Santa Monica, U.S.A. — The Recording Academy and Curalate have teamed for “Pin Your Way To The GRAMMYs,” — a first-of-its-kind social media promotion offering Pinterest members the opportunity to share exclusive GRAMMY images. For the first time, The Academy is partnering with Curalate, the premier marketing platform for visual sites such as Pinterest, for this unique experience, which will launch December 13 and run through January 16, 2013.

Fans of the GRAMMYs on Facebook can click the “Pin Your Way to the GRAMMYs” tab to enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win two tickets to the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards, which will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2013, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

With more than 13 million social media comments made during last year’s telecast, the GRAMMYs achieved the honor of having the biggest social media event in the history of television at the time. Now, the GRAMMYs will make history again by being the first awards event to leverage Pinterest to connect with fans.

“The GRAMMYs remains focused on connecting fans, not only with their favorite artists, but with each other,” said Evan Greene, Chief Marketing Officer of The Recording Academy. “The exclusive images on Pinterest will allow fans to show their love of music in a creative way.”

Apu Gupta, CEO of Curalate, said, “We are proud to power this unique promotion. Music has always been about emotions. Images are no different. Together, Curalate and The Recording Academy will make the GRAMMYs the first awards event to leverage Pinterest. In doing so, we will give fans new ways to express their love for music, the artists and the GRAMMYs.”

Images for the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards ad campaign, “#TheWorldIsListening,” debuted online on December 13. Exclusive photos will only be seen on the official GRAMMY Pinterest page.

For updates and breaking news, please visit www.grammy.com , and The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook

Image Courtesy : S_bukley / Shutterstock.com

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Santa Monica, U.S.A. — Four-time Grammy winner Yolanda Adams and 10-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans are the latest performers announced for ”We Will Always Love You: A Grammy Salute To Whitney Houston.”

They join previously announced performers, five-time Grammy winner Celine Dion , Grammy and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson and seven-time Grammy winner Usher, for the one-hour special that will celebrate Houston’s life and artistry through performances and interviews with various artists paying homage to the six-time Grammy winner, and will include Houston’s own most memorable performances of her career.

The show will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on November 16, 10 p.m. ET/PT, on the CBS Television Network and will tape on Oct. 11 at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE. For updates and breaking news, please visit www.grammy.com and The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys , www.facebook.com/thegrammys.

“We Will Always Love You” will include highlights of nearly all of Houston’s Grammy telecast performances, her classic performance of the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV in 1991, and her first-ever television appearance on “The Merv Griffin Show” in the early ’80s,  among other iconic performances and exclusive interviews. The special will also feature other artists sharing their memories of Houston, as well as additional highlights of her career.

The first-ever definitive single disc collection of Houston’s greatest hits, I Will Always Love You — The Best Of Whitney Houston, will be released on Nov. 13 and features 18 tracks, including two never-before-released songs. Additionally, an official Houston photo tribute book, Whitney: Tribute To An Icon, will be available for sale on November 27.

“Whitney! Celebrating The Musical Legacy Of Whitney Houston” is a current Grammy Museum exhibit that explores the extraordinary life and career of the six-time Grammy Award winner, and provides an in-depth look at all aspects of Houston’s creative life. Presented in conjunction with the Houston family, the collection features diverse artifacts as well as rare photographs and footage, and includes dozens of items from the private collection of the Houston family. “Whitney!” will be on display in the Grammy Museum’s Special Exhibits Gallery through February 2013.

Houston was one of the biggest pop stars — male or female — of all time, selling more than 170 million combined albums, songs and videos, and garnering six Grammys and two Emmys, as well as countless other awards and accolades. She graced the Grammy stage eight times over the years — one of a few artists who has had the distinction of performing the most times on the annual telecast. Most recently, she appeared as a presenter at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in 2009 (ultimately presenting Jennifer Hudson with her first Grammy for Best R&B Album).

“We Will Always Love You: A Grammy Salute To Whitney Houston” is produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures. Ken Ehrlich is the executive producer. Louis J. Horvitz is director. Clive Davis, Tom Corson, and Kevin Beisler are producers.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the Grammy Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs.

The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGrammys on Twitter, like “The Grammys” on Facebook, and join The Grammys’ social communities on YouTube, Tumblr, Foursquare, GetGlue, and Instagram.

Tickets to the general public for “We Will Always Love You: A Grammy Salute To Whitney Houston” are on sale now and available online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information on VIP packages and discounted group tickets visit www.aegtickets.com.

Image Courtesy of   Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

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Ontario, Canada – Grammy Award-Winner Keith Urban will get closer with fans when he performs live at Fallsview Casino’s Avalon theatre on August 27 & 28.

Garnering a reputation as one of music’s best live performers, Urban’s distinguished and innovative country-rock sound is sure to deliver a one-of-a-kind concert experience with favourites like “Sweet Thing”, “Days Go By”, “Without You” and “You’ll Think of Me”.

“It’s a thrill to have Keith, who is among the most celebrated country music artists, perform at the Avalon,” said Cathy Price, VP of Marketing at Fallsview Casino Resort. “The intimacy of our venue is a perfect fit for Keith’s shows because it allows him to connect with his audiences.”

Urban has been honoured with Grammy Awards, Country Music Association Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, a People’s Choice Award, American Music Award, Australia’s coveted Aria Award, and most recently he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

For the more classic rock-n’-roll fan, Fallsview’s August artist line-up is proud to bring back former Eagles guitarist Don Felder. For three nights he will perform famous hits like Hotel California and Tequila Sunrise. Don Felder – An Evening at Hotel California will perform August 2, 3 & 4.
The complete August 2012 performance schedule for Fallsview Casino Resort is as follows:

Don Felder – An Evening at the Hotel California
Thursday, August 2
Showtime: 8:30pm, doors open at 7:30pm
Friday, August 3
Saturday, August 4
Showtime: 9pm, doors open at 8pm
Tickets start at $25
Formerly of the Eagles and co-writer of the legendary hit, “Hotel California”, Don Felder takes the stage to perform such hits as: “Hotel California”, “Tequila Sunrise”, “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and “Witchy Woman”.

Ron James
Friday, August 10
Saturday, August 11
Showtime: 9pm, doors open at 8pm
Tickets start at $25
Canadian actor, comedian and host of The Ron James Show, Ron James brings his unique blend of wit, sarcasm, and distinct Maritime accent to the stage of Fallsview Casino Resort.

Keith Urban
Monday, August 27
Tuesday, August 28
Showtime: 8:30pm, doors open at 7:30pm
Tickets start at $150
Four-time Grammy Award winner, Keith Urban will ignite the stage in a high energy performance when he performs such hits as: “You’ll Think of Me”, “Days Go By”, “Without You”, “Sweet Thing” and “Long Hot Summer”.

Songwriter’s Night
Friday, August 31
Saturday, September 1
Showtime: 9pm, doors open at 8pm
Tickets start at $20

Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Reba, Vince Gill and so many more have all had hits written by five of Nashville’s most successful songwriters. Now experience Al Anderson, Bob DiPiero, Tim Nichols, Jeffrey Steele and Craig Wiseman live in an intimate setting, as they perform the hits they have written and tell you the stories that inspired each one.

