MORE THAN MUSIC

As I sit tonight watching the American Music Awards, I am inspired by how the music industry recognizes talent.  They recognize the hard work and effort that it takes to deliver the songs, create music videos, and execute national tours.  And the recognition is plentiful.  Here’s a small list of award shows:

BET Awards (Black Entertainment Television)

CMA (Country Music Awards)

MTV Music Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Billboard Music Awards

GMA (Gospel Music Award)

But ask any musician, and they’ll tell you that the highest recognition is the Grammy Award.  It’s like getting an Oscar as an actor.  So, new musicians watch the Grammy Awards year after year and they see this as the Mount Everest of recognition. But did you know how much they do for both current and aspiring artists?  Well, I’m going to show you how you can start interacting with the Grammys today! 

The GRAMMY organization has various divisions that impact the industry and the community.  First, The Recording Academy provides resources for music industry professionals.  You can vote and participate in the GRAMMY Awards process, address your rights as a musician, attend events, network, and have access to GRAMMY365.  They also advocate for the rights of music people, and provide outreach programs and student initiatives such as the GRAMMY U program.  Membership includes singers, songwriters, producers, managers and other professionals in the music industry.  But one of the best benefits is the ability to share your work and solicit advice from other music professionals.  Here is their mission statement:

As the preeminent membership organization for musicians, producers, engineers and other music professionals, our mission is to advance artistic and technical excellence, work to ensure a vital and free creative environment, and act as an advocate on behalf of music and its makers.

Another division is GRAMMY U.  This service helps college students intent on pursuing a music career.  They provide networking, educational programs and opportunities to perform.  It also provides access to industry professionals.  For high school students, there is the GRAMMY Foundation, which sponsors various GRAMMY Camp programs.  They also advocate for music education in school systems by providing awards and grants to public schools.    

And if that wasn’t enough, they have a philanthropic division called MusiCares, which provides assistance to music people who are in need.  This support includes medical, financial, and personal issues for those who are in or nearing a crisis situation.   

Having said all of this, I have an enormous amount of respect for this organization.  So, I just submitted my application for membership.  You should too!