NEPA musicians, venue directors weigh in on nominees for 2017 Grammy Awards

From the schizophrenic pop of Ohio-rooted duo Twenty One Pilots and the radio friendly soul of Danish four-piece Lukas Graham to celebrated superstars like Adele and the eminent “Queen Bey,” The Recording Academy has nominated both budding and established artists for the 2017 Grammy Awards.

The Times Leader asked musicians and entertainment venue directors from throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania to name their picks in four major categories and turned to a staff writer for in-house selections.

These picks reflect the personal opinions of the individuals polled and do not necessarily equate to predictions, which would take into account the tendencies of The Recording Academy. Some selectors took into consideration only their favorite in each category, while others balanced their feelings with Academy history.

And the nominees are:

Album of the Year:

“25” — Adele

“Lemonade” — Beyonce

“Purpose” — Justin Bieber

“Views” — Drake

“A Sailor’s Guide To Earth” — Sturgill Simpson

Song of the Year:

“Formation” — Beyonce, written by Khalif Brown, Asheton Hogan, Beyonce Knowles and Michael L. Williams II

“Hello” — Adele, written by Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin

“I Took A Pill In Ibiza” — Mike Posner, written by Mike Posner

“Love Yourself” — Justin Bieber, written by Justin Bieber, Benjamin Levin and Ed Sheeran

“7 Years” — Lukas Graham, written by Lukas Forchhammer, Stefan Forrest, Morten Pilegaard and Moren Ristorp

Best New Artist:

Kelsea Ballerini

The Chainsmokers

Chance The Rapper

Maren Morris

Anderson .Paak

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:

“Work” — Rihana, Drake

“Closer” — The Chainsmokers, Halsey

“Cheap Thrills” — Sia, Sean Paul

“7 Years” — Lukas Graham

“Stressed Out” — Twenty One Pilots

***

Will Beekman, executive director of the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre

Album of the Year: “A Sailor’s Guide To Earth”

Song of the Year: “Hello”

Best New Artist: Kelsea Ballerini

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Stressed Out” — Twenty One Pilots

Steve Poremba, director of sales and marketing at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township

Album of the Year: “25”

Song of the Year: “Hello”

Best New Artist: Kelsea Ballerini

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Stressed Out” — Twenty One Pilots

Jordan Ramirez, Wilkes-Barre musician

Album of the Year: “25”

Song of the Year: “Hello”

Best New Artist: Anderson .Paak

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Stressed Out” — Twenty One Pilots

Asialena Bonitz, Scranton musician

Album of the Year: “Lemonade”

Song of the Year: “Hello”

Best New Artist: “The Chainsmokers”

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Stressed Out” — Twenty One Pilots

Matt Mattei, Times Leader staff writer

Album of the Year: “A Sailor’s Guide To Earth”

Song of the Year: “Hello”

Best New Artist: Anderson .Paak

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Stressed Out” — Twenty One Pilots

Will Beekman, Executive Dir. of the FM Kirby center which won the Readers Choice for best music venue.3/13/2016 Aimee Dilger|Times Leader

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TTL32616BestMusicVenue2.jpg.optimal.jpgWill Beekman, Executive Dir. of the FM Kirby center which won the Readers Choice for best music venue.3/13/2016 Aimee Dilger|Times LeaderAimee Dilger | Times Leader

Steve Poremba

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Steve-Poremba.jpg.optimal.jpgSteve Poremba Submitted photo

Asialena Bonitz sings at V-Spot Bar in Scranton on Feb. 11. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_asialena02.jpg.optimal.jpgAsialena Bonitz sings at V-Spot Bar in Scranton on Feb. 11. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)Times Leader file photo

Jordan Ramirez, courtesy of Ryan Mullaney.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_JordanRamirez.jpg.optimal.jpgJordan Ramirez, courtesy of Ryan Mullaney. Courtesy of Ryan Mullaney

Matt Mattei

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Matt-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgMatt Mattei Courtesy of Ryan Mullaney

Kelsea Ballerini is nominated for Best New Artist

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_kelsea-ballerini.jpg.optimal.jpgKelsea Ballerini is nominated for Best New Artist Courtesy of Ryan Mullaney

Beyonce is nominated for several 2017 Grammy awards.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_beyonce.jpg.optimal.jpgBeyonce is nominated for several 2017 Grammy awards. Courtesy of Ryan Mullaney

Adele is nominated for several 2017 Grammy awards including Album of the Year.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_CMYKAdele.jpg.optimal.jpgAdele is nominated for several 2017 Grammy awards including Album of the Year. Courtesy of Ryan Mullaney