What are the Grammy's? Do you really know how songs and artists are nominated? Well take some time out and learn about The Grammy's.
The NARAS was established in 1957, with more than 14,000 members to date of musicians, producers and a wide variety of recording professionals. This prestigious group of professionals represents property rights, home taping and record piracy.
Have you ever wondered who are the voters? Well they consist of professionals that have creative and or technical credits on at least six commercially released recordings. Some of the categories for voting can range from vocalists, producers, songwriters, composers, engineers, instrumentalists, arrangers, conductors, art directors, album notes writers, narrators, music video artists and of course technicians. In addition if you have less than six credits and if you are a writer, publisher, attorney, label staff or artist manager who is directly involved, you have the opportunity to vote.
The Grammy which is awarded once a year is awarded to artists and technical professionals. These awards are NOT sales or charts positions, but are awarded by and to artists by their peers.
How are the votes tablulated?
Before the voting begins, a group of experts in a variety of fields make sure the nominations are placed in the right category. These categories can be R&B, Rock, Gospel, Rap, Latin etc. The voting process starts with members and record companies who submit their ballots which are then checked for eligibility and placed in their individual categories. Before voting begins all members are asked to vote only in the fields that they are experts in, and not to vote in more than 9 of the 22 categories. After this is completed, they have to be processed and for five final catetories and the final voting determines the Grammy winners. After this selection has been made, the votes are sent to an independent accounting firm such as Deloitte & Touche LLP.
After the first round of voting is completed, the voting members are sent the list of finalists and a second round of voting begins. At this point a special committee is set up to vote also, and members are suggested not to vote in more than 8 of the 27 categories.
The Winner Is!
After the final voting is tabulated they are only announced at the Grammy Award which is televised to an international audience of over 1.5 billion in 170 countries.