Image Courtesy of   Keith Urban

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The Recording Academy, the organization internationally known for the Grammy Awards, will present its 2012 Grammys on the Hill Awards in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, April 25 at the Liaison Capitol Hill hotel.

Often referred to as Washington’s most interesting mix of music and politics, the event will honor U.S. Representative Howard Berman (D-Calif.) and seven-time Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/producer John Mayer for their commitment to improving the working environment for the nation’s music community.

The Grammys on the Hill events include an awards ceremony on April 25 and the music community’s only annual advocacy day on Capitol Hill on Thursday, April 26, at which hundreds of music professionals from across the country will visit with legislators to advance pro-music policies that improve the environment for music and its makers.

For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys. For updates on Advocacy, please follow @TRAinDC on Twitter.

“Advocating for the protection of music makers’ rights is an essential part of the work we do at The Academy, and Grammys on the Hill is an excellent opportunity to recognize leaders and influencers who work on this mission, while inviting our members to utilize their voice,” said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. “This year we are proud to honor Rep. Berman, who has a long history of working to support music creators, and John Mayer, who beyond being an enormous talent is also an active philanthropist in arts and education.”

Grammys on the Hill Awards: April 25, 6:30 – 10 p.m.

Taking place at the Liaison Capitol Hill hotel, the Grammys on The Hill Awards will include a cocktail reception preceding the awards ceremony with special guest presenters and performers to help recognize the achievements of Berman and Mayer as well as a Grammy Foundation Signature School that has demonstrated excellence in music education.

Grammys on the Hill Advocacy Day: April 26, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

This advocacy day for music makers features a morning briefing with keynote speeches by leading legislators and lobbying members of Congress on Capitol Hill with special guests.

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/csis_er/

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The CACCC is proud to announce that their largest fundraiser of the year, Gala 2012, will spotlight a performance by Grammy Award winning Rock and Roll group, The Doobie Brothers. Gala 2012, themed A Moment in Time, will be held at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on March 31, 2012.

With more than 50 million records sold, two Grammy awards, 13 Gold albums, The Doobie Brothers have established themselves as one of America’s most loved bands. They have achieved and sustained a phenomenal level of success, including 27 chart singles, 16 top 40 hits and the rare honor of The Diamond Award for 10 million units of a single title, “Best of Doobies Vol. 1.”

Over the years, The Doobie Brothers’ music has generated success in their diversity, evolving from country blues-based into a sound emphasizing both R&B and jazz elements. From guitar-fueled rockers like “Listen to the Music,” and “Long Train Running” to the folk chart topper “Black Water,” The Doobie Brothers have defied a single label.

The CACCC Vice President of Development, Melanie Carroll, says, “The success of this event is vital in being able to provide abused and neglected in Collin County with our services. That is why we have strived to make this year’s event better than ever before. Not only will the evening include a jaw-dropping performance by the Doobie Brothers, but it will also feature an exciting live and silent auction, and the raffle of a brand new 2012 Lexus. This is one event you won’t want to miss!”

Last year alone there were over 4,000 reports of child abuse made in Collin County, an alarming average of 10 reports daily. The CACCC CEO, Lynne McLean, states, “In these difficult economic times, children need our help more than ever.  It is this Gala that provides the funds that ensure that when children need us, we are there.”

Honorary Gala Chair, Marsha Sparks, says, “Early in its history, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County committed to serve 100% of all child abuse and neglect cases in Collin County, and so much remains to be done.  Abuse numbers continue to grow; the Center must have the resources to respond. As a primary source of revenue in a changing landscape of funding, the CACCC gala is more important than ever.  A phenomenal evening awaits….please join us.”

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Tony Bennett earned his 16th and 17th Grammys at the 2012 Grammy’s with wins in both categories he was nominated for : Best Traditional Pop Album for Duets II and Best Vocal Collaboration with Duo or Group for “Body and Soul,” his duet with the late Amy Winehouse. Amy Winehouse’s parents, Mitch and Janis, joined Bennett on stage to accept the Grammy Award on behalf of their daughter, who passed away last year and whose last recording was her duet with Tony.

Bennett is the only artist to have a 50 year span of Grammy wins, having garnered his first Grammy Award in 1962 for Record of the Year with his signature song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”  Bennett appeared on last night’s Grammy telecast with Carrie Underwood performing the song “It Had To Be You,” from the Duets II CD and the two were presenters for the Best New Artist Category.

Duets II also earned a third Grammy last night for Jorge Calandrelli in the Best Instrument Arrangement with Vocal category for his work on “Who Can I Turn To?,” Tony Bennett’s duet with Queen Latifah.

Bennett celebrates another 50 year milestone this year with the anniversary of the recording and release of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” and will be honored by the City by the Bay in a ceremony to be held at San Francisco’s City Hall on Valentine’s Day where it will be declared Tony Bennett Day.

Tony Bennett’s Duets II was released last fall in celebration of the singer’s 85th birthday and featured Tony performing his greatest hits with today’s biggest stars including Lady Gaga, Michael Buble, Aretha Franklin, Andrea Bocelli and Faith Hill. Bennett made music history when the CD debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts making him the oldest artist to ever achieve a #1 recording.

Image Courtesy of   s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

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The 54th edition of the Grammy Awards was permeated by a sense of respect and sadness, due to the sudden death of the 48-year-old singer Whitney Houston.

The announcement of Whitney Houston’s death was given by her publicist on February 11. The pop singer died in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. Although the cause of death is not yet totally clarified, sources tell TMZ that a lethal combination of prescription drugs and alcohol could have led Whitney Houston to death.

The Grammy Awards responded to the shock generated by the loss of the late Diva, with a tribute paid by soul singer Jennifer Hudson. The 30-year-old singer gave an emotional performance of Houston’s signature song ‘I Will Always Love You,’ leading single of ‘The Bodyguard’ movie’s soundtrack.

As usual in this event, the show paid respect to the musicians and music executives passed away during the past years; the remembrance started showing 27-year-old British singer Amy Winehouse, while her music played. It then went on showing pictures and playing music belonging to many of those who enriched the music scene, as Motown executive Esther Gordy Edwards, soul-music architect Nick Ashford and rapper Heavy D, just to cite few.

This commemoration ended with an extract of Whitney Houston’s performance at the Grammy Awards in 1986, after winning her first award for the song ‘Saving All My Love For You’. As the image of the beloved singer faded away, a spotlight discovered a graceful Hudson.

The artist delivered the first a cappella lines of ‘I Will Always Love You’; Hudson then carried on the performance in an extremely elegant and respectful way. In the virtuosity of Hudson’s voice, all the influence of the late Whitney Houston could be retrieved.

Although Jennifer Hudson showed to comfortably go through the song, a certain sense of emotion appeared clear in her eyes. The performance ended with the appearance of all the photos of the music artists and executives at the back of a humble Hudson, who was standing in front of the audience’s standing ovation, and who then turned around to send a kiss to the late music people who passed away during last year.

