Colin Linden Prevents A Grammy Shutout Of Canadians

By FYI Staff

The Canadian component in last night's Grammy Awards was undeniably a thin one. Leading lights Drake, Shawn Mendes, Jessie Reyez and Daniel Caesar were shut out in their categories, but roots music veteran Colin Linden did get to shine in the Grammys spotlight. He co-produced American Keb' Mo's record Oklahoma, winner of the Best Americana Album, and the pair took to the stage to accept it together, prior to the televised part of the ceremony.

The only Canadian star featured on the telecast was Shania Twain, in a presenter's role. She was singled out for praise by her co-presenter Bebe Rexha as "a woman who broke barriers in Country (music) and beyond."

Elvis Costello & The Imposters won in the category of Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, beating out an impressive list of contestants that included four-time category winner Michael Bublé, and Barbra Streisand who has received 10 Grammy trophies over a career that spans six decades. Ironically, Costello is managed by Vancouver music impresario Sam Feldman, co-partner in A&F Music with Bruce Allen who manages Bublé. Costello also resides in Vancouver these days, with his wife Diana Krall who has had 13 nominations and five Grammy wins to her credit.

The Grammys' always moving In Memoriam segment noted the passing of Neil Peart, Leon Redbone, and Ralph Murphy.

You can read a list of all the 2020 Grammy award winners here

Canadians nominated in this year's Grammy Awards
Drake, cited in two categories for separate collaborative efforts. Gold Roses, a partnership with Rick Ross, was up for best rap song, and No Guidance, a collaboration with Chris Brown, was nominated in the R&B song category. Of note: the latter track was co-produced by Drake's longtime Toronto-based creative partner Noah Shebib, and both he and Drake are amongst the credited songwriters. This brings Drizzy's tally of Grammy noms to 44, though he has won just four.

Fast-rising Toronto star Jessie Reyez scored her first Grammy nod, in the urban contemporary album category, for Being Human in Public, while Daniel Caesar earned his fourth career Grammy nomination, in the best R&B performance category, for Love Again with Brandy.

Shawn Mendes' smash hit duet with Camila Cabello, Senorita, gained just one nomination, for best pop duo or group performance, and Michael Buble's Love was nominated in the best traditional pop vocal album category. This is Mendes' third nod, and he has yet to win a Grammy. Buble earns his 12th nom, and he has taken home four.

Albertan Indigenous group Northern Cree received its ninth career Grammy nomination for When It's Cold -- Cree Round Dance Songs, competing for a best regional roots music album.

Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan and Canadian mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó both received a nomination in the best opera recording category for their work on the recording Benjamin: Lessons in Love & Violence.

Dan Brodbeck was a recording engineer/mixer on The Cranberries final album, In the End, which was nominated for best rock album. He's the coordinator of the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College.

Belgian electronic duo Soulwax was up for best-remixed recording for the song Work It, written by Montreal electronica artist Marie Davidson.