and gorgeous. Misis is made from the highest quality silver and stones which are skillfully combined, transforming their collections and accessories that help to enhance the personality and beauty of each woman. All products are made from start to finish in Italy. Jennifer Hudson picked up the turtle ring, Kate Beckinsale loved “the puffer fish” ring, Rihanna opted for the sting ray and Jack Black even picked up some earrings for his wife.

  Hottest of the Hot – Affliction Clothing

Having gained a reputation for relentlessly pushing the envelope with its highly stylized graphics and powerful imagery, Affliction Clothing has become a hugely popular brand among A-list celebrities, rock bands, tattoo artists, and leading pro athletes alike. They gave out hot hats, hoodies and t-shirts of their hot, new Sinful clothing line. www.afflictionclothing.com, www.sinfulclothing.com

Rainy Day Fashion

And while the rain came down outside the Gift Lounge, DAV Rain was ready and waiting with their hot, fashion-forward rain boots, umbrellas, purses and rain gear. DAV is the brainchild of creator Dave Sengstaken, president of Style West. As a distributor of many brands, he spotted a need in the current market for comfortable, functional, hip, sophisticated rain apparel. You can find the collections of hand-created original colorful prints on coordinated handbags, rainboots, umbrellas, and other accessories. Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift opted for the black Equestrian style while Kate Beckinsale picked up the solid English black. Jennifer Hudson went for a walk on the wild side with an animal print.  www.davrain.com

Ionic Beauty

Everyone went wild for CHI’s flat irons.  Shimmering blue with the CHI logo in rhinestones, this limited edition CHI Ceramic flat iron fit in beautifully at the glamorous backstage Grammy gifting suite. This professional salon model provides moist ceramic heat with ceramic plates and coils. Ceramic flat irons produce gentle, far infrared ionic heat (negative ions) that won’t destroy your hair and can help repair damaged follicles and will maintain even temperature all the time, seal the hair cuticle, repel humidity and lock in hair color. Doesn’t damage or dry hair. How much better can it get than that?! It came paired with CHI Ceramic Nail Lacquer Ceramic Nail Top & Base Coat. Nano Silver ingredient creates a bacteria-free environment to protect your health. Nano Silver eliminates over 650 different bacteria and odors. Even better, it does not contain harmful ingredients including formaldehyde, Toluene and Dibutyl Phthalate! Even Kid Rock opted for a flat iron for his locks rather than the cool clippers they were giving away to guys.

Smokeless Smokes

Whether you are trying to quit, or just want to avoid all the horrible toxins and poisons in commercial cigarettes, Smoking Everywhere Electronic Cigarette looks like, feels like and tastes like a traditional cigarette but it’s anything but a traditional cigarette! It’s just a much better way to smoke! It is a non–flammable product that uses state of the art cutting-edge micro-electronic technology which provides smokers a real smoking experience without the fire, flame, tobacco, tar, carbon monoxide, ash, stub or smell found in real cigarettes. Smoking Everywhere E-Cigarette offers smokers a much healthier way and the freedom to smoke everywhere, and a brilliant, unique way to work on quitting the unhealthy habit for good! www.smokingeverywhere.com

Smoker’s Smokes

Camacho Cigars were a crowd pleaser. Katy Perry was so impressed with the fine Honduran cigars from Camacho that she called to order more the very next day because she and her crew smoked the first box already.Mad Science!

Guests also received exclusive skin care from Reactivator. Reactivator products are based on science discovered by Stanley Cohen in 1962. Discovering a protein called Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), he received a Nobel Prize for his finding. According to Cohen, reduction of EGF in skin is the cause of aging of the skin. Although it was not practical to make products with EGF in it, as it would be very expensive, with today’s advanced technology, this has been made available to you. Reactivator Edidermal Growth Factor products are biologically active protein products that truly regenerate your skin. www.egfreactivator.com

Green Day For Grammy Lounge

Distinctive Assets included an exclusive “eco-corner” within the Lounge with environmentally-conscious products supplied by:

Green Does It Better

Universal Botanicals have come to the rescue with their “safest and most eco-friendly cleaning products available”. They offer a safe alternative to other commercial cleaning products that have been shown to contain cancer-causing ingredients. Parents can rest assured that with Universal Botanical products, they’re not exposing their children to dangerous chemicals. 26 seconds after you smell a chemical it is in every major organ of your body. Chemicals affect children’s brain function and performance. Products such as Multi-purpose, Glass and Bathroom and Tile Cleaners are made from 100% botanical, biodegradable ingredients, safe for children and pets. Containing no petrochemicals or other harmful ingredients, these products have been proven as effective as leading national brands in standardized lab tests. They also come in bio-degradable bottles! Their Botanical and Chemical Free cleaners are truly Green. Another winner is their product Benefict, which is the only EPA registered botanical disinfectant on the continent. Do yourself and your family a great favor and lower your toxic burden and go Green! Founder Nicole Mammano has a website that has a wealth of great information; visit www.universalbotanicals.com.