Due to the timing of Houston’s death, no long planning was possible for her tribute during the show; this might have been one of the things that contributed to make the tribute so special. There was nothing fancy or extreme, but just a very elegant, sweet, but at the meantime full of music talent, commemoration. It was something great, without the need of exaggeration. It was exactly as Whitney Houston was: talented, elegant and graceful.

Image Courtesy of  s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

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Cast members from The Beatles Love by Cirque du Soleil performed live at the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year gala at the Los Angeles Convention Center. All 60 dancers and acrobats from Love performed to a specially edited track by Producer Giles Martin, featuring songs from the two-time Grammy Award-winning Love album.

Iconic artist and philanthropist Paul McCartney was honored as the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year at this special event celebrating his exceptional artistic achievements as well as his philanthropic work. The sold-out tribute to McCartney benefits MusiCares’ emergency financial assistance and addiction recovery programs.

Proceeds from the annual Person of the Year tribute — now in its 22nd year — provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that members of the music community have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Additional performances included multi-Grammy winning artists and current Grammy nominees Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, and Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas; Grammy winning artist Duane Eddy; multi-Grammy winning artists Norah Jones, Alicia Keys and James Taylor; two-time Grammy winning artists Diana Krall and Neil Young with Crazy Horse; two-time Latin Grammy winning artist Sergio Mendes; and current Grammy nominee Katy Perry.

The evening also featured a special performance by 14-time Grammy winning artist and 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year Paul McCartney. Love, a Cirque du Soleil creation and co-production with Apple Corps Ltd., celebrates the musical legacy of The Beatles and is presented exclusively at The Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

This joint artistic venture marks the first time that The Beatles company, Apple Corps, has agreed to a major theatrical partnership. The project was born out of a personal friendship and mutual admiration between the late George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte.

Since its June 2006 premiere, Love has performed over 2,000 shows for more than 4.3 million people. Recently named “Best Show in Las Vegas” by USA Today, Love has been voted “Best Show in Las Vegas” by the Las Vegas Review-Journal for four consecutive years and continues to be a celebrity favorite.

In February 2011, The Beatles’ Grammy Award-winning Love album and ‘All Together Now’ documentary made their digital debuts, exclusively on iTunes.

Image Courtesy of Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com

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The Grammy Awards confirmed that 2011 truly was the year of Adele.  The 23 year-old singer was honored with 6 Grammy Awards, including “Record of the Year,” “Album of the Year” and “Song of the Year,” tying the record held by Beyoncé for most Grammy Awards won by a female artist in a single year.

This brings Adele’s career Grammy total to 8.  Viewers who tuned into the live ceremony, which took place from the Staples Center in Los Angeles earlier, witnessed Adele deliver a breathtaking rendition of “Rolling in the Deep,” her first public performance since she underwent vocal surgery in November.  Adele took home honors in the following categories:

Record of the Year (“Rolling in the Deep”)
Album of the Year (“21″)
Song of the Year (“Rolling in the Deep”)
Best Pop Solo Performance (“Someone Like You”)
Best Pop Vocal Album (“21″)
Best Short Form Music Video (“Rolling in the Deep”)

Adele’s sophomore album 21 was the biggest selling album of 2011 with over 18 million units sold worldwide.  Entertainment Weekly declared it “that rarest pop commodity: timeless,” and the Associated Press affirmed that Adele “created more than just an album with good songs: she’s crafted a masterpiece.”

In addition to being named Billboard’s “Artist of the Year,” Adele had the best-selling US single of the year, “Rolling in the Deep,” certified 6x Platinum, as well as the best-selling music DVD of the year, “Live at The Royal Albert Hall,” certified 7x Platinum. She has broken countless records – including becoming the first-ever artist to lead the Billboard 200 while concurrently having 3 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles from the same parent album (“Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You,” and “Set Fire to the Rain”).

21 has spent 19 nonconsecutive weeks, to date, at #1 on the Billboard Top 100, surpassing records held by Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Some Gave All” and 1998′s “Titanic” soundtrack.

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He’s never worn a baseball uniform, but for Brian Evans, it’s been a busy off-season for a guy who wrote a song about a baseball park. Add to it multiple Grammy winning mega-producer Narada Michael Walden’s touch, the famed producer of such superstars as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Elton John, and George Michael, and it’s a song being taken seriously.

Evans, originally from Haverhill, left Massachusetts at 16 and began an acting career on such shows as “Full House” and “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Focusing on a singing career, he’s been opening for the likes of Jay Leno, Joan Rivers, Social Distortion, David Spade, Roseanne Barr, and Mick Fleetwood. His shows with William Shatner have become legendary. His major label debut is currently being produced by Walden. The new CD will be distributed in 60 countries.

But it’s “At Fenway,” that is garnering the most attention. Debuting at #3 on Amazon.com, unprecedented given it was released during football season, the song has already received accolades from the Governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, and United States Senator John Kerry. The Baseball Hall of Fame is adding the song to its library.

“From talk shows who know the 100th anniversary is forthcoming, to T-shirt companies, to corporations who are lining up corporate events, we’ve never had so many requests for Brian Evans to perform than we have in the past couple of months. Numerous companies associated with The Boston Red Sox have been clamoring to get the guy who sings the song about Fenway to appear at their event or to figure out a way to incorporate the song into their own advertising campaigns,” says Mark Biltz, creative director for Brian Evans Music.

“We’ve received a lot of support,” he adds.Support is putting it lightly, as Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer and current post-show commentator Jim Rice is now starring in a TV commercial with Evans in a Best Buy commercial promoting the new CD single.

“It’s obviously our hope that the organization (Boston Red Sox) itself gets behind the song,” says Biltz. “That’s a decision that they will have to make. Our mission has been to promote Brian’s song about the most beautiful baseball park in the world, in our opinion,” says Biltz. “The fans obviously love the song, and that’s all we can ask for. Thousands of downloads are occurring every day of the song. The closer we get to the season, the more the song is selling.”

“Our goal is to do a series of commercials promoting the song throughout the entire season, with different Red Sox players co-starring with Brian,” says Biltz. “It’s been a lot of fun so far, and everyone has been very helpful in helping implement the song into Red Sox Nation. Every player we have approached has said yes to appearing in a spot with Brian after hearing the song. From Donald Trump to Bud Selig to Red Sox owner Larry Lucchino, we’ve received some very nice responses to the song.”

Evans appeared in January at the Jimmy Fund sponsored event, “New Stars For Young Stars,” signing more than 500 donated CD’s for fans.

Image Courtesy of   Christopher Penler / Shutterstock.com

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International Shoe charity Soles4Souls has announced a partnership with multi-platinum selling GRAMMY nominee Billy Gilman, with the goal of sponsoring 500,000 shoes for children and adults in need worldwide.

Gilman, who has sold more than 6 million albums worldwide and garnered awards and nods from the ACMs, CMAs, Billboard, and AMAs, has spent the past couple of years writing material for a new CD, working with some of Nashville’s top songwriters. He is currently in the studio recording, with anticipated new music from the artist expected in 2012.

