Last year, singer Katy Perry took the pop music world by storm with her fun-in-the-sun single "I Kissed a Girl," from her gold-selling CD "One of the Boys."
That CD has spawned other hits, such as the catchy "Hot and Cold," the contemplative "Thinking of You" and charming "Ur So Gay."
Now, armed with her first Grammy nomination, Perry embarks on her first headlining tour, which will make a stop in Salt Lake City on Tuesday.
"I'm not (messing) around on this tour," Perry said during a teleconference call hosted by her parent label, EMI Records Group.
"I'm working out the details of all the ins and outs from the merchandise to what the boys are wearing in my band to what I'm wearing to making it sound bigger and making it be a real entertainment show."
Perry said she is looking forward to the tour because last year she was an opening artist and only played for 20 to 30 minutes each gig.
"I don't think people really got to see my range," she said. "So, I'll be able to play the whole record from the fast songs … to the sad songs. It'll be exciting to see people go on that personality roller coaster with me."
Perry was also able to bring more sets and props, something she is known for in her live performances.
"When I go to see a show, I get really bored if it's just the band and they're playing in their jeans and T-shirts and they think that's all they need.
"I like to see it come to life. I like to see the eye candy, I guess, and I'm definitely bringing a load of eye candy."
Two days before her Salt Lake City show, Perry will appear on the Grammy Awards, which will be aired Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. on Ch. 2. Perry is in the running for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance along with Adele, Sara Bareilles, Duffy, Leona Lewis and Pink. She also landed a performance slot for "I Kissed a Girl" during the ceremony.
While Perry has won an MTV Europe Award and an NRJ Music Award, she said the Grammy is more prestigious.
"The Grammys is kind of like the end-all, be-all," said Perry. "It's like the most respect you can get from the industry.
"You know all of the other awards were fantastic and very much appreciated, but the Grammys are something you dream about when you're 9 years old, when you start singing.
"You watch people go and accept awards on stage, you know, bawling their eyes out or freaking out, and that sticks with you your whole life, like, 'Oh, this is really important.'
"And so when this really important nomination happened to me, I was like, 'Holy crap, I got recognized from a classic, amazing industry.'"
In addition to Perry, other Grammy performances will include Paul McCartney with drummer Dave Grohl, Coldplay, Kenny Chesney, the Jonas Brothers, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Radiohead, T.I., Justin Timberlake, Li'l Wayne and Kanye West.
This year's Record of the Year nominees are Adele ("Chasing Pavements"), Coldplay ("Viva la Vida") Leona Lewis ("Bleeding Love") and Robert Plant & Alison Kraus ("Please Read the Letter").
If you watch …
What: The 51st Annual Grammy Awards
When: Feb 8, 7 p.m.
Channel: CBS/Ch. 2
Also …
What: Katy Perry
Where: In the Venue, 219 S. 600 West
When: Feb.10, 6:30 p.m.
How much: $18
Phone: 801-467-8499, 800-888-8499
Web: www.smithstix.com
E-mail: scott@desnews.com