Tanya Tucker has four chances this year to move off a list that no one wants to stay on: a list of people who have accumulated the most Grammy nominations without a win. The former teen star, now 61, has amassed 14 nominations since 1972, without a single win.
But she's got nothing on classical producer Morten Lindberg, who has amassed 28 nominations without a win — more than anyone else in Grammy history. Lindberg has two nods this year, and thus two chances to get off this list. If he does, Zubin Mehta will inherit the title of the person with the most Grammy nominations without a win (18).
More than 30 artists and other recording professionals have received 12 or more Grammy nominations without winning. In many cases, Grammy voters probably assume they won years ago and would be surprised to know they haven't. Martina McBride, one of the greatest female country vocalists of our time, hasn't won a Grammy? You've got to be kidding. Katy Perry hasn't won? How odd. She's even been nominated for three of the "Big Four" awards: album, record and song of the year.
Here's a complete list of individuals and groups with the most Grammy nods without a win. I provide details for everyone with 14 or more nominations and follow with quick recaps of those with 13 and 12 nominations.
Morten Lindberg, 28. The Norwegian sound engineer and producer collected these nominations from 2006 through this year. Lindberg, 49, is up for two awards this year—producer of the year, classical and best immersive audio album. His top year at the Grammys was 2017, when he had four nods, including producer of the year, classical.
Zubin Mehta, 18. The Indian conductor, 83, amassed these nominations from 1969-2007. His top year at the Grammys was 1978, when he had three nods. He was an album of the year nominee for 1994 as the conductor on The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994.
Valery Gergiev, 17.The Russian conductor, 66, amassed these nominations from 1993-2017. His top year at the Grammys was 2009, when he had three nods, all for recordings of Shastakovich.
Brian McKnight, 17. The R&B singer/songwriter, 50, amassed these nominations from 1993-2004. His top year at the Grammys was 2001, when he received five nods, including two for "Love of My Life." McKnight received an album of the year nod for his featured role on Justin Timberlake's Justified (2003).
Snoop Dogg, 16. The rapper and entertainer amassed these nominations from 1993-2015. Snoop Dogg, 48, was born Calvin Broadus. He was an album of the year nominee for his featured roles on Perry's Teenage Dream (2010) and Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly (2015).
Björk, 15. The Icelandic singer has amassed more nominations without a win than any other woman. Björk, 54, amassed these nods from 1993-2018.
Guarneri Quartet, 15. The American string quartet, which disbanded in 2009, landed more nominations without a win than any other group. (Spyro Gyra is second in that category). They amassed these nominations from 1967-2009. Guarneri Quartet consisted of Michael Tree (who landed one additional nod for a separate project, for a total of 16); first violinist Arnold Steinhardt, 82; second violinist John Dalley, 83; and violincello player David Soyer, who retired in 2001, before the group's final Grammy nod, and thus has 14 nominations). Tree died in 2018 at age 83. Soyer died in 2010 at age 87. The quartet's top year at the Grammys was 1972, when it had two nods, both for best chamber music performance.
Fred Hersch, 15. The jazz pianist and educator amassed these nominations from 1993 through this year. Hersch, 64, is nominated for best instrumental composition.
Joe Satriani, 15. The guitarist, 63, amassed these nominations from 1988-2007. His top year at the Grammys was his first, 1988, when he had two nods.
Toshiko Akiyoshi, 14. The jazz pianist, composer and arranger amassed these nominations from 1976-1994. Akiyoshi, 90, is Japanese, though she was born in China.
Dierks Bentley, 14. The country singer, 44, amassed these nominations from 2006-16. His top year at the Grammys was 2007, when he had four nods, mostly for "Long Trip Alone."
Martina McBride, 14. The country singer amassed these nominations from 1994-2011. McBride, 53, is a four-time winner of the CMA Award for female vocalist of the year.
Joe Sample, 14. The pianist, keyboard player and composer amassed these nominations from 1972-2007. Remarkably, he never had more than one nomination in any one year. Sample was a founding member of the Jazz Crusaders, which evolved into the Crusaders. He died in 2014 at age 75.
Tanya Tucker, 14. The country singer, 61, has amassed these nominations over a 47-year span, from 1972 through this year. Her top year at the Grammys is this year, when she has four nods, including song of the year for "Bring My Flowers Now."
Next in line with 13 nominations without a win are Chris Gehringer, Marina A. Ledin, Victor Ledin, Musiq Soulchild, Nas, Katy Perry, Spyro Gyra (including members Jay Beckenstein and Tom Schuman) and Charlie Wilson.
Next, with 12 nominations without a win, are Busta Rhymes, J. Cole, Lenny Gomulka, Keith Jarrett, Tommy Krasker, Ledisi, Diana Ross, Jose Serebrier and Jazmine Sullivan.
Ross received a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2012.