Sunday night's Grammy Awards made for interesting viewing, with Adele's sweep, some amazing tributes, performances, and a downright weird and horrible showing from Nicki Minaj.

Host LL Cool J opened up with a prayer for Whitney Houston, whose shocking death on February 11 cast a shadow over the proceedings, especially later in the evening, when Jennifer Hudson sang "I Will Always Love You" in tribute to the great Houston. Her death was hardly the only notable one, as the show paused to honor Etta James, Don Cornelius, Steve Jobs, and so many more. The scope of losses made the whole thing feel like a wake from time to time.

There were passionate performances -- like Adele and the Foo Fighters -- and then of course, there was that thing Nicki Minaj did, which boggled our minds.

The Persuasions in 1972

But that's exactly what happened last season, when the popular Nick Lachey-hosted show featured Lawson and his new group, Talk of the Town. Judges like Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman, and Nicole Scherzinger, weighed in, and Talk of the Town, though embraced by the crowd, lost to Committed.

Lawson certainly doesn't feel bitter. "I am so happy to be involved with the show. It's amazing to see these young kids doing a cappella music." Lawson has lived in Scottsdale for ten years, and is looking forwarding to performing at The Compound Grill in the spring (he didn't have an exact date locked down just yet).

Lawson is scheduled to perform on Monday, December 5, as part of The Sing Off holiday special. We spoke about competing, his connection to Frank Zappa, and pop music traditions.