US Weekly and numerous other tabloid weeklies have photo features that show that celebrities are just like us. They shop, they walk their dogs, play with their kids, and drink coffee. Another similarity – the famous are no better than the rest of us at expressing themselves in 140 characters or less. Last night, the Grammy Twitter feed relayed thoughts on Michael Jackson’s passing, most of which were pedestrian at best:

@Pink Michael Jackson was one of the best that ever did it. RIP

@coldplay MJ was the best of the best. His music and performances made the world a brighter place. His light will shine on forever.

Justin Timberlake: “We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only Pop music but of all music.”

@chriscornell Just Heard Michael Jackson died. Makes me sad. I remeber the Jackson 5 on a black and white tv. He had magic!

@rayraysaadiq God, Thank you for giving us Michael Jackson, And thank you Michael for giving us real music, your legend can never die,

@heavyd RIP….BEST THAT EVER DI IT….MJ

@neildiamond Michael Jackson was brilliant and I will miss him.

@SaraBareilles I’m sad that Michael Jackson died. And Farrah. What a weird day. I’m going to eat cheese and watch CNN. Sniff.

Actually, I like that one, and this next one entertains me because it was posted this morning.

@backstreetboys If the MJ rumors are true, our hearts go out 2 his family + all his fans. He was & always will b one of our inspirations.

This one gives me hope for celebrities. They are like us; they’re crazy too.

@seankingston RT: MJ died the 25th , Aaliyah died the 25th, Static Major died the 25th, Left Eye the 25th too, James Brown 12/25 ..WOW!

               

 

[UPDATE BELOW]

I just started checking Grammy’s Twitter feed, and the pre-tel when most of the awards are given out is still going on, even though E! is showing people entering the Staples Center. A few quick Louisiana-oriented results:

Dr. John won Best Contemporary Blues album for City That Care Forgot.

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys won Best Cajun or Zydeco Album for their Jazz Fest set.

The Blind Boys of Alabama won Best Traditional Gospel Album for Down in New Orleans, the album they recorded with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Allen Toussaint, a New Orleans-based band and the Hot 8.

Terence Blanchard won for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo for “Be-Bop”

Best Rap Solo Performance: Lil Wayne for “A Milli”. He also won Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group: Swagga Like Us Jay-Z & T.I. Featuring Kanye West & Lil Wayne.

Enough for now. Follow it if you want to.

UPDATE February 9: The L.A. Times reported Riley winning the Cajun/Zydeco Grammy. In fact, it was BeauSoleil.

               

 

Wilson Savoy reflects on the overlooked band in this year’s Grammy consideration for Best Cajun/Zydeco Album here.  Along the way, he touches on why the omission and what “Cajun music” means in 2008.