Odds & Ends: Blake Shelton, Grammys & Barry Manilow

Blake Shelton and Ray Price duke it out on Facebook and Twitter, Barry Manilow is ailing and has postponed a handful of shows, and more acts including Jack White and Carrie Underwood have been added to the list of Grammy Awards’ performers.

The Grammys has also booked The Lumineers and a few special pairings. Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert are teaming up for a performance, and so are Elton John and Ed Sheeran.

With the exception of Elton, all of the latest performers are up for awards this year. White is competing for album of the year and best rock album for Blunderbuss as well as best rock song for “Freedom at 21.” The Lumineers are nominated for best new artist and best Americana album for The Lumineers. Bentley is vying for best country solo performance for “Home,” Lambert is up for best country album for Four The Record, Sheeran is nominated for song of the year for “The A Team,” and Underwood earned a nod for best country solo performance for “Blown Away.”

Photo: Jack Plunkett / Invision / AP

Austin City Limits Music Festival, Zilker Park, Austin, TX

Previously announced performers include The Black Keys, Fun., Mumford & Sons and Taylor Swift.

The 55th annual Grammy Awards are scheduled Feb. 10 at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. Tune in on CBS from 8-11:30 p.m.

Barry Manilow’s residency at the St. James Theatre in New York City has been sidelined by a case of bronchitis.

“Manilow On Broadway” shows scheduled Jan. 22-26 have been posted for Feb. 26-28 and March 1-2.

Photo: Todd Williamson / Invision for AEG / AP Images

Holiday Tree Lighting at L.A. Live, Los Angeles, Calif.

After promising he would make the Jan. 24 gig “come hell or high water,” an announcement on the singer’s website says, “It turns out the only thing worse than hell and high water is bronchitis. Barry is deeply sorry to disappoint his fans and is doing everything he can to ensure a speedy recovery.”

Manilow’s next show is scheduled Jan. 29 at St. James Theatre.

The latest new country versus old country debate stars Blake Shelton and Ray Price.

The quote that started the drama was part of an update to Shelton’s “Backstory” special on Great American Country. The singer/”The Voice” judge said, “If I am ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ that must mean that I’m one of those people now that gets to decide if it moves forward and if it moves on. Country music has to evolve in order to survive. Nobody wants to listen to their grandpa’s music. And I don’t care how many of these old farts around Nashville (are) going, “My God, that ain’t country!” Well that’s because you don’t buy records anymore, jackass. The kids do, and they don’t want to buy the music you were buying.”

Photo: John Davisson

Farm Aid, Livestrong Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kans.

Price apparently took the quote personally. He updated his Facebook page earlier today with the following statement:

“It’s a shame that I have spend 63 years in this business trying to introduce music to a larger audience and to make it easier for the younger artists who are coming behind me. Every now and then some young artist will record a rock and roll type song , have a hit first time out with kids only. This is why you see stars come with a few hits only and then just fade away believing they are God’s answer to the world. This guy sounds like in his own mind that his head is so large no hat ever made will fit him. Stupidity Reigns Supreme!!!!!!! Ray Price (CHIEF ‘OLD FART’ & ‘JACKASS’) P.S. YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY AS US OLD-TIMERS. CHECK BACK IN 63 YEARS (THE YEAR 2075) AND LET US KNOW HOW YOUR NAME AND YOUR MUSIC WILL BE REMEMBERED.”

Shelton has since responded on Twitter.

“Whoa!!! I heard I offended one of my all time favorite artists Ray Price by my statement ‘Nobody wants to listen to their grandpas music’ … And probably some other things from that same interview on GAC Backstory … I hate that I upset him … The truth is my statement was and STILL is about how we as the new generation of country artists have to keep re-inventing country music to keep it popular.

“Just EXACTLY … the way Mr. Price did along his journey as a main stream country artist.. Pushing the boundaries with his records. ‘For The Goodtimes’ is a perfect example with the introduction of a bigger orchestrated sound in country music … It was new and awesome!!! I absolutely have no doubt I could have worded it better (as always ha!) and I apologize to Mr. Price and any other heroes of mine that it may offended …

“I meant every word I said. Country music is my life and it’s future AND past is important to me. I’ll put my Love and respect and knowledge about it up against anybody out there … ANYBODY …”

So, who’s right? Leave us a comment and tell us whose side you’re on.