You Thought So!

Usher was supposed to perform at the pre-Grammy party which paid tribute to Clive Davis in LA this past Saturday but he had to cancel due to a family emergency. Considering how Ne-Yo and Chris Brown have taken his place in the music industry, I doubt Usher gets invited to these types of things frequently and he just lost his chance. Apparently, something went wrong during a surgical procedure that his wife Tameka was having in Brazil. Ever the devoted hubby, Usher flew down there to be with her. If they’re both in Brazil, who’s watching the kids? Why did she have to get surgery in Brazil of all places?

Jennifer Hudson not only made successful return to her public but also won a Grammy for best R&B album at the 2009 Grammy Awards while she was at it. The 27-year old singer was all teary when she accepted her award saying “I don’t really know what to say. First of all, I got Whitney Houston presenting me [with my award]. Wow, I’m just in awe right now. First of all, I’d like to thank God who has brought me through. I’d like to thank my family in heaven and those who are here today… Clive Davis, Barry Weiss, everyone at Arista, [my fiance David Otunga], everybody, thank you all.”

Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes and Jessica Simpson announced nominees for the 44th Academy of Country Music Awards, and Brad Paisley was at the top of the list.

44th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES

Entertainer of the Year

* Kenny Chesney
* Brad Paisley
* George Strait
* Carrie Underwood
* Keith Urban

Top Male Vocalist

* Kenny Chesney
* Toby Keith
* Brad Paisley
* George Strait
* Keith Urban

Top Female Vocalist

* Miranda Lambert
* Heidi Newfield
* Taylor Swift
* Carrie Underwood
* Lee Ann Womack

Top Vocal Group

* Lady Antebellum
* Little Big Town
* Rascal Flatts
* Randy Rogers Band
* The Lost Trailers

Top Vocal Duo

* Big & Rich
* Brooks & Dunn
* Joey & Rory
* Montgomery Gentry
* Sugarland

Top New Male Vocalist

* Jamey Johnson
* James Otto
* Jake Owen

Top New Female Vocalist

* Sarah Buxton
* Julianne Hough
* Ashton Shepherd

Top New Vocal Duo or Group

* Eli Young Band
* The Lost Trailers
* Zac Brown Band

Single Record of the Year

* Gunpowder & Lead
Miranda Lambert
* In Color
Jamey Johnson
* Johnny & June
Heidi Newfield
* Waitin’ On A Woman
Brad Paisley
* You’re Gonna Miss This
Trace Adkins

Song of the Year

* I Saw God Today
George Strait
* In Color
Jamey Johnson
* Johnny & June
Heidi Newfield
* Waitin’ On A Woman
Brad Paisley
* You’re Gonna Miss This
Trace Adkins

Video of the Year

* Johnny & June – Heidi Newfield
* Just A Dream – Carrie Underwood
* Love Story – Taylor Swift
* Troubadour – George Strait
* Waitin’ On A Woman – Brad Paisley

Vocal Event of the Year

* Another Try – Josh Turner Featuring Trisha Yearwood
* Cowgirls Don’t Cry – Brooks & Dunn Featuring Reba McEntire
* Down The Road – Kenny Chesney With Mac McAnally
* Life In A Northern Town – Sugarland Featuring Little Big Town & Jake Owen
* Start A Band – Brad Paisley Duet With Keith Urban

The 2009 Junos will be held in Vancouver on March 29. The show will be hosted by comedian Russell Peters.

JUNO AWARD NOMINEES FOR 2009 ARE:

JUNO Fan Choice Award
Celine Dion
Feist
Hedley
Nickelback
The Lost Fingers

Single of the Year
Celine Dion “Taking Chances”
Divine Brown “Lay It On the Line”
Kardinal Offishall “Dangerous”
Michael Bublé “Lost”
Nickelback “Gotta Be Somebody”

Artist of the Year
Bryan Adams
City and Colour
k.d. lang
Sam Roberts
Serena Ryder

Group of the Year
Great Big Sea
Nickelback
Simple Plan
The Trews
Tokyo Police Club

New Artist of the Year
Crystal Shawanda
Jessie Farrell
Kreesha Turner
Lights
Nikki Yanofsky

New Group of the Year
Beast
Cancer Bats
Crystal Castles
Plants and Animals
The Stills

Songwriter of the Year
Alanis Morissette
City and Colour
Gordie Sampson
Hedley
The Midway State

Adult Alternative Album of the Year
Hawksley Workman Between the Beautifuls
Kathleen Edwards Asking For Flowers
Ron Sexsmith Exit Strategy Of The Soul
Sarah Slean The Baroness
Serena Ryder is it ok

Alternative Album of the Year
Black Mountain In The Future
Chad VanGaalen Soft Airplane
Fucked Up The Chemistry Of Common Life
Plants and Animals Parc Avenue
The Stills Oceans Will Rise

Rap Recording of the Year
DL Incognito A Captured Moment In Time
D-Sisive The Book
Famous I Rap Now
Kardinal Offishall Not 4 Sale
Point Blank Point Blank

Tune in tomorrow morning, February 12th, to Live With Regis and Kelly to see ten lucky girls vying for a date with Taylor Hicks! The American Idol alum is participating in the show’s “Dating With The Stars” contest which will score one winner a date with the soulful singer. The audience will then vote on which three ladies can compete to win a date with Taylor on Thursday, February 19th.

Taylor Hicks is currently touring with Grease, performing select solo dates and gearing up to release his album,