Dixie Chicks Sweep Grammys

Mary J. Blige, Red Hot Chili Peppers Also Take Home Multiple Awards

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LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12, 2007 | by Judy Faber

(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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