Coalition announces boycott of CBS over Grammys (AP)

NEW YORK – A coalition of musicians that has protested the Recording Academy's decision to drop 31 categories from the Grammy Awards is stepping up the pressure, calling for a boycott of the Grammys' telecast partner, CBS, and hiring a lawyer to explore legal action.

"We will ask people to stop watching CBS, boycott their sponsors and then write them," said Bobby Sanabria, a Grammy-nominated Latin jazz musician and the leader of the coalition, in an interview Wednesday night. "We're at a critical juncture."

The changes have drawn complaints from the likes of Herbie Hancock, Paul Simon and Bill Cosby. They also have gotten attention from organizations like the National Institute of Latino Policy, which issued a statement Thursday in support of Sanabria's coalition.

Sanabria has claimed the reductions unfairly target ethnic music and called the Academy's decision racist.

In response, the Recording Academy said Thursday evening that while it respected the coalition's right to disagree, it rejected its allegations.

"The Recording Academy's board of trustees and its committees — made up of elected, qualified voting members from The Academy's 12 chapter cities around the country and a broad spectrum of music makers — spent two years researching and ultimately making the decision to restructure the Grammy Awards categories for reasons that had everything to do with recognizing excellence in music and the integrity of our awards and nothing to do with ethnicity or race," said a statement from the organization.

CBS is scheduled to broadcast the Grammys next February from Los Angeles. The network declined to comment, a representative said Thursday.

In a move that came as a surprise to some, the Academy announced in April that it was reducing the number of award categories from 109 to 78. While the changes involve mainstream categories such as eliminating the male and female divisions in the pop vocal category to one general field, the Academy also reduced specific categories, including some of the instrumental categories in pop, rock and country; traditional gospel; children's spoken-word album; Zydeco or Cajun music album; best Latin jazz album; and best classical crossover album. Artists in those categories will now have to compete in more general fields, making the process more competitive.

Sanabria said the Academy made the changes without the knowledge of its members and has not released minutes from its meetings regarding the changes.

However, Grammy President and CEO Neil Portnow has said the changes were properly implemented after an examination by a committee, then voted on by a board that represented its members.

The statement Thursday reiterated his contention.

"We were up front, transparent, and painstakingly clear about how and why the awards restructuring was done, and any allegations that the process was carried out in secret or without warning are demonstrably false," it said.

Sanabria said the Academy can still reverse the cuts if enough members of its board of trustees decide to act. But in meetings in San Francisco and New York earlier this month, he said the Academy said the changes would remain in effect at least for the 2012 Grammys.

"They say, `Well, next year, we'll see how it goes and maybe possibly we can readmit some of the categories,'" Sanabria said. "Again, they obfuscated us, insulted us."

Attorney Roger Maldonado has been hired by Sanabria, but no action has yet been taken. The Academy said it would not comment on a hypothetical lawsuit and said there "is no basis for any kind of legitimate legal claim."

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Online:

http://www.grammy.com

http://www.grammywatch.org

___

Nekesa Mumbi Moody is the music editor for The Associated Press. Follow her on http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi

Yahoo! News

Coalition announces boycott of CBS over Grammys (AP)

NEW YORK – A coalition of musicians that has protested the Recording Academy's decision to drop 31 categories from the Grammy Awards is stepping up the pressure, calling for a boycott of the Grammys' telecast partner, CBS, and hiring a lawyer to explore legal action.

"We will ask people to stop watching CBS, boycott their sponsors and then write them," said Bobby Sanabria, a Grammy-nominated Latin jazz musician and the leader of the coalition, in an interview Wednesday night. "We're at a critical juncture."

The group planned a press conference on Thursday to speak about the boycott. A representative for the Academy didn't return requests for comment.

CBS is scheduled to broadcast the Grammys next February from Los Angeles.

In a surprise move, the Academy announced in April that it was reducing the number of award categories from 109 to 78. While the changes involve mainstream categories such as eliminating the male and female divisions in the pop vocal category to one general field, the Academy also reduced specific categories, including some of the instrumental categories in pop, rock and country; traditional gospel; children's spoken-word album; Zydeco or Cajun music album; best Latin jazz album; and best classical crossover album. Artists in those categories will now have to compete in more general fields, making the process more competitive.

Sanabria has claimed the reductions unfairly target ethnic music and called the Academy's decision racist.

He has also said the Academy made the changes without the knowledge of its members. However, Grammy President and CEO Neil Portnow has said the changes were properly implemented after an examination by a committee, then voted on by a board that represented its members.

Sanabria said the Academy hasn't released minutes from its meetings regarding the changes.

He said the Academy can still reverse the cuts if enough members of its board of trustees decide to act. But in meetings in San Francisco and New York earlier this month, he said the Academy said the changes would remain in effect at least for the 2012 Grammys.

"They say, `Well, next year, we'll see how it goes and maybe possibly we can readmit some of the categories,'" he said. "Again, they obfuscated us, insulted us."

Attorney Roger Maldonado has been hired by Sanabria to explore legal action.