Gilman has always been a voice for those less fortunate than himself.  After seeing a video clip of Soles4Souls’ Founder Wayne Elsey talking about the organization, Gilman was “really blown away at what they do for so many” and decided that he wanted to join Soles4Souls in their mission to help kids around the world in need of shoes.

“I am proud to be partnering with Soles4Souls and am excited about what’s to come in the very near future with our partnership,” added Gilman.

Formed as a relief effort following the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami, Soles4Souls has donated more than 16 million pairs of shoes across 129 countries.  The charity’s mission includes distributing shoes to the children and adults around the world who live in adverse poverty and have no access to appropriate footwear.

A pair of shoes can protect a child in developing nations from soil-based diseases like hookworm and keeps them in compliance with the uniform code at school.

“Billy is an extraordinary young man who has experienced more success in his teenage years than most artists only hope to experience in a lifetime,” said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls.  “We are beyond thrilled that he continues to use his voice and his platform as a way to help others.  He is a role model for so many and we are honored he has chosen to partner with our cause,” he said.

More details about the project and Billy’s involvement with the charity will be announced later in February.  Individuals can visit www.giveshoes.org to hear the latest news on the project.

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Two-time Grammy winner Kenny Loggins ; Grammy- nominated band OneRepublic fronted by lead singer Ryan Tedder, who is currently nominated for two Grammy Awards; and DJ Michelle Pesce are scheduled to perform at the 2012 Grammy Celebration — The Recording Academy’s official after-party.

Additionally, in the celebration’s MasterCard Jazz Lounge, the exclusive event will feature performances by members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Grammy Camp — Jazz Session with current Grammy nominee Arturo O’Farrill. Inspired by Rio’s Carnival, this year’s all-star gathering will be a euphoric event where guests will dance, sing, party and continue to celebrate Music’s Biggest Night. The night’s festivities will be catered and produced by Along Came Mary Productions.

One of the year’s most anticipated events attracting Grammy winners, nominees and celebrities, the 2012 Grammy Celebration will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Feb. 12 immediately following the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.

“We’re looking forward to continuing the celebration of Music’s Biggest Night by enjoying some amazing music and outstanding cuisine at our Grammy after-party,” said President/CEO of The Recording Academy Neil Port now. “This year’s festive Carnival will be a most fitting and exciting component of an extremely memorable evening.”

“I most commonly find inspiration in music and travel, and after experiencing the vibrant culture of Brazil earlier this year, the 2012 Grammy Celebration theme became glaringly clear,” said Branden Chapman, Executive in Charge of Production and Chief Business Development Officer for The Recording Academy.

“With the support of hundreds of event professionals, we will symbolically transport our 5,000-plus guests to Rio de Janeiro’s annual Carnival celebration complete with a life-sized samba float, Copacabana and Ipanema beach lounges and favela inspired scenes showcasing the 64 performers and dancers that will entertain the crowd throughout the evening.”

Once again, The  will partner with highly regarded event producers and renowned celebrity caterer Along Came Mary to co-produce and cater the post-telecast Grammy Celebration, overseeing all of the event entertainment, decor, menu, and other logistics.

Led by The Recording Academy, ACM and its design and lighting team will take the vast convention space, equaling the size of three football fields, and transform it into a festive Carnival theme with dancers, acrobats, aerialists, projections, elevated lounges, and floor-to-ceiling water walls.

The exquisite menu includes five buffet stations (Brazilian churrascaria, favelas fabulous, Copacabana nights, Latin flavors, and 42 degrees below) and seven different samba sweets (caramelized banana-chocolate bread pudding, spinning lady sundae bar, passion fruit creme tarts, palma saffron pears galette, Miami spice cheesecake, sugarcane wafers, and macadamia nut squares).

The menu was designed using locally grown meat, produce and cheese, when possible, and all seafood is sustainably produced. Leftover edible food from the Grammy Celebration is donated to local food banks, and all cooking oil used for the event will be recycled.

A mainstay in the entertainment industry, ACM has masterfully orchestrated many of Hollywood’s most distinguished events and has been named top caterer in the nation by numerous publications. The Recording Academy has hired ACM to co-produce the Grammy Celebration for 12 consecutive years.

Image Courtesy of   Dana Nalbandian / Shutterstock.com

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For the second consecutive year, natural cork will be in the spotlight at the GRAMMY Awards. Maintaining its commitment to sustainability, the 54th GRAMMY Awards will host two events featuring wines sealed exclusively with natural cork and will recycle the closures.  Natural cork is biodegradable, recyclable and sustainable, and its use encourages the stewardship of cork oak forests that offset carbon pollution.

The awards show will take place at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will air on CBS at 8/7 p.m. CT on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. The Recording Academy, internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards, continues its ongoing effort to reduce the environmental impact of its annual awards ceremony, telecast, and associated GRAMMY Week events.

Wines sealed with cork will be served at the MusiCares Person of The Year tribute dinner and concert honoring Paul McCartney two days prior to the awards ceremony and at the official GRAMMY Celebration® following the awards show.

The events will be equipped with recycling bins provided by ReCORK, a cork recycling organization that will collect the stoppers and provide them to SOLE, a company that manufactures shoes and sandals from recycled cork.

“We are honored that The Recording Academy has made natural cork a component of its sustainability program,” said Peter Weber, executive director of the Cork Quality Council.  “The Academy joins a growing list of organizations, including the Major League Baseball Association and the National Basketball Association, that has recognized the environmental benefits of natural cork.”

Natural cork is one of the world’s most sustainable products. Biodegradable and recyclable, its use provides an economic incentive to preserve vast cork oak forests in the Mediterranean Basin that trap greenhouse gases, prevent desertification and provide habitat for hundreds of plant and animal species. There is no shortage of cork, and cork oaks are not cut down to make cork.  A portion of their bark is removed every nine years during a 250-year lifespan.

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Current GRAMMY nominees Chris Brown ,deadmau5, Foo Fighters, David Guetta , and Lil Wayne will join for a special performance highlighting dance/electronica music for the first time ever on the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards (www.grammy.com ).

Music’s Biggest Night — hosted by two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J — takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thegrammys .

Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys , www.facebook.com/thegrammys .

The performance will take place in a special outdoor tent adjacent to STAPLES Center on the Nokia Plaza at L.A. LIVE. Consulting and participating on this special segment is renowned hospitality company The Light Group’s HAZE Nightclub at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Four-time GRAMMY winner Lil Wayne has five nominations: Best Rap Performance for “Look At Me Now” (with Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes); two nods in Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “I’m On One” (with DJ Khaled, Drake and Rick Ross) and “Motivation” (with Kelly Rowland); Best Rap Song for “Look At Me Now”; and Best Rap Album for Tha Carter IV .

deadmau5 has three nominations: Best Dance Recording for “Raise Your Weapon” (with Greta Svabo Bech), Best Dance/Electronica Album for 4X4=12, and Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical for Foo Fighters’ “Rope” (deadmau5 Mix). Two-time GRAMMY winner Guetta is up for two awards: Best Dance Recording for “Sunshine” (with Avicii), and Best Dance/Electronica Album for Nothing But The Beat.

Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards include Adele (in her first live performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall); Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson ; Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood ; Chris Brown ; Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton ; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt ; Bruno Mars ; PaulMcCartney; Nicki Minaj; Katy Perry ; Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band; and Taylor Swift.

Aldean, The Band Perry, deadmau5, Guetta, Minaj, and Shelton will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time. Previously announced presenters are Marc Anthony , Dierks Bentley , Jack Black ,Drake, Fergie, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert , Gwyneth Paltrow , Ryan Seacrest , Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, and Ringo Starr .

LL COOL J has hosted “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” since its inception in December 2008, and this is his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast.

Image Courtesy of  Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com

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Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks, who have not performed together live in more than two decades — will reunite on the GRAMMY stage and join with current GRAMMY nominees Foster The People and Maroon 5 for a special performance; and current nominees The Civil Wars, two-time GRAMMY winner Diana Krall , funk artist Maceo Parker , and six-time GRAMMY winner Joe Walshhave been added to the stellar lineup for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards ( www.grammy.com ).

Two-time GRAMMY winner Common, actor Taraji P. Henson, two-time GRAMMY winner Reba McEntire , and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Diana Ross will appear as presenters.

Music’s Biggest Night — hosted by two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J — takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thegrammys . Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys ,www.facebook.com/thegrammys .

The Civil Wars and Foster The People each have two nominations. The Civil Wars are up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Barton Hollow” and Best Folk Album for Barton Hollow . Foster The People have nods in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Pumped Up Kicks” and Best Alternative Music Album for Torches.

Three-time GRAMMY winners Maroon 5 are nominated in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Moves Like Jagger” (with Christina Aguilera).

Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards include Adele (in her first live performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall); Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson ; Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood ; Chris Brown ; Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton ; Coldplay and Rihanna; deadmau5; Foo Fighters; David Guetta ; Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt ; Lil Wayne ; Bruno Mars ; Paul McCartney ; Nicki Minaj; Katy Perry ; Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band; and Taylor Swift .

Aldean, The Band Perry, The Civil Wars, deadmau5, Foster The People, Guetta, Minaj, Parker and Shelton will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time.

Previously announced presenters are Marc Anthony , Dierks Bentley , Jack Black , Drake, Fergie,Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert , Gwyneth Paltrow , Ryan Seacrest , Ringo Starr , and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson. LL COOL J has hosted “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” since its inception in December 2008, and this is his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.

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Sirius XM Radio has announced that five-time Grammy-winning musician, actor, artist, activist and humanitarian Ziggy Marley will host a new monthly show, Ziggy Marley’s Legends of Reggae. The monthly show will launch on Sunday, February 5, the eve of the birthday of his late father, Bob Marley, at 12:00 pm ET on The Joint, channel 42. This first episode features Ziggy speaking in depth with reggae legend Jimmy Cliff.

Ziggy Marley’s Legends of Reggae will feature Marley sharing his unique perspective on music and culture and introducing listeners to his favorite reggae music and sources of inspiration (with some rarities), plucked from his own personal collection.

The show will also include music from the Marley family, including material from Ziggy’s most recent solo studio album, Wild and Free, and throwback selections dating back to his days as a Melody Maker. In addition to Jimmy Cliff, Ziggy Marley’s Legends of Reggae will feature other special guests on the monthly show.

“It is my privilege to use this medium to honor the Legends of Reggae and to use it as a vehicle to educate and enlighten listeners,” said Ziggy Marley.

“Through his show, Ziggy will be able to share with our subscribers reggae music from the beginning to now with insight unique to him and his family,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. “Hearing songs from his personal collections and his conversations with the greats of reggae is something music fans will treasure, and we are honored to launch the show on the eve of the birthday of his father, the late Bob Marley.”

Ziggy Marley’s Legends of Reggae will air the first Saturday of each month at 12:00 pm ET, and will be rebroadcast the next day, Sunday, at 2:00 pm ET. Ziggy Marley was born in 1968 in Trenchtown, Jamaica. Ziggy began his musical career playing with his father, reggae legend Bob Marley, and his siblings Sharon, Cedella and Stephen in 1979.

The siblings became known as Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, and released over 11 albums, three of which were Grammy winners.  Ziggy has released several solo albums since 2003, including: Dragonfly; his Grammy Award-winning Love Is My Religion; Family Time, which won him his fifth career Grammy, but his first in the children’s arena; and the Grammy-nominated Wild and Free.

Always politically aware, Ziggy has also been involved with the United Nations, and has formed his own charity U.R.G.E as well as contributed in various ways to other charities such as Little Kids Rock, Amnesty International. In 2010, Ziggy and his brothers Rohan and Robbie traveled to South Africa to film the documentary Marley Africa Road Trip.

In 2011, the 30-year career of Ziggy Marley continued stronger than ever with the “MarijuanaMan” comic book. Ziggy continues to tour and perform at festivals internationally as well as at his own Legends of Reggae festival in California.

The Joint plays reggae music from its roots to today from artists like Bob Marley & the Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear, Vybz Kartel, Capleton, Dennis Brown, Sizzla, Beres Hammond and Jah Cure. The joint also features Marley Monday, the weekly tribute special to Bob Marley.

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Current Grammy nominee Adele will make her much anticipated return to the live stage on the 54th Annual Grammy Award. This will be her first time performing live in nearly five months since being forced to cancel a sold-out U.S. tour to undergo surgery on her vocal cords.

Music’s Biggest Night— hosted by two-time Grammy winner LL Cool J — takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and covered online at Grammy.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube.

Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For Grammy coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook.

“I’m immensely proud to have been asked to perform at this year’s Grammy Awards,” said Adele. “It’s an absolute honor to be included in such a night, and for it to be my first performance in months is very exciting and of course nerve-racking, but what a way to get back into it all.”

Two-time Grammy winner Adele has six nominations: Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Short Form Music Video for “Rolling In The Deep”; Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for 21; and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Someone Like You.”

Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards include Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson ; Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton ; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Bruno Mars ; Paul McCartney ; Nicki Minaj; and Taylor Swift . Aldean, The Band Perry, Minaj, and Shelton will perform on the Grammy telecast for the first time, while Adele, Campbell, Clarkson, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Mars, McCartney, Rihanna, and Swift are returning to the Grammy stage.

LL Cool J has hosted “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” since its inception in December 2008, and this is his first time hosting the annual Grammy Awards telecast.

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.

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Music World Gospel celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year. An imprint of Music World Music, it was founded in 2002 by Mathew Knowles, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment, and is currently the largest owned and operated African American Gospel label in the world. Music World Gospel’s 10th anniversary celebration coincides with the 20th Anniversary celebration of Music World Entertainment.

In 2001, as the ladies of Destiny’s Child transitioned into their solo careers, one of Michelle Williams’ dreams was to record gospel and inspirational music. Knowles decided to establish a faith-based label for Williams’ recordings, as well as other projects in that genre, and the next year, established the Spirit Rising Music label, now known as Music World Gospel.

