February 11, 2007
Dixie Chicks Win Big at Grammy Awards
Sunday marked a big night for The Dixie Chicks, who took home five Grammy Awards.
The music group has most recently been known for controversy. Four years ago, lead singer Natalie Maines criticized President Bush, but now it seems the music world is ready to forgive and forget.
"I think people are using their freedom of speech with all these awards. We get the message," Maines said. "I'm very humbled."
Mary J. Blige, who led all nominees with eight Grammy nods, took home three Sunday night, winning R&B Performance, R&B Album and R&B Song.
"This is a great night for me," the singer said while accepting one of her awards. "Success exposes who you really are, and I want to use this success to build bridges, not to burn them."
The Red Hot Chili Peppers won four Grammys, and former "American Idol" Carrie Underwood picked up Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Female Country Performance.
John Mayer won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album for "Continuum", which he celebrated by hitting the after-Grammy parties.
Mayer hit Sony BMG's bash at the posh Beverly Hills Hotel, where he was the toast of the party as he sipped champagne with rumored lady love Jessica Simpson and her little sister, Ashlee.
But Jessica wasn't the only one gushing over the 29-year-old singer; the legendary Clive Davis also had words of praise for Mayer.
"I love music, John loves music, and any time I want, he says he'll come in to play guitar for me," Davis said.
Also hitting the VIP scene was Rihanna and John Legend, who won a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, while former "Idol's" Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood enjoyed the perks of their newfound fame.
"I'm not quite used to it, but it sure is fun," Underwood confessed after her big wins.
Across town, Beyoncé shined at the People magazine bash at Eleven in West Hollywood, where she was joined by Mary J. Blige, former Destiny Child's soul sister Kelly Rowlands and her mom, Tina.
Blonde bombshell Christina Aguilera and hubby Jordan Bratman also hit the scene, where they sipped champagne and chatted up Mischa Barton.
Mandy Moore and Natasha Bedingfield partied nearby at EMI's bash in Hollywood, while Sting, Beck, 50 Cent, Paris Hilton and Richie Sambora hit Universal Music Group's party downtown.
For a complete list of this year's Grammy Award winners, click here.
Click on an image to view the Grammy photo gallery!