CHICKS SWEEP GRAMMY AWARDS

The Democrats have taken control of Congress, so it makes sense that the Dixie Chicks took control of the Grammys, sweeping everything in their wake. The controversial trio not only took the three biggies: Album, Song and Record of the Year, but also kicked ass in the Country categories, snagging both Album and Vocal Performance, despite the fact that their music was boycotted by Country radio. In all, the Chicks won all five of the categories in which they were nominated.

The Chicks’ performance of the now-epochal “Not Ready to Make Nice”—written with former Semisonics leader Dan Wilson and produced by fellow Grammy winner Rick Rubin, as the ostracized artists looked outside Nashville for collaborators—was one of the night’s goosebump moments, along with Cee-Lo's jaw-droppingly soulful vocal on "Crazy" and the reunited Police blazing through “Roxanne” behind a remarkably fit-looking Sting. If anyone had any doubts whether the trio retains the ability to blow the roof off the sucka inna former stylee, they removed them in the space of four minutes.

Other multiple winners included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mary J. Blige, John Mayer, Gnarls Barkley, T.I and Justin Timberlake. Among the notable shutouts: James Blunt…but he said in the pre-show on E! that he viewed the Grammys as a celebration, not a competition, so he was undoubtedly delighted that Carrie Underwood and her chauffeur, Jesus, had such a gratifying evening.

SELECTED WINNERS:
Record of the Year
“Not Ready to Make Nice, Dixie Chicks

Album of the Year
Taking the Long Way, Dixie Chicks

Song of the Year
“Not Ready to Make Nice,” Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Emily Robison & Dan Wilson, songwriters (Dixie Chicks)

Best New Artist
Carrie Underwood

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
“Ain’t No Other Man,” Christina Aguilera

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
“Waiting On the World to Change,” John Mayer

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group
“My Humps,” The Black Eyed Peas

Best Pop Collaboration
“For Once in My Life,” Tony Bennett & Stevie Wonder

Best Pop Vocal Album
Continuum, John Mayer

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Duets: An American Classic, Tony Bennett

Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance
“Someday Baby,” Bob Dylan

Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group
“Dani California,” Red Hot Chili Peppers

Best Hard Rock Performance
“Woman,” Wolfmother

Best Rock Album
Stadium Arcadium, Red Hot Chili Peppers

Best Alternative Album
St. Elsewhere, Gnarls Barkley

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
“Be Without You,” Mary J. Blige

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
“Heaven,” John Legend

Best R&B Album
The Breakthrough, Mary J. Blige

Best Contemporary R&B Album
B'Day, Beyoncé

Best Rap Solo Performance
“What You Know,” T.I.

Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
“Ridin,” Chamillionaire f/Krayzie Bone

Best Rap Album
Release Therapy, Ludacris

Best Female Country Vocal Performance
“Jesus, Take the Wheel,” Carrie Underwood

Best Male Country Vocal Performance
“The Reason Why,” Vince Gill

Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group
“Not Ready to Make Nice,” Dixie Chicks

Best Country Album
Taking the Long Way, Dixie Chicks

Best Traditional Folk/Americana Album
We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, Bruce Springsteen

Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album
Modern Times, Bob Dylan

Best Soundtrack Album
Walk the Line

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Rick Rubin

Music Video
“Here It Goes Again,” OK Go