Country trio The Dixie Chicks have made a triumphant comeback by dominating the major honours at the Grammy Awards.
Country trio The Dixie Chicks have made a triumphant comeback by dominating the major honours at the Grammy Awards.
The group's five prizes come four years after they caused uproar among many US country music fans for saying they were "ashamed" of President George Bush.
The group's five prizes come four years after they caused uproar among many US country music fans for saying they were "ashamed" of President George Bush.
Their awards included best song, record and album. The Red Hot Chili Peppers won four, while Mary J Blige won three.
Their awards included best song, record and album. The Red Hot Chili Peppers won four, while Mary J Blige won three.
The ceremony was opened by reformed pop group The Police - but it was a bad night for other Brits like James Blunt.
The ceremony was opened by reformed pop group The Police - but it was a bad night for other Brits like James Blunt.
The UK singer was up for five awards but went home empty-handed. Other British nominees like Corinne Bailey Rae, KT Tunstall and the Arctic Moneys also lost out.
The UK singer was up for five awards but went home empty-handed. Other British nominees like Corinne Bailey Rae, KT Tunstall and the Arctic Moneys also lost out.
R&B diva Mary J Blige made an emotional speechThe Dixie Chicks' victory in the top three categories represents vindication for a group who were banned from many US radio stations and received death threats after making their controversial comments.
R&B diva Mary J Blige made an emotional speechThe Dixie Chicks' victory in the top three categories represents vindication for a group who were banned from many US radio stations and received death threats after making their controversial comments.
At a concert in London on the eve of the Iraq war in 2003, singer Natalie Maines told the crowd she was "ashamed" that Mr Bush came from her home state, Texas.
At a concert in London on the eve of the Iraq war in 2003, singer Natalie Maines told the crowd she was "ashamed" that Mr Bush came from her home state, Texas.
At the Grammy ceremony on Sunday, their single Not Ready to Make Nice - including lyrics like "I'm not ready to back down, I'm still mad as hell" - was named song of the year and record of the year.
At the Grammy ceremony on Sunday, their single Not Ready to Make Nice - including lyrics like "I'm not ready to back down, I'm still mad as hell" - was named song of the year and record of the year.
It also picked up best country performance by a duo or group.
It also picked up best country performance by a duo or group.
Their haul was completed by best album as well as best country album for Taking The Long Way.
Their haul was completed by best album as well as best country album for Taking The Long Way.
"That's interesting," Maines said on accepting one award. "Well, to quote the great Simpsons: 'Heh-heh.'"
"That's interesting," Maines said on accepting one award. "Well, to quote the great Simpsons: 'Heh-heh.'"
The Red Hot Chili Peppers won four awards from six nominationsBandmate Emily Robison added: "We wouldn't have done this album without everything we went through, so we have no regrets."
The Red Hot Chili Peppers won four awards from six nominationsBandmate Emily Robison added: "We wouldn't have done this album without everything we went through, so we have no regrets."
The Grammy Awards are the most prestigious honours in the global music calendar, with 108 categories ranging from pop to jazz to gospel to polka.
The Grammy Awards are the most prestigious honours in the global music calendar, with 108 categories ranging from pop to jazz to gospel to polka.
The Police opened the show, playing their 1979 hit Roxanne to a standing ovation from 12,000 fans. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are The Police and we are back," Sting said.
The Police opened the show, playing their 1979 hit Roxanne to a standing ovation from 12,000 fans. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are The Police and we are back," Sting said.
The band are expected to confirm a reunion world tour at a press conference on Monday.
The band are expected to confirm a reunion world tour at a press conference on Monday.
R&B star Mary J Blige went into the show leading the field with eight nominations, followed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers with six.
R&B star Mary J Blige went into the show leading the field with eight nominations, followed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers with six.
Blige ended up winning three - best R&B song and best female R&B vocal performance for Be Without You and best R&B album for The Breakthrough.
Blige ended up winning three - best R&B song and best female R&B vocal performance for Be Without You and best R&B album for The Breakthrough.
British singer Corinne Bailey Rae performed - but did not win"I thank you so much," she said. "For so many years I have been talked about negatively but this time I'm being talked about positively by so many people. This is a great night for me."
British singer Corinne Bailey Rae performed - but did not win"I thank you so much," she said. "For so many years I have been talked about negatively but this time I'm being talked about positively by so many people. This is a great night for me."
The Red Hot Chili Peppers' single Dani California scooped best rock song and best rock performance by a duo or group, while Stadium Arcadium was named best rock album.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers' single Dani California scooped best rock song and best rock performance by a duo or group, while Stadium Arcadium was named best rock album.
American Idol star Carrie Underwood also took home three awards.
American Idol star Carrie Underwood also took home three awards.
Underwood, who won the TV talent show in 2005, was named best new artist - beating R&B prodigy Chris Brown and British singers Blunt, Bailey Rae and Imogen Heap.
Underwood, who won the TV talent show in 2005, was named best new artist - beating R&B prodigy Chris Brown and British singers Blunt, Bailey Rae and Imogen Heap.
Underwood also took best country song and best female country vocal performance for her song Jesus, Take the Wheel.
Underwood also took best country song and best female country vocal performance for her song Jesus, Take the Wheel.
Justin Timberlake picked up best dance recording for Sexy Back and best rap/sung collaboration for My Love, featuring TI.
Justin Timberlake picked up best dance recording for Sexy Back and best rap/sung collaboration for My Love, featuring TI.
TI also won best solo rap performance for What You Know, while best rap song went to Ludacris featuring Pharrell for Money Maker.
TI also won best solo rap performance for What You Know, while best rap song went to Ludacris featuring Pharrell for Money Maker.
Gnarls Barkley's smash hit Crazy was named best urban/alternative performance, while their album St Elsewhere was judged best alternative album.
Gnarls Barkley's smash hit Crazy was named best urban/alternative performance, while their album St Elsewhere was judged best alternative album.
Bruce Springsteen also won two awards, scooping best traditional folk album for We Shall Overcome - The Seeger Sessions and best long form video for Wings For Wheels: The Making of Born To Run.
Bruce Springsteen also won two awards, scooping best traditional folk album for We Shall Overcome - The Seeger Sessions and best long form video for Wings For Wheels: The Making of Born To Run.
Madonna picked up best dance/electronic album for Confessions On A Dance Floor, while Christina Aguilera, John Mayer and The Black Eyed Peas took home pop prizes.
Madonna picked up best dance/electronic album for Confessions On A Dance Floor, while Christina Aguilera, John Mayer and The Black Eyed Peas took home pop prizes.
Were the Dixie Chicks treated fairly after their comments about President Bush? Has your view of them changed since then? Have they now been forgiven?
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