January 31, 2008

Grammys Add Alicia Keys, Feist, Beatles Tribute To Performer Lineup

By Gil Kaufman (MTV.com)

In what could turn out to be her big coming-out moment, indie rocker and Best New Artist nominee Feist, famous for the "1234" song featured in a ubiquitous iPod ad, has been added to the list of performers for the upcoming Grammys Awards ceremony. Also joining the performer list are Alicia Keys and country star Brad Paisley, as well as a special tribute to the Beatles featuring the casts of the Las Vegas show "LOVE by Cirque du Soleil" (based on the Fab Four's music) and the Beatles-inspired big-screen musical Across the Universe.

The 50th annual awards show, which takes place on February 10, also announced the first slate of presenters, which will feature a variety of past Grammy winners including Natalie Cole, Juanes, Cyndi Lauper, Bette Midler and Bonnie Raitt. And the prime-time spot for Canadian songwriter/ sometime Broken Social Scene member Leslie Feist will give the "1234" singer her biggest national (and international) exposure to date.

The Grammys previously announced performances by Beyoncé, Foo Fighters (with special guest conductor Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones), Carrie Underwood, a gospel segment featuring Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, the Clark Sisters, Israel & New Breed and Trin-I-Tee 5:7, and Rihanna performing with reunited Minneapolis funk band the Time.

After fears the show might be crippled by the ongoing Hollywood writers' strike, it was announced this week that the writers guild had given its members a waiver to work on the golden-anniversary show. And though her English publicity firm recently said plans still call for six-time nominee Amy Winehouse to make an appearance at the event, her recent decision to enter a rehabilitation facility to treat substance abuse has once again cast that appearance into question.