| Author |
 Topic  |
|
kuulei88
Akahai
USA
75 Posts |
 Posted - 02/22/2011 : 12:06:50 PM
|
Aloha folks,
So many people have so many passionate thoughts on the Hawaiian category in the GRAMMY Awards. Here are is a concise statement from NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) a.k.a. "The Recording Academy" webpages:
The GRAMMYs are the only peer-presented award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position. (www.grammy.org/recording-academy/
Source: www.grammy.org/recording-academy/
And here is the Category Description for "Best Hawaiian Album" published by NARAS:
For vocal or instrumental Hawaiian music albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded material. This category is for recordings of a more traditional nature but allowing contemporary recordings containing substantial traditional elements. Hawaiian language must be used in a predominance of the vocal tracks. Source: www.grammy.org/files/pages/53CatDescGuide.pdf
Whatever anyone wants to think about what The Recording Academy should do with respect to Hawaiian music, or what voting members (who are industry professionals) should do in order to vote, the fact is that these criteria guide members.
In addition, there are explicit instructions on the ballots that voting members receive. I cannot quote those instructions exactly because I did not xerox my ballot before mailing it back in. But the instructions are that voters should vote on the basis of the music--including listening to it!!--without regard to personal affiliations with record labels or personal relationships.
|
amy k |
|
|
Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2011 : 4:04:07 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by kuulei88
In addition, there are explicit instructions on the ballots that voting members receive. I cannot quote those instructions exactly because I did not xerox my ballot before mailing it back in. But the instructions are that voters should vote on the basis of the music--including listening to it!!--without regard to personal affiliations with record labels or personal relationships.
Amen.
So many people, so many posts, so many boards, so much talk about all this --- and so many statements about how "NARAS (the Academy) doesn't understand, doesn't get, doesn't know what Hawaiian music is!"
I am the Academy.
Dr. Stillman is the Academy.
Many individual human beings, here on Taropatch and elsewhere on and off the internet, are the Academy.
NARAS is not a big, heartless, corporate blob, out to suck dollars from your pockets and creativity out of musical arts. It is a collective of people who give a damn about expression; it is people who make music - who live music - because their deepest soul says they must; it is individual folks who want to share their artistic interests with the world.
When you say "NARAS doesn't get it," you are taking thoughtless stabs at those of us who work at it, who study it, who respect those who have something to teach us, and who know that we will never be done - that we can always learn more and get better and share what we have discovered.
I have friends, acquaintances, contacts, personal relationships, networking connections, in the industry known as "the recording arts." I didn't join NARAS to make money - I joined to make connections with others who believe that music is one of the most astounding and most uniting of expressions. I didn't join NARAS to win awards - I joined to learn how best to get my work, my love, into the homes, cars, ears of other people who might share my interests.
And when I fill out my ballots each year, I sometimes vote for people I know, people I've connected with, people I'm slightly acquainted with - because I think their work is the best representation of that particular category on that particular list for that particular year of eligibility.
And I sometimes vote for someone other than my friends, because as much as I might admire what they accomplished, I feel someone else's contribution is the better representation this time out.
I know enough about Hawaiian music to be qualified to vote in that particular category; same thing about jazz, classical, new age, and many other fields. If you honestly believe I vote the way I vote because someone knows how to manipulate me and "play the system" to get my vote --- then YOU are the one who "doesn't get it." |
 |
|
|
markwitz
`Olu`olu
USA
841 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2011 : 04:01:08 AM
|
Gregg, in a reply to one of my posts in another thread that is now three pages back you replied to me in the following way.
THIS IS MY QUOTED POST (in part) THAT YOU RESPONDED TO
quote:Originally posted by markwitz
I stick with my former statements that speaks to the fact that I doubt that most of the thousands that you refer to, took the time to listen to the 32 eligible submissions with the same love and concern that you have for Hawaiian Music. I'm sure that you are intimate enough with Hawaiian Music to be able to cast a meaningful vote. I just kinda doubt that the vast majority of the rest that voted are. So it just saddens me to see how poorly served Hawaiian Music is by the whole process.
AND THIS WAS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT POST. (My note here..I agree with this earlier statement.)
YOU SAID.
Ah, clarity - thanks.
I suspect you are absolutely right, Norman. As much as I would love to dream that everyone who votes in a category is fluent in what they are voting on, I am certain that is not the case.
