Several Grammy-Nominated Artists Have Arizona Ties

By Amanda Luberto, Mark Brodie, Lauren Gilger
Published: Friday, January 24, 2020 - 12:40pm

Audio icon Download mp3 (3.24 MB)

Calexico
Kaely Monahan/KJZZ
Calexico performing a Tiny Desert Concert in 2018 at Valley Bar in Phoenix.

Sunday night is the 62nd Grammy Awards. R&B artist Alicia Keys is hosting again this year after having a successful award show last year.

Artists like Ariana Grande, the Jonas Brothers and Bonnie Raitt will perform throughout the night, and there is set to be a Prince tribute during the show as well.

But if you’re watching the annual music award show this weekend, you might notice a few Arizona names. Several artists with local ties are nominated for multiple awards this year.

The band Tool and their lead singer, Maynard James Keenan, who lives in Jerome and owns the local winery Merkin Vineyards, is nominated for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for the title track of their fifth studio album "Fear Inoculum."

Country star Tanya Tucker, who got her start in Willcox and credits an early performance at the Arizona State Fair for launching her career, is up for four nominations including Song of the Year and Best Country Solo Performance.

Tiny Desert Concert alumni Calexico from Tucson are nominated for their collaboration with folk artist Iron & Wine. 

And even two artists who have moved to Arizona since becoming successful might take home a Grammy on Sunday for Best Jazz Instrumental Album or Best Contemporary Blues Album.

The Grammys air Sunday at 6 p.m. on CBS.

The Show