No surprise, Grammy nominees are happy

Brandy Clark's "Hold My Hand," from her "12 Stories" disc, was nominated for Country Song of the Year. "Wow," Clark said. "I was not expecting this news today. What a surprise and a fantastic way to start my week. I appreciate the support and respect from the Grammy voters. It means the world to me."

This is the fourth career Grammy nomination for Clark.

Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley was nominated as a solo artist in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category this morning with "The Driver" featuring Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay. "I'm still in shock from waking up this morning to a Grammy nomination for 'The Driver," said Kelley. "I feel like I'm just getting started on this journey, so to get honored in this way and share it with Dierks and Eric is incredible. I'm so thankful to my producer Paul Worley who encouraged me to chase this record down."

Sam Hunt, who earned nominations for Best New Artist and Best Country Album, said, "I am beyond humbled with these nominations. I am so grateful to the fans, the Nashville music community and the Recording Academy for their appreciation and recognition. This has been just the most amazing year."

Ashley Monroe, nominated for Best Country Album for "Blade" and The Blade," and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for her duet with Blake Shelton, "Lonely Tonight," said, "Today I woke up and saw a lifelong dream come to life. I'm truly so grateful and so proud to be nominated for a Grammy," she said. "Thank you to Vince Gill and Justin Niebank for helping me create a record I couldn't be more proud of. And thank you to Blake for asking me to sing on 'Lonely Tonight' with him. Wow... I came out like a rose."

Gill and Niebank produced the disc.

The Mavericks earned nominations for Best American Roots Song ("All Night Long") and Best Americana Album ("Mono"). The honor comes two decades after they took home Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for "Here Comes The Rain."

"We are incredibly grateful that our music is able to do exactly what we intended ... free people from themselves and their struggles," said lead singer Raul Malo. "On the road our fans dance, cry, sing, laugh and get into a vibe that transcends outside obstacles like race, language and social status. Thank you to The Recording Academy for noticing and again believing in The Mavericks."

Guitarist Eddie Perez said, "This band has always defied the odds and expectations...a country band from Miami with a Cuban singer? But it works, because people feel the passion."