Multiple Bears honored as 2011 Grammy nominees announced

When nominees were announced last week for the 53rd annual Grammy Awards, at least two Baylor alums heard their names called — even though their musical styles are about as different as can be.

The first is well known, and chances are good you even own the nominated album. The David Crowder Band received its first Grammy nomination as the group’s latest album, Church Music, is up for “Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album.” You know frontman David Crowder is a Baylor alum, but you might not realize the rest of the band attended Baylor, too: guitarist Jack Parker, BBA ’96, drummer Jeremy Bush, bass guitarist Mike Dodson, BA ’99, violinist Mike Hogan, BA ’00, and guitarist Mark Waldrop.

The Grammy nominee from Baylor you might not recognize is 1991 graduate Giancarlo Guerrero, who today serves as music director for the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. His recording of Michael Daugherty’s Metropolis Symphony has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards; Guerrero himself has been nominated for “Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra),” and the CD has received nods for “Best Classical Album” and “Best Orchestral Performance.”

Winners of the 2011 Grammy Awards will be announced at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 13, 2011.

Sic ’em, Bears at the Grammys!