___

Online:

http://www.grammy.com

http://www.grammywatch.org

___

Nekesa Mumbi Moody is the music editor for The Associated Press. Follow her on http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi

Yahoo! News

Coalition battles Grammys over category cuts (AP)

NEW YORK – A coalition of musicians is demanding the Recording Academy restore more than 30 categories cut from the Grammy Awards, alleging the reductions unfairly target ethnic music and were done without the input of its thousands of members.

A protest was held Thursday in Beverly Hills, Calif., at an academy board meeting. A modest turnout of musicians hoisted signs above their heads with such slogans as "Grammys Honor All Music" and "It's Not Just About Rap, Rock or Country." Some Latin jazz protesters brought instruments and turned the rally into a spontaneous jam session.

It was part of a campaign by those upset by last month's decision to reduce the Grammy fields, which this year totaled 109, to 78.

"Reinstate the categories," singer-songwriter Pepper Mashay told KABC-TV. "Reinstate all of them. Let the chips fall where they may on the talent."

In a letter delivered to the Recording Academy Thursday afternoon, musicians ranging from Carlos Santana to Paul Simon and Herbie Hancock demanded the reinstatement of the categories. "We will not be disenfranchised," the letter warned.

Grammy President and CEO Neil Portnow said changes would be in effect for the 2012 Grammys. He urged dissenters to work with the academy, which would examine the effect of the changes for the 2013 awards.

But protesters hope the process could be reversed in time for next year's Grammy ceremony if at least one board member asks the academy to reconsider.

"Hopefully during that time, someone will rise and be brave enough and do this," Bobby Sanabria, a four-time Grammy nominee in the Latin jazz category and a leader of the movement against the changes, said in an interview Wednesday.

"He's being arrogant in saying that it's written in stone when we have a chance to get these categories reinstated," said Sanabria of Portnow. He has called for the resignation of Portnow and the board of trustees.

The academy announced the changes April 6; the move came after a more than yearlong examination of the awards structure, the first in the Grammys' 50-plus year history. Portnow said at the time that the changes would make the Grammys more competitive, and the awards more coveted.

But the move upset many academy members, who were taken off guard by the announcement.

Simon wrote an individual letter to Portnow asking him to reconsider, writing, in part: "I believe the Grammys have done a disservice to many talented musicians by combining previously distinct and separate types of music into a catch-all of blurry larger categories. ... They deserve the separate Grammy acknowledgements that they've been afforded until this change eliminated them."

Santana and his musician wife, Cindy Blackman Santana, wrote their own letter to the academy, saying: "To remove Latin Jazz and many other ethnic categories is doing a huge disservice to the brilliant musicians who keep the music vibrant for their fans — new and old. ... We strongly protest this decision and we ask you to represent all of the colors of the rainbow when it comes to music and give ethnic music a place in the heart of music lovers everywhere."

Sanabria, who is working with musicians including Eddie Palmieri and Arturo O'Farrill, said ethnic music was unfairly targeted, and called it a "subtle form of racism."

"The effect will be that the music will be very, very homogenous, it's already starting to sound like that already," he said. "Society as we know it now is very multicultural and very diverse, and the Grammys always reflected that."

Portnow, in an interview this week, said he understands the frustration of those affected. However, he denied many of Sanabria's contentions, including the idea that non-mainstream categories bore the brunt of the reductions.

"In this year's awards, in the 53rd (annual ceremony), there were 34 mainstream categories. Next year, with the changed revision, there will be 20 mainstream categories. That's a significant reduction in mainstream areas. In non-mainstream categories ... there were 71. In the upcoming 54th awards, there will be 54," he said, saying that percentage-wise, mainstream categories were more effected.

"Not only non-mainstream categories were affected here," he said. "The facts here don't play that out."

Portnow also took issue with Sanabria's assertion that the changes were conducted arbitrarily and in secret, saying the changes were implemented by representatives of the members.

"This is a committee that is made up of members of the academy who include musicians and producers, engineers and experts in the various fields," he said. "There was well over a year and a half discussion within that group, in that committee. They recommended the overall changes to the process to the board of trustees, which was discussed thoroughly."

Portnow said the changes were already adopted and unless "the board choses to act in a fashion not consistent with its rules and regulations, (these concerns) will be dealt with in the next cycle."

He also criticized Sanabria for making what he termed personal attacks against him and other board members.

"It is not rational nor is it logical to have a discussion to ask people to resign," he said. "I don't think it endears their cause to board members either."

After the academy announced the changes, meetings were held in chapter cities across the country to reach out to members. Portnow said he's willing to meet with members of Sanabria's coalition.

"They've done a great job in mobilizing the community to do something. If the community has been mobilized, let's take it to the next step ... a positive direction," he said.

Said Sanabria: "You don't stick a sword in somebody's back and then when they're bleeding say, let's come together."

"He disrespects us," he said. "He's so out of touch with everything."

