VOA常速英语:Country Legend George Strait Hoping for First Grammy Win

The 51st annual Grammy Awards will be presented on February 8 in Los Angeles, California.

Texan George Strait has never won a Grammy Award during his three decades in Country music. This year, he received four nominations to lead the contenders in the Country field. The title track from his Troubadour album earned him a mention in the Best Male Country Vocal Performance category, which also includes Trace Adkins, Jamey Johnson, James Otto and Brad Paisley. Strait has two nominations for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. He shares a nod with Kenny Chesney for their duet "Shiftwork", and with Patty Loveless for "House of Cash." And, in the Best Country Album category, Strait faces Patty Loveless, Randy Travis, Jamey Johnson and Trisha Yearwood.

Trisha Yearwood is another leading Country nominee. In addition to her Best Country Album nod for Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love, Trisha's ballad "This Is Me You're Talking To" is nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance against tracks by Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack, Carrie Underwood and LeAnn Rimes. Trisha's duet with Keith Urban, "Let the Wind Chase You," is up for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.

Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles is also nominated for three Grammy Awards. They include the songwriter's Best Country Song honor and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "Stay." Sugarland earned its second nomination in the Best Country Collaboration category for the live track, "Life In A Northern Town," which also features Jake Owen and Little Big Town.

The Best Country Collaboration category also includes Robert Plant and Alison Krauss's duet, "Killing the Blues", from their album Raising Sand. That album brought the pair four other nominations in non-Country categories. With 21 trophies, Alison has won more Grammy Awards than any other female artist.

Lady Antebellum is the only Country act mentioned in the all-genre Best New Artist category. The trio faces Adele, Duffy, The Jonas Brothers and Jazmine Sullivan. And, Lady Antebellum's debut Top 5 hit, "Love Don't Live Here," is a contender for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

Alabama native Jamey Johnson has had only two Country hits since arriving on the scene in 2005. However, this year's Grammy voters were impressed with his latest studio project, "That Lonesome Song." He's among the five finalists for Best Country Album. Jamey also received nominations for Best Country Song and Best Male Country Vocal Performance for the album's Top 10 single, "In Color."