TORONTO - Michael Buble says he's honoured to be nominated for a Grammy and meant no offence when he disparaged the awards show and said he had no intention of attending.
Buble told The Canadian Press in an interview Tuesday "it's absolute crap'' that his category is not part of the televised ceremony on Feb. 11.
He later issued a statement explaining the controversial remark.
"I'm extremely honoured to have been nominated for a Grammy in the best traditional jazz category,'' he said. "I did indeed make my feelings known that the category should be broadcast live during the award ceremony. This category honours the interpreters of some of the greatest songs ever written. There are millions of people like me who love and respect this music.''
Also during the CP interview, Buble said there was no point in attending the Los Angeles event because he didn't stand a chance against his idol, jazz legend Tony Bennett, who's nominated in the same category.
"Why should I go to the Grammys?'' he said. "Because I'll lose. ... They might as well have already scratched Tony Bennett's name into the damn thing. I'm not going.''
In a later interview on Tuesday with a Toronto newspaper, Buble said that crack was a lame attempt at humour.
"I was just trying to be funny and I don't think it turned out very funny,'' he told the Toronto Sun. "I should, by now, be a little more tactful about the words I choose to say.''
In his statement, Buble, 31, reiterated that his comments were meant to be funny.
"I jokingly said that Tony Bennett is going to win anyway so why should I go? This is not sour grapes. I worship, love and respect Tony Bennett. He is my idol. I voted for him and he deserves to win.''
"I mean no offence to the Grammy Awards, the Grammy nominees or the NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) organization.''
