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• Remixed! Remixed!

  • by 51stGRAMMYAwards
  • Description:

    The Best Remixed Recording - Non Classical GRAMMY category must have been one of the most competitive ones in the contemporary categories. French electro duo Justice ended up  successfully edging out other nominees JunkieXL, Stonebridge, Deadmau5 and Moto Blanco to take GRAMMY gold.
    
    It shouldn't come as a big surprise. Justice's remix of MGMT's "Electric Feel" has been a favorite among many indie music aficionados, and their punchy revamp surely had the most momentum going in.
    
    Dutch DJ Junkie XL told me earlier that he was looking forward to the show. "The fact that I'm nominated is already amazing," he told Arjan for GRAMMY.com.
    
    "The competition is fierce in this category but I love and respect all the other guys so I'm happy as well if one of the other guys is taking the prize home."
    
    This is also a win for indie pop outfit MGMT for putting together a hot little tune that inspired people like Justice to recreate it so successfully.

    - Arjan Writes

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• 51st GRAMMYs: The Biggest Nigh 51st GRAMMYs: The Biggest Night In Music

  • by 51stGRAMMYAwards
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    For the past 51 years, the GRAMMYs have garnered a reputation for celebrating music's diversity by pairing some of the best in the business and giving the global television audience something to remember.
    
    This year was no different.
    
    Tonight's exuberant ceremony easily lived up to the Academy's track record with its unusual and unexpected pairing of GRAMMY winners and nominees. Most eclectic and striking was Radiohead's performance with the USC marching band. Radiohead hasn't played for a live U.S. television audience in many years, but agreed to it for this year's GRAMMYs.
    
    Also, unexpected was Stevie Wonder's stomping duet with The Jonas Brothers. GRAMMY winner Herbie Hancock quipped backstage that he had been thinking about a duet with the Jonas Brothers as well, just because it would be so much fun, and to see it "would work." If it worked is up to the television viewers to decide, but whether you liked or disliked it, it was a GRAMMY moment to remember.
    
    The newly-formed Rap Pack emerged with Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, T.I, and a very pregnant M.I.A. who seemed to fully let loose on stage rolling and riffing with the hip hop gentlemen for "Swagga Like Us."
    
    Coldplay picked up three GRAMMYs and were joined for their performance of their winning song "Viva La Vida" by Jay-Z.
    
    Duke Fakir spoke candidly backstage about his Four Tops performance with Smokey Robinson, Ne-Yo and Jamie Foxx. He wasn't sure if the four could pull it off as they had not rehearsed with all the four of them present.
    
    Justin Timberlake made two appearances. He teamed with Atlanta rapper T.I. for a performance of "Dead & Gone," while singing earlier with the legendary Al Green and Boys II Men.
    
    To honor the legendary Bo Didley Keith Urban, BB King, Buddy Guy and John Mayer jammed for a few minutes.
    
    The ultimate teaming was the one of Robert Plant and Allison Krauss who won most of the GRAMMYs statues this year including Record Of The Year. Robert Plant told GRAMMY.com after the show that it only took a day for him and Krauss to struck a musical connection that has created a special bond that led to GRAMMYs most prestigous honor.

    - Arjan Writes

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• Dance at the GRAMMYs Dance at the GRAMMYs

  • by 51stGRAMMYAwards
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    Let's face it. Daft Punk is indestructible. The French electro masters took not only GRAMMY gold for "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger," but they also took the top prize for "Alive 2007" in the Best Dance-Electronic Album category.
    
    Daft Punk were not in the room to accept their awards.
    
    By adding these two coveted GRAMMYs to their prize cabinet, it is clear that Daft Punk will go into music history as one of the biggest forces in dance music who have influenced many artists (including some of the other nominees in their categories).
    
    Some figured that an upset would have been possible in either category.
    
    Swedish pop singer Robyn captivated pop and dance lovers with an album of songs that was considered fresh and innovative.
    
    The singer was not in the room when her award was announced. Her assistant whispered in her ear when she came in and Robyn gently smiled.  Losing against Daft Punk is not too shabby.
    
    Lady GaGa is on a tour around  the world to promote "Just Dance" that is racing up the charts every where. The first-time nominee could have created an upset win, but she has plenty of steam to be considered again in the future.
    
    GRAMMY veteran Cyndi Lauper even surprised her biggest fans with a fresh new sound that could have garnered her GRAMMY gold. Lauper told Arjan earlier she would love to win, but that the praise from peers counted most.