Safer Water

H2O is an earth-friendly natural spring water in an award-winning renewable, aseptic package. H2O not only minimizes the consumer’s impact on the environment, while at the same time provides a safe drinking experience with no danger of the chemical leaching that happens with plastic bottles. Up until now, there is approximately 38 BILLION plastic bottles that end up in landfills every year! Look for this to be the packaging of the future! According to Julie Riettie-Atherton, president of h2O, they are “saving the planet one drink at a time”!

Don’t Throw Batteries or Lightbulbs in the Trash!

Waste Management. Jack Black loved the items from Waste Management, and thought that the recycling kits for batteries and florescent bulbs he got were one of the coolest gifts in the Lounge. www.thinkgreenfromhome.com and www.wm.com.

As if this weren’t enough, the GRAMMY Gift Bag (provided by Astro Gaming) overflowed with more items from companies such as Lionessa, Amazon Thunder, Catdaddy, Christopher Michael Chocolates, Giacini Atelier, Lust & Gore Hardwear, ilike organic skin care, The Sports Club/LA, Altoids, VaVoom, Heelskinz, Dr. Fresh, Binaca, Count Me Heathly, La Costa Resort & Spa, iFly Hollywood, LA Dodgers, YSL, NikiBiki, ideeli.com, SkinIT!, nekFIT, Addis English & Associates, Jennie & Vera’s Cookies, The Huntley Hotel, How to Love Like a Hot Chick, Corner Bakery Cafe, Amazon Thunder, Monroe Hair Care, Wheatware, FilterForGood, Coco Glow, Johnny Rockets,  KIWI, Discreet Chic, L’Essentiel, Lemon, Freehands Gloves, Glory For Girls, magicJack, EarthLust, Zico, SLS Hotel, 944 Magazine, Lucy and many other treats. During the Grammys, all the performers munched on the beautifully delicious Christopher Michael Chocolates in the dressing rooms before the show.

Distinctive Assets’ 10th Birthday

As the guru of providing top-notch gifting bags and talent lounges for the stars at the best award shows in Hollywood, Distinctive Assets proudly celebrated its ten year milestone of entertainment marketing at the Grammy’s. Says CEO Lash Fary, “There are other music-themed award shows but only one GRAMMYs just as there are many other gift bags but only one GRAMMY Gift experience!”

The Recording Academy

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. In its 50th year, The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.

The following is a complete list of winners at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.

Album of the Year: “Raising Sand”, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss; T Bone Burnett, producer; Mike Piersante, engineer/mixer; Gavin Lurssen, mastering engineer (Rounder)

Rap Album: “Tha Carter III”, Lil Wayne (Cash Money/Universal Motown)

Male Pop Vocal Performance: “Say”, John Mayer; track from “Continuum” (Columbia)

Record of the Year: “Please Read The Letter,” Robert Plant and Alison Krauss; T Bone
Burnett, producer; Mike Piersante, engineer/mixer; track from “Raising Sand” (Rounder)

New Artist: Adele

Rock Album: “Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends,” Coldplay (Capitol)

Pop Collaboration With Vocals: “Rich Woman,” Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, track from “Raising Sand” (Rounder)

Song of the Year: “Viva La Vida,” Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay), track from “Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends” (Capitol Records; Publishers: Universal Music-MGB Songs)

Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals: “Stay”, Sugarland, track from “Enjoy the Ride” (Mercury)

R&B Album: “Jennifer Hudson”, Jennifer Hudson (Arista)

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Rick Rubin

Producer of the Year, Classical: David Frost

Female Pop Vocal Performance: “Chasing Pavements,” Adele, track from “19” (Columbia/XL) Traditional Pop Vocal Album: “Still Unforgettable,” Natalie Cole (DMI)

