Maple Valley's Brandi Carlile Gets Grammy Nomination

Area Pop singer Brandi Carlile has finally received a nomination for a Grammy Award, the music industry's most prestigious honor.  Carlile, who has been on the scene for well over a decade, is nominated for "Best Americana Album" for "The Fire Watcher's Daughter".  The awards ceremony is scheduled for February 15th.

Seattle Rap Artist Macklemore Wins Big

Seattle Hip-Hop artist Mackelmore, along with bandmate Ryan Lewis, won 4 Grammys last night, a record number for a local musician  according to the Seattle Times.   Maclemore, whose, real name is Ben Haggerty, won for Best New Artist, Best Rap Album (The Heist), Best Rap Song (Thrift Shop), and Best Rap Performance (Thrift Shop).  Also winning was the surviving members of Seattle's  Nirvana, who teamed up with Paul McCartney for Best Rock Song "Cut Me Some Slack".   The Record Of The Year went to Daft Punk for "Get Lucky"   

Pop Music Legend Whitney Houston Dies

Modern day Diva Whitney Houston died today in a Los Angeles Hotel.  Houston was in town to attend the Grammy Awards.  The LA Times reports that Houston arrived in Los Angeles earlier in the week, in disheveled clothes and exhibited erratic behavior. 
The singer, who was 48, gained fame for her beauty and wholesome image.  Her music dominated the pop charts in the 80s and early 90s.  However, her career seemed to careen sideways after her marriage to pop music "Bad Boy" Bobby Brown.
Houston's career netted 6 Grammy Awards.