    - Arjan Writes

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• Remix! Remix!

  • by grammyAwards
  • Description:

    The Best Remixed Recording - Non Classical GRAMMY category must have been one of the most competitive ones in the contemporary categories. French electro duo Justice ended up  successfully edging out other nominees JunkieXL, Stonebridge, Deadmau5 and Moto Blanco to take GRAMMY gold.
    
    It shouldn't come as a big surprise. Justice's remix of MGMT's "Electric Feel" has been a favorite among many indie music aficionados, and their punchy revamp surely had the most momentum going in.
    
    Dutch DJ Junkie XL told me earlier that he was looking forward to the show. "The fact that I'm nominated is already amazing," he told Arjan for GRAMMY.com.
    
    "The competition is fierce in this category but I love and respect all the other guys so I'm happy as well if one of the other guys is taking the prize home."
    
    This is also a win for indie pop outfit MGMT for putting together a hot little tune that inspired people like Justice to recreate it so successfully.

    - Arjan Writes

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• GRAMMY Day!!! GRAMMY Day!!!

  • by 51stGRAMMYAwards
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    Today is the big show, the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards are tonight!
    
    If last night was any indication, then today is going to be an amazing day for the music industry. The video tributes to the Merit Award recipients were wonderful and their acceptance speeches were moving and gracious.
    Some of the high lights for me:

    • Brenda Lee was funny and humble in accepting her Lifetime Achievement Award, shedding some tears and thanking everyone from A-to-Z.
    • Duke Fakir, the remaining living member of the original Four Tops, was joined onstage by family members of Levi Stubbs, Obie Benson and Lawrence Payton to accept their Lifetime Achievement Award, and all were incredibly humble and thankful for recognition.
    • Centenarian Elliott Carter, a Trustees Award recipient, couldn't be there, not because of age or illness, but because his travel schedule wouldn't allow it...we learned he's still composing and performing.
    • Hank Jones, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and Allen Toussaint, Trustees Award recipient, were typical jazz men in their acceptance speeches, short, sweet and humble; I got the distinct feeling they would have preferred to show their appreciation on their respective instruments versus standing behind a podium.

    I have a special place in my heart & soul for The Blind Boys of Alabama, Lifetime Achievement Award recipients and 2009 GRAMMY nominees. They have been singing Gospel music over 60 years, traveling the world singing praises to God. I'm overwhelmed by the amount of faith and dedication that kind of career requires. I know without a shadow of doubt that if it had not been for them, we would not have had Commissioned, Take 6, the Winans and countless other Gospel recording artists.
    
    As I said at the beginning, tonight's only going to be better...go GRAMMYs!
    
    Be sure to follow me or #GRAMMYs for updates from todays festivities.

    - Shannon Renee

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• The GRAMMYs & Social Media pt. The GRAMMYs & Social Media pt. 1

  • by 51stGRAMMYAwards
  • Description:

    
    

    Since the woman sitting behind me on the plane insisted on talking the entire 3+ hr. flight out here, thus keeping me from my nap, I ended up having a great conversation with the gentleman sitting next to me. He and his family share my enthusiasm for multiple music genres; one daughter attends the Berklee College of Music and his other daughter has started promoting bands, she will hve a couple performing at SXSW. There was one deficiency, he's not a big fan of operas...oh well, to each his own.
    
    Anyway, I mentioned that I was going to The GRAMMYs and he said he hadn't watched the telecast in years, which surprised me. How could someone who enjoyed music so much, not celebrate with musicians, lyricists and artists on their big night? When I asked why, he said the show stopped televising the awards he wanted to see, and on this point I could not disagree; however, through this journey of over the past few weeks, I've learned a thing or two.
    
    The GRAMMYs will give out 100+ awards tomorrow and it would be impossible to do that during a live telecast -- the show would be 6+ hours. To their credit, The GRAMMYs are engaging social media to bring the celebration to the people. They're live-streaming the "pre-telecast" awards tomorrow, which includes categories such as Gospel, spoken word, Classical, etc.; they have a couple of "professional" bloggers, your's truly and @arjanwrites, and they have created profiles in some of the major online communities, such as Twitter and Facebook.
    
    So I hope you will tune in tomorrow to view the The GRAMMY's webcast. Let's show them we care about the music...all of it.

