Every now and then I'll post something just because I can. Friends going up on stage to accept a Grammy Award totally fits that criteria.
Here, then, is video of the Phoenix Chorale and artistic director and conductor Charles Bruffy accepting their Best Small Ensemble award at the 51st Annual Grammys for Spotless Rose: Hymns to the Virgin Mary.
Grammys 2009: A Follow-Up
I already mentioned the winners of the 2009 Grammys for kids audio. A couple follow-ups...
First, here is where you can watch the Grammy ceremony. The kids audio categories are about 42-43 minutes in. If you don't want to bother loading the video, I've embedded a copy of TMBG's comments below. Afterwards, backstage, John Linnell was quoted as saying
"The money is in children's music," he said. "Those kids are loaded... Even with music sales down for adult music, a lot of parents are willing to pay for songs for their kids," he said. "And maybe just to set a good example, they're less likely to steal it." There's also special joy, for him, he said, in making music for tots. "A lot of adults are walking rock critics. They always compare the music to what they've heard before. Kids don't do that. They're hearing it all for the first time."I plead guilty to the "walking rock critic" part. As for Bill Harley, a lot of these comments have been seen elsewhere, but it's nice to pass on. Harley notes that "no matter what you're thinking before ("I could win!", or "I should win!", or "There's no way I'll win!" ) - you're still surprised when someone calls your name. In this case, it was particularly pleasing to hear my two dear friends, Marcy Marxer and Cathy Fink, make the announcement... This was a very competitive category this year, and I know a lot of people had to vote for me. Thanks to them, and those who support me, and the couple generations of parents, kids and teachers who have put their trust in me." Harley also said he he hung out with Ezra and Keith of Trout Fishing in America -- the three of them introduced ourselves to Brenda Lee as her new band and she says she wants to make a kid's recording. And in one of the funnier lines of the week, Harley noted this e-mail from a fan: "My husband and I were discussing your nomination earlier today and Emma (5) overheard us talking. She said, "Doesn't Bill Harley already have a Grammy? Why does he need another one?" Video of TMBG after the jump.
And the Grammy Goes To...
They Might Be Giants for Here Come the 123s (Best Musical Album for Children) and Bill Harley for Yes To Running! (Best Spoken Word Album for Children). Congratulations to them both.
Now I'm on pins and needles waiting to see if my friends in the Phoenix Chorale won a Grammy for one of their four nominations... And they did! Best Small Ensemble! w00t!
Oh, pictures of TMBG and Bill picking up their awards after the jump, courtesy of Beth Blenz-Clucas
Children's Grammy Nominations: A Nation Reacts!
OK, a nation isn't really reacting, but the nominees are. Some thoughts from some of the nominees... (Ed: Now with bonus Brady Rymer thoughts!)
The prize for wittiest reaction goes Richard Perlmutter, the guy behind the oft-nominated Beethoven's Wig series:
The greatest composers on high Looked down from their perch in the sky "Who's Perlmutter?" Bach said Mozart just shook his head Then Beethoven said, "One lucky guy!
51st Grammy Nominations Announced
So the nominations for the 51st Grammy Awards have been announced, and for those of you who remember the push for membership, I think you'll be pretty pleased. I mean, your favorite CD of the year might not have been nominated, but there aren't any stinkers in there...
Best Musical Album For Children
(For albums consisting of predominantly music or song vs. spoken word.)
Beethoven's Wig 4: Dance Along Symphonies - Beethoven's Wig [Rounder Records]
Big Round World - Trout Fishing In America [Trout Records]
Here Come The 123s - They Might Be Giants [Disney Sound]
Here Comes Brady Rymer And The Little Band That Could - Brady Rymer And The Little Band That Could [Bumblin' Bee Records]
The Shoe Bird - Gerard Schwarz Conducting The Seattle Symphony [Brilliance Audio]
Best Spoken Word Album For Children
(For albums consisting of predominantly spoken word vs. music or song.)
Around The Campfire - Buck Howdy With BB [Prairie Dog Entertainment]
The Big One-Oh - Dean Pitchford [Random House Audio/Listening Library]
Brown Bear And Friends - Gwyneth Paltrow [Macmillan Audio]
The Cricket In Times Square - Tony Shalhoub [Macmillan Audio]
Yes To Running! Bill Harley Live - Bill Harley [Round River Records]
It's Not A Performance On Grammy Night, But Still...
If they get nominated, I don't think that Justin Roberts or Laurie Berkner are going to be performing at the big Grammy ceremony on Sunday, February 8, but at the very least a nomination will get them a Grammy weekend performance. Word from Muddy Girl Productions' Karen Rappaport McHugh that all 2008 Grammy Award nominees in the children's music category will be invited to perform at Los Angeles' new Grammy Museum. (The museum is so new, it isn't even open yet -- it opens December 6.) Anyway, the nominees will perform on Friday, February 6 (for school-children) and Saturday, February 7 (for families) from 10 to 11 AM. Spoken word nominees will also be included in the event.
Even potentially more interesting (if you're in the LA area, at least), the Grammy Children's Music Showcase is just the first in a new concert series at the Museum. Rappaport McHugh's been planng a monthly children’s music series which will take place in their 200 seat theatre. The series will focus on a different genre of music each month. They've already compiled a list of bands that the museum is interested in inviting to perform, but artists who believe they fit into a particular month's genre are still welcome to contact Karen at "muddygirlproductions AT verizon.net."
The schedule by genre is as follows: