Music industry to toast Amy Winehouse at Grammys

By Dean Goodman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The U.S. government might not be a big fan of Amy Winehouse, but the troubled British pop singer will likely receive some long-distance love from the music industry when the Grammy Awards are handed out on Sunday.

Winehouse, who entered a London rehab clinic last month after a battle with drugs derailed her promising career, will compete for six of the music industry's top prizes. U.S. authorities on Thursday refused her a visa to attend the ceremony in Los Angeles, but changed their minds the next day. By that stage, it was too late for Winehouse to fly in.

The beehive-coiffed tabloid target will instead perform live via satellite from a London recording studio. It's a prospect that makes some music industry observers nervous.

"Rehab is a very focused regimen and you're not supposed to be distracted. There's big potential for something negative," said Spin magazine editor Doug Brod, mindful of Britney Spears' disastrous showing at the MTV Video Music Awards in September.

On the other hand, Winehouse's recovery could be helped by a knockout performance and a handful of honors, he added.

"There is some sympathy out there for her right now," Brod said. "People understand she's in rehab, and she's trying to get through this."

A&M/Octone Records president James Diener, whose label handles nominated band Maroon 5, said the 13,000 industry professionals who vote for the Grammys will be keen to reward her across the board. He noted that it was fortunate polls closed just before photos were published of Winehouse appearing to be smoking crack at a party three weeks ago.

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