They’re up for Grammys, performing in Vegas

By Joe Brown

Friday, Feb. 8, 2008 | 2 a.m.

The entertainment industry’s monthlong orgy of back-patting, which culminates Feb. 24 with the Oscars (Will the stars come out? Will the show go on?), continues hot and heavy. We’re safely past the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Critics Choice awards — the publicity industry even handed out “Flackies” to film and TV PR spinmeisters this week.

Big names from the recording industry — including poperatic tenors Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban, who will duet for the first time — are set to show up Sunday for the 50th Grammy Awards, broadcast from Staples Center in Los Angeles at

8 p.m. on CBS.

We scanned the unbelievably long list of nominees and found six who are playing Las Vegas now or in the near future:

1. Michael Buble

Up for: best male pop vocal performance for “Everything” and best traditional pop vocal album for “Call Me Irresponsible”

When/where: Saturday, MGM Grand Conference Center, benefit performance for the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute (sold out, with a waiting list)

2. “The Beatles Love”

Up for: best compilation soundtrack album for motion picture, television or other visual media; best surround sound album

When/where: Ongoing at the Mirage

3. Bette Midler

Up for: best traditional pop vocal album for “Cool Yule”

When/where: “The Showgirl Must Go On” starts Feb. 20 at the Colosseum, Caesars Palace

4. George Lopez

Up for: best comedy album for “America’s Mexican”

When/where: Feb. 29 and March 1, Las Vegas Hilton Theater

5. Daughtry

Up for: best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals for “Home”; best rock performance by a duo or group with vocals and best rock song for “It’s Not Over”; best rock album for “Daughtry”

When/where: April 12, MGM Garden Arena

6. Rush

Up for: best rock instrumental performance for “Malignant Narcissism” from the album “Snakes & Arrows”

When/where: May 10, Mandalay Bay Events Center