The Panther

Issue date: 2/14/07 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: wireimages.com Grammy moment indeed: Houston native Robyn Troup, the winner of the "My Grammy Moment" contest, performs on stage with Justin Timberlake.

The Queen of R&B Soul, Mary J. Blige, made a fierce comeback last Sunday night. In between the tears, lengthy speeches, and deafening ovations, an incredibly grateful Blige received awards for three of her eight nominations. Her double-platinum triumph, "The Breakthrough" which is perhaps the 35 year-old's biggest album, landed her Best R&B album; Best Female R&B song and R&B Vocal Performance for "Be Without You" beat out Beyonce' and Christina Aguilera.

Said Blige, "Tonight we celebrate the better human being because for so many years, I've been talked about negatively, but this time I've been talked about positively by so many people." Blige has battled major self-esteem and substance abuse problems in her troubled past.

Blige also performed a powerful orchestrated rendition of "Be Without You" and "Stay With Me" that put the arena on its feet. With Best Rap Album Grammy winner, Ludacris and R&B greats Earth, Wind & Fire, Blige returned to the stage for a heart-tugging performance of "Runaway Love"

But the 49th annual Grammys undoubtedly belonged to the Texas trio, Dixie Chicks. The overjoyed-and a bit cheeky-Dixie Chicks won all five of the Grammys that they were nominated for. The unregretful trio had a taste of sweet victory against the brutal backlash in sales they received from the country music world after making anti-Bush statements on the eve of the Iraq war in 2003.

The ear-splitting applause that the Chicks received were verification to the trio's welcomed return to the music world.
Their testimonial single, "Not Ready to Make Nice," won the coveted Song of the Year and Record of the Year awards. Beating out predicted winners "Future, Sex Love Sounds" by Justin Timberlake and "St. Elsewhere" by Gnarls Barkley, the Chicks' album "Taking the Long Way" won Album of the Year.
American Idol and country sensation, Carrie Underwood received the Grammy for Best New Artist, beating out Corinne Bailey Rae and Chris Brown.

Best Pop Collaboration went to music icons Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder for "For Once in My Life," which the duet also performed.

Continued...

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