Grammy Awards.... Best New Artist

This year's Grammy nominees for Best New Artist include the country trio Band Perry, folk artist Bon Iver, dance artist Skrillex, and the rappers J. Cole and Nicki Minaj. History as shown that winning Best New Artist at the Grammys can be viewed as the industry respecting your debut work and welcoming you into the artistry of music, or just acknowledging that you had a good debut year. Some have even said winning the Best New Artist is curse - followed by a lack-luster music career.

Winners seem to fall into various categories:

Getting it right:.... Adele (2009), Amy Winehouse (2008), Alicia Keys (2002), Christina Aguilera (2000 over Britney Spears), Lauryn Hill (1999), Sheryl Crow (1995), Toni Braxton (1994), Mariah Carey (1991), Tracy Chapman (1989), Sade (1986), Cyndi Lauper (1985), Men At Work (1983), Natalie Cole (1976), Bette Midler (1974), Carly Simon (1972), and The Beatles (1965).

Getting it wrong:......... Maroon 5 (2005 over Kanye West), Shelby Lynne (2001 over Brad Paisley and Jill Scott), Paula Cole (1998), Hootie & The Blowfish (1996), Marc Cohn (1992 over Boyz II Men and Seal), Sheena Easton (1982 over Luther Vandros), Christopher Cross (1981 over The Pretenders), A Taste Of Honey (1979 over The Cars and Elvis Costello), Debby Boone (1978), Starland Vocal Band (1977 over Boston and everyone else), America (1973 over The Eagles), The Carpenters (1971 over Elton John and the Partridge Family (just kiddin')), Jose Feliciano (1969 over Cream), and Bobbie Gentry (1968 over Jefferson Airplane and the 5th Dimension).

Ya, okay, whatever: ....... Zac Brown Band (2010), Carrie Underwood (2007 over Chris Brown?), John Legend (2006), Evanescence (2004), Norah Jones (2003), LeAnn Rimes (1997), Arrested Development (1993), Jody Watley (1988), Bruce Hornsby & The Range (1987), Culture Club (1984), Rickie Lee Jones (1980 but over Dire Straits), Marvin Hamlisch (1975), Crosby, Stills & Nash (1970 but over Led Zeppelin), Tom Jones (1966), The Swingle Singers (1964), Robert Goulet (1963), and Peter Nero (1962)

What the heck?:......Esperanza Spalding (2011 winning over Mumford & Sons, Drake, and Florence & the Machine (but at least it wasn't Justin Bieber)) and Bob Newhart (1961).

Then there were the years when nobody was new and no award was givien (1959 and 1967). And then there was 1990: Milli Vanilli beat out Neneh Cherry, Indigo Girls, Soul II Soul, and Tone Loc only to have their Best New Artist Grammy Award revoked later when it was learned they didn't sing on the LP.

So... good luck to this year's nominees....