Part of it has to do with the "fields" in which categories are connected. For example, one of the fields where I always vote is "Jazz" - because that's another musical genre where I am involved (in fact, I'm in the Academy because I produced some jazz albums a while back). In addition to the categories such as Instrumental Solo, Contemporary Jazz Album, etc., it also includes Latin Jazz Album. That's an area where I am usually weaker, so I just don't vote there. But I'm sure others still do.
So anyone who wants to vote in the "American Roots" field, so they can vote on (for example) Traditional Folk Album, Bluegrass Album or Native American Album, will also have the opportunity to vote on Hawaiian Album. (And the reverse is true - so I usually don't vote on Native American Album, unless I have been able to listen to a majority of the eligible discs.)
As you and others have noted, the Grammys are big publicity, and always good for a boost in sales. But I doubt there are many people who, having decided to pursue a spark of interest in Hawaiian music, will start with "gee, let's see what albums were nominated for a Grammy each year."
But more likely, their interest will have begun with:
(a) "I love that 'Rainbow' song sung by that really big guy!" or
(b) "I love vacationing in Hawai`i, and I want to find some of that music I heard there."
That's where the TaroPatch Army can head into action, and guide those folks down a happy aural path!
END OF YOUR EARLIER QUOTE
Greg this earlier statement of yours sure does not seem to be a ringing endorsement of the process as a whole. |
"The music of the Hawaiians, the most fascinating in the world, is still in my ears and
haunts me sleeping and waking."
Mark Twain |
|
|
|
Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2011 : 06:32:39 AM
|
Hi, Norman.
My post in this thread is not about the voting process - it is about the fact that attacks on what "the Academy" does or does not know are ignorant attacks on those of us who are Academy members educated in Hawaiian music, and who play by the rules.
As has been stated elsewhere, by myself and others, the process can be changed by more involvement. There are likely hundreds of people involved in the Hawaiian music industry who have the necessary credentials to be NARAS members (they are probably HARA members as well, but HARA won't discuss membership numbers), but have not joined.
If they really want to use their knowledge and experience to change the process, they need to join NARAS first. It can't be done from the outside. If they can affect change but decline to do so ... |
|
|
|
slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2011 : 08:50:56 AM
|
| See my last post on "2011 Grammy Awards" topic. Lest get on having fun playing the music. The Grammys are meaningless to a musician. Let's get on with playing, hoping we have what my Hawaiian freinds call "heart" and "jes' press"! |
keaka |
|
|
|
slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2011 : 08:52:03 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by slipry1
See my last post on "2011 Grammy Awards" topic. Lest get on having fun playing the music. The Grammys are meaningless to a musician. Let's get on with playing, hoping we have what my Hawaiian freinds call "heart" and "jes' press"!
That's "Lets" not "Lest". Spell checker doesn't always work for us dyslexic types. |
keaka |
|
|
|
Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2011 : 09:15:34 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by slipry1
The Grammys are meaningless to a musician.
I hope my passionate post earlier in this thread shows that I respectfully do not share that opinion, Uncle Keaka. (Then again, as you know, I am uncomfortable with calling myself "a musician" - I'm on the path, but there's more of it ahead of me than there is behind.) 
(And if anyone thinks that a mild difference of opinion in this case would steer me away from the joy of making music alongside this man, you would be sorely mistaken.) |
Edited by - Retro on 02/23/2011 09:32:31 AM |
|
|
|
thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2174 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 10:18:42 AM
|
Eh, Retro, if everybody played bass, who would play steel? It is the differences of opinion that make for good jamming.
BTW, having a bass in the group is like having a plate for the plate lunch. |
|
|
|
noeau
Ha`aha`a
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2011 : 07:58:37 AM
|
| Well Iʻll take hamburger steak with kim chee on the side. |
No'eau, eia au he mea pa'ani wale nō. |
|
|
|
slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2011 : 11:54:42 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Retro
quote:
Originally posted by slipry1
The Grammys are meaningless to a musician.
I hope my passionate post earlier in this thread shows that I respectfully do not share that opinion, Uncle Keaka. (Then again, as you know, I am uncomfortable with calling myself "a musician" - I'm on the path, but there's more of it ahead of me than there is behind.)
(And if anyone thinks that a mild difference of opinion in this case would steer me away from the joy of making music alongside this man, you would be sorely mistaken.)
