Folk Singer Springsteen to Perform

It’s not often that nominees in the folk categories are asked to perform during the prime-time Grammy Awards telecast, but it’s rarer still that a rock star is among those up for a folk award.

That’s why Bruce Springsteen will be on stage tonight at Madison Square Garden performing the title track from “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” which has been nominated for best contemporary folk album.

Other scheduled performers include: Beck, the Fugees, Celine Dion, the Smashing Pumpkins, Tracy Chapman, Babyface and Eric Clapton, No Doubt, classical violinist Gil Shaham, and Vince Gill with Alison Krauss and Patty Loveless.

Also: Whitney Houston, Brandy, Ce Ce Winans and Mary J. Blige will sing a medley of songs from the multi-nominated “Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack; the casts of “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk” and “Riverdance” will combine for a number; and Natalie Cole, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Jack DeJohnette and Bunnie Brunel will perform a tribute to the late Ella Fitzgerald.