Dixie Chicks Sweep Grammys

(CBS/AP)  The Dixie Chicks, who suffered a country backlash over lead singer Natalie Maines' criticism of President Bush in 2003, solidified their comeback with a sweep of all five categories for which they were nominated at the 49th Annual Grammy awards Sunday night in Los Angeles.

The country trio won record of the year, song of the year and best country song by a duo or group with vocal for "Not Ready To Make Nice," and album of the year and best country album for "Taking the Long Road Home."

"I think people are using their freedom of speech here at this awards. I'm very humbled. I think people were using their voice the same way this loudmouth did," Natalie Maines said through tears as she accepted the album of the year award.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers won best rock album for "Stadium Arcadium," and picked up three wins in the pre-telecast awards ceremony, including best rock performance by a duo or group for "Dani California."

The top nominee going into the show, Mary J. Blige, took home a total of three awards. She started the night with eight nominations.

Blige won best R&B album for "The Breakthrough" and best R&B female vocal performance for "Be Without You." She also picked up an award for best R&B song for "Be Without You" prior to the telecast.

"(This album) has not only shown who I am as an artist, writer and performer, it's shown that I am growing into a better human being," she said, accepting the award for best R&B album from the Black Eyed Peas. "For so many years I have been talked about negatively, but this year I have been talked about positively by so many people."

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Photos from the Grammy red carpet

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Blige thanked a long list of people before the music began playing - louder and louder - to signal her exit from the stage. Somehow, she managed to finish her list before she left.

The Police opened the show, with a reunion performance that won them a standing ovation from the crowd.

"We are the Police, and we're back!" shouted Sting, as the trio performed their early hit "Roxanne." They are set to go on a comeback tour this year.

"Keep it going, keep it going for The Police now," said Jamie Foxx as he stepped out to present the evening's first award.

It was two legends, Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder, who picked up the first trophy, best pop collaboration with vocals for "For Once In My Life" from Bennett's "Duets" album.

2"I must say to you that it's amazing to know that I did this song at 17 in a whole 'nother way and then to come back and do it with the great Tony Bennett" said Wonder, whom Tony Bennett referred to as "Stevie Wonderful."

During the show, younger artists introduced the Grammy lifetime achievement winners while established artists introduced the performances of younger musical acts.

Prince introduced Beyonce, and Stevie Wonder introduced a performance by Corrine Bailey Rae, John Legend, and John Mayer. Pink and T.I. paid tribute to the Doors, and The Black Eyed Peas honored Booker T & The MGs.

The Dixie Chicks were introduced by folk singer Joan Baez, who expressed her admiration for the outspoken group as she referred to her own role in protesting the Vietnam war, saying many times she was asked to "shut up and sing."

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Photos from the Grammy show

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Ludacris, no stranger to controversy himself, won best rap album for "Release Therapy."

3"You mean all I had to do to win a Grammy was cut my hair?" quipped a clean-cut Ludacris. He got another laugh from the audience as he gave a special shout-out to talk show hosts, Bill O'Reilly and Oprah Winfrey (neither present for the festivities), who've been critical of his lyrics.

On a more serious note, the rapper, whose birth name is Chris Bridges, dedicated his award to his dad. "This goes out to my father, who is in critical condition right now. I appreciate your prayers, Mr. Wayne Bridges, I love you to death."

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[emme32]

At last year's Grammy's, Mary J. Blige sang "One" as a duet with Bono and U2, brought down the house, and her career took off. She has on occasion given Bono and U2 some credit for helping her gain respect and popularity. However, she forgot all about them last night in her endless list of "thank you"s, when they were the ones who gave her her big break. Evidently Mary J. quickly forgets who her friends are. She hasn't anymore talent than most other popular singers.

[bunlady-2009]

Last time I checked this was still a free country and the DC's are entitled to thier opinion and are entitled to express it. I never quit listening to thier music or buying it and never will. I try to judge artists on thier talent not on thier political beliefs, which I don't really care about anyways. If we shunned everybody that said something that we didn't like there would be nobody left in Washington. They may have picked the wrong forum to express their opinions but I will give them credit for having the courage to stand up for what they believe in. Go Girls I'm proud of you.

[pakaal]

Great music, courageous people, congrats to the Dixie Chicks!

Looks like a couple of those "Bush can do no wrong ever" folks decided to show up here and bash them for being so successful and talented.

Can you blame them? It's gotta hurt to see that the Dixie Chicks have been embraced by America, leaving the haters behind....

[one_american]

That fact that the Dixie Chicks took the awards is further proof that all of Hollywood and the music industry is nothing but bigotted liberal ideology and hate speech set to music.

I will never buy anything that reeks of political bigotry like what the Dixie Chicks put out.

Their careers have just ended, as far as half of America is concerned.

[e7eryday]

The fact that the Dixie Chicks took home so many awards speaks volumes on the fact that the Grammys are based on TALENT and not POLITICS. Frankly I'd prefer not to know ANY of the political, religious, or even sexual views of actors, musicians, and artists. I'd prefer to judge them based on their talent vs. their opinions. Ignorance is bliss in the entertainment industry.

[dogband]

Way to go DC! This will definately be my next CD purchase. Continue to speak out, because last time I looked, we still had that freedom in MY country. Hope it lasts.

[classicbike]

Although I have tended to agree with the Dixie Chicks opposition to the way we were brought to war in Iraq (Afganistan is wholly different and legitmate), Natalie certainly isn't my first choice as a spokesperson (sorry Natalie, you need to mature just a bit more). In interviews with the DC's Martie (even Emily) I've found has been the most articulate and considered. The Grammy wins do reflect the mood of much the nation and a poke in the eye of the Country Music Establishment (it was deserved) and a voice against the war in Iraq. Nevertheless, the awards, regardless of why they were awarded were earned by the creativity and quality of the music and lyrics of the album. Congratulations ladies and band, you did a heck of a job.

[BlueInWI]

:-) Go get em gals!! Richly deserved for the quality of the album, and even more richly deserved for their courage to speak out!!

True Patriotic Americans they are!

[perception5]

It's pretty simple........if you trash Bush in liberal Hollywood you too can get all the awards too.....

it worked for Michael Moore's propaganda film two years ago and today it's still working for the Dixie chicks........

[actornaught]

bigwhtpony, you lead off with enuff of a truth, tho' the "left-wingers" are your silly equivolent of boogie men. you're just another anti-rights neocon hate soldier, and your idols don't give a wit about you.

The Chicks put out a great album and deserved the Grammies. i personally don't think Natalie is much of a spokesperson, but she has her rights, no matter how hard the neocons want to take them away. She is a great artist and i wish the Chicks all the success they want.