Little Big Town, Trace Adkins + More Talk Grammy Nods

The stars were out in Nashville Monday night at a party honoring Nashville-based Grammy nominees. Musicians including Little Big Town, Trace Adkins, Lady Antebellum, Robert Plant and Brenda Lee all gathered at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, sharing their stories about hearing they'd received nods for music's most prestigious honor.

First-time Grammy nominees Little Big Town were at a tour party with fellow nominee Carrie Underwood when they heard the news. "Phillip (Sweet) came running up and he goes, 'I just got a text from my mother-in-law saying congrats on your Grammy nomination,'" LBT singer Karen Fairchild tells Nashville's Tennessean newspaper. "And I was like, 'Text her back. She's crazy -- we have not gotten nominated!' And then Carrie goes, 'I just got a text, I got nominated too!' So we had a big party right there!"

Also nominated for the first time, Lady Antebellum make it clear they are in it to win it. Nominated for Best New Artist, Lady A's Hillary Scott feels confident they can beat at least one other group in that category, the Jonas Brothers. "I think we could take them in a fight," she jokes. "I think we have a foot on them!"

Trace Adkins, nominated for Best Country Male Performance for 'You're Gonna Miss This,' insists that losing wouldn't be the end of the world. "I've survived in this business for 12 years without winning a Grammy, and I'll survive the rest of my career without winning one, too. This is not a make-or-break thing for me," he said before adding with a laugh, "I mean, I want to win but I'm not putting a lot of stock in it."

Perhaps the most prestigious award of the evening, the Lifetime Achievement Award, goes to pop-country icon Brenda Lee. Looking back, Lee feels she has learned enough to offer advice to artists who are just getting started. "Be true to yourself," she said. "Don't prostitute your beliefs for trends and fads. Listen to your heart and be a kid. You got plenty of time to be a grown-up. It comes at you real quick."

The Grammy Awards air on on CBS on February 8 at 8 PM ET. Read the full list of country's Grammy nominations here.