U2 was a prize assignment, and Rubin felt invigorated by it. "There are four very different, very smart people, and all with lots of ideas and often conflicting ideas," he says on the phone. "The ideas keep coming so fast that it's like a tornado of creative energy."

Plans had also just been announced for Rubin to team with Kanye West, the most compelling figure in hip-hop since Eminem, and writer-director Larry Charles, whose credits range from "Seinfeld" to "Borat," to develop a fictional comedy series for HBO based on real incidents in West's life.

Also on his immediate schedule: going in the studio with bestselling rock-rappers Linkin Park and heavy-metal marvels Metallica. Though he doesn't speak about finances, a superstar producer like Rubin, who is hired by the artists, can walk away with $400,000 to $500,000 for every million albums sold on a project. As a producer he is free to work with any artist, regardless of label.

To relax, he normally keeps weekends free for reading, walking on the beach, watching old movies, listening to music (never his own) and hanging out with friends — a circle of creative types including Chris Rock and director Wes Anderson.

Tonight, he's got five avenues to the stage to be honored for his production skills — as producer of the year, album of the year (whether Dixie Chicks, Chili Peppers or Timberlake win) or record of the year (the Chicks' "Not Ready to Make Nice").

The most surprising association is with the Dixie Chicks, the country trio that suffered a backlash at country radio after lead singer Natalie Maines criticized President Bush in 2003 over his Iraq policy.

Rubin's primary role in the nearly two-year project was helping on the songwriting and "taking away any fears they had about what they were doing and not let anything get to them to where they would soft-pedal anything in any way."

Timberlake and Rubin recorded several tracks, but only one made last year's album. Timberlake has said he wants to do the next album with Rubin, and the producer looks forward to it.

But don't expect Rubin to attend the ceremony at Staples Center. At mid-week, he was leaning against going. "It's just not his thing," said an aide. Rubin did vote in the Grammys, though.

Might the diplomatic producer share his choice for best album?

There is a brief pause, then a slight chuckle that suggests, "Oh, I can't tell you that."