Brits lose out at Grammys

It was a bleak night for British artists at the Grammy awards in Los Angeles.Singer James Blunt, who had been nominated in five categories including best newcomer, best record and best song, came away with no awards.Corinne Bailey Rae and Imogen Heap also lost out in the newcomer category to former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood.There was a rare moment of British glory when The Police reunited to open the show with a rendition of breakthrough hit Roxanne 23-years after splitting up."Ladies and gentlemen, we are The Police and we're back!" frontman Sting announced as he took to the stage sporting a black waistcoat over a bare chest and his classic 1980's bleach-blonde spiked crop.He, drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers, who are expected to reform for a comeback tour later this year, clasped hands to take a bow.Other Brits left empty-handed included the Arctic Monkeys, Goldfrapp, Coldplay and the Pet Shop Boys.But Joss Stone was left smiling after winning best best R&B performance by a duo for her song Family Affair with John Legend.US country trio, the Dixie Chicks, made a comeback picking up a clutch of gongs almost four years after outraging middle America with anti-George Bush comments on the eve of the Iraq war.The band endured death threats, public CD burnings and country radio boycotts after lead singer Natalie Maines in 2003 told gig-goers in London she was "ashamed" the president was from her home state of Texas.But this year they led the field at the Grammys with five awards, including best record and best song for their no-regrets anthem Not Ready to Make Nice."I'm ready to make nice," Maines said as the group accepted the best record gong."I think people are using their freedom of speech with all of these awards."© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

ITN | February 12, 2007

Tags:. .announced. .shop. .maines. .picking. .came