As you can see from my blog post below, I nailed three out of four key Grammy predictions last week.  Kings of Leon won Record of the Year and Zac Brown won Best New Artist.

I should have gone with my gut instincts for Song of the Year.  Beyonce’s Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) was definitely one of last year’s biggest songs; but, I didn’t think it would win in the writer’s category.  Kudos.

Based on the Vegas betting odds, if you wagered $100 in each of the categories I listed below, you would have won $400 net following my predictions. 

You’re welcome

If you watched the Grammys, please leave your comments below.  Did you like the Michael Jackson tribute?  What about that 3D nonsense?  How was the Bon Jovi set?  Who was your favorite performance?  Best & Worst dressed?

Join the discussion below, or on our Facebook page.

BEST ALBUM
Dave Matthews Band – Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King: 6/1
Taylor Swift – Fearless: 1/1
Beyonce – I Am Sasha Fierce: 13/5
The Black Eyed Peas – The E N D: 11/4
Lady GaGa – The Fame: 6/1

SS:  Many entertainment writers say this will be the year Beyonce sweeps all the major categories.  Maybe; but, I wouldn’t be surprised if she goes away empty-handed.  Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga had two big albums with lots of hit singles on the radio; but, that won’t sway the judges to their box on the ballot.  Taylor Swift is the safe bet with even money.  If you’re feeling adventuresome, go with Dave Matthews Band – Grammy judges have a sentimental streak and this is DMB’s first record since band mate LeRoi Moore passed away.

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Beyonce – Halo: 17/10
The Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling: 11/2
Lady GaGa – Poker Face: 5/1
Kings of Leon – Use Somebody: 4/1
Taylor Swift: You Belong With Me: 6/5

SS:  Beyonce would have a better chance winning this category, if “Single Ladies” were nominated here instead of for Song of the Year (the songwriter award).  “Halo” is much weaker as a produced single and will split pop votes with Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, and even Taylor Swift.  “I Gotta Feeling” probably deserves to win; but, my money would be on Kings of Leon as the product of this category’s only rock nominee … and, was one of the best songs of the year.

SONG OF THE YEAR
Lady GaGa – Poker Face: 9/2
Maxwell – Pretty Wings: 15/2
Beyonce – Single Ladies: 19/10
Kings of Leon – Use Somebody: 5/2
Taylor Swift: You Belong With Me: 7/5

SS:  Maxwell is the dark horse favorite of critics; but, it’s a songwriter’s award and he didn’t write the song!  Beyonce also had two co-writers and this particular song would be more likely to win Record of the Year.  Taylor Swift might get the chance to accept without interruption by Kanye, and she would be deserving, but I think it’s going to be a rock year.  I’m going with KOL here, too!

BEST NEW ARTIST
Keri Hilson: 3/2
MGMT: 23/20
Silversun Pickups: 10/1
The Ting Tings: 17/4
Zac Brown Band: 17/4

SS:  Keri Hilson may be the favorite, but lacks the requisite Grammy buzz.  MGMT might get this one; but Zac Brown’s star is on the rise.  Silversun Pickups and Ting Tings will split the Too Cool For The Room votes.  So, under the guise of “no risk no reward,” put your money on the long shot here and give it to The Rock Boat vets Zac Brown Band — sing along with me, “I got my toes in the water …”

What are your predictions?  Leave your comments and we’ll see how you did Monday morning. 

Scroll down for video clips from VMA’s, courtesy of MTV.

