Sidebar II: Grammy Material

“This could be Grammy Material . . .” What, exactly, is Grammy Material?

The National Academy of Recording Arts And Sciences (NARAS) is a trade organization in support of the recording industry and music community. Founded in 1957, NARAS created the Grammy Awards, which it describes as “the only peer-presented award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position.” This has become a major, I said I SAID, A MAJOR, media event, and NARAS estimates that two billion(!) people pay attention to the awards. That’s approximately one-third of the world population! Like I said, I SAID, HOLY MACKEREL!

Panels of listeners screen about 15,000 recordings submitted for consideration. The five “best” submissions in each of 98 categories are nominated by these panels. These nominations are sent out to the NARAS membership at large, who then vote for their favorite in each category. NARAS is a little vague on the exact protocol for this, but it seems reasonably straight up.

Hey, the fact that Curt and I were nominated really gives credence to the idea that the nominations are non-political. Neither of us are members of NARAS, and the label (CRI) is a modest non-profit label dedicated to some truly obscure music, where the sale of 10,000 CDs would be a major, I said, I SAID, A MAJOR, event. Believe me, there was no politicking on our parts. The only reason the album was even submitted was because the soprano on the album, Barbara Ann Martin, called up Jody Dalton, the label’s director, and bugged him to submit it! Bless her!

So, Grammy Material is work in one of 98 categories (including stuff like “Best Polka Album” and “Best Boxed Recording Package” to “Best Dance Recording” and “Best Metal Performance”) that gets enough attention from NARAS’ listening panels to make it onto their short lists.

Winning a Grammy, through a vote from the membership at large, seems more like a popularity contest to me than do the nominations, and they may be heavily influenced by a variety of external factors. I’ve got no particular problem with that, and personally can’t think of a better way to do it.

Let me tell you. The bottom line is, the immense feeling of validation you get from the nomination simply takes your breath away, it is so gratifying! It means a lot, much, much more in fact than I ever would have imagined. I sincerely hope that all of you can have the experience some time!

Dave Moulton is trying to get his parking ticket validated. You can complain to him about anything at his cool new website, http://www.moultonlabs.com.