Brits Mumford & Sons get six Grammy nods - including best Americana album

3. Mumford & Sons Not many British bands who set off to conquer the States take their mandolin, banjo and accordion with them. But the very well brought up Mumford chaps have brought folk music to the world, and sold 600,000

British folk-rock act Mumford & Sons are in the running for six Grammy awards as they continue to enjoy huge US success.

The band, who have seen massive sales for second album Babel, are among half a dozen artists that each have six nominations for the annual ceremony, to be staged in February.

They are up for one of the biggest prizes of the night, album of the year, against the likes of Jack White and Frank Ocean.

And curiously for a UK band, the Mumfords are also up for the prize of best Americana album, against the likes of Bonnie Raitt and the Lumineers.

Their haul of nominations also includes best rock performance and best rock song for "I Will Wait".

The other acts that received six nods were Kanye West, Jay-Z, Frank Ocean, fun and Dan Auerbach - who was given five nominations as a member of the Black Keys and one as producer of the year.

A number of UK acts found themselves up for prizes in the 81 categories, including Adele, who dominated this year's event in February with six wins. This time she is up for just best pop solo performance for a live version of "Set Fire To The Rain".

Ed Sheeran is nominated for song of the year for "The A Team", while Florence and The Machine could be up for two prizes with "Shake It Out" up for best pop group performance and Ceremonials a contender for best pop vocal album.

Sir Paul McCartney is shortlisted for two prizes - best traditional pop vocal album for Kisses On The Bottom and best historical album for the reissue of Ram.

Muse are up for a pair - best rock song with Madness and best rock album for The 2nd Law.

Coldplay also landed two nominations, with Mylo Xyloto competing for best rock album and the song Charlie Brown battling for best rock performance.

The Chemical Brothers are shortlisted for best dance/electronica album with Don't Think and Iron Maiden are in the running for the best hard rock/metal prize with the track Blood Brothers

The 55th annual Grammy Awards are to be staged in Los Angeles on February 10.

PA