Austin blues-rock guitarist Gary Clark Jr. led a select group of artists representing the Live Music Capitol of the World at the 2014 Grammy Awards.
Clark’s song “Please Come Home” was named the Best Traditional R&B Performance. Clark was also nominated for Best Rock Song. He didn’t win, but Clark can take solace in knowing he competed against bands including Black Sabbath and The Rolling Stones. (“Cut Me Some Slack,” pairing Paul McCartney with the remaining Nirvana lineup, won.)
Texas was represented in the Grammy’s In Memoriam dedication as well. (See a list of honorees here.)
Former KUT DJ Larry Monroe –best known for his long-running “Blue Monday” sets – was honored by the academy. Outlaw country singer-songwriter Steven Fromholz was honored as well. And Van Cliburn, pianist and Texas native was also recognized during the ceremony.
Austin-based art directors Sarah and Shauna Dodds received the award Best Recording Package for their work on Reckless Kelly’s “Long Night Moon.” The Dodds sisters were nominated in 2012 for another Reckless Kelly package, “Good Luck & True Love.”
The Academy Awards, the film industry’s highest honors, cap the 2014 awards season. Austin celebrities Matthew McConaughey and Sandra Bullock are contending for two of the top honors: Actor and Actress in a Leading Role.
McConaughey is nominated for his role in “Dallas Buyers Club” and Bullock for her role in “Gravity.” The Oscars will be held March 2.
