As if the spectacle of Elton John and Eminem were not enough, the Grammys have announced additional performers for the awards ceremony. Macy Gray, Sheryl Crow , Shelby Lynne, Moby, Jill Scott, the Blue Man Group and classical pianist Marc-André Hamelin will also take the stage of Los Angeles' Staples Center for the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards on February 21st.

Following the example of Eminem and Elton, and Dolly Parton and Brad Paisley, Crow and Lynne will perform a duet. Crow received two Grammy nominations for duets from her Live From Central Park album. A duet with Sarah McLachlan on "The Difficult Kind" got her Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals, and "Strong Enough" with the Dixie Chicks received a nomination for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals.

Another eye-opening collaboration will come from Moby, Jill Scott and the Blue Man Group. Moby is nominated in the Best Dance Recording category for "Natural Blues," while Scott is nominated for Best New Artist, Best R&B Vocal Performance for "Gettin' in the Way" and Best R&B Album for Who Is Jill Scott?: Words & Sounds Vol. 1. Meanwhile, the Blue Man Group earned a nomination in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category for their release, Audio. This is the first time the Grammys have had a Best Pop Instrumental Album category.

Macy Gray, who received three nominations (for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance) will brave the stage alone. Pianist Marc-André Hamelin was nominated twice this year in the Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (with Orchestra) for "Busoni: Piano Con., Op. XXXIX," and Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra) for "Godowsky: The Complete Studies on Chopin's Etudes."

Tony Bennett, Carson Daly, Gloria Estefan, Vince Gill , Joni Mitchell and Sisqo were named as presenters while Jon Stewart, of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, will host.

Previously announced performers include Christina Aguilera, Destiny's Child, Faith Hill, Madonna, 'N Sync, Nnenna Freelon , Take 6 and U2 . The show will air live on CBS at 8 p.m.

CHRISTINA SARACENO
(February 16, 2001)