• Madonna did her best to offer a personal eulogy to Michael Jackson; but, I thought she made it way too much about her not MJ and went on WAY too long.  The opening dance number was visually interesting; but nothing memorable.  Janet Jackson’s cameo doesn’t really deserve the highlight real other than it was her and Michael together one last time. VIDEO BELOW
• Typically, I hate watching award shows.  But, the VMA’s always have some great production and something unpredictable.  Tonight, we got it within the first twenty minutes as Kanye West crashed Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video.  Totally classless.  Kanye isn’t content with just complaining when HE doesn’t when awards; now, he’s going to show his ass when one of his friends doesn’t win the award.  I would like to say he should just be banned from all future award shows; but, I kind of like him proving his ignorance on the national stage every chance he gets.  Poor Taylor.  There was nothing but complete support for her on Twitter and Facebook when it happened.  I would really like to hear what she had to say when Kanye gave her the microphone back – probably the most real, unscripted moment of the whole show.  VIDEO BELOW
  • UPDATED:  The more I think about the whole Kanye West incident, the more I realize that security could have very easily stopped him from getting on stage.  I’m not sure MTV knew in advance, but I’m sure they love how we’re ALL talking about it tonight and all day. 
  • Hot rumor at 10:15pm ET during show:  VMA executive producer doesn’t want Kanye back on stage at all tonight; plans to cut his performance.
    • UPDATED:  No sign of Kanye following “the incident.”  Crowd booed his award nomination.
  • Our friend Jaron Lowenstein (remember him from Evan & Jaron?) made this comment on Facebook: “Not fair what happened to Taylor Swift, but congrats to MTV. Ratings for sure spiked and you just hijacked the water cooler convo for the next 3 days at least! If you think about it everyone wins here. Taylor looks cute and professional as the victim, kanye perpetuates his role as the asshole, and MTV owns the event!”
  • Another post from Jaron:  “Love him or hate him, Kanye owns the night! He’s the biggest star in America right now. This is only second to my favorite “George Bush hates black people.” The guys a genius at hijacking everyone else’s moment.”
  • UPDATED:  Beyonce steals the night back from Kanye by showing true class – after winning the Moon Man for Video of the Year, Beyonce called Taylor Swift back on stage to give her acceptance speech instead of Beyonce.  Bravo!
• Who the hell is this Russell Brand cat.  Am I just old or is he actually that annoying, ignorant, and unfunny?  I don’t get him.
  • Actually, I wish Kanye would take the microphone away from Russell Brand for the rest of the night
• Jack Black comes out not to support VMA winners, but to promote his next movie.  Anybody who wears a T-shirt for their next movie should get banned from being a presenter in the future.
• Loved MTV’s production of Taylor Swift “You Belong with Me” in the NY subways.  Great visuals, fun, different.  I just wish the subway car would have run over Kanye West on the way to Radio City Music Hall. She is just a cutie.  Take away my Man Card; but, I can’t help but like her.  And, I think she’s genuinely nice – first hand knowledge since Taylor sent me flowers to deliver to Jessie James on the day Jessie’s CD came out a few weeks ago.   VIDEO BELOW
• Green Day rocked!  Security probably hated bringing all those people on stage, though. 
• Beyonce … WOW!  Seriously, I’m not a big Hip Hop fan; but she looked smoking and knows how to work a stage!
• When did Pink join the circus?  I’ll admit, visually nice performance; but, does anyone really believe she can sing perfectly while performing acrobatics?
• How many different masks DOES Lady Gaga own?
• And, now for the blatant exploitation of Michael Jackson’s death, it’s the trailer for This Is It rehearsal documentary.
• Best Female Video:  Taylor Swift “You Belong With Me”
• Best Rock Video:  Green Day “21 Guns”
• Best Pop Video:  Britney Spears “Womanizer”
• Best Choreography:  Lady Gaga
• Best Male Video:  T.I. (who couldn’t accept because … he’s in jail, which I guess gives him more credibility).
• Best New Artist:  Lady Gaga (should have also won strangest, and worst dressed)
• Video of the Year:  Beyonce “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (also definitely the classiest move of the night)

Did you see the Kanye West / Taylor Swift thing?

And here’s Beyonce bringing up Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech:

Here’s the opening tribute to Michael Jackson:

Lady Gaga’s “interesting” performance:

Taylor Swift goes underground to perform; but, I wish her subway hit Kanye West!

Beyonce’s stunning performance: