Why I Hate the Grammys by Bill Wyman

[Tom 1960]

Slate

[medjuck]

Interesting article even if I'm disappointed that it's not by the Stone's former bass player. It doesn't answer all the questions I have. Who belongs to the Academy, how many members are there and how do you become one? Do they all vote on nominations for everything? And do the all vote on final winners for everything?

And am I right in thinking that none of the jazz categories are considered important enough to have a special committee manipulating the results?

[A Lark Ascending]

If it had been the Stones bassist it would have been 'Why do I hate the Grannies'.

[Jim Alfredson]

I stopped caring about the Grammy's back when I was in middle school and Milli Vanilli won for Best New Artist. Even at the age of 13, I knew that was some serious bullshit.

[Christiern]

Interesting article even if I'm disappointed that it's not by the Stone's former bass player. It doesn't answer all the questions I have. Who belongs to the Academy, how many members are there and how do you become one? Do they all vote on nominations for everything? And do the all vote on final winners for everything?

And am I right in thinking that none of the jazz categories are considered important enough to have a special committee manipulating the results?

I cancelled my NARAS membership many years ago, when I first became aware of its fraudulent ways. The rules have probably changed since then, but I think anyone employed in the industry is eligible for membership, a fact that give large companies a decided advantage. Everyone can vote in the main categories and—or so it was, at least—had a choice of 3 or 4 specialty categories: liner notes, cover art, engineering by an amputee, etc.

The only jazz committees I was aware of (because I served on the NYC one) was the group of about 5 who went through the submissions and weeded out inappropriate ones (genre-wise). The rest would go on to the list of nominees, to be narrowed down by member in the first round of voting (allegedly and, perhaps, actually).

[Ken Dryden]

I learned that I was eligible to join NARAS and vote on Grammies, since I have written a sufficient number of liner notes, but aside from the Jazz categories, most of them of are of absolutely no interest to me. Jazz doesn't even merit being part of the main event, so there would be no point in attending the ceremony, so I've got better ways to spend my money.

I will say that Grammy voters have done a better job than usual with nominations in some categories, particularly the vocalists. All too often, it's the same old names over and over...

[bertrand]

Well, so much for my plan to sell my Milli Vanilli CDs in the 'offering and looking for' forum.

Bertrand.

[Christiern]

I have a friend who put his Marcel Marceau boxed set on e-bay. They snapped it up!

Edited February 13, 2011 by Christiern