    - Shannon Renee

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• Janelle Monáe Interview Janelle Monáe Interview

  • by 51stGRAMMYAwards
  • Description:

    From her Wondaland compound somewhere in the vicinity of Atlanta, Janelle Monáe spoke with Arjan about her GRAMMY nomination for "Many Moons" in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance. It is an impressive achievement for the singer who released her "Metropolis: Suite 1" EP in the summer of 2008 and is still working on her first full-length album.

    But despite the fact the she is still relatively new to the scene, Recording Academy members recognized that Monae possesses a very special talent. Free from any industry-imposed boundaries and senseless sterotypes, she serves up a unique blend of soul, hip & hop, electro glam and synthesized funk to create a stellar new genre of her own.

    Monáe has carved out her own little universe in which, quite frankly, everything is possible.

    The singer spoke candidly about her commitment to community service, her own foundation she's starting up, meeting Prince and the fact that she is not really "a Red Carpet gal." It is a very entertaining interview, and if you're new to this hot, new talent this is a great moment to understand what drives her music and message.

    (And Monaelle sure knows how to strike the imagination. She threw me for a loop for a moment when she told me that she found out about the nomination at the "Whitefield Bananas" ranch. According to an earlier interview she was actually in Las Vegas at a Cirque du Soleil show when she heard about it. I must say I like the Whitefield Bananas version a lot better though.)

    ---

    
    Arjan interviews Janelle Monae about her GRAMMY nomination from arjanwrites.com on Vimeo.

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• GRAMMY Salute to Jazz: Honorin GRAMMY Salute to Jazz: Honoring Blue Note Records

  • by 51stGRAMMYWeek
  • Description:

    

    As part of the week-long celebration leading up to the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards, tonight’s GRAMMY Salute to Jazz event honored Blue Note Records with The Recording Academy’s President’s Merit Award. Multiple GRAMMY-winning artist Natalie Cole served as host for the evening.  Performers included Blue Note recording artists Joe Lovano and Cassandra Wilson, internationally renowned jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard, and GRAMMY Award-winning jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock. The performers were joined by a group of 30 talented high school musicians selected from around the nation.
    
    Images of album covers by John Coltrane, Bobby Hutcherson, and Art Blakely were projected above the performers throughout the evening celebrating jazz and the iconic Blue Note Records label. The evening kicked off with the GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles and Natalie Cole introducing saxophonist Joe Lovano.  Following Lovano’s performance, Cole introduced jazz bassist Charlie Haden. 
    
    Later on in the evening, Terence Blanchard took to the stage for a moving performance with one of the student saxophonists. Garnett Brown shared with audience members his first experience with Blue Note Records in 1967 and his work with Jack Wilson. 
    
    Presenting the President’s Merit Award to Blue Note Records president Bruce Lundvall, Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow addressed the audience and introduced a video tribute that showcased memorable moments throughout the label’s history. 
    
    Accepting the honor, Bruce Lundvall shared stories about his musical background and working with Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, and Thelonious Monk.  After accepting the award, Natalie Cole introduced world renowned vocalist Cassandra Wilson who performed “Lover Come Back to Me.”
    
    Closing out the memorable evening was the incomparable Herbie Hancock. When Hancock approached the microphone, he turned towards the student musicians on stage and said, “they are the future.”
    
    -GRAMMY U Correspondent CA

    Check out our Facebook page for photos now, and stop by our YouTube channel later for video!

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• Cyndi Lauper Interview Cyndi Lauper Interview

  • by 51stGRAMMYAwards
  • Description:

    

    After more than 20 years in the music business, Cyndi Lauper continues to crank out music that pleases her fans, impresses critics and gets the attention from The Recording Academy. This year, the iconic singer and humanitarian is up for a Best Dance Album GRAMMY for "Brink Ya To The Brink."

    Lauper sure is no stranger to the GRAMMYs. She won her first GRAMMY in 1985 when she received the coveted award for Best New Artist. Since then, she has gone on to produce lots of different music projects that have garnered her multiple GRAMMY nominations along the way, including Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (1986), Best Dance Recording (1999) and Best Instrumental Composition Accompanying a Vocal (2005). The variety of her GRAMMY nods is a tribute to Lauper's tireless talent to innovate and do lots of different things, and do them really well.

    Arjan: Congratulations on your nomination! Where were you when you first received the GRAMMY nomination news? What went through your mind?
    Cyndi: My manager called me and told me. She heard about it when the nominations were announced. I was at home with my husband David. It's really nice to be recognized. I was thrilled to hear it of course.

