Claude Kelly Talks Grammys, Grenades And Bruno Mars

The average American probably hasn't heard of Claude Kelly, but anyone who's turned on a radio in the past three years has certainly heard his work.

The 31-year-old songwriter has penned hits including "Party in the USA" for Miley Cyrus, "I Got You" for Whitney Houston, and "Hold My Hand" for Akon and Michael Jackson. A song he wrote for Fantasia called "Bittersweet" earned a nomination for Best R&B Song in 2011.

This year, Kelly is up for an even bigger honor—Song of the Year. He earned the...