Competition in the category was stiff, with powerhouses of pop like Jeff Bhasker for his work on fun.‘s smash Some Nights, Markus Davs for Coldplay‘s Mylo Xyloto, Salaam Remi for his work with Nas and Amy Winehouse and Dilpo, who counts Justin Bieber, Snoop Lion and No Doubt to his many credits and the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach for work on his own album plus those of Dr. John and Hacienda. And in a victory for rock music, Auerbach takes the GRAMMY.

“Wow, this is amazing. I know everyone wants to get to the show so I’ll keep it brief,” said Auerbach during the pre-GRAMMY awards telecast. He went on to thank his record label Nonsuch for supporting his left-of-center projects, all inspirational musicians the gets to work with and his friends and family.

While fans know Auerbach best as fifty percent of The Black Keys, his extensive list of production credits proves he’s as adept behind the mixing console as he is on the microphone on guitar. Although tonight’s win celebrates his work on his own band’s album, El Camino, Auerbach is also being celebrated for what some call the revitalization of New Orleans’ own Dr. John’s with his album Locked Down. As the album’s producer, Auerbach was responsible for guiding John down a path, pushing him to perfection, listening with the ears of a fan and molding the shaping his music in real time. John took home the GRAMMY tonight for Best Blues Album.

A surprise to many, Auerbach has produced more than 20 albums. In addition to Dr. John’s album, tonight’s GRAMMY for Producer of the Year celebrates his work on John Doe’s A Year In The Wilderness, Jeff The Brotherhood’s Hypnotic Nights and The Growlers’ Hung At Heart.

– Jay Tilles, Radio.com