    What does it mean at this point in your career to be nominated for a GRAMMY again?
    It's always great to be nominated. I've been very lucky to be nominated every few years which gives me industry validation. My fans liking what I do is most important but it is nice to be recognized by one's peers.

    The last time I was nominated was in 2005 for Best Instrumental with Vocals Arrangement with the song "Unchained Melody" off my "At Last" CD. That was a new category and I was as thrilled with being nominated for that. I was very proud of that nomination.

    To be nominated this year for Dance Album of the Year is also gratifying because I have always lived part of my career in the clubs doing late night gigs and working with remixers. I love the genre so to be recognized for my contribution too is very cool.

    How are you preparing for the ceremony? What are you wearing on the Red Carpet?
    I always try and exercise and stay in shape but when the GRAMMYs are coming up I'm a bit more motivated. Not sure what I am wearing yet. I have a few outfits I'm considering but I haven't decided yet and probably won't until day of the show. I am going to have fun picking one out for the Red Carpet.

    Are you going to be majorly disappointed when you don't win, or really surprised when you win?
    I would love to win of course. It's always fun to win.
    
    Everybody will be at the event on Sunday. Is there anybody in particular you looking forward to meeting?
    It's like going to a reunion,  To see all your friends and the young artists at their very first GRAMMYs is fun to watch too.

    Is there a GRAMMY performance you're looking forward to?
    Robert Plant with Alison Krauss and I'm really looking forward to meeting Katy Perry too.
    
    What is happening after the Grammys for you? What are your immediate plans?
    I will be shooting a movie in April & May then go on tour in Europe for festival seasons. I also just signed a book deal for my autobiography that will come out at the end of this year or early 2010. My charity work is also very important to me and I am in the process of launching my own foundation called the True Colors Fund which focuses on the LGBT community.

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• Salute to Classical Tore It Up Salute to Classical Tore It Up

  • by 51stGRAMMYWeek
  • Description:

    

    Last night, GRAMMY Week kicked off with the Salute to Classical event, a true celebration of classical music.
    
    There’s a full and official recap over at grammy.com for the evening, full of information and quotes, but the best thing to know about last night was that it was an evening full of wonder and excitement for not only those new to classical music, like KM and AA – the two GRAMMY U students helping us Twitter and blog – but for those unwilling to be impressed simply by the legendary names and settings.
    
    Jeffrey Kahane conducted the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra from the piano, a rare treat, in a performance KM thought, “tore it up,” which I can only agree with. John Lithgow struck a delicate note between humor and solemnity, singing our honorees praises and amusing the audience in turns. Sir Neville Marriner strode onto the stage from the front row for his turn at conducting, practically launched himself onto the podium and conducted Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro Overture without sheet music or a baton. At times it seems he conjured the performance rather than conducted it, and the joy and respect of the performers couldn’t have been more apparent.
    
    Kahane and Marriner accepted their honors – Kahane’s on behalf of the entire LACO – with humble faith in the power of music. Marriner believes that the standard of orchestral music has risen noticeably due to the quality of recordings and said that he is eminently grateful to the recording industry. He recounted an early recording session where the physical limitations of recording music to be played on one half of a record dictated a faster speed in the tempo.
    
    A small handful of photos from the event can be found on Facebook and the first in a series of videos from last night is up on YouTube. Stay tuned for more recollections from a whirlwind week of celebrating music.

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• Salute to Classical Music Salute to Classical Music

  • by 51stGRAMMYWeek
  • Description:

    
    As I type, our offices are emptying out as everyone gears up for our first official GRAMMY Week event - tonight's GRAMMY Salute to Classical Music. The event will honor Sir Neville Marriner and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) with LACO Music Director Jeffrey Kahane. LACO will perform two tributes conducted by Marriner and Kahane, with John Lithgow serving as master of ceremonies. As with any GRAMMY event, the music to be performed is not yet announced.

    A bit of background on Sir Neville Marriner: Starting his career as a violinist, Marriner founded The Academy of St Martin in the Fields in 1958 and has conducted orchestras throughout the world. He became the first Music Director of the LACO in 1969 where he developed new works for the orchestra and performed numerous world premieres. Did you ever see Amadeus? Never to say that a movie should be your only cultural touchstone for an artist, but Marriner not only founded The Academy of St Martin, he conducted its performance for Amadeus's musical score and there, he also developed new works for the orchestra and performed numerous world premieres.

    Currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, led by Kahane, performs a diverse repertoire ranging from baroque to new works and focuses on cultivating the careers of emerging artists. Committed to bringing classical music to everyone, it has created programs such as Meet the Music, which reaches thousands of elementary students throughout the year. Expect a lot of Twitters live from the Walt Disney Concert Hall as we kick off the 51st GRAMMY Week in elegant style. Check back here tomorrow morning for a multimedia recap on the event - we've enlisted the help from a crew of GRAMMY U students! They'll help us give you a behind the scenes look at the event.

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• Sam Sparro Interview Sam Sparro Interview

  • by 51stGRAMMYAwards
  • Description:

    Sam Sparro was one of most noteworthy new artists to emerge onto the scene in 2008. The Australian singer serves up an utterly delicious, solid and consistent blend of pop and soul that's like Prince, Goldfrapp and D'Angelo rolled into one irresistible package. His debut single "Black & Gold" caused a stir in the charts in the U.K and other European countries. The song is nominated in the Best Dance Recording category. Arjan Writes called Sparro to chat briefly about the nomination and his plans for Sunday's show. 

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    Arjan interviews Sam Sparro about his GRAMMY nomination from arjanwrites.com on Vimeo.

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• GRAMMY Week is almost here! GRAMMY Week is almost here!

  • by 51stGRAMMYWeek
  • Description:

    Welcome to the blog covering all GRAMMY Week news and events! We’ll be providing you with a bird’s eye view of all the official Recording Academy events, from the Salute to Jazz and Salute to Classical events early in the week all the way through to MusiCares' Person of the Year tribute to Neil Diamond, and of course culminating with the day of the Awards – and what a day that is going to be! Expect details on the Producer’s and Engineer Wing’s event Rock My Soul and updates on what’s going on in the StyleStudio at STAPLES Center, as well as a peek into what goes into creating an entire week worth of music celebration!

    We have a host of GRAMMY U students and Recording Academy correspondents, you'll get a wide spread of perspective and detail!

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• GRAMMY Foundation Blog Overvie GRAMMY Foundation Blog Overview

  • by GRAMMYFoundation
  • Description:

    The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture — from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with The Recording Academy to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage.

    The GRAMMY Foundation events during GRAMMY week include Career Day at USC, the GRAMMY Jazz Ensemble, the Entertainment Law Initiative and the Music Preservation Project: Music in Focus. More details on all these events soon!

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• GRAMMY Awards Blogger Intros GRAMMY Awards Blogger Intros

  • by 51stGRAMMYAwards
  • Description:

    The GRAMMY Awards blog is here to provide you with fresh musical insight into the whirlwind of news emanating from GRAMMY Week. Throughout the week, you’ll get a sneak peek at the preparations that go into the high-profile events, as we report on rehearsals and radio remotes, continuing into a glimpse of the chaos that is the red carpet and media center on the day of the show! You can look forward to updates from our two professional bloggers, Shannon and Arjan. They’ll be attending events to give you an insider’s perspective, focusing on the Special Merit Awards and Nominees Reception as well as the Pre-Telecast (not all 110 of our categories can be on the telecast after all!), Telecast and After Party for the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards!

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    Shannon is a lover of good rhythms, good lyrics and hard-wood dance floors. Growing up and living in Washington, DC with its mix of cultures, regional theatre and home grown talent, has made her a devotee of several musical genres. Her iPod is filled with, Go-Go, R&B, Rock & Roll, Blues, Reggae, Zydeco, Country, Jazz, Classical, Alternative, World, etc. It is the music that moves her across the floor when she is ballroom dancing, not her feet. Shannon is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the InSeries, a small performing arts organization, which has produced operas, cabarets and Latin programming for over 20 years, and regularly attends musical performances at venues throughout the area.

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    With his finger firmly on the pulse of what's hip and happening in pop music, Arjan has been writing about hot new music and emerging new talent on his ArjanWrites.com Music Blog since 2003. Now, ArjanWrites.com is one of the most popular and critically-acclaimed music blogs on the web that serves up a daily scoop of music topics that is always sweet & crunchy.

    Arjan grew up in Amsterdam and vividly remembers watching the GRAMMYs ever since he was a little boy. It's a tribute to the fact that the annual GRAMMY show is more than just an American institution; it is a celebration of music excellence around the globe that inspires people in all corners of the world. One of Arjan's favorite GRAMMY moments was Madonna's 2006 much-anticipated virtual pairing with The Gorillaz, which he considers "a totally cool and unusual performance that was ahead of its time."

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