RYAN PEARSON checks out a pre-Grammy party and reports on the multitalented "new Elvis" and other oddities of awards time.
Justin Timberlake is not Grammy nominated for his drumming.
Nevertheless, the days leading up to the music industry's biggest awards are a time for musical silliness, partying and getting Mr. JT behind a set of snares.
At the crowded Avalon club in Hollywood, Timberlake hosted one of several pre-Grammy parties, which meant he appeared in between and some times in the middle of sets by musician buddies ranging from Danity Kane to Timbaland to Nelly Furtado to the Black Eyed Peas.
He got behind the drums for a performance by a hipped-up rocker nobody had heard of named Kenna, who sang three songs. The pop star, nominated for four Grammys for the ridiculously named album "FutureSex/LoveSounds," wasn't too bad on the drums. But he should have had the taste to play behind someone who could actually sing.
Timberlake repeated asked the audience if they were drunk yet at the party, which was nominally in celebration of the launch of JT-TV -- a Timberlake-branded channel on Verizon Wireless' V CAST service set to launch next month.
Rashida Jones of "The Office" hung out with DJ Samantha Ronson for much of the night on the lower level. Not far away was Wesley Snipes, who appeared to be answering a few questions from fans about his tax situation.
An air of arrogance hung over the celebratory mood among the crowd, that included Kid Rock, Diddy, Nick Lachey and Topher Grace. Capping it off, Timbaland proclaimed Timberlake "the new Elvis" and himself the new Chuck Berry.
With more than 100 Grammy awards handed out Sunday, there had to be one for Cockiest Producer, right?
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asap staff reporter Ryan Pearson wants to smash a disco ball.
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