Somebody Splain This Please

I'd sure like to know exactly who decides which artists and albums are nominated for Grammy awards in the Country Music category. Watching tonight's award program, I'm convinced Country needs to be dropped entirely from the Grammys. Compare the list of nominees and winners to the CMA Awards list. Three hours of music, and Country was relegated to one segment. Of course, Rock - real Rock - wasn't treated much better (The Red Hot Chili Peppers didn't get to perform until after 11pm), but that's another issue.

According to the recording industry, five of the top ten selling artists in all music during 2006 were Country artists: Rascal Flatts (No. 1); Johnny Cash (No. 2); Carrie Underwood (No. 4); Tim McGraw (No. 6); and Keith Urban (No. 9). To their credit, the Grammys did have the top two living Country acts of 2006 on this program. Still...

For the most part, the Dixie Chicks aren't played on Country radio anymore, and I believe they've pretty much renounced the format. No problem there, except the Grammy folks seem to want the Chicks to represent Country. Making a statement??? The Chicks winning two Country Grammys was a slap in the face to Country radio and fans.