Ye gods, there is a lot of stuff to talk about today … it’s all piling up and I can’t even get to it all. Of course the ChRihanna story is just bananas … there is even more new information about last night’s incident and the rammifications that have sprung up as a result — as well as other great goss stories that I’m gonna try to get to. But first, lemme post a few things about David’s and my Grammy Awards experience last night. Since we were lucky enough to attend last night’s show, we got to see the whole shebang live and in person. We had a blast … even tho the show was kinda long … it really felt like being at a concert. Here are a few of the pics that I snapped of Whitney Houston when she came out on stage:

But for most of the show, I didn’t take very many photos. I was too bizzy Twittering and gathering info on Chris Brown. The official afterparty, tho, that was a whole lotta fun … mainly cuz the food was so good. They had these huge tables set up with HEAPS of shrimp, crab, oysters … I won’t even tell you how many times I went back for more ;) We were treated to a live performance by Robin Thicke and the food and drink was everywhere. Here are a few pics from the afterparty:

The party itself was Hippie-themed … and not very well. The dancers were not very impressive, in fact, I found them very unsettling. It was all I could do to keep shoveling shrimp into my face to be distracted.

Again, we had a blast … much love goes out to my friend Zlata at ABSOLUT Vodka, again, for the kind hook-up. So much fun!

And now … on to the other goss o’ the day …

The insane drama over Chris Brown’s arrest and the allegations that he assaulted his girlfriend Rihanna ALMOST overshadowed the 51st Annual Grammy Awards that took place at the Staples Center last night … but fear not, the awards went off without a hitch and, at least in person, provided a very fun night of entertainment. David and I were able to attend the Grammy Awards last night, courtesy of our friends at ABSOLUT Vodka, and we had a pretty phenomenal time at the Staples Center … even tho we were trying to keep apprised of the Chris Brown info as it came out thruout the show, we were able to enjoy the Grammys nonetheless. Here are a few photos from the Grammy Award red carpet arrivals last night:

Everyone was lookin’ their swanky best … Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood looked lovely (tho, I preferred the dress that J. Hud changed into for her onstage performance) and Jesse McCartney looked crazed as he latched on to Paris Hilton’s teet for their odd photo op. Dunno what the kid was trying to accomplish but I hope he bathed afterward.

It turned out that Alison Krauss and Robert Plant were the big winners of the evening … along with Adele who took home the award for Best New Artist (edging out Duffy and the Jonas Brothers — thank God!). After the jump, check out some photos from the Grammy Press room of some of the winners with their trophies and find out who won what at last night’s affair …

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The nominations for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards have been announced at a ceremony in LA yesterday that also featured a celebratory concert with performances by John Mayer, Christina Aguilera and more. As for the noms, there were quite a few surprises — like who didn’t get nominated (*cough* Mariah Carey *cough*) — that should make the award show a very interesting one when it airs next February:

Louisiana rapper Lil Wayne garnered the most Grammy nominations, receiving eight, and British alternative rock band Coldplay grabbed seven as the Recording Academy announced this year’s nominees. Lil Wayne and Coldplay were both nominated for the prestigious album of the year award for the 51st annual Grammy Awards. Nominations were announced during a star-studded, prime-time concert special Wednesday night. Rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West and R&B crooner Ne-Yo received six nominations each. Alison Krauss, John Mayer, Robert Plant, Radiohead and newcomer Jazmine Sullivan received five each. Nominees in six categories were announced during the show that aired on CBS. Mayer, Mariah Carey, the Foo Fighters and Taylor Swift performed for the event. Swift, perhaps surprisingly, didn’t receive a single nomination. Though her albums — her 2006 debut CD and her recently released “Fearless” — weren’t eligible for the competition, she released several hit singles during the Grammy consideration window, which ran from October 2007 to September. And despite a huge hit single — “I Kissed a Girl” — Katy Perry failed to be nominated for best new artist. The singer did earn a nomination for best female pop vocal performance. “I feel very grateful to be recognized by an institution of such iconic musical history. I can’t believe it, but this year I won’t be watching the Grammys in my jammies,” she said in a statement. Newcomer Duffy, who had a big hit with “Mercy,” was nominated for three Grammys, including best new artist. She may have to get used to more attention. In October, she told CNN, “I still feel kind of underground in America, which is quite nice in a way though — to be able to sit around the corner at [a Los Angeles] cafe and have my breakfast.” The album of the year nominees are a diverse group. Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” continues in the British band’s tradition of making big statements; on the other hand, on “Raising Sand,” old hands Plant and Krauss, working with producer T Bone Burnett, created a haunting, minimalist record that hearkens back to old folk and blues recordings. Longtime critics’ darlings Radiohead hit No. 1 with “In Rainbows,” which was equally distinctive for its initial release as a pay-your-own-price download. (The album was released on CD in January.) Lil Wayne had a commercial breakthrough with “Tha Carter III,” the year’s best-selling album, which featured the No. 1 tune “Lollipop.” Hip-hop artist Ne-Yo’s “Year of the Gentleman” deliberately opted for a brighter sound, he said after the ceremony, according to The Associated Press. “When I was putting it together, I was trying to do something that everybody could get into, as opposed to just my pop and R&B core group,” Ne-Yo said, according to the AP. “I was trying to do something that the world could enjoy, and I think that the Grammy people paid attention to that.” Nominees for record of the year are Adele’s “Chasing Pavements”; Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida”; Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love”; M.I.A’s “Paper Planes”; and Plant and Krauss’ “Please Read the Letter.” Song of the year, a songwriters’ award, had five nominees: “American Boy,” popularized by Estelle featuring Kanye West; “Chasing Pavements,” whose hit version was performed by Adele; “I’m Yours,” written and performed by Jason Mraz; “Love Song,” written and performed by Sara Bareilles; and Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” written by the band. In some ways, it’s an odd time for the industry to celebrate. CD sales have plunged in the last few years, and music downloads, which continue to rise, have yet to fill the gap. With concert ticket prices often well above $50 a pop and wildly fluctuating gasoline prices, musicians are feeling the pinch.

I’m pretty surprised that neither Mariah Carey nor Taylor Swift got any nominations … these are the types of artists that the Grammy Award folks usually love to lavish trophies upon. I wonder if Mimi knew that she was going to get the shaft from the Grammys before she agreed to appear on the Nomination Special that aired on TV last night. I bet she’s pissed. After the jump, check out a few pics of John Mayer and Xtina Aguilera doing their thing on stage at the Grammy Awards Nomination Special that aired on CBS last night …

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