COUNTRY ARTIST ZAC BROWN TAKES HOME GRAMMY FOR BEST NEW ARTIST

Country artist Zac Brown Band took home the coveted title of Best New Artist at the 2010 Grammy Awards beating out Keri Hilson, MGMT, Silversun Pickups and The Ting Tings. Lady GaGa, who would be the obvious winner, wasn’t eligible in 2010, because “Just Dance” was nominated for best dance recording in 2009. Although Zac Brown rose to fame with his latest album “The Foundation,” which featured his hit single “Chicken Fried”, it’s actually not his debut album but his third overall release. Brown’s first relase was in 2004’s “Far from Einstyne” and his sophomore album was 2005’s “Home Grown” which were both self released. The Grammy Academy feels musicians are eligible for Best New Artist if they release, during the Eligibility Year, their first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.

Just prior to winning his Grammy Award for Best New Artist, Zac Brown talked about maybe changing the name of the award to Best Newly Recognized Nationally Artist.

Zac Brown also talked about his thoughts on winning Grammy Awards vs Country Music Awards.

Backstage after winning The Grammy, Zac Brown also talked about what a surreal feeling it is to win The Grammy for Best New Artist.

Zac Brown had quite a Grammy Awards as he also did a heart felt rendition of “America the Beautiful” before bringing out the legendary Leon Russell on piano, who joined Brown and his band through their hit song “Chicken Fried.” Best New Artist has a rich history of selecting talented emerging artists in the past like The Beatles, Tom Jones, Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow, Christina Aguilera and Norah Jones, to name a few. Voters don’t always get it right however, as Elton John, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Elvis Costello, Green Day and No Doubt were all passed up in previous years.