• by Wayne Friedman , February 19, 2013

Does TV still sell music from exposure on big TV events? Nielsen says it strikes a chord.

This year, those honored at the Grammy awards, or those who performed songs, pulled in the second-best TV audience in 20 years with 28 million a little over a week ago, and strong post-show numbers. CBS broadcast the show.

Sales of the album of the year, Mumford & Sons’ "Babel" grew 50% from the prior week. Individual sales of the song “I Will Wait” that the group performed at the show, increased by 116% -- per Nielsen.

The Song of the Year, Fun.’s “We Are Young,” featuring Janelle Monae, which already had 6 million songs sold before the Grammys, gained 182%, with the band's album "Some Nights" climbing 87%. The band gained, with another song, "Carry On," which it performed on the Grammys and grew 138% from the prior week.

The Belgium-born Australian Gotye won Record of the Year honors for “Somebody That I Used to Know,” featuring Kimbra, which already sold 7 million copies. Song sales climbed 101% after the show, with the album up 124%.

It wasn't just the hot new and upcoming artists that gained attention, but older artists. In what has become a regular feature on the Grammys, there were many "tributes" performed: Patti Page, Carole King, Bob Marley, Dave Brubeck, Levon Helm of The Band and The Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch.

Sales of Bob Marley’s "Legend" album were up 81%; The Band’s greatest hits package grew 203%, while jazz legend Dave Brubeck’s song “Take Five” was up 248%.

Other artists who got Grammys  on the night: Kanye West and Jay-Z each picked up three awards. Sales of their collaborative album "Watch the Throne" are up 139%. Kelly Clarkson, who won for Best Pop Vocal Album for her album "Stronger" saw sales increase 51% over the prior week.

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