No more traditional Grammy awards

Subject: RE: No more traditional GRAMMY awards
From: maple_leaf_boy
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 05:00 PM

I figured that Americana included Folk, and vice versa. When I was studying business, there was a section in the main text-book about radio formats. The "Americana" radio format was described as stations that play folk music(traditional or not), traditional blues, and "real" traditional country music. It called it real country since the country music in the "Country" format plays modern country which it's too closely related to pop and rock.

On the television:
There is a "Folk Roots" channel that the digital cable company provides with the Galaxie package, that plays different types of folk music. It includes Bluegrass and Celtic. They also have a Country Classics, which plays traditional country music like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash,, and Patsy Cline. And, a Hot Country channel which plays today's country like Taylor Swift.

Subject: RE: No more traditional GRAMMY awards
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 03:27 PM

Yay Hoot!

Seamus (Winner of 9 WAMMIE Awards)

Subject: RE: No more traditional GRAMMY awards
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 03:26 PM

Grammy categories comparison between last year and the new ones.

No other "field" of music took a hit as big in proportion.

My question is, under the field of "American Folk", what is the definition of the difference between "Americana" and "folk"? Is all "contemporary folk" now "Americana", and "traditional folk" now "folk"? That would work for me...

Fewer categories means fewer opportunities for recognition on the scene.

It's too bad, but it's always been the case that these awards only see a tiny corner of what's out there.

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: No more traditional GRAMMY awards
From: Joe_F
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 03:23 PM

Hoot: Hear, hear!

Subject: RE: No more traditional GRAMMY awards
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 03:17 PM

Who needs bloody awards from the the "Music Industry"? You can't take them seriously surely.
Music isn't a contest.

As far as I am concerned the less awards and award ceremonies the better. Have you ever wondered how so much good music survived before all this commercial award crap started.

It might also lead to less pointless postings on who is the best whatever.

Hoot

Subject: RE: No more traditional GRAMMY awards
From: GUEST,DWR
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 02:35 PM

Of course not, nobody cares about that crap anymore. Just give us more Taylor Swift. I hear she is playing the banjo now.

OK, that's a bit unfair. TS is not the worst thing out there. Just make sure you don't cross her, or she'll put you in a song!

There probably were too many categories at 109. It's just a sad fact of life that the music we love most is somewhere down near the bottom rung when it comes to exposure and sales.

Have you ever gone through the music genres available on DISH or DIRECT? I haven't counted lately, but I'm sure you're going to find a half dozen or more varieties of rap or hip-hop, etc. I think I get about 120 choices on DISH. Country Music is pretty well represented. There's even a dedicated Bluegrass Channel. Blues and Jazz are pretty well covered.

Try to find even ONE channel dedicated to Folk Music other than Singer-Songwriter. Good luck with that. I just mention this as an illustration of where we stand in the Music Spectrum.

You want Thumb Picking? Old Time Fiddle or Banjo? English Balladry? Name Your Own Style? Better check the corners of the internet. Even that is a minuscule part of the whole.

So I'm off on a tangent. The people in charge "up there" don't care about us "down here" so unless somebody knows a way to infiltrate the top decision making group, we'll continue to drag up the rear, or bottom if you prefer.

Sorry I don't have any real answers. I'm not sure there are any.

Subject: RE: No more traditional GRAMMY awards
From: Mark Ross
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 02:10 PM

Best Traditional Folk.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: No more traditional GRