Here's an update on how some artists with North Carolina connections fared at the Grammys on Sunday February 10. This article was originally prepared as a Grammy preview looking at the Carolina Chocolate Drops and The Avett Brothers with some of their recent appearances on "The State of Things" on WUNC.
Update 6:11 p.m.
"The Goat Rodeo Sessions" from Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile win for Best Folk Album 2012, edging out the Carolina Chocolate Drops.
Update 6:06 p.m.
Steep Canyon Rangers win for "Nobody Knows You" (Best Bluegrass album). This is the North Carolina bluegrass band's first Grammy. "Nobody Knows You" is their eighth release, including one album backing banjo player (and wild & crazy guy) Steve Martin. The Steep Canyon Rangers formed in Brevard, North Carolina over a decade ago.
Update 6:04 p.m.
Bonnie Raitt wins for "Slipstream" for Best Americana Album. NC's The Avett Brothers were considered in this category.
Update 5:35 p.m.
The afternoon ceremony where many Grammys are announced is underway. Here's a photo from the red carpet of the Carolina Chocolate Drops awaiting the announcement for their category.
Portions of the article below published prior to the awards as a Grammy preview.
It could prove to be a big evening at Sunday night's Grammy Awards for a handful of NC-based bands and artists with strong ties to the state, including the Carolina Chocolate Drops. The string-band based in Durham is up for their second award.
Their first Grammy came in 2010 for "Genuine Negro Jig". Their latest release, "Leaving Eden," is again under consideration for the Best Folk Album of the year . It features the title song composed by North Carolina songwriter Laurelyn Dossett.
This time, The Drops are up against four other releases under consideration as Best Folk Album determined by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS):
- RyCooder's "Election Special,"
- "Hambone Mediations" by Luther Dickinson
- "The Goat Rodeo Sessions" from Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile
- Various Artists: "This One's For Him: A Tribute To Guy Clark"
The Carolina Chocolate Drops formed in 2005 at the Black Banjo Gathering in Boone, NC. They have also enjoyed a long relationship with the Music Maker Relief Foundation of Hillsborough, NC and with African-American old-time fiddler Joe Thompson, late of Alamance County. A song by the Carolina Chocolate Drops appeared on "The Hunger Games" soundtrack for the 2012 science-fiction movie.
From The State of Things
The Carolina Chocolate Drops and members of the band were on The State of Things a couple of times in the last few months. Here's a listen back:
More NC Artists Up For Grammys
Other artists with North Carolina ties up for awards include The Avett Brothers (Best Americana Album), Steep Canyon Rangers (Best Bluegrass Album), Eric Church (two nominations: Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song), and North Carolina born and raised Anthony Hamilton is being considered for two R&B Grammys.
The Avett Brothers were also on The State of Things in 2012:
The Grammy Awards are televised by CBS starting at 8 p.m. on Sunday February 10, 2013.
