SEATTLE — Brandi Carlile and the Grammys have a good thing going. The Maple Valley roots rocker has established herself as a perennial contender, earning nominations in at least one of the marquee categories three of the last four years, and perhaps more importantly, getting a coveted performance slot on the star-studded telecast that comes with it. In Carlile, the Recording Academy has a partner in a generation-bridging songwriter and performer who embodies the institution's musical values, and is helping lead its MusiCares tribute to Joni Mitchell days before Sunday's 64th Grammy Awards show. As a queer woman, Carlile's televised performances have also helped make "music's biggest night" better representative of the industry and the audience it serves after facing criticism in recent years.
But even the best of friends don't always see eye to eye.
Weeks before this year's nominations were revealed, Carlile (graciously) made it known she wasn't exactly thrilled that the academy moved her knee-buckling ballad "Right On Time" out of the American roots category and into the pop field. The lead single off last year's unflinching "In These Silent Days" album is nominated for best pop solo performance, as well as song and record of the year.
