Scoping out a Grammy party soundcheck

The ballroom in the newly renovated Beverly Hilton was rockin' Monday afternoon during the sound check for tonight's seriously star-studded annual pre-Grammy Clive Davis dinner party.

So far, Clive's stellar list includes "Hustle & Flow" Oscar nominee Terrence Howard, Kevin Spacey, SAG winning "24" star Kiefer Sutherland, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Missy Elliot, Mary J. Blige, Salma Hayek, Dave Chappelle, John Mayer, Val Kilmer, David Spade, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, Randy Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, the Dixie Chicks and Willie Nelson.

Howard is really making the music scene this week. He was also spotted with India.Arie at a MusiCares benefit honoring James Taylor on Monday night.

Starting off Monday's sound check, Heather Hedley filled the ballroom with her big voice, belting out a tune from her new album, "In My Mind." After her first rehearsal, the vocal powerhouse told the sound techies, "I can't hear myself over the bass. Can you bring me up a little bit? I think that's all."

After listening to this major talent, all we can say to Clive's guests is bring earplugs. This Tony-winning singer who had the lead role in "Aida" on Broadway sounds fantastic -- but she's incredibly loud. What? I can't hear you!

Photo: India.Arie hangs with Oscar nominee Terrence Howard at the MusicCares benefit honoring James Taylor. What's next for Howard, a Grammy?
(Kevin Mazur / WireImage)

Warming up after Hedley:

Kelly Clarkson; Barry Manilow, singing songs from his new '50s songs album; Jamie Foxx and Kanye West.

Inside the ballroom, L'Oreal cosmetics - a Grammy sponsor for the 7th year - had a booth set up to promote their new HIP -- High Intensity Pigment -- cosmetics line with colors suitable for Scarlett Johansson's porcelain skin, Beyoncé Knowles' copper skin and darker skin tones.

During Tuesday night's party, L'Oreal's makeup artists will be in the ladies lounge (bathroom) to do touch-ups on guests. The cosmetics giant will also have its makeup artists at the Entertainment Weekly post-Grammy bash for Kanye West at The Lot in West Hollywood, Calif., on Wednesday night.

The cosmetics company had a lounge presence at Usher's post-Grammy bash last year. They filled the men's room with items from the Men's Expert skin care line and virtually all of it disappeared in the first hour of the party. Hey, these music men need their SPF moisturizer.

At L'Oreal's booth at Clive's bash last year at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Diana Ross stocked up on Lip Juice Sheer Lip Gloss and Blige swiped her shade of foundation from one of the makeup artists, who didn't seem to mind one bit.

See, even stars love free stuff.