Pandora goes to the Grammys
Pandora, Pepsi and The Recording Academy® Provide Music Fans with Inside Look at Best New Artist GRAMMY® Nominees, via Video Series and Genre Stations
Pandora, PepsiCo Inc. and The Recording Academy announced an original content video series showcasing the 54th GRAMMY Best New Artist nominees.
The video series can be found at www.pandora.com/pepsigrammyvideoand the GRAMMY genre stations are accessible at http://pandora.com/genres/grammys.
The Best New Artist video series includes exclusive interviews with the Band Perry, Bon Iver, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, and Skrillex. During the interviews, the artists discuss the evolution of their careers, share their excitement surrounding their Best New Artist nomination and describe their anticipation for the awards show.
“To commemorate the excitement for Music’s Biggest Night with the launch of a dozen GRAMMY genre stations and the first-ever Best New Artist video series is exciting,” said Evan Greene, Chief Marketing Officer, The Recording Academy. “We were pleased to extend this innovative program to Pandora users through our partnership with Pepsi.”
The partnership also offers music fans a GRAMMY mixtape, which can be found at www.pandora.com/pepsigrammymusicand includes songs from nominees and newcomers in various 54th GRAMMY Awards categories.
Pandora GRAMMY genre stations (see below) have been created in conjunction with the series, designed to help music fans celebrate and capture the excitement around the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards.
The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held Sunday, Feb. 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).
The GRAMMY genre stations are based on official GRAMMY categories, ranging from country to comedy, and spotlight current and past GRAMMY-nominated artists. The new GRAMMY genre stations include:
GRAMMY(®) Country: featuring artists such as Lady Antebellum, Toby
Keith, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood.
GRAMMY(®) Pop and Dance: featuring artists such as Adele, Black Eyed
Peas, Coldplay, and Maroon 5.
GRAMMY(®) Rock and Alternative: featuring artists such as the Black
Keys, Paul McCartney, Mumford & Sons, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
GRAMMY(®) Rap: featuring artists such as Drake, Nicki Minaj, Kanye
West, and 50 Cent.
GRAMMY(®) R&B: featuring artists such as Beyonce, Chris Brown, Jennifer
Hudson, and John Legend.
GRAMMY(®) Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music: featuring artists
such as Kirk Franklin, Brandon Heath, Mary Mary, and Matthew West.
GRAMMY(®) Latin: featuring artists such as Calle 13, Intocable, Los
Tigres Del Norte, and Wisin Y Yandel.
GRAMMY(®) Jazz: featuring artists such as Karrin Allyson, Herbie
Hancock, Sonny Rollins, and Yellowjackets.
GRAMMY(®) World and Reggae: featuring artists such as Gilberto Gil,
Femi Kuti, Ziggy Marley, and Shaggy.
GRAMMY(®) American Roots Music: featuring artists such as the Civil
Wars, Emmylou Harris, Keb’ Mo’, and Ricky Skaggs.
GRAMMY(®) Classical: featuring artists such as those from the London
Philharmonic Orchestra and Metropolitan Opera, Paul Ruders, and Yo-Yo
Ma.
GRAMMY(®) Comedy: featuring artists such as Lewis Black, Louis C.K.,
Flight Of The Conchords, and “Weird Al” Yankovic.
Don Cornelius Dead at 75
Don Cornelius, creator of the hit show “Soul Train,” was found dead at his Sherman Oaks home this morning.
According to a source at the LAPD, the 75 year old Cornelius was found at 4 a.m. at his home on Mulholland Drive with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It appears there was no sign of foul play, but the LAPD is still investigating the case.
Cornelius is best known as the host and creator of the music franchise “Soul Train,” which was the first show created for soul music.
Soul Train is credited for bringing soul acts to a much larger audience. The show premiered on WCIU-TV on August 17, 1970, as a live show airing weekday afternoons. The first episode of the program featured Jerry Butler, the Chi-Lites, and the Emotions.
Through the years Soul Train brought acts like Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin to the small screen.
Soul Train continues to hold the title for the longest, continuously running first-run syndicated program in television history. Entertainment tonight could take that title away, but not until 2016.
Cornelius hosted the show from 1971 until 1993 when he removed himself as host, but continued to be the creative force behind the scenes.
Cornelius recently (2009) went through a difficult divorce while struggling with “significant health issues.”
The only way to end a report like this is the same way Cornelius ended all his shows . . .
“I’m Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!”
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Getting Righteous at Thunder Valley Casino
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and legendary Righteous Brother Bill Medley brought a crew of extremely talented individuals to Thunder Valley Casino Resort Friday, including daughter McKenna.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Righteous Brothers. The second half of the duo, Bobby Hatfield, died of a heart attack back in 2003; Medley now tours with 3 Bottle Band and McKenna.
Kicking off the show was a video showing Medley as he made appearances in various shows throughout his career, including the David Letterman Show and the hit TV series, Cheers. As the video ended, Medley started to sing “A Song for You” while he was still offstage. After about a minute he started to make his way to the stage, providing for a nice dramatic entrance.
The 71 year old Medley’s voice has taken a beating over the years. While sounding coarser and a bit rough at times, he was able to make it work. The audience was enthralled with Medley from the start as he continued with ”Ready, Willing and Able” and “Soul and Inspiration.” In between songs he would talk about life and joke with the crowd.
For his hit song, “Time of My Life,” from the movie Dirty Dancing, Medley brought out Mckenna to perform Jennifer Warnes’ part. McKenna did an awesome job and has a very melodic voice with a bit of a country/blues flavor.
McKenna went on to perform solo, singing “Silk Flowers” and “Give Me One Reason.”
- McKenna and Bill Medley – Click for more images
When McKenna completed her set, Medley sat down at the keyboards and called on band member Bob Gulley to sing some songs with him and McKenna. This is where Medley shined, providing the audience a glimpse of what it’s like to jam with the best.
3 Bottle Band has been playing together with Medley for over 35 years, and it shows. This is a very talented group of musicians including Gabe Rabben (drums), Bob Gulley (bass), Tim Lee (keyboards), and Larry Hanson (lead guitar). Also a member of the band is America’s Got Talent winner Michael Grimm. However, Grimm was not present at Fridays show.
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