COUNTING DOWN TO THE 56th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS®
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
It is once again time to begin counting down to the GRAMMY AWARDS®. Talented artists with sweet-sounding music and tunes that stick in our heads all day long have so much to offer the culturally inclined world that they impress each and every day.
On September 26, 2013, the fourth annual GRAMMY Foundation®and MusiCares® Teens Make Music Contest was announced by The Partnership at Drugfree.org. This is a contest for youngsters between the ages of 14 and 18, asking them to create an original song and /or music video that explores, encourages and celebrates a healthy lifestyle or accurately depicts a story about drug abuse.
“We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares as part of this unique opportunity for youth to express their creativity,” said Steve Pasierb, president of The Partnership at Drugfree.org. “The contest was originally launched by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and today we continue to recognize talented individuals while helping transform public perceptions of stigma and misunderstandings about addiction into powerful messages of hope, help and recovery.”
“We’ve been a proud participant in this contest for the past four years,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the GRAMMY Foundation, MusiCares and The Recording Academy. “This alliance between the GRAMMY Foundation, MusiCares and The Partnership at Drugfree.org provides a valuable opportunity for teens to tell their stories about the ravages of substance abuse, and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.”
The first-place winner will receive a $500 cash award and two tickets to the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards® at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014. The second-place winner will receive $250; and the third-place winner will receive $100 courtesy of the Visions Adolescent Treatment Center in Malibu, Calif. All winners will be invited to attend the GRAMMY Awards Backstage Experience, a special backstage tour that takes place while artists rehearse for the live GRAMMY Awards. They will also join a guided tour of The Village Recording Studio, and have their musical entries posted on www.grammyfoundation.org, www.musicares.org and the Vans Warped Tour website. In addition, prizes include iPads with the GarageBand app and an opportunity to release a record with Clarity Way, a drug and alcohol rehab facility in Hanover, Pa. A certificate from the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares will be given to all winners acknowledging their role in the dissemination of health information about substance abuse. The Partnership at Drugfree.org will provide technical expertise in the judging process, with points given for an accurate depiction of the subject matter.
The 14th Annual Latin Grammy Awards are also coming up next month on November 21, 2013 at Las Vegas Mandalay Bay Events Center. It will air live on the Univision Network from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. Some of the biggest and brightest Latin Recording sensations will be recognized for their contribution to the music world. The Latin Recording Academy dedicates itself to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. They are also heavily involved in providing educational and outreach programs for the Latin musical community.
We are all looking forward to the grand finale for 2013. This is the evening of festivities that will announce the nominees for the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards. It has become a tradition that gives us a glimpse into all those nominated for the coveted award. “THE GRAMMY® NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE!! —
COUNTDOWN TO MUSIC’S BIGGEST NIGHT®” promises to be very entertaining with LL Cool J. once again returning to the stage to host the energetic evening. It all takes place at the Los Angeles Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Friday, December 6, 2013 broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 10 pm. to 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. Additional perfumers and presenters are still to be announced.
We do know that it has been confirmed that GRAMMY winner, Drake, along with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Robin Thicke and four-time GRAMMY winner, Keith Urban, will all take to the stage. Immediately following the event, Robin Thicke will treat his fans to an exclusive concert.
Tickets for the one-hour event went on sale October 17, 2013. You can order online at www.axs.com or via AXS charge-by-phone lines at 888.9.AXS.TIX (888-929-7849).
“THE GRAMMY® NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE!! — COUNTDOWN TO MUSIC’S BIGGEST NIGHT®” has not only attracted a large viewing audience in the past years but it has also boosted ratings for the actual GRAMMY Awards. The award ceremony will be telecast live again on January 26, 2014. Over 28.37 million viewers tuned in to the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards, setting a record. Twitter and Facebook are the gateway social media platforms for spreading the word.
The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like “The GRAMMYs” on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs’ social communities on Foursquare, GetGlue, Google +, Instagram,Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.
PHOTO CREDITS: GRAMMY.com
