Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press The Dixie Chicks -- Martie Maguire, left, Natalie Maines and Emily Robison -- accept the award for best country album for "Taking the Long Way."

By Scott Mervis
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Call it the night the Dixie Chicks got the last laugh.

The 49th annual Grammy Awards last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles was redemption for Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines, who outraged a big chunk of her country fan base when, on the eve of the Iraq War, she told a London audience, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president is from Texas."

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The resulting backlash against the Chicks -- which included CD burnings, a boycott on some country stations and a scolding from Toby Keith -- sparked the reaction song "Not Ready to Make Nice," which now can be referred to as Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

"I think people are using their freedom of speech with these awards tonight," Maines said.

The Dixie Chicks also won Album of the Year and Country Album for "Taking the Long Way," as well as Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal.

On an earlier trip to the podium, Maines, a surprise brunette for the evening, said, "To quote the great 'Simpsons' -- haaa-ha."

Mary J. Blige, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, went into the show with a leading eight nominations and didn't go home empty-handed. Blige won Best R&B Album for "The Breakthrough" and Best Female R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for "Be Without You."

	Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press Mary J. Blige accepts the award for best female R&B vocal performance for "Be Without You." Click photo for larger image.

In formal gown with tattoos, she was a bundle of emotions at the podium. The soulful singer, born in the Bronx and raised in a rough-and-tumble housing project, thanked Jesus first and noted that the album showed that not only has she improved as an artist but also as a human being.

"Tonight we celebrate the greater human being," she said, "because for so many years I have been talked about negatively, but this time I'm being talked about positively by so many people."

Blige went on to test the patience of the producers with a mile-long list of names, not realizing she would have another shot to get through her thank you's. She also tore it up on stage with a solo performance and a fiery duet with Ludacris.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers, donning more than just tube socks for the occasion, performed in blizzard of confetti and won four for double album "Stadium Arcadium," including best rock song and rock performance by a duo or group for "Dani California." The veteran funk-rockers from L.A. also have the new title of "best band in the world," bestowed upon them by presenter Chris Rock.

Accepting the award, guitarist John Frusciante pleaded for company, saying, "We need more rock bands."

Most of the evening's other big nominees -- including Carrie Underwood, John Mayer and Justin Timberlake -- went home with hardware.

Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images The Police -- Sting, left, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers -- reunited last night at the Grammy Awards. Click photo for larger image.

Underwood became the second "American Idol" winner, in the wake of Kelly Clarkson, to have a big night at the Grammys. The all-American country crooner from Oklahoma won Best New Artist, as well as Female Country Vocal Performance and Country Song for the moving single "Jesus, Take the Wheel."

Accepting her Best New Artist award, she gushed, "First of all, I love country music" and added "I owe everything to Simon Fuller" -- "American Idol's" creator.

Mr. Timberlake was everywhere, except on the podium for the big awards. First, the man who has put 'N Sync far behind him, did triple duty as singer, pianist and camera man with a handheld model that took us right up his nose. Later, he took the stage for an R&B and hip-hop medley with "My Grammy Moment" winner Robyn Troup, an 18-year-old from Houston.

As for Grammys, Timberlake got a consolation prize with Dance Recording for "Sexy Back" and Rap/Sung Collaboration with T.I. for "My Love."

After giving a stinging guitar performance that nodded to his Hendrix influence, Mayer stepped up to the podium, admitting he was nervous, to receive Pop Vocal Album for "Continuum." He also picked up Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Waiting on the World to Change."

The soulful and rocking team of Cee-Lo Green and Danger Mouse, aka Gnarls Barkley, gave a hypnotic performance and took Alternative Music Album for "St. Elsewhere" and Urban/Alternative Performance for the smash single "Crazy."

Other multiple winners included last year's Best New Artist John Legend, rapper T.I. and 80-year-old Tony Bennett for his "Duets" album. On stage, he asked co-presenter Quentin Tarantino, "put me in your next movie."

Although he got to perform his breakout single "You're Beautiful" -- and managed to not stare into the camera -- British multiple nominee James Blunt had an otherwise frustrating and empty-handed night.

Bob Dylan's showing in the pre-awards ceremony was further proof that his album, "Modern Times," should have been nominated for Album of the Year. Dylan has always been referred to as a folk-rocker and the Grammys bore that out as he won Contemporary Folk/Americana Album and Solo Rock Vocal Performance for "Someday Baby," from the same album. Dylan also topped Rolling Stone's list and the Village Voice's Pazz and Jop Poll of the nation's critics.

In the Dylan protege department, whoever thought that Bruce Springsteen would be going home with a Traditional Folk Album Grammy? That's what you get when you cover Pete Seeger ("We Shall Overcome -- the Seeger Sessions") and do it as well as the Boss did. He also won Long Form Music Video for "Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run."

One of the more poignant moments of the evening was the draping of the Godfather of Soul's cape on a mike stand as a tribute to James Brown.

The late Michael Brecker was honored for Jazz Instrumental Solo for "Some Skunk Funk."

A subtle moment of humor came from Ludacris, accepting Best Rap Album for "Release Therapy." After a laundry list of thank you's, the Atlanta rapper said, "Special shoutout, Oprah and Bill O'Reilly, I love you," two talk show hosts who have criticized his lyrical content. Ludacris dedicated the award to his father, whom he said was in critical condition.

Sting -- in good voice, in good hair and still able to pull off a sleeveless black vest at 55 -- opened the show, announcing, "We're the Police and we're back." The legendary post-punk trio then lurched into "Roxanne," the song that broke them, updating it with a moody break in the middle, that hinted at a medley. But that wasn't the game plan, and the reunited Police were gone in almost a flash.

The show's first guest host Jamie Foxx joked, "There was a little confusion. When they said the Police was opening up the Grammys, Snoop left."