In March of that year, Williams released her first gospel recording, the GRAMMY-winning Hearts to Yours, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. Hearts to Yours eventually became 2002′s biggest selling album of that genre in the U.S., selling over 210,000 copies. Williams also landed in Billboard magazine’s year-end issue as the #5 Top Gospel Albums Artist, and the CD, Hearts to Yours, was #6 on the Top Gospel Albums chart. Williams’ follow-up album, Do You Know, was released in 2004 and debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart.

Although Knowles’ primary focus was on the pop and R&B genres, he periodically released key projects under the faith-based imprint, including the soundtrack from Fighting Temptations, which spent four weeks at #1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. Knowles signed Pastor Rudy Rasmus to the label in 2005 as Music World Gospel Ambassador.

Affectionately known as Pastor Rudy, he co-pastors St. John’s Church, located in downtown Houston, with his wife Juanita. St. John’s is one of the most culturally diverse congregations in the country, where every week people of every social and economic background share the same pew. Since 1992, the church’s membership has grown from nine to more than 12,000 people, including 4,000 homeless or formerly homeless individuals.

On October 17, 2010, Pastor Rudy’s Love Revolution premiered on SIRIUS XM Radio’s Praise Channel.  The one-hour weekly radio show features music selected by Pastor Rudy, uplifting conversation with the Pastor and his special guests, and a regular segment, “Ask Pastor Rudy,” in which Pastor Rudy answers questions from his listeners. The show airs live each Sunday at 12:00 p.m. EST (SIRIUS channel 64 and XM channel 64) and re-airs every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. EST.

In fall 2007, Trin-i-tee 5:7 (then a trio) signed with Spirit Rising Music, which released the group’s critically-acclaimed fourth album, T57, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. “Listen,”the hit single from the project, graced Billboard’s Hot 100 R&B Airplay chart and was one of the biggest gospel radio hits of 2007-2008.

The album went on to win two prestigious Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards, and a GRAMMY nomination, which resulted in Trin-i-tee 5:7 being spotlighted, alongsideAretha Franklin, BeBe Winans, Israel & New Breed and the Clark Sisters, on the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards broadcast.

In 2009, Knowles’ interest and focus shifted primarily to Music World Gospel, and he released the inaugural CD of gospel newcomer Brian Courtney Wilson, who was touted as one of gospel music’s contemporary break-through artists of 2010, and was one of Music World Gospel’s great success stories of that year.

The three-time Gospel Music Association Dove Award nominee’s CD, Just Love, entered at #2 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and #6 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart. The CD remained at #1 on Christian Music Trade Association’s Inspirational Albums chart for 52 weeks. Since its release in June 2009, the CD has held steady in the Top 20 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart for over 90 weeks—longer than any other CD title on Billboard’s Top 50 that year [2010].

Music World Gospel relaunched, Just Love Deluxe Edition, and the CD re-entered on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart at #3.   Just Love made music chart history. Wilson was the only artist to have four active singles ["All I Need,"  "Already Here," "Just Love" and "Awesome God"] on Billboard’s Gospel charts, and all have peaked in the Top 5, 10 and 15 positions [2009/2010].

His first single release, “All I Need,” was the longest-running single at that time, charting 92 weeks on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart. In September 2010, Wilson received the Gospel Music Heritage Month Rising Artist Award. In early 2011, he received a nomination for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Album of the Year (Traditional and Contemporary).

In Billboard magazine’s 2010 year-end issue, Music World Gospel held Top 5 and Top 10 positions on the gospel charts, and the label ranked on nine of the 11 charts.  Music World Gospel was #4 on the Hot Gospel Songs Imprint chart, ranked #6 as the Hot Gospel Songs Label and was #9 on the Top Gospel Albums Labels chart.

In 2010, Knowles signed several artists, including Juanita Bynum, and Micah Stampley. In 2011, Music World Gospel signed other key talent such as Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and entered into an exclusive recording agreement with BET Networks and its premiere brand Sunday Best, the award-winning weekly gospel music competition projects.

Under the agreement, the label signed Season 3 and 4 winners Le’Andria Johnson and Amber Bullock along with Season 3 and 4 runner-up contestants Andrea Helms, and Elder Goldwire. The agreement also includes future season winners and contestants. Through a partnership with BET, Music World Gospel has released two highly-anticipated debut projects: Johnson’s The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson and Bullock’s Thank You.

The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson debuted at #1 on multiple music charts, including both the Billboard Top Gospel Albums and the Top Christian/Gospel Albums charts. The CD also debuted at #1 on the Christian Music Trade Association’s Current Gospel Overall chart. It spent nine weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart, and remains in the Top 5 for over 15 weeks.

Le’Andria also received her first GRAMMY nomination for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music performance for her debut single, “Jesus.” Amber Bullock’sThank You also debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Album chart.

In addition to the Sunday Best brand releases, Music World Gospel released GRAMMY nominated, Stellar Award and Gospel Music Associations’ Dove Award winners Trin-i-tee 5:7′s first project as a duo,Angel & Chanelle, which debuted at #1 on both Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and the Top Christian/Gospel Albums chart.

The CD also entered at #2 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
chart, #5 on the Independent chart and #19 on the Billboard 200. Trin-i-tee 5:7 received their second GRAMMY nomination for Best Gospel Album for Angel & Chanelle, which is the group’s 7th recording to date.

Music World Gospel’s other notable compilation projects include ESSENCE Gospel, Ultimate Gospel, the Most Powerful Voices, The Gospel Superfest, Spirit Rising and The Pastor Rudy Experience.

In 2011, Music World Gospel experienced a revenue increase of more than 115 percent over 2010, and the label moved to the Top 5 on Billboard’s magazine year-end Gospel Albums Labels chart, from #9 in 2010. This year’s GRAMMY nominees, Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Le’Andria Johnson, also led the way on Billboard’s year-end charts.

Their current CD projects, The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson and Angel & Chanelle,landed at #7 and #13 respectively on the Gospel Albums chart. Le’Andria and Trin-i-tee 5:7 were listed at #8 and #10 respectively on the Gospel Albums Artists chart. Trin-i-tee 5:7′s hit single, “Over and Over” came in at #9 on the Gospel Songs chart, and the song producer,  PJ Morton landed at #8 on the Gospel  Songs Producers chart.

Looking ahead, Music World Gospel is expanding the label’s release schedule in 2012 to include over 45 new releases, and will be making other faith-based acquisitions, which will be announced in the coming months.

Faraways / Shutterstock.com

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Two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J is set to host the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards, marking the first time in seven years that the music industry’s premier event will have an official host. Music’s Biggest Night takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Westwood One/Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at  www.youtube.com/thegrammys. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook.

“I’m thrilled to be part of Music’s Biggest Night,” said LL COOL J. “I will always have fond memories of my first GRAMMY Awards and to now be hosting the GRAMMY show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true. Great performances and great music — it’s gonna be a great night!”

LL COOL J has hosted “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” since its inception in December 2008, and this will be his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast. Recent past hosts include Queen Latifah at the 47th GRAMMY Awards and Jon Stewartfor the 43rd and 44th GRAMMY telecasts. Over the years, additional GRAMMY hosts include Billy Crystal, Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell, among others.

