A Fitting End to an Extraordinary Blogging Experience

After a weekend of preparation and a summer of hopeful anticipation, the 2008 Grammys and with it, my mobile blogging experience, are officially in the books. Beyond hectic during pre-show, the excitement that was covering the Grammys during pre-show was not only a historic event, but something that I don’t think I ever would have thought I would have the opportunity to do.

So much of this day was about learning as you go. From wandering around for over an hour to try and check in, only to find that the check-in area no longer existed (which everyone found a little weird), to the red carpet turning into a near-free for all as soon as the biggest names started arriving, this was a day without instruction nor time-outs. Thankfully, I ended up finding some really nice journalists, cameramen, and photographers to hang out with on the red carpet, making all the confusion a little bit easier to handle collectively. As individuals, there was confusion. But as a whole, it was some frantic fun on a Sunday afternoon.

During the Ceremony...

Alicia Keys played the "Blues" with Sinatra, Obama beat Clinton (and Carter too for that matter), and Kanye and Amy W. scored trophys too. Billboard.com's news page has the latest on all the winners, losers, duets, surprises and more.

While we're at it, here's a handy link to the whirlwind of Grammys Redcarpetry we just survived.

And another jump to the extended red carpet photo gallery.

More photos and goodies coming up.

5:06pm Red Carpet Roundup: Beyonce, Ludacris, Fergie....

More photos to come later tonight. I'm running late after the red carpet and I hear I missed Carrie Underwood!... Just made it in for Rihanna! Enjoy the show, everyone!
Here's a round up of the final rush on the red carpet before the show.
Slash, I beat you in Guitar Hero!

Beyonce

4:51pm Brad Paisley, Akon, Evander

Do a bunch of them run into the Staples Center right before the show starts? There are still plenty to go, there will be a lot of seat fillers for the start of today's show. Cyndi Lauper just walked in too! Here's Best Country Collaboration nominee Brad Paisley, he'll be performing too.

4:42pm Miley Mania, Foos, Rihanna

Miley looked beautiful and was making some pretty borderline sexy faces for the camera.

4:27 Daughtry and Paramore, Fast and Furious

Daughtry and crew: one of the biggest crowds in one band for a night. The sign read, "Daughtry and wives," which was kind of awesome and got a laugh from everyone.

4:09pm Carrie Underwood, Ne-Yo, Keyshia Cole

A very blonde, very beautiful Carrie Underwood walked down the carpet being seranaded by the fans singing "Before He Cheats." The photographers went CRAZY for her. She's up for both Song of the Year and Best Country Collaboration With Vocals among others.

3:44pm Alicia Keys, Sgt. Pepper's Minion, and Sabrina the Pregnant Witch

Alicia walked in to the fans singing ''No One'' as she posed for pictures. Alicia couldn't resist smiling and bouncing to the beat.

3:15pm Hey There! Delilah!

In this crowd is the Plain White T's with the THE Delilah. The fans greeted her with a "HEY THERE, DELILAH!" as soon as they broke out of this area. They say they're coming back for more pics, but I'm a little skeptical.

2:57pm The-Dream Cometh; Jimmy Jamily

The-Dream, writer of Rihanna's multi-nominated "Umbrella," spent a ton of time with everyone on the line. He said that he was excited and here for Rihanna and Mary J. Blige tonight. However, most of the photogs were really into his date!