Pop Vocal Album: “Rockferry,” Duffy (Mercury)

Pop Instrumental Performance: “I Dreamed There Was No War”, Eagles, track from “Long Road Out of Eden” (Eagles Recording Company)

Pop Instrumental Album: “Jingle All the Way”, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones (Rounder)

Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals: “Viva La Vida,” Coldplay, track from “Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends” (Capitol)

Alternative Music Album: “In Rainbows”, Radiohead (TBD)

Solo Rock Vocal Performance: “Gravity”, John Mayer, track from “Where The Light Is: Live in Los Angeles” (Columbia)

Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals: “Sex on Fire”, Kings of Leon (RCA)

Hard Rock Performance: “Wax Simulacra,” The Mars Volta (Universal Motown)

Metal Performance: “My Apocalypse”, Metallica, track from “Death Magnetic” (Warner Bros.)

Rock Instrumental Performance: “Peaches En Regalia”, Zappa Plays Zappa featuring Steve Vai and Napoleon Murphy Brock (Strobosonic/Razor & Tie Entertainment)

Rock Song: “Girls in Their Summer Clothes”, Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen), track from “Magic” (Columbia; Publisher: Bruce Springsteen)

Rap Solo Performance: “A Milli”, Lil Wayne, track from “Tha Carter III” (Cash Money/Universal Motown)

Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: “Swagga Like Us,” Jay-Z and T.I. featuring Kanye West and Lil Wayne (Roc-A-Fella/Grand Hustle/Atlantic)

Rap/Sung Collaboration: “American Boy”, Estelle featuring Kanye West, track from “Shine” (Homeschool/Atlantic)

Rap Song: “Lollipop,” Dwayne Carter, Darius Harrison, James Scheffer, Stephen Garrett and Rex Zamor, songwriters (Lil Wayne featuring Static Major), track from “Tha Carter III” (Cash Money/Universal Motown; Publishers: Young Money Publishing/Warner-Chappell Music, Herbalicious Music/Blackfountain Music/EMI-April Music, JimiPub Music/EMI Blackwood, Three Nails and A Crown Publishing/Roynet Music)

Country Song: “Stay,” Jennifer Nettles, songwriter (Sugarland), track from “Enjoy the Ride” (Mercury Records; Publisher: Jennifer Nettles Publishing)

Country Album: “Troubadour,” George Strait (MCA Nashville)

Female Country Vocal Performance: “Last Name,” Carrie Underwood, track from “Carnival Ride” (19/Arista/Arista Nashville)

Male Country Vocal Performance: “Letter to Me,” Brad Paisley, track from “5th Gear” (Arista Nashville)

Country Collaboration with Vocals: “Killing the Blues,” Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, track from “Raising Sand” (Rounder)
Country Instrumental Performance: “Cluster Pluck,” Brad Paisley, James Burton, Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert and Steve Wariner (Arista Nashville)

R&B Song: “Miss Independent,” Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen and Shaffer Smith, songwriters (Ne-Yo), track from “Year of the Gentleman” (Def Jam/Compound; Publishers: Pen in the Ground Publishing, Universal Music-Z Tunes)

Contemporary R&B Album: “Growing Pains,” Mary J. Blige (Geffen)

Female R&B Vocal Solo: “Superwoman,” Alicia Keys, track from “As I Am” (J)

Male R&B Vocal Solo: “Miss Independent,” Ne-Yo, track from “Year of the Gentleman” (Def Jam/Compound)

R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals: “Stay With Me (By the Sea),” Al Green featuring John Legend, track from “Lay It Down” (Blue Note)

Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: “You’ve Got the Love I Need,” Al Green featuring Anthony Hamilton, track from “Lay It Down” (Blue Note)

Urban/Alternative Performance: “Be OK,” Chrisette Michele featuring will.i.am, track from “I Am” (Def Jam)

Dance Recording: “Harder Better Faster Stronger,” Daft Punk, Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo, producers; Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo, mixers; track from “Alive 2007” (Virgin)

Electronic Dance Album: “Alive 2007,” Daft Punk (Virgin)

Bluegrass Album: “Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 and 1947,” Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder (Skaggs Family)

Traditional Blues Album: “One Kind Favor,” B.B. King (Geffen)

Contemporary Blues Album: “City That Care Forgot,” Dr. John and The Lower 911 (429)

New Age Album: “Peace Time,” Jack DeJohnette (Golden Beams/Kindred Rhythm)

