Since her Nov. 30 nomination for her self-produced independent double album “Emotional Jukebox,’’ she’s been taking advantage of the opportunities while turning some of the criticism back on itself in the same irrepressible way she’s carved out a career in music over the past three decades.
“It’s not cool,’’ she said. “But what can you do?’’ The positive reaction has outweighed the negative, she says: “I’ve had an outcry of letters from people my age who have said what an inspiration this is. That it gave them hope. So that’s been pretty nice. I didn’t expect to hear that, which was really beautiful.’’
Her critics say Chorney’s use of a National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences social-networking site to introduce her music to voters ran afoul of informal rules about lobbying. David Macias, a Grammy winner based in Nashville, thinks her nomination could have damaged the credibility of music’s most prestigious showcase.
“The Grammys run the risk of being diluted,’’ Macias said.
Chorney has defended herself, saying she simply took advantage of the Grammy365.com social-networking program the academy encouraged her to use. And Neil Portnow, the academy’s president, agrees. He says her story shows there truly is a level playing field for all artists.
“It shows everybody has a shot,’’ Portnow said. “That really is the truth.’’
Her competition is previous category winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Levon Helm, Country Music Hall of Fame member Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams and Ry Cooder — owners of nearly two dozen Grammys collectively. Chorney’s detractors say she doesn’t belong.
