In his acceptance speech, HALESTORM drummer Arejay Hale said: "I've gotta thank my parents — our parents — for turning us on to great music. Most parents want their kids to be doctors and lawyers, and our parents encouraged us to join the circus. So thank you, guys."

Added HALESTORM singer Lzzy Hale: "Thank you to our fellow nominees. If it wasn't for your inspiration…. IRON MAIDEN, for heaven's sake… LAMB OF GOD… We would not have written this song and been in this category."

Lzzy Hale told The Pulse Of Radio that the band was in its natural state — playing live onstage — when they got the news of their Grammy nomination in early December. "It was just in time for the piano ballad, so I'm just kind of sitting by myself and Joe [Hottinger, guitar] runs across the stage, he's like, 'We got nominated for a Grammy!'" she said. "And I'm like, I mean, I must have had at least 30 seconds of just pure, like, shock on my face. [laughs] 'Really? Are you serious?' I still can't wipe this stupid grin off my face, I'll tell you that. But it was a very cool moment for all of us."