DREAM THEATER Drummer Says He Played Two Of His Best Shows While Being Extremely Sick

Drummer Mike Mangini of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has issued the following update:

"I seriously played my two best shows/solos [on December 1 in San Diego, California and on December 2 in Anaheim, California] while being the sickest I've been in 20-30 years. But not enough to jeopardize me too much or affect the show negatively. I don't know how that happens.

"My apologies for not being able to speak much, or for coughing at the paid pre-show pic taking. Now you know why. I didn't, and couldn't, call friends, my family, my wife, nobody...

"It was weird to try so hard to speak. All of you that play must've experienced this before.

"How can we be so sick, then play like not too much is wrong? It must be a love of overcoming challenges and helping the team. I guess that's how athletes do it.

"I honestly curled up in a ball after the show and didn't think I'd make it out of there.

"I'm happy to say that I'm feeling better and better and that I'm about to sleep on and off for 14 hours pumping the herbs and meds and water.

"I think I will have the best show of my whole life in Mesa tomorrow because of all the practicing I did on the break.

"I love this!!!! Can't wait till tomorrow!!

"Did I mention how good it feels to be 1 for 1 with DREAM THEATER for a Grammy nomination? 2 for 2 with [Steve] Vai, 1 for 1 with DREAM THEATER...

"Oh, yeah!!!!!! That'll fix my flu!!!

"You should've heard [DREAM THEATER guitarist] John Petrucci's voice on the phone when he called me to tell me of the nomination... My eyes watered up because of how he sounded and how that reflected what it meant to him to have this song recognized (Grammys are for songs, not bands or careers). I'm so happy for him, John Myung [bass], James LaBrie [vocals], John Rudess [keyboards] and our manager Frank for doing so much to steer the music of our ship out of unknown waters. They taught me a lesson in patience, trust and faith.

"All of you support us and enjoy the music with us are responsible for getting the song heard by so many more people than you can imagine.

"John Petrucci had a vision for this song and he stuck by it with full support from all of us... you too. Thank you. We have so much yet to come and so much passion for life and for music."

Video footage of DREAM THEATER vocalist James LaBrie introducing Mangini at the band's December 1, 2011 concert at Balboa Theatre in San Diego, California can be seen below.

DREAM THEATER is among the nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The nominees in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category are as follows:

* DREAM THEATER - "On The Backs Of Angels"
* FOO FIGHTERS - White Limo"
* MASTODON - "Curl Of The Burl"
* MEGADETH - "Public Enemy No. 1"
* SUM 41 - "Blood In My Eyes"

CHICKENFOOT "III" art director Todd Gallopo was nominated in the "Best Recording Package" category.

To be eligible for nomination, an artist's work must have been released between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.

The 54th annual Grammy Awards will be held on "Grammy Sunday," February 12, 2012, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

For a complete list of nominees, go to this location.