When Grammy nominations were announced in December ’03, we wondered what Bette Midler (pictured) thought of her recent Rosemary Clooney tribute CD being nominated in the same category as Clooney’s The Last Concert, posthumously released by Concord Records. After all, just what kind of tribute is Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook if it beats an actual Clooney disc for a Grammy? Midler was quoted in the Boston Globe saying “I’m mortified. I’d really like Rosemary to win that Grammy. I can’t believe I’m up against her.” Midler also said she’s looking into withdrawing her album from the contest.
Clooney, who passed away in June 2002, never won a Grammy. If Midler withdraws her nomination successfully, Clooney’s album will still have stiff competition. Singers Barbra Streisand, Rod Stewart, Tony Bennett and k.d. lang are all nominated in the same category, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
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