The Recording Academy's board meeting ends Friday. If it concludes with the changes still in place, Sanabria is vowing boycotts of the Grammys, broadcast partner CBS and sponsors of the show. He said he will also urge people to resign from the academy.

"We have to fight this. This is not just a music issue. This is a cultural diversity issue," he said.

___

Online:

http://www.grammys.com

http://www.grammywatch.org

___

Nekesa Mumbi Moody can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi

___

AP entertainment writer Derrik Lang contributed to this report from Los Angeles.

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This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Coalition battles Grammys over category cuts (AP)

NEW YORK – A coalition of musicians is demanding the Recording Academy restore more than 30 categories cut from the Grammy Awards, alleging the reductions unfairly target ethnic music and were done without the input of its thousands of members.

A protest was planned Thursday in Beverly Hills, California, at an academy board meeting. It is part of a campaign by those upset by last month's decision to reduce the Grammy fields, which this year totaled 109, to 78.

Grammy President and CEO Neil Portnow said changes would be in effect for the 2012 Grammys. He urged dissenters to work with the academy, which would examine the effect of the changes for the 2013 awards.

But protesters hope the process could be reversed in time for next year's Grammy ceremony if at least one board member asks the academy to reconsider.

"Hopefully during that time, someone will rise and be brave enough and do this," Bobby Sanabria, a four-time Grammy nominee in the Latin jazz category and a leader of the movement against the changes, said in an interview Wednesday.

"He's being arrogant in saying that it's written in stone when we have a chance to get these categories reinstated," said Sanabria of Portnow. He has called for the resignation of Portnow and the board of trustees.

The Academy announced the changes April 6; the move came after a more than yearlong examination of the awards structure, the first in the Grammys' 50-plus year history. Portnow said at the time that the changes would make the Grammys more competitive, and the awards more coveted.

But the move upset many Academy members, who were taken off guard by the announcement.

Paul Simon wrote a letter to Portnow asking him to reconsider, writing, in part: "I believe the Grammys have done a disservice to many talented musicians by combining previously distinct and separate types of music into a catch-all of blurry larger categories. ... They deserve the separate Grammy acknowledgements that they've been afforded until this change eliminated them."

Carlos Santana and his musician wife, Cindy Blackman Santana, wrote a letter of protest to the Academy, saying: "To remove Latin Jazz and many other ethnic categories is doing a huge disservice to the brilliant musicians who keep the music vibrant for their fans — new and old. ... We strongly protest this decision and we ask you to represent all of the colors of the rainbow when it comes to music and give ethnic music a place in the heart of music lovers everywhere."

Sanabria, who is working with musicians including Eddie Palmieri and Arturo O'Farrill, said ethnic music was unfairly targeted, and called it a "subtle form of racism."

"The effect will be that the music will be very, very homogenous, it's already starting to sound like that already," he said. "Society as we know it now is very multicultural and very diverse, and the Grammys always reflected that."

Portnow, in an interview this week, said he understands the frustration of those affected. However, he denied many of Sanabria's contentions, including the idea that non-mainstream categories bore the brunt of the reductions.

"In this year's awards, in the 53rd (annual ceremony), there were 34 mainstream categories. Next year, with the changed revision, there will be 20 mainstream categories. That's a significant reduction in mainstream areas. In non-mainstream categories ... there were 71. In the upcoming 54th awards, there will be 54," he said, saying that percentage-wise, mainstream categories were more effected.

"Not only non-mainstream categories were affected here," he said. "The facts here don't play that out."

Portnow also took issue with Sanabria's assertion that the changes were conducted arbitrarily and in secret, saying the changes were implemented by representatives of the members.

"This is a committee that is made up of members of the academy who include musicians and producers, engineers and experts in the various fields," he said. "There was well over a year and a half discussion within that group, in that committee. They recommended the overall changes to the process to the board of trustees, which was discussed thoroughly."

Portnow said the changes were already adopted and unless "the board choses to act in a fashion not consistent with its rules and regulations, (these concerns) will be dealt with in the next cycle."

He also criticized Sanabria for making what he termed personal attacks against him and other board members.

"It is not rational nor is it logical to have a discussion to ask people to resign," he said. "I don't think it endears their cause to board members either."

After the Academy announced the changes, meetings were held in chapter cities across the country to reach out to members. Portnow said he's willing to meet with members of Sanabria's coalition.

"They've done a great job in mobilizing the community to do something. If the community has been mobilized, let's take it to the next step ... a positive direction," he said.

Said Sanabria: "You don't stick a sword in somebody's back and then when they're bleeding say, let's come together."

"He disrespects us," he said. "He's so out of touch with everything."

The Recording Academy's board meeting ends Friday. If it concludes with the changes still in place, Sanabria is vowing boycotts of the Grammys, broadcast partner CBS and sponsors of the show. He said he will also urge people to resign from the academy.

"We have to fight this. This is not just a music issue. This is a cultural diversity issue," he said.

___

Online:

http://www.grammys.com

http://www.grammywatch.org

____

Nekesa Mumbi Moody can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi

Yahoo! News

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.