While the Tony judges are required to see the nominated shows, the same cannot be enforced of the Grammy committee. Correct, however Grammy voters are given unlimited access for 90 days to an online service and we can download as much of the nominated music as we care to listen to. It's actually a nice perk -- because I'd NEVER buy most of the crap that's nomintaed in some categories. But it's interesting to hear what people seem to like.
It's also interesting to know that many people only know an artist's "single" or radio version -- which oftentimes is a re-mixed, re-arranged, new performance, with a hired-gun producer, that has NOTHING in common with the album version of said recording.
The Grammys will never recognize the kind of Broadway that some of you like... yes, it is political, but then again, if it were truly about sales or even record company juice, U2 would not have won. The voters are still the people who make records (unlike the Tony voters, who are primarily producers and related business people). The Recording Academy is comprised of the people who actually make the records. Can't say that for the Tony voters.
How do I qualify to become a Voting member?
You need to have creative or technical credit on a minimum of six tracks (or their equivalent) in at least one voting discipline and the album must have been commercially released in the United States. Qualifying tracks can be on one album or a combination of albums. In the music video and craft categories you must have at least six commercial or promotional videos/albums released in the United States.
Who does not qualify as a Voting member?
Applicants who are credited as Executive Producer, Assistant Producer, A&R, and Production Coordinators are examples of non-voting categories. If you think you might not qualify, call Member Services at 310.392.3777 or your local chapter to discuss your questions. To learn more about the Grammy voters and the process, read about it at
http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Voting/ One final thought -- record companies are not allowed to pay the membership fees - and ballots can only be sent to the voter's home address. To say that the labels conspire to vote a block for their artist is BS. However, if I'm in a tossup and I can choose between an artists on an affiliated label vs. non-affiliated, I will keep it in the family. That's human nature (protect your friends).
Wouldn't it be interesting if ACTORS and MUSICIANS and CREW were afforded the opportunity to vote for Tony awards?
Updated On: 2/9/06 at 10:39 AM