Contemporary Jazz Album: “Randy in Brasil,” Randy Brecker (MAMA)

Jazz Vocal Album: “Loverly,” Cassandra Wilson (Blue Note)

Jazz Instrumental Solo: “BE-BOP,” Terence Blanchard, soloist; track from “Live at the
2007 Monterey Jazz Festival” (Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars) (Monterey Jazz Festival)

Jazz Instrumental Album Individual or Group: “The New Crystal Silence,” Chick Corea and Gary Burton (Concord)

Large Jazz Ensemble Album: “Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard,” The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (Planet Arts Recordings)

Latin Jazz Album: “Song for Chico,” Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra (Zoho)

Latin Pop Album: “La Vida … Es Un Ratico,” Juanes (Universal Music Latino)

Latin Rock or Alternative Album: “45,” Jaguares (EMI Music)

Latin Urban Album: “Los Extraterrestres,” Wisin y Yandel (Machete Music)

Tropical Latin Album: “Senor Bachata,” Jose Feliciano (Universal Music Latino)

Regional Mexican Album: “Amor, Dolor y Lagrimas: Musica Ranchera,” Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings) in a tie with “Canciones de Amor,” Mariachi Divas (Shea/East Side)

Tejano Album: “Viva La Revolucion,” Ruben Ramos and The Mexican Revolution (Revolution)

Norteno Album: “Raices,” Los Tigres Del Norte (Fonovisa)
Banda Album: “No Es De Madera” Joan Sebastian (Musart/Balboa)

Traditional Folk Album: “At 89,” Pete Seeger (Appleseed Recordings)
Contemporary Folk/Americana Album: “Raising Sand,” Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (Rounder)

Native American Music Album: “Come to Me Great Mystery: Native American Healing Songs,” (Various Artists) Tom Wasinger, producer (Silver Wave)

Hawaiian Music Album: “Ikena,” Tia Carrere and Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations)
Zydeco or Cajun Music Album: “Live at the 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival,” BeauSoleil and Michael Doucet (MunckMix)

Engineering Album, Classical: “Traditions and Transformations: Sounds of Silk Road Chicago,” David Frost, Tom Lazarus and Christopher Willis, engineers (Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Alan Gilbert, Silk Road Ensemble, Wu Man, Yo-Yo Ma and Chicago Symphony Orchestra) (CSO Resound)

Reggae Album: “Jah Is Real,” Burning Spear (Burning Music Production)

Traditional World Music Album: “Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu,” Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Heads Up International)

Contemporary World Music Album: “Global Drum Project,” Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, Sikiru Adepoju and Giovanni Hidalgo (Shout! Factory)

Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: “Juno,” (Various Artists) Peter Afterman, Jason Reitman and Margaret Yen, producers (Fox Music/Rhino)

Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Television or Other Visual Media: “The Dark Knight,” James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer, composers (Warner Sunset/Warner Bros.)

Polka Album: “Let the Whole World Sing,” Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra (Rounder)

Gospel Performance: “Get Up,” Mary Mary; track from “The Sound” (Columbia)

Gospel Song: “Help Me Believe,” Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin); track from “The Fight of My Life” (Fo Yo Soul Ent./Zomba Gospel; Publishers: Universal Music-Z
Songs/Kerrion Publishing)

Rock or Rap Gospel Album: “Alive and Transported,” TobyMac (ForeFront Records EMI CMG)

Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: “Thy Kingdom Come,” CeCe Winans (PureSprings Gospel/EMI Gospel)
Southern, Country, Bluegrass Gospel: “Lovin’ Life,” Gaither Vocal Band (Gaither Music Group)

Traditional Gospel Album: “Down in New Orleans,” The Blind Boys of Alabama (Time Life)

Contemporary R&B Gospel Album: “The Fight of My Life,” Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul Entertainment/Zomba Gospel)

Classical Album: “Weill: Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny,” James Conlon, conductor; Anthony Dean Griffey, Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald; Fred Vogler, producer (Donnie Ray Albert, John Easterlin, Steven Humes, Mel Ulrich and Robert Worle; Los Angeles Opera Chorus; Los Angeles Opera Orchestra) (EuroArts)
Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: “Down to Earth,” (“WALL-E”) Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, songwriters (Peter Gabriel) (Walt Disney/Pixar; Publishers: Walt Disney Music, Wonderland Music/Pixar Talking Pictures/Pixar Music)

