Black Eyed Peas performed during Wednesday's Grammy telecast. (photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

By Jon Bream

The morning after, I nominate someone, anyone -- maybe Kanye West -- to be in charge of the Grammy Nominations Concert Live. The Recording Academy can be forgiven for last year's inaugural snore but this year's edition was even more boring, lifeless and humorless. Who writes the copy for host LL Cool J and the presenters? At least, Dwight Yoakam (below) and George Lopez seemed to ad lib and inject some personality into the dull evening.

(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Associated Press)

Here are some thoughts on the nominations...

LOCAL CONNECTIONS

Brian Setzer Orchestra is vying for best rock instrumental for "Mr. Surfer Goes Jazzin." Prince received a nod for best rock solo vocal performance for "Dreamer"; he's competing with the Mount Rushmore lineup of Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, John Fogerty and Bob Dylan (for "Beyond Here Lies Nothing"). Dylan earned another nomination, for best Americana album for "Together Through Life." Former Minnesotans Jonny Lang and Ann Nesby (of Sounds of Blackness) were cited once again; his "I Believe" for best gospel performance with the Fisk Jubilee singers and her "Sow Love" for best traditional R&B vocal.

THE SURPRISES Thought the blue-ribbon panel might show more love for Green Day's "21st Century Breakdown" and Kanye West's "808s & Heartbreak" in major categories. Kanye was recognized with six nods, all in rap categories. Dave Matthews Band's "Big Whiskey and the Groo Grux King" was a bit of a surprise as a finalist for album of the year. Although it's arguably the long-lived DMB's best album, it doesn't seem to stand out as much as Phoenix's "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" or Kings of Leon's "Only by the Night," either of which would have made a worthy and fresher choice for the slot traditionally reserved for hip alternative finalist (see Radiohead, Amy Winehouse, Robert Plant/Alison Krauss et al in past years). The Recording Academy's love for Maxwell seems misguidedly enthusiastic. He's talented but his overdue return was more of the same and less impressive than his early recordings. (OK, I will go and listen to "Blacksummer's Night" again.) Silversun Pickups being recognized for best new artist seemingly came out of nowhere.With Lady Gaga not eligible due to a technicality, the academy had to search high and low to find qualified newcomers. Rapper Wale or soul singer Diane Birch might have been better artistic choices. BRAVO Some experts predicted prominent nominations for Whitney Houston and her comeback CD, "I Look To You." Frankly, this is a subpar effort, her voice a shadow of its former self and the songwriting second-rate. Good for the academy for snubbing her. PREDICTIONS Best new artist is a two-horse race between Keri Hilson and Zac Brown Band. Because she's written hits and been featured on hits by others, I'll bet on her triumphing. For album of the year, I'm leaning toward either Lady Gaga or Taylor Swift. I think they'll split record and song, with "Poker Face" taking record and "You Belong with Me" song. Tune in Jan. 31 for the Grammy Awards on CBS. I'm praying for Kanye to get involved.