6 OF 6 GRAMMY PREDICTIONS

Billboard magazine’s Paul Grein, who last year correctly predicted the winners in 17 of 20 Grammy categories for The Times, had an even higher percentage this year: Focusing on selected categories (album, record, song, and female vocal in pop, rock and R&B;), he went six for six.

After the ceremonies Tuesday, Grein said that the album-of-the-year competition was “the toughest call in the five years I’ve been doing this.” Grein postulated that Prince and Bruce Springsteen would split the recording academy’s “progressive” vote, giving Lionel Richie the victory in a close race.