I should have said "unimportant", unless you are playing the kind of music that the Grammy folks deem important. As for you being a musician, braddah, it's too late! You dere, imho! it doesn't matter what time in one's life the music godess comes down and puts the spark in your head, you're hooked. It was probably latent in you all the while. |
keaka |
|
|
|
Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 06:29:58 AM
|
MAJOR CHANGES AFOOT
The Recording Academy this morning announced a restructuring of the Awards overall (including the way members are allowed to vote) - press release at http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/announcement/press-release
Main thing you'll all be curious about, of course, is the Hawaiian Album category. Well, here's what is happening with that (quoted directly from the Grammy.com website):
American Roots Music. The traditional and contemporary blues categories and the traditional and contemporary folk categories each were consolidated into one per genre, due to the number of entries and given the challenges in distinguishing between Contemporary Folk and Americana and Contemporary and Traditional Blues. There has been a great deal of concern over the consistently low entries in the Hawaiian, Native American and Cajun/Zydeco Categories. It was believed best to continue to honor such regional music, but to do it all together, recognizing the very cream of this crop, with one category: Regional Roots Music. This has a pattern/precedent in Regional Mexican Music and would incorporate Hawaiian, Cajun/Zydeco, Native American, and Polka music (which has a regional home in the Great Lakes states).
|
|
|
|
Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 07:42:48 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Retro
American Roots Music. The traditional and contemporary blues categories and the traditional and contemporary folk categories each were consolidated into one per genre, due to the number of entries and given the challenges in distinguishing between Contemporary Folk and Americana and Contemporary and Traditional Blues. There has been a great deal of concern over the consistently low entries in the Hawaiian, Native American and Cajun/Zydeco Categories. It was believed best to continue to honor such regional music, but to do it all together, recognizing the very cream of this crop, with one category: Regional Roots Music. This has a pattern/precedent in Regional Mexican Music and would incorporate Hawaiian, Cajun/Zydeco, Native American, and Polka music (which has a regional home in the Great Lakes states).
Interesting. My initial reaction is that it is a negative for Hawaiian music overall but atleast there is still a place for Hawaiian music.
Will a specific style of American Roots Music, say Polka, consistently dominate the category? I mean, Jimmy Sturr has won 18 out of the 24 Grammy Awards given for Best Polka Album. With all the talk of the Academy and its voters, can Hawaiian music compete with that? |
Andy |
|
|
|
Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 08:00:38 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Admin
With all the talk of the Academy and its voters, can Hawaiian music compete with that?
Well, now it has to. Considering that so many people didn't seem comfortable with how Hawaiian music was competing with itself, this outcome shouldn't be all that surprising. |
|
|
|
markwitz
`Olu`olu
USA
841 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 09:15:42 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Retro
MAJOR CHANGES AFOOT
(quoted directly from the Grammy.com website):
There has been a great deal of concern over the consistently low entries in the Hawaiian, Native American and Cajun/Zydeco Categories.
This year there were 32 entries for the Hawaiian Grammy. I didn't keep a copy of my preliminary ballot for the Na Hoku's this year, but I think there were considerably more than that it some of the major categories. How many entries do you need for the Grammy's to bestow upon you your own separate category? |
"The music of the Hawaiians, the most fascinating in the world, is still in my ears and
haunts me sleeping and waking."
Mark Twain |
|
|
|
Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 09:22:22 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by markwitz
This year there were 32 entries for the Hawaiian Grammy. I didn't keep a copy of my preliminary ballot for the Na Hoku's this year, but I think there were considerably more than that it some of the major categories. How many entries do you need for the Grammy's to bestow upon you your own separate category?
It used to be 25, now it will be 40. From the Grammy.com website:
Minimum entry thresholds per Category.
It is now expected that each Category shall have at least 40 artist entries. If a Category receives between 25 – 39 artist entries, only three recordings would receive nominations. If a Category receives fewer than 25 artist entries, the Category would not be presented that year (and entries would be moved to the next most logical Category). If a Category receives fewer than 25 entries for three consecutive years, the Category would be discontinued (and submissions would be entered in the next most appropriate Category).
|
|
|
|
markwitz
`Olu`olu
USA
841 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2011 : 09:28:01 AM
|
| Thanks Greg. So it would seem that based on the number of entries this last year, there should still be a Hawaiian Grammy category???? |
"The music of the Hawaiians, the most fascinating in the world, is still in my ears and
haunts me sleeping and waking."
Mark Twain |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
Criteria for Grammy Best Hawaiian Album
