JAMES BLUNT, MARY J. BLIGE, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE ANNOUNCE GRAMMY NOMINATIONS

James Blunt, Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Ludacris and Amy Lee were among stars announcing the 49th Annual Grammy Award nominees.

The 49th Annual Grammy Award nominees were announced on Thursday, December 7, at the Music Box in Hollywood, California. Mary J. Blige leads the nominees this year with eight nods. On hand to read off the nominations were Blige, James Blunt, Chris Brown, Evanescence’s Amy Lee, Ludacris, Corinne Bailey Rae, Rascal Flatts, Justin Timberlake, and KT Tunstall.

The press conferences have historically been fodder for ridicule because artists traditionally read nominees out of their genre and format. Justin Timberlake poked fun at the legacy when he read the nominees for Record Of The Year.

“For Record Of The Year the nominees are Mary J. Blige for ‘Be Without You,’ James Blunt for ‘You’re Beautiful,’ Dixie Chicks for ‘Not Ready To Make Nice,’ Guh-narls Barkley — just kidding — Gnarls Barkley for ‘Crazy,’ and Corinne Bailey Rae for ‘Put Your Records On’ (applause)”

The huge run for James Blunt thanks to his album Back To Bedlam and his single “You’re Beautiful” continues with his five Grammy nominations. He said after the announcement that he’s grateful.

“You know I think it’s probably a little too much to take on board at the time. It’s a great thrill. To hear my name amongst some other incredible names is something I never expected.”

Newcomer Corinne Bailey Rae was nominated for Best New Artist, Record Of The Year, and Song Of The Year, and she shared her reaction.

“I haven’t even had time to let it sink in, I think. I can’t wait to ring the other two writers who I wrote the song with. I was thinking about ‘Put Your Records On’ yesterday, and I was thinking about when I first came up with the guitar riff in my bedroom and just… It takes all these little steps in confidence. It takes a confidence to go into the studio and go, ‘I’ve got this idea, what do you think?’ When you think something is good you try and gage it out with other people. It takes a lot of confidence even to put music out and when you start seeing the video out on TV and the radio it’s exciting.”

The 49th Annual Grammy Awards will air live on CBS from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on February 11. After Mary J. Blige the top nominees were Red Hot Chili Peppers with six, and James Blunt, the Dixie Chicks, John Mayer, Danger Mouse, Prince, Rick Rubin, will.i.am and John Williams who each recieved five nods. For a complete list of nominees check out Grammy.com.