Comments on: Greetings from the Grammys

By: Kevin B

Kevin B — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:11:20 +0000

It is very sad that the people now responsible for promoting and selling music to the general public have no belief in the power of music. To me, the music itself is so much more important than any “show” that accompanies it. In fact, I think too much action going on during a performance takes away drastically from the music. While I don’t think people like myself are in the majority, there is definitely still a huge group of people that believe in the power of music. Let’s take a look at The Swell Season. They play a lot of songs on their tours without any sound reinforcement. Basically, it’s them up their strumming their instruments and singing very loud. The energy circulating through the crowd at those shows is incredible.

I’ve never been a big fan of the Grammys myself. It is actually kind of sickening when you think about how much money is spent on them. To me, success doesn’t mean that you’ve won a grammy. Success means so many different things to so many different people. In music, where is the line you cross when you know you’ve “made it”? There are so many incredible artists out there that aren’t being recognized.

By: Jeff Shattuck

Jeff Shattuck — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:14:30 +0000

As always, a post rich with insight. One thing I would challenge, though, is that music has become a spectacle. For me, a Kiss fan, rock has always been about the total performance, from music to moves. Sure, what goes on at the Grammy’s is over-the-top, but rock is over the top. I mean, the punk/Dead thing of just getting out there and playing is cool, but I’ll take the Stones emerging from a flower any day of the week.

Jeff

By: Quincy

Quincy — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:18:10 +0000

It is a shame that the Grammy’s are financed in a way that emphasizes spectacle over musicianship…especially as the Grammy’s are supposed to be a ‘by musicians, for musicians’ award ceremony. Didn’t you mention in your book that many of the nominees in the Grammy’s have to take steps to become nominated vs nomination on musical merit alone? From an outsider looking in, it seems like the Grammy awards are a little shallow given what you said about the exposure not always being worth the cost of the elaborate circus acts.

I’ve just about finished your book and I’m looking forward to flipping it over and reading through it again. There’s so much to absorb between the lines. I hope to go through it a couple more times before starting Music Pub 101 next semester. I already have a list of questions…look out!

By: Moe

Moe — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:05:52 +0000

GREAT GREAT post, Eric!

I was waiting to read your blog after the Grammys. I watched the whole thing on TV (here it ended about 2:30 in the morning) and I thought the same as you did about all the fireworks. Sure, they were awesome. But you made a great point with the money spent versus money made from the event, about the education – being an educator yourself, you know well how all that money would benefit music education all over the world.

Your comments on the pre-telecast moments reminded me of the creation of the terminology “JAM”, when the musicians would gather after midnight to play some crazy jazz for themselves…it was all about the music, you know. All about real people who work their @$$&$ off to get things done and have some fun and feel good about their art.

That’s what it should all be about. People feeling good about something good. Fireworks are surely good…but not to musical on the ears.

best regards!!!