Despite the fact that it was not televised and half the seats inside the Los Angeles Convention Center were empty, Maxwell was clearly, deeply moved after winning his first and second Grammy Awards for a spectacular comeback after an eight-year hiatus.
Teary-eyed and voice wavering regularly, Maxwell accepted the Grammy for Best R&B Album for BLACKsummers’night and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Pretty Wings.”
“This is very surreal to me. I’ve been gone eight years, throwing out my trash, buying my milk and living my life,” Maxwell struggled to say in his acceptance speech. “To have this kind of reception, I feel like I’ve already won. If nothing comes of it’s really been truly the cherry on top of the cake. I’m grateful beyond belief.”
Maxwell’s banner year was also recognized with a Best Song nomination during the live telecast that took place next door to the convention center inside the Staples Center. Maxwell also performed live.
But more than that, Maxwell said he is simply having to be living and living it abundantly. “I won’t be going away anymore,” Maxwell said to rousing applause. –terry shropshire
