Dadbeh,
I think I was smiling because of the category.
I agree with some of your rant, but a Grammy ain't going to taint Leonard Cohen (or Donald Nally or Jason Isbell).
It's too cold for a walk on the beach this morning, so I can waste some time telling a story.
A few years ago we were on the road in Columbia SC, dining at a bar where a local band was playing. The band was pretty good with an eclectic mix of originals and covers. Sitting next to us were two young women.
The band did something I usually hate....they played "Hallelujah". I think LC wanted a moratorium on that.
Lady at bar (L@B) started this exchange.
L@B: That's my favorite song.
Me: I'm a big fan of Leonard Cohen. We saw him do an incredible show in New York this year.
L@B: Who is Leonard Cohen?
Me: He wrote "Hallelujah".
L@B: No he didn't. Jeff Buckley wrote it.
Me: OK. What do you think about Tim Buckley?
L@B: Who?
Music adds so much to our lives. I don't know who Verdi b is. He (or she) might never write a (for me) breathtaking requiem, but if Verdi b creates music that can have a similar effect on others ...as Big Boy Crudop said, "That's all right, Mama."