Bob Newhart won Album of the Year at the 1961 Grammy Awards for The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart.
The record was a comedy album built around Newhart’s distinctive telephone-call routines and understated delivery. Its success demonstrated that the Grammys’ top album prize was not limited to traditional singing or instrumental recordings. Newhart also won Best New Artist at the same ceremony.
The album became a major commercial success and helped make Newhart one of the most recognizable comedians in the United States. His Grammy achievement is especially notable because comedy recordings competed directly with music releases for the overall album honor.
The ceremony is sometimes associated with the album’s 1960 release year, but the award was presented at the 3rd Annual Grammy Awards in 1961. The title is often shortened to The Button-Down Mind.