Taylor rehearses, Ke$ha shares Grammy dreams

The Associated Press, Saturday, January 30, 2010, 5:17pm (PST)

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The music world is celebrating all over town this weekend with tributes, rehearsals, parties and, of course, a gift suite or two in anticipation of the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night at Staples Center. Here's a look:

DANCE COMMANDER: Ke$ha -- who has the No. 1 song in the country with her dance groove "TiK ToK" -- spent part of Saturday afternoon at the Grammys Styling Studio, picking out accessories and other fashions available for talent who are taking part of the show.

While she's not up for any awards, the singer is presenting the best new artist category. Ke$ha's debut album was released this month, and she hopes next year she'll be at the Grammys for a different reason.

"It's been a dream of mine to go to the Grammys. Now that I'm gonna be on the stage it's pretty surreal, so I can only dream that maybe next year I can find my name in one of the categories," she said.

And while she's dominated the airwaves with her party girl anthem, she took a bit of offense -- playfully, of course -- when she was described as such on Saturday.

"Define party girl, because yeah, I'm a walking good time, but I'm not like some starlet who goes out, doesn't wear underwear, gets a DUI," said Ke$ha.

"I'm so not that girl. But I am like a walking good time, but I'm having a good time just walking around here. I feel like a more proper title for myself would be a dance commander," she said.

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A SWIFT REHEARSAL: Taylor Swift performed a rollicking version of her hit "You Belong With Me" as she rehearsed for her big Grammy moment, but she may have provided the most excitement when she came off the stage.

Several young fans were waiting anxiously as Swift gave a couple of quick television interviews. Afterward, she posed for pictures, and made one young man swoon when she shook his hand.

Swift was among a parade of A-list artists rehearsing at Staples Center on Friday, including Dave Matthews, Maxwell, Green Day, Black Eyed Peas, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Mary J. Blige, Andrea Bocelli, Drake, Eminem and Lil Wayne.

As for Swift, she said she planned a low key night at her hotel after rehearsal, but with a treat -- In-N-Out Burgers.

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TIMELESS TRIBUTE: Elton John, James Taylor, Dave Matthews and more than a dozen other artists honored Neil Young as the MusiCares Person of the Year at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The singer-songwriter and more than 2,000 other guests were treated to new interpretations of 20 of his timeless songs, including "Harvest Moon" and "Cinnamon Girl," during the nearly four-hour program.

Young was feted Friday night for his decades of philanthropic service, including work with Farm Aid and the Bridge School Concerts, which raise money to provide services for kids with severe speech and physical impairments.

"I'd forgotten how many songs I'd written," the 64-year-old musician said.

Young watched the show with his wife, Pegi, by his side. At the end of the night, a humble Young took the stage and said he hoped the songs he's writing today are as good as the ones performed Friday.

"It's been a great night. It wore me out," he said. "Now I've got to go back and try and write some songs."

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AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen contributed to this report.