The 49th Annual Grammy Awards are this Sunday. As any good music fan and observer, I have my own ideas about who will take home awards and who will leave empty handed. Below I’ve listed the big award categories and my picks. I’ve added a little color commentary as well. Let me know what you think. Am I right or wrong? Who do you think will win?

Album Of The Year

My pick for album of the year is John Mayer’s Continuum. This is his best work to date and the album stands over and above anything else released this year. The music is textured in beautiful melodies and complex emotions. Will Mayer win though? I’m not sure.

I’m afraid that the award for Album of the Year will go to the Dixie Chicks for Taking the Long Way. While a decent album, it doesn’t live up to repeated lisening like Contiuum does. I think the Chicks will get a win, they just don’t belong or deserve to win in this category.

Consolation: Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Stadium Arcadium

Record Of The Year
Record of the Year goes to the artist and to the producer(s) of a particular track. Again, this award has a chance of being (wrongly) given to the Dixie Chicks. This award should go to Gnarles Barkley for their summer anthem Crazy. The record was everywhere this year. Of course, Mary J could sweep in and take this award but I’m not convinced that will hapen

Song Of The Year
Now, if the Dixie Chicks deserve any award this year it is this one. Song of the Year is a songwriter’s award and it should go to the Chicks’ Not Ready to Make Nice. The only competion that the they have is Carrie Underwood’s Jesus Take the Wheel. Both songs a very well written but Not Ready packs a much bigger punch.

Dark Horse: Corinne Bailey Rae’s Put You Records On

Best New Artist
Hands down, Best New Artist belongs to Corinne Bailey Rae. She has incredible talent and has been blowing up every since her album dropped stateside this past summer. I have a bit of a crush on Mrs. Rae so I might be a bit bias.

So these are the 4 big awards that everybody cares about. I am no expert so I expect to wake up Monday morning only to find that I was way off on my predictions. We shall see.

I listed a couple of other Grammy picks below. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. See ya Monday.

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
One– Mary J. Blige & U2

Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
The Saints Are Coming– U2 & Green Day
or
Talk– Coldplay

Best Rock Song
When You Were Young– the Killers
or
Chasing Cars– Snow Patrol

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
See the Morning– Chris Tomlin

Best Reggae Album
Youth– Matisyahu

Official Grammy Website
Yahoo! Grammy Page
Complete List of Awards