(CNN) -- With 17 Grammys, five gold records and -- by his count -- almost 130 albums, polka superstar Jimmy Sturr might just be the most successful musician you've never heard of.



Polka artist Jimmy Sturr is up for a possible 18th Grammy Award at the upcoming ceremony.



Sturr and his orchestra, superstars in the polka world, are one of a multitude of musical acts nominated this year in some of the lesser-known Grammy categories. When there are 110 categories, "lesser-known" might be putting it lightly.



"I try not to get too worked up over it," said Sturr, who is once again nominated this year in the best polka album category. "But when the [awards] season comes along I am right there saying 'I hope I win. I hope I win.' It just never gets old."



Sturr is among the unsung artists whose statuette presentation doesn't make it to the prime-time televised broadcast, which will air 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.



While categories like best Hawaiian music album, best traditional world music album and best historical album may linger in the shadows of the big Grammy show, they are no less important to the performers and fans who love them.  See some of the lesser-known categories »



The Grammy Awards are trumpeted as "music's biggest night," and Grammy officials there are cognizant of the heavy competition to appear on the broadcast.



There just isn't enough time to honor everyone on the televised presentation, said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy, which presents the Grammy Awards. He said about a dozen awards, including album of the year and best new artist, are given out during the live show.



"Every Grammy is of equal value and importance in our minds," Portnow said. "That said, with 110 categories and 3½ hours of television, physics dictate the reality that we can't do everything on the national broadcast."



Instead, the other nominees are feted at an event held earlier in the day, Portnow said.



"We created a very significant and somewhat extravagant pre-telecast, which is conducted in a separate facility right across from the Staples Center the afternoon of the show," Portnow explained.



"We build a substantial stage, we have co-hosts, we have music performances and we have presenters," he said. "Many, many of our nominees come to that event to pick up their Grammys."



This year, fans of the best contemporary folk/Americana album or best engineered album (nonclassical) categories -- among others -- will be able to see their favorites on the Web, because this year's pre-telecast will be streamed live on Grammy.com and available for viewing for 30 days after the ceremony.



Singer Wayna, who is nominated for best urban/alternative performance for her song "Lovin You (Music)" featuring Kokayi, said she feels honored simply to have been chosen.



"I'm not sure if I've taken it all in yet," the Bowie, Maryland, singer said. "I'm really proud of this category."



The increase in independent artists shows a trend Portnow said "speaks to the importance of what we do to a very broad segment of the music community."



No doubt that community includes at least a few admirers of the vivacious dance music that is polka.



Sturr may not be burning up the charts or even generating the heat of fellow Grammy nominees Lil Wayne and Radiohead, but he gets his fair share of love from those who follow his genre.



Some admirers have gone on to become collaborators. Sturr's recording partners have included Willie Nelson, the Oak Ridge Boys and Charlie Daniels.



He's often surprised by who is a fan, he said.



"I was in Jupiter, Florida, a few years ago and the manager of a restaurant I knew came up to me and said there's a fan of yours that would like to meet you," recalled Sturr. "I went over
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