Our Memories from the Grammy's 2011

The grammy's aired Feb 13, on a night where we were able to watch the entire 3/12 hours uninterrupted.  There's a part of you as an artist that says, "I don't care about all of that crap," but then you must say, "c'mon, why am I all mad at this?  It is a huge production and a lot of amazing people are performing together on the same stage in one night.  It is an amazing performance and production showcase. " Be glad for your fellow musicians, writers, producers, to be honored.  
     Our friend Christopher Stevens has decided to attend his first ever Grammy Telecast in Los Angeles on February 13th, 2011, with his wife Nancy.   They went to LA because he was nominated on TWO different albums.  Stevens produced Sanctus Real’s “Pieces Of A Real Heart” and tobymac’s “Tonight,” both of which are nominated in the category for Contemporary Gospel Album.  Now that is some fun stuff for them to do, and it would be wrong if all of his hometown friends were not giving him his props.  So we had fun facebooking, and tweeting our bro all night and today.

The Show - 

We saw each performance.  Part of what happens to us, is that we can totally put ourselves in each performers head, and feel the nerves.  We know how nervous we'd be on that stage.  It is not their regular audience.

Highlights
The opening song tribute to Aretha Franklin -  5 great singers, Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, Martina McBride, Florence (and the Machine) and they really sounded great.  Got my applause at the end.


Miranda Lambert - She's a GREAT singer.  The real country deal.  Man I love good country.

Bruno Mars, B.o.B., and Janelle Monáe - loved the retro act, with the black and white film.

Barbara Streisand - Legendary!!!!
Mick Jagger - He took over the entire arena.  Another legendary performance.
Justin Bieber, Jaden Smith, and Usher - Great production, and killer songs!
Mumford & Sons
Bob Dylan with all of the bluegrass/folk bands
Cee Lo Green with Gwyneth Paltrow - Wild and fun
All of the new bands.


I am glad there was such attention to live performances, which became the majority of the broadcast.  We also marvel at all of the production that goes so well.  Set changes, different bands with different sound, wireless mics, wireless in-ear monitor systems.  Electric instruments, acoustic instruments, guitars, bass, drums, vocals, horns, piano.  Incredible job sound engineers!


It turned out that Chris didn't win.  It was one of the awards you had to find out about from the website.  His nominations were in the same category, so he had a 2 in 5 chance, but there was a different album chosen.  But wow, to be nominated for two grammys ever in your career, let alone in the same year!!!  Chris produced a new single that will be coming out by Blake Shelton.  The song is called “Hey!”  Awesome stuff.

Some Nights

I was holding Eva after reading her a nighttime book and gazed into the ocean painted on her wall.  Then I thought about the two boys who just lost their lives in the ocean right by our favorite spot on the coast.  We've written many songs there, waked the trail, loved each other, lived.  But tonight, tears came flowing as I thought of the parents who may never be able to look at the water the same.  They held their boys like I was holding Eva, and life threw them a wicked curve.  I pray for the comfort of everyone deeply affected by their loss.  I hope for many guardian angels to hold them close.  

So I wrote this poem for Eva.

Some Nights


Some nights
I hold you a little longer than others
You are asleep, your innocence in my arms

Some nights,
I feel a little deeper
I kiss your cheeks
And lips all sweet and warm

Some nights
I linger a little longer
And love the baby stuff in your room

Some nights
I care too much
And cry knowing it will end too soon

But tonight
I cherish the moment
Memories safely tucked away

I'll never forsake
That you are a miracle
So I'll love you with all my soul today

******

Much love for Conner & Jack

Cal