Musical Show Album: “In the Heights,” Kurt Deutsch, Alex Lacamoire, Andres Levin, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Joel Moss and Bill Sherman, producers; Lin-Manuel Miranda, composer/lyricist (Original Broadway Cast with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Others) (Razor & Tie Entertainment/Ghostlight)

Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Story Telling): “An Inconvenient Truth (Al Gore)”, Beau Bridges, Cynthia Nixon and Blair Underwood (Simon & Schuster Audio)

Musical Album for Children: “Here Come the 123s,” They Might Be Giants (Disney Sound)

Spoken Word Album Children: “Yes to Running! Bill Harley Live,” Bill Harley (Round River)

Comedy Album: “It’s Bad for Ya,” George Carlin (Eardrum)

Instrumental Composition: “The Adventures of Mutt,” (from “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” John Williams, composer (John Williams), track from “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” soundtrack (Concord)

Instrumental Arrangement: “Define Dancing,” (from “WALL-E”) Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, arrangers (Thomas Newman), track from “WALL-E” soundtrack (Walt Disney)

Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): “Here’s That Rainy Day,” Nan Schwartz, arranger (Natalie Cole), track from “Still Unforgettable” (DMI)
Engineered Album, Non-Classical: “Consolers of the Lonely,” Joe Chiccarelli, Vance Powell and Jack White III, engineers (The Raconteurs) (Third Man/Warner Bros.)
Remixed Recording: “Electric Feel (Justice Remix),” Justice, remixers (MGMT), Track from: “Oracular Spectacular” (Columbia)

Surround Sound Album: “Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Night on Bald Mountain; Prelude to Khovanshchina,” Michael Bishop, surround mix engineer; Michael Bishop, surround mastering engineer; Robert Woods, surround producer (Paavo Jarvi and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra) (Telarc)

Opera Recording: “Weill: Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny,” James Conlon, conductor; Anthony Dean Griffey, Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald; Fred Vogler, producer (Donnie Ray Albert, John Easterlin, Steven Humes, Mel Ulrich and Robert Worle; Los Angeles Opera Orchestra; Los Angeles Opera Chorus) (EuroArts)

Orchestral Performance: “Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4,” Bernard Haitink, conductor (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) (CSO Resound)

Choral Performance: “Symphony of Psalms,” Sir Simon Rattle, conductor; Simon Halsey, chorus master (Berliner Philharmoniker; Rundfunkchor Berlin) track from “Stravinsky: Symphonies” (EMI Classics)
Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (With Orchestra): “Schoenberg/Sibelius: Violin Concertos,” Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor; Hilary Hahn (Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra) (Deutsche Grammophon)
Instrumental Soloist Performance (Without Orchestra): “Piano Music of Salonen, Stucky, and Lutoslawski,” Gloria Cheng (Telarc)
Chamber Music Performance: “Carter, Elliott: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 5,” Pacifica Quartet (Naxos)

Small Ensemble Performance: “Spotless Rose: Hymns to the Virgin Mary,” Charles Bruffy, conductor; Phoenix Chorale (Chandos)

Classical Vocal Performance: “Corigliano: Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan,” Hila Plitmann (JoAnn Falletta; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra) (Naxos)

Classical Contemporary Composition: “Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan,” John Corigliano (JoAnn Falletta); track from: “Corigliano: Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan” (Naxos)

Classical Crossover Album: “Simple Gifts,” The King’s Singers (Signum)
Short Form Music Video: “Pork and Beans,” Weezer, Mathew Cullen, video director; Bernard Rahill, video producder (DGC/Interscope)

Long Form Music Video: “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Peter Bogdanovich, video director; Skot Bright, video producer (Warner Bros.)
Recording Package: “Death Magnetic,” Bruce Duckworth, Sarah Moffat and David Turner, art directors (Metallica) (Warner Bros.)

Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: “In Rainbows,” Stanley Donwood, Mel Maxwell and Christiaan Munro, art directors (Radiohead)
Album Notes: “Kind of Blue: 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition,” Francis Davis, album notes writer (Miles Davis) (Columbia/Legacy Recordings)

Historical Album: “Art of Field Recording Volume I: Fifty Years of Traditional American Music Documented by Art Rosenbaum,” Steven Lance Ledbetter and Art Rosenbaum, compilation producers; Michael Graves, mastering engineering (Various Artists) (Dust-to-Digital)