LL COOL J joins previously announced performers and current GRAMMY nominees  Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Swift. Aldean and Minaj will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time, while Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Mars, and Swift are returning to the GRAMMY stage.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer,  Louis J. Horvitz is director, andDavid Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.

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Fans of the nicest man in rock must be thrilled knowing that Dave Grohl is back in the studio. Butch Vig, the man who infamously produced Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” wrote on Twitter a while ago that he and Grohl spent an entire day together at studio 606 in late December listening to some of Grohl’s new material.

From being the drummer of Them Crooked Vultures to collaborating with glam metal band RATT, Foo Fighters’ frontman has never shied away from side projects during his career. So the question is; where does this upcoming work belong?

In 2011, the release of “Wasting Light,” another production by Butch Vig, proved a successful start on the new decade. The April album release was followed by a world tour, international recognition and six Grammy nominations, and its successor is supposedly on its way so it would not be a long shot to assume that the new material could be destined for Grohl’s primary project Foo Fighters.

The announcement of an upcoming record came from Dave Grohl himself; he wrote a note to the fans, thanking them for their support in late December and letting them know a new album would come out soon. The note read, “And to all of you…..we’re not finished yet. There are still more shows to play, more songs to write, more albums to record, for years to come. I mean… If you would have told me 17 years ago that, in 2012, I would be writing songs for our eighth studio album… well…”

On the other hand, fans of Them Crooked Vultures, with Dave Grohl on drums, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin on bass, and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age as lead vocalist and guitarist constituting a super band, are also very excited. After a successful self-titled album released in 2009, the band has not released anything else.

Since 2010, there has been much talk about a second album, which was supposed to be release in late 2011, but never made it, according to some sources. One of the main reasons for the delay has been Grohl and Homme having been too busy with their respective bands. So with the news of Dave Grohl working on new material, and considering the timing, there is a real chance that Them Crooked Vultures are the benefactor and will be releasing their second album soon.

However, as mentioned, Them Crooked Vultures is not Grohl’s only side project. Recently, a collaboration between RATT, and the Foo Fighters frontman was announced by RATT themselves.

This is bound to be an interesting project as Nirvana, Dave Grohl’s former band, is considered to be responsible for the ‘defeat’ of glam metal in the 1990s through their introduction of grunge. RATT singer, Stephen Pearcy, has said that the song they will release together, “will not be a new RATT song, but just something cool Dave wants to do.”

Hence, the new material could turn up in any direction, from his Foo Fighters base to any of Grohl’s side projects, even new ones. After all, he is a music explorer. What is certain is that Grohl’s choice of Butch Vig as a collaborator is destined to create a musical firestorm and keep interest soaring for his new project.

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Back in early 2010 after a huge media backlash, John Mayer seemed to disappear. Now, after almost two years, Mayer has returned in an unexpected way.

John Mayer first came on the music scene with the success of his first album Room for Squares in 2001. Songs such as “No Such Thing,” and “Your Body is a Wonderland” gained popularity and even resulted in a Grammy Award win for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Since then, Mayer has been nominated for 18 Grammys and has won seven. He has collaborated with Herbie Hancock, Norah Jones, B.B. King, Kanye West and other notable celebrities.

Mayer’s accomplishments, however, have often been looked past by his relationships with famous women such as Minka Kelly and Jessica Simpson, among many others. As a result, Hollywood has dubbed him a “womanizer.”

In February 2010, John Mayer’s infamous Playboy interview became a heated topic as he discussed his controversial feelings on race, past relationships with Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Anniston, and homosexuality.  Readers and fans of Mayer found more information than they wanted whereas his toughest critics found more ammunition.

Almost immediately, numerous groups such as GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) called on Mayer to apologize after he used anti-gay slurs. Notable movie critic, Roger Ebert called Mayer out on his twitter,  ”To John Mayer regarding black women: What’s not to like?”, as the musician said he said he wouldn’t open up himself to dating black women.

Many people were offended by Mayer’s remarks and he expressed regret concerning the interview. “Maybe I need to take a break from trying to be clever… I quit the media game. I quit the sound byte game,” Mayer said to a Nashville, TN crowd as he took an emotional break during his concert shortly after the interview was released.

Mayer also took to his Twitter account to apologize for the interview and the actions he has taken in the past few years to his 3.7 million followers. Since then, he has deleted his account and moved to Tumblr. His last tweet, “What does this button do?” was posted in September of 2010.

Since then, Youtube videos have surfaced of Mayer performing surprise concerts at small cafés. His hair is grown out with plenty of facial hair and wearing a fedora, a look that resembles Johnny Depp. Even at the 2011 Grammy Awards where the musician performed a short version of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” with Norah Jones and Keith Urban, Kanye West tweeted,“I didn’t know Johnny Depp played guitar.”

Despite all of the heartache, Mayer seems to be coming back in the spotlight. Rollin’ With Zach is a new television show on Oprah Winfrey’s Network, OWN, where John Mayer lends his talents for the show’s opening theme song. Zach Anner, the host of the show, is a stand up comedian with cerebral palsy who travels across the United States to historic cities.

Anner won Winfrey’s competition, Your OWN Show in early 2011 with the help of Mayer. People were able to go online and vote for their favorite contestant. However, Anner was lacking in votes until his favorite musician posted a video encouraging fans to vote for the aspiring television host. A day after the video was posted, Anner was well into the lead and won by a large gap this past January.

Rollin’ With Zach airs every Monday on OWN at 8pm.

“Let the Boy,” the title song for the show’s theme, is the first official song John Mayer has released in over two years.

After the song was recorded, Mayer was diagnosed with granuloma, a serious throat condition in which an enlarged nodule sits just above the vocal cords. The granuloma was taken out in late October, but it hindered his upcoming album being released. “I am now on complete vocal rest for a month or more,” Mayer wrote on his Tumblr and also added, “I stay in at night…dreaming of playing on the big stage.”

The Grammy-winner’s fifth studio album, Born and Raised, is set to be released in early 2012.

Gustavo Miguel Fernandes / Shutterstock.com

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Pandora, the leading personalized radio service, The Recording Academy, and PepsiCo recently announced a multi-layered campaign that will harness and capture the excitement around the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, which takes place on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. As the premier sponsor of Grammy-related content on Pandora, Pepsi is giving fans access to Grammy-nominated artist content with a Grammy mixtape, artist video series and, for the first time, Grammy genre stations.

The Grammy mixtape can be found at www.pandora.com/pepsigrammymusic and includes songs from nominees and newcomers in various 54th Grammy Awards categories.

In late January 2012, Pandora and Pepsi will introduce a Grammy artist video series, featuring exclusive interviews with select 54th Grammy nominees. The videos will provide an inside look at the artists’ experiences as they prepare for Music’s Biggest Night. Additionally, fans will be able to enjoy first-ever Grammy genre stations on Pandora. Approximately 12 genre stations will be based around major musical genres and will spotlight 54th Grammy nominees.

“We’re excited to work with Pepsi to help fans reflect on the past year in music entertainment,” said Pandora Chief Marketing Officer Simon Fleming Wood. “With Pepsi’s help, we are bringing fans a bit closer to their favorite Grammy-nominated artists and at the same time helping them discover and rediscover the music they love for any moment, mood, and situation.”

“As we count down to Music’s Biggest Night, we are proud to partner with dynamic, like-minded brands committed to ensuring availability of a wide variety of Grammy music to music fans where they live and breathe,” said Evan Greene, Chief Marketing Officer, The Recording Academy. “We are thrilled to harness the combined power of Pandora and Pepsi to help drive this vision forward.”

“Music and entertainment are at the core of Pepsi’s brand DNA and we are excited to partner with Pandora and the Grammy Awards to create exclusive content and deliver one-of-a-kind of experiences to music fans,” said Tom Moradpour, Senior Director, Pepsi.

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Foo Fighters is one of the most popular Rock bands in the music scene since years, being active since 1994. The band is led by Dave Grohl (ex Nirvana drummer), and composed of Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, and Pat Smear.

Although Foo Fighters’ success is not new, what this band accomplished this year is unbelievable. Their 7th studio album “Wasting Light” debuted as number one in the Billboard 200 chart upon its release on April 12 this year, sold 235,000 copies only in its first week, becoming soon a Gold record in the U.S., as well as in other countries. In some others it even became Platinum record. As Dave Grohl declared, although they were big before, mainly in some parts of the world, this album made them huge.

The record comprises other artists’ participations, including the ones of Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) and Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü, Sugar). The album has been recorded in Grohl’s garage completely analog to tape, and was produced by Butch Vig, the same producer of Nirvana’s “Nevermind”. As Dave Grohl recently declared referring to the producer “Together, we made the album of a lifetime. Again.”

The record sound is raw, powerful, loud, aggressive, sweet, melancholic, and angry, it explores all of the aspects of Rock. It is the heaviest record belonging to the band so far as well as the “grungiest” one. The lyrics come as emotional waterfalls on the perfectly melt sounds. It goes from the screaming hard rock of “White Limo” to the deep and intriguing “I Should Have Known” where Novoselic’s performance gives goosebumps due to its perfection.

Besides the album release, the documentary “Back and Forth,” which explores the development of the band, came out in April; in the same month the band released the limited vinyl “Medium Rare,” a covers album, for Record Store Day. Furthermore this year their video for the track “Walk”, which is a parody of the movie “Falling Down,” won the prize as Best Rock Video at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.

After recording the latest album in Grohl’s garage, the Foo Fighters also started touring in some garages. The band, indeed, performed from New York to Seattle in garages belonging to their fans who participated to a dedicated contest. Moreover the band played secret gigs in small clubs. Then, they started the world tour, touching Europe, North America, South America and Australia. Japan and other countries are coming next year. They played in arenas, festivals, stadiums. In July they played two concerts at the Milton Keynes National Bowl in the U.K to over 140,000 fans. The band just owns it all.

Foo Fighters started in 1994 as a solo project by frontman Dave Grohl, after the death of the late Kurt Cobain and the consequent disappearance of his band Nirvana. What Grohl had for Foo Fighters at the time was only a tape, not even a band. During those seventeen years a lot happened to Foo Fighters. Musicians have come and gone, motivation seemed to be lost for a moment, but what always stayed was Grohl’s determination.

The guy who gained the title of “The nicest guy in Rock,” due to his particularly considerate and respectful personality, seems to be also the toughest guy in Rock, in the best sense of it. He had a dream and did not let anything corrupt it. He did not just try, he did it. Not even when Foo Fighters gained the big scene he let the business corrupt the music. He came back to his garage with a finally solid and sound group which expressed its cooperation in the highest level possible, recording the album on tape where everything sounds just real.

Foo Fighters’ history shows that probably the most remarkable characteristic of Grohl’s personality is his respect to music, and to Rock in particular, beyond any boundary. Let’s not forget this guy, twenty years ago, changed the music scene forever together with two friends of his. Listening to Foo Fighters one can feel the same attitude is still all there in Mr. Grohl.

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Gwyneth Paltrow admitted it wasn’t easy to make her marriage work. The actress even said she might not be together for good with the Coldplay singer Chris Martin.

Despite this, she confirmed that Coldplay singer was a great father for their children Apple and Moses. The two stars married in California in December 2003. In their seven years of marriage, the actress and the lead singer used to split their time between homes in North London and New York.

There always have been rumours and claims in U.S newspapers and magazines that their marriage was permanently under strain. Finally and without hesitation, Gwyneth Paltrow admitted in an interview with Elle magazine the pressure of her marriage.

“Sometimes it’s hard being with someone for a long time. We go through periods that aren’t all rosy. I always say, life is long and you never know what’s going to happen,” Paltrow said.

Despite her statements, the winner of the Best Actress Oscar for her role in the 1999 film Shakespeare in Love, says the couple have no intention of separating. She said if one day they decide to end the marriage it would be friendly because they have too much respect for each other.

“If, God forbid, we were ever not to be together, I respect him so much as the father of my children. He’s such a good dad,” Paltrow  said.

Paltrow thinks that you can never be relaxed or think that you have everything done with marriage. The couple is brought together by music. The lead singer of Coldplay isn’t the only one with musical talent.

This year Gwyneth made her first spot performing at Grammy Awards, with the help of some of her famous co-stars. She also made an appearance at Glee, CMA Awards and on Saturday Night Live, where she kept being breathtaking. Coldplay is one of the most powerful musical groups, and Paltrow is very proud of her husband’s band.

“He’s a musical genius. It’s like living with Picasso,” she said. Martin “makes music for his fans, and he doesn’t want people to conjure a lame famous couple when they’re getting into his music.” Paltrow is a woman with many talents. The actress has taken on the role of the GOPP guru. She has launched different websites since 2008.

She launched Goop.com where she gives different tips and tricks to her fans, including workout routines they want to know.  She believes her online newsletters are a good way to guide any who is looking for health regimens.

“It’s so much easier to sit home and criticize other people,” she said. “What I love is inspiring people. People come up to me and say, ‘I want to have two kids and wear a bathing suit and not feel terrible about myself. I see how hard you work, and it makes me feel like I can do that too.”

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Enough of small screens, when its time to talk about the release of a new album.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have make this point clear, and want to make the release of their new album as remarkable and fabulous as no one. Therefore they have announced that their new Album “I’m with you” will be featured in Cinemas Screens’.

We haven’t heard anything new from the Red Hot Chili Peppers a long time ago. The last album they released was Stadium Arcadium, in 2006.

This album was a total success for the band, since it was nominated to seven Grammy Awards, winning five of them and leading the band to achieve something they been wanted to have from their 28 years of career. This is the first album with the company of Warpaint man, guitarist Josh Klinghoffer who replaced John Frusciante in 2009.

The album will be available in stores, on August 30th , and the same day it will be screened in cinemas.The band also announced that they would be performing a tour in November, throughout UK and Ireland, which will consist of nine shows.You can visit the band’s official website : Redhotchilipeppers.com to pre- order the upcoming album.

Here you can watch the trailer!

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