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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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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Entertainment mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is hosting the ‘one’ party that everyone will be vying to attend right after the Grammy’s, Sunday February 12, 2012. This event serves as a charity fundraiser for and will be held on the grounds of the prestigious Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles starting at 8:00PM. The event is produced by iDonate Charity, a Los Angeles based company that coordinates events for charities.

The first ever “Fame at the Mansion” event will be a delightful party, catering to a guest’s every need. Hailed by some as “The World’s most sought after venue and party destination,” the exclusivity and charitable theme of this event make it appealing to guests on several different levels of interest.

Guests will be welcomed with a cocktail reception when they arrive onto the grounds of the Mansion. Attendees will be treated to an open bar and dinner all night long. Entertainment will include a live performance by a Grammy nominated artist (tba), DJ Award, fashion show, and many surprise guest celebrity appearances.

Several Playmates will be on hand to hostess the event and give tours of the grounds of the Playboy Mansion including the Grotto, Game Room, Tennis Courts, Zoo, & Aviary to those special guests that have contributed VIP admission. On music’s biggest night, the biggest stars will be out in force, and a great number of celebrities will join the guest list at Hollywood’s most lavish party!

Angelwish, the beneficiary of the event, is most pleased to be included in the largest event ever offered to help raise funds for their cause. Created in 1999, the organization is dedicated to providing the public with an easy way to grant wishes to millions of children living with chronic illnesses such as Asthma, Diabetes, and HIV/AIDS around the world. The charity works on 6 continents with over 110 Hospitals and Care Centers in the United States and an additional 15 Care Centers in 9 other countries.

In appreciation of his exemplary support to Angelwish and many other charitable organizations in his lifetime, Angelwish will be presenting Hugh Hefner with their “Humanitarian of the Year” award at the event.

Derrick Salters / Shutterstock.com

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