TCB

Statue Envy

Texans were once again well-represented across the musical spectrum in last week's nominations for the 48th annual Grammy Awards. Burleson waitress turned American Idol and now legit pop star Kelly Clarkson scored nods for her still-ubiquitous "Since U Been Gone" and its album, Breakaway. In Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals, 2005 winners Los Lonely Boys hope to repeat with "More Than Love." Recently retired Destiny's Child rang up R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals, R&B Song, Rap/Sung Collaboration, and Contemporary R&B Album for Destiny Fulfilled. Beyoncé got two more, Female R&B Vocal Performance for "Wishing on a Star," and R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals for the "So Amazing" duet with Stevie Wonder, thus pitting Jay-Z's old lady against her former group. As usual, country categories are rich with native nominees: George Jones, Willie Nelson, and Delbert McClinton square off for Male Country Vocal; Lee Ann Womack is an early Female Country Vocal favorite for "I May Hate Myself in the Morning," and is also up for Best Country Song; the Dixie Chicks got two for the Keb Mo-assisted "I Hope"; and Country Collaboration With Vocals pits Nelson and Norah Jones against Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris. Crowell and McClinton also drew Contemporary Folk Album and Contemporary Blues Album nods for The Outsider and Cost of Living, while Austin's Eric Johnson (Bloom), Marcia Ball (Live! Down the Road), and Jimmie Dale Gilmore (Come on Back) got in with Pop Instrumental Album, Traditional Blues Album, and Traditional Folk Album, respectively. About 12 of these awards will be presented live from L.A.'s Staples Center Feb. 8 on CBS.