Today is the big show, the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards are tonight!

If last night was any indication, then today is going to be an amazing day for the music industry. The video tributes to the Merit Award recipients were wonderful and their acceptance speeches were moving and gracious.
Some of the high lights for me:

• Brenda Lee was funny and humble in accepting her Lifetime Achievement Award, shedding some tears and thanking everyone from A-to-Z.
• Duke Fakir, the remaining living member of the original Four Tops, was joined onstage by family members of Levi Stubbs, Obie Benson and Lawrence Payton to accept their Lifetime Achievement Award, and all were incredibly humble and thankful for recognition.
• Centenarian Elliott Carter, a Trustees Award recipient, couldn't be there, not because of age or illness, but because his travel schedule wouldn't allow it...we learned he's still composing and performing.
• Hank Jones, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and Allen Toussaint, Trustees Award recipient, were typical jazz men in their acceptance speeches, short, sweet and humble; I got the distinct feeling they would have preferred to show their appreciation on their respective instruments versus standing behind a podium.

I have a special place in my heart & soul for The Blind Boys of Alabama, Lifetime Achievement Award recipients and 2009 GRAMMY nominees. They have been singing Gospel music over 60 years, traveling the world singing praises to God. I'm overwhelmed by the amount of faith and dedication that kind of career requires. I know without a shadow of doubt that if it had not been for them, we would not have had Commissioned, Take 6, the Winans and countless other Gospel recording artists.

As I said at the beginning, tonight's only going to be better...go GRAMMYs!

Be sure to follow me or #GRAMMYs for updates from todays festivities.

- Shannon Renee