Sam Smith looks for Grammy glory
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LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Fresh-faced British singer Sam Smith stands to make history Sunday at the Grammys with a chance to sweep all top categories, but he faces stiff competition from Beyonce and Pharrell Williams.
A bartender until a few years ago, the 22-year-old Smith has enjoyed a phenomenal rise as "Stay With Me" -- a ballad about a one-night stand marked by his rich, soulful tenor voice -- became a breakaway hit.
Smith is up Sunday for Grammys in the four most closely watched categories --Album of the Year; Record of the Year, which honors the top tune; Song of the Year, which recognizes the composer; and Best New Artist.
Only one artist has previously won all four categories at once – Christopher Cross, whose 1981 triumph heralded a decade of soft rock as he controversially beat out Pink Floyd's now-classic "The Wall."
