MY GRAMMY® MOMENT Debuts As Unsigned Artists Vie For Performance Slot On THE 49TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS
Fans Vote Online to Determine Who Will Perform with Superstar Justin Timberlake in Special Segment on Music′s Biggest Night
Continuing its mission of discovering and nurturing music makers, The Recording Academy announced today the creation of "My GRAMMY® Moment" -- a historic opportunity for unsigned artists to audition for a performance with current multi-GRAMMY nominee Justin Timberlake on THE 49th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS, Sunday, Feb. 11 (8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. The new GRAMMY segment will vault someone from anonymity to performing with one of entertainment′s biggest stars on music′s biggest stage in front of millions of television viewers. A full roster of performers and presenters on THE 49TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS will be announced in the coming weeks.
As part of a nine-week event, which begins today and culminates on the GRAMMY Awards telecast, The Recording Academy will work with CBS and Yahoo! Music to conduct a nationwide audition with musicians uploading user-generated performance video to Yahoo! Music. The top 12 artists will be determined by a GRAMMY Blue Ribbon Panel, with the public voting to narrow the field and eventually select the winner. Users may log on directly to CBS.com or to Yahoo! Music to access the video submissions, video viewing and voting site: http://music.yahoo.com/mygrammymoment/.
"The Internet has revolutionized the way that unknown artists can reveal their talent to a larger audience, and television remains the most powerfulÊplatformÊto showcase such talent to the masses," said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS. "By harnessingÊthe accessibility, interactivity and reachÊof these two mediums, we have created anÊunprecedented opportunity for an up-and-coming musician, as well asÊa memorable and exciting moment for television audiences. The GRAMMY Awards have always been ahead of the game when it comes to discovering andÊspotlighting new talent and music, and this eventÊtakes thatÊcommitment to even greater heights."
"From successful programs such as GRAMMY Career Day SM and GRAMMY In The Schools® to newly introduced programs such as GRAMMY Camp® and GRAMMY University Network, our Academy and its GRAMMY Foundation have made music education and career enhancement priorities 365 days a year," said Neil Portnow, President of The Recording Academy. "This ′My GRAMMY′ segment gives us the perfect opportunity to demonstrate via the Telecast another fine example of what we do so well on a daily basis. At the same time, it′s our goal to bring consumers even closer to the GRAMMYs without affecting the criteria of peer group voting that sets the GRAMMY Awards apart from other music award shows."
"I′m happy to participate in this unique approach to discovering unsigned talent, but I′m only a piece of the puzzle," said Justin Timberlake.Ê "All of you contestants out there should look at this as more than just a chance to duet with me, because it′s really an opportunity to begin your career as a superstar. And I′ll be there to help coach you along."
"The GRAMMY Awards is known for introducing a remarkable number of talented artists to the broad audience that follows our show from year to year. Many of these artists, from Ricky Martin and Robert Randolph to Norah Jones and John Legend, have gone on to extremely successful careers due in no small part to their GRAMMY appearances," said co-executive producer (with John Cossette) Ken Ehrlich. "With this concept, we will be able to continue that tradition and reach out even further to the incredibly diverse musical community that watches the GRAMMYs."
"Yahoo! Music has always focused on supporting and cultivating new musical talent through original programming," said Dave Goldberg, vice president and general manager of Yahoo! Music.Ê "′My GRAMMY Moment′ is the progression of our commitment to providing users with the premiere online music venue for new and established artists. We are thrilled to be working with the Recording Academy and CBS to make this unique opportunity possible for an aspiring artist."
Following is information about submissions, voting and performing for the competition:
Submission Information
December 15 (after 10:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM PT): Singers, at least 18-years of age or older, U.S. residents only, who have never been signed to an independent or major record label, submit a 60-second video of themselves singing one of the following GRAMMY-winning songs only (must be a cappella with no music or background track whatsoever):
"If I Ain′t Got You" (originally performed by Alicia Keys)
"Breathe" (originally performed by Faith Hill)
"Come To My Window" (originally performed by Melissa Etheridge)
"What′s Love Got To Do With It" (originally performed by Tina Turner)
"Dance With My Father" (originally performed by Luther Vandross)
"Cry Me A River" (originally performed by Justin Timberlake)
"Respect" (originally performed by Aretha Franklin)
"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" (originally performed by Whitney Houston)
"Vision of Love" (originally performed by Mariah Carey).
Videos should be submitted and uploaded to Yahoo! Music, no later than Jan. 3, 2007, 11:59 PM ET.
Original group of videos will be judged by a VIP Blue Ribbon Committee.
Voting and Performance Information
Fans and viewers can begin viewing video submissions online at CBS.com, powered by Yahoo! Music, on Dec. 18.
Blue Ribbon Committee will evaluate all video submissions.
The top 12 artists will be announced on Jan. 8. Viewers and fans will then have the opportunity to vote for their favorites online at Yahoo! Music.
The top five artists will be announced on Jan. 16. Voting will continue.
The top three artists will be announced Super Bowl weekend.
The top three artists will each rehearse with Justin Timberlake during rehearsals the week leading up to THE 49TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS.
Viewers and fans can vote for the final performer during the broadcast on Feb. 11, 2007 at CBS.com or via text messaging until 10:00 PM ET. The final performer will be announced as the world watches and will join the stage for the ultimate GRAMMY Moment with Justin Timberlake.
Rules and regulations for My GRAMMY Moment can be found at http://music.yahoo.com/mygrammymoment/
In addition, the top three finalists will be eligible to participate in GRAMMY Foundation activities including GRAMMY Career Day SM and GRAMMY Camp®, as well as The Recording Academy′s recently launched GRAMMY University Network initiative.
