Comic Lewis Black's recent Grammy Award nomination for his album, "Anticipation," includes two significant Wisconsin connections:

• Madison producer John Machnik, who has worked with Black for 10 years recording various shows, handled all the album's technical duties and he receives ample credit for engineering duties as well as post-production work.

• "Anticipation" was recorded during Black's show at Wausau's Grand Theater.

Machnik, who formerly owned Sleepless Nights Studio in Madison, is an independent producer whose technical work with comics ranges from production of albums by the late Mitch Hedberg to renegade Doug Stanhope to clever David Cross. The latter's album included a piece Machnik recorded when Cross performed at the former Luther's Blues.

In 2006, Black won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for "The Carnegie Hall Performance," but Machnik did post-production work on that release and did not receive a Grammy statue. On "Anticipation," Machnik's name is prominent in the sparse album production notes. If Black wins a Grammy, Machnik would get one, too.

Trouble is, the category likely will be won by another nominee: the late George Carlin, who is nominated for "It's Bad for Ya." A posthumous win for Carlin would be a nice tribute. The Grammy winners will be announced on Feb. 8 in Los Angeles.

Still, "Anticipation" is vintage Black. He's sharp — and builds to a hilarious screaming crescendo with each routine. The Wausau audience loves the performance.

So did Machnik juice up the crowd's laughter in the post-production studio?

"I've had to do that with some comics. You literally put in a laugh track," Machnik says. "But (Black) is so good now. You can say, 'This is going to be a record and he does it.'"

Machnik began his association with Black when he recorded several dates for Black at a now-closed comedy club on Odana Road.

Working with Black and, now, Ron White gives Machnik an insider's view of the best professional comics.

"I've recorded dozens and dozens of shows of comics," Machnik says. "These guys, no matter how they feel, are ready to entertain. They'll just say before showtime, 'It's time to go.' They're at the top of their game."

Other local Grammy ties

The Grammys help give attention to some deserving acts. That's the best thing Grammy hoopla does.

In one case, the nominations helped boost an act — the adventurous East Village Opera Company — coming to the Capitol Theater on Jan. 29. The group received a nomination for Best Classical Crossover Album.

East Village's album, "Olde School," can be found in three iTunes categories: "alternative," "rock" and "unclassifiable." (For more details about East Village Opera Company, go to www.overturecenter.com.)

East Village Opera Company is up against the popular King's Singers so it's a longshot that East Village members will deliver an acceptance speech.

Another act coming to Madison, Christian singer Chris Tomlin, is the frontrunner for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. Tomlin performs at the Coliseum on Jan. 31 and his album, "Hello Love," is one of Christian pop's most successful albums in 2008.

Tom Alesia's column appears each Sunday. His e-mail is talesia@madison.com.