Monthly Archives: December 2012
The Recording Academy® Statement Re: Ravi Shankar
Three-time GRAMMY® winner and renowned sitar player Ravi Shankar was a true pioneer in introducing Indian music to the West. He influenced artists across classical, jazz, pop, rock, and world music genres, including the Beatles, John Coltrane, Philip Glass, and his daughters, Norah Jones and Anoushka Shankar. In 1971, he helped pave the way for charity concerts, alongside George Harrison, organizing the Concert for Bangladesh, to help Bangladesh refugees. Just last week, I had the honor to inform him that he would receive a 2013 Lifetime Achievement this February. He was deeply touched and so pleased, that he extended a gracious and personal invitation to visit with him at his home. We have lost an innovative and exceptional talent and a true ambassador of international music. Our thoughts and sincerest condolences go out to his family, friends and all of those around the world who were inspired by his music and compassionate philanthropy.
Neil Portnow
President/CEO
The Recording Academy
Jack Reacher: Coming Soon!
Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions Present
A Tom Cruise Production
“Jack Reacher”
Cast: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins, Werner Herzog, David Oyelowo and Robert Duvall
Synopsis: From The New York Times bestselling author Lee Child comes one of the most compelling heroes to step from novel to screen – ex-military investigator Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise).
75 Original Songs Tune Up For 2012 Oscar®
Seventy-five songs from eligible feature-length motion pictures released in 2012 are in contention for nominations in the Original Song category for the 85th Academy Awards®, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today.
The original songs, along with the motion picture in which each song is featured, are listed below in alphabetical order by film and song title:
“CMA Country Christmas” Celebrates the Holiday Season on ABC-TV
For Robert Deaton, Executive Producer of “The CMA Awards” and “CMA Country Christmas,” there’s a world of difference between the two ABC-TV specials. It ultimately comes down to one word.
“Tension,” he specified. “There’s a lot of tension in the room for the Awards show because there’s so much riding on who’s going to win and it’s a live broadcast. The Christmas show is very different. It’s warm and open. People are there to have a good time. “
104 Original Scores in 2012 Oscar® Race
One hundred four scores from eligible feature-length motion pictures released in 2012 are in contention for nominations in the Original Score category for the 85th Academy Awards®, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today.
The eligible scores along with their composers are listed below in alphabetical order by film title:
Comedian G Reilly Joins Gabriel Iglesias: Stand-up Revolution Tour
Gabriel Iglesias Adds the Veteran Comedian to His “Fluffy” and Friends Line-up
Clemmons, NC (10 Dec 2012) – Veteran comedian G Reilly, known for his quick wit and intelligence, was travelling with Gabriel Iglesias upon receiving the news that he’d been added as a full-time member of the Stand-up Revolution Tour. Reilly will participate in the tour through June 2013.
“Whitney: Tribute to an Icon” Book Signing With Patricia Houston
Saturday, December 8th (11a – until) at Celebrity Consignment Boutique in Shelby, NC Patricia Houston, friend, manager and sister-in-law of ‘The Voice’ Whitney Houston, will be signing the new “Whitney: Tribute to an Icon” book.
You can purchase this fabulous book for $39.99 … CDs will also be available for only $15.00
Description:
Whitney Houston’s extraordinary voice made her a star. Her beauty, style, and spirit made her an icon.
In this magnificent collection, more than twenty of the world’s top photographers have joined together to celebrate the brilliant woman they were privileged to capture through their camera lenses. These photographs are a testament to Whitney’s dazzling physical presence, but they also remind us that she was a multidimensional woman: powerful, vulnerable, commanding, enchanting, thoughtful, bewitching . . . and absolutely unforgettable— a singer whose smile was as bright and true as her voice.
The Recording Academy Statement on: Jules Chaikin
“An accomplished trumpeter, music contractor and contributor to film scores, Jules Chaikin was a highly talented musician with a career that spanned several decades. Chaikin worked with such artists as the Carpenters, Chicago, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Kenny Rogers, Nina Simone, and Johnny Mathis, and he contributed to such films as The Rose, A Star Is Born, Ghostbusters, and Star Wars. We were fortunate to have him as part of our GRAMMY family not only as a past elected leader but as a music conductor on the telecast for more than 20 years. We have lost a gifted musician and a giving individual, and our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends and all those who were fortunate to work with him.”
Neil Portnow
President/CEO
The Recording Academy
