Alison Kraus, Zappa Plays Zappa and more on public television

Several artists with television programs distributed by American Public Television (APT) came home winners at the 51st Grammy Awards show, held on Sunday, Feb. 8 in Los Angeles. The night’s big winner was folk and country singer Alison Krauss, who received five awards for Raising Sand, her collaboration with Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant.

The album was honored with Grammys for Album of the Year, Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album, Record of the Year (“Please Read the Letter”), Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals (“Rich Woman”) and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals (“Killing the Blues”).

Krauss’s new music special, ALISON KRAUSS: A HUNDRED MILES OR MORE is now airing on public television stations across the country. The program features Krauss in performances with members of her acclaimed band, Union Station, and special guest musicians, including memorable duets with country superstar Brad Paisley, legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor and British rocker John Waite. Plant and 2009 Grammy Winner Dr. John (Best Contemporary Blues Album – The City That Care Forgot) are featured on the new APT Exchange special FATS DOMINO – WALKIN’ BACK TO NEW ORLEANS.

The band Zappa Plays Zappa also won a Grammy in the category Best Rock Instrumental Performance, for its version of the Frank Zappa classic “Peaches En Regalia.” The special ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA, which features live performances of music from the album, was released on public television earlier this year, where it continues to broadcast.

Spearheaded by Frank’s son, ace guitarist Dweezil Zappa, this concert special captures some of the best musical numbers from the acclaimed Zappa Plays Zappa tour. Dweezil and his virtuosic band blister through a live performance of some of Frank Zappa’s greatest songs, such as “Pound for a Brown” and “I’m the Slime.”Several other APT personalities were also recognized with nominations at the Grammys.

Singer Rufus Wainwright was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for “Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall.” The live music special from which the album was created, RUFUS! RUFUS! RUFUS! DOES JUDY! JUDY! JUDY!, is now airing on public television stations nationwide. The acclaimed music special chronicles Wainwright’s re-creation of Judy Garland's landmark 1961 album “Judy at Carnegie Hall.”

Gwyneth Paltrow, star of public television show SPAIN…ON THE ROAD AGAIN, was nominated for Best Spoken Word Album for Children for “Brown Bear and Friends.”

All programs are distributed by American Public Television and broadcast on local public television stations nationwide. Check local listings for dates and times.