Texans at the Grammys

29 Texas artists received nominations in 34 categories.

The Austinite with the most Grammy nominations is 94-year-old blues pianist Pinetop Perkins, who picked up two nominations, both for traditional blues album, one for "Pinetop Perkins On The 88's: Live In Chicago" and one for "Last Of The Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live In Dallas." Perkins' management said he plans to attend tonight's ceremony.

Other Austin nominees include Patty Griffin, whose "Children Running Through" grabbed a nomination for contemporary folk/Americana album, and Billy Joe Shaver, whose "Everybody's Brother" is up for Southern, country or bluegrass gospel album.

Other nominees with Texas ties included Beyoncé, up for two, including record of the year for "Irreplaceable;" Kirk Whalum for pop instrumental album for "Roundtrip"; and UGK for rap performance by a duo or group for "Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)." The latter nomination is bittersweet — Rapper/producer Pimp C, one-half of UGK, was found dead Dec. 4 in a hotel room in Los Angeles. His death has been ruled an accidental overdose of codeine and promethazine — the key ingredients in "syrup," a narcotic often mentioned in Texas hip-hop — likely made worse by sleep apnea.

The Tejano album category is dominated by Texans, as usual. Ram Herrera and the Outlaw Band, Little Joe y La Familia, David Marez, Ruben Ramos and Sunny Sauceda all received nods.

The Recording Academy declined to comment on which categories will be broadcast.