HOLLYWOOD (WSAU) Eau Claire got a nationally-televised mention last night when one of its native folk bands took home two Grammy Awards. Bon Iver was named the Best New Artist for two critically-acclaimed albums. One of those albums, "Bon Iver," received the other Grammy before last night's C-B-S telecast for the best alternative music album. The group turned down an invitation to perform on the show, after the producers wanted to pair them with another act.
Bon Iver's leader, Justin Vernon, went on stage to accept the new artist award. He thanked "the city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin" and his parents -- and he said it was hard to accept the award with quote, "so much talent on this stage, and also not on this stage. I do have a sense of gratitude."
Bon Iver did not win two other Grammys for which it was nominated. They were for the Record-of-the-Year and Song-of-the-Year for "Holocene." Adele won both those awards for "Rolling in the Deep." She was the big winner of the night with six Grammys.
Also, the Florentine Opera Company of Milwaukee won a pair of Grammys for its recording of the "Elmer Gantry" soundtrack. It was named the best-engineered classical album. The show's other award went to Robert Aldridge for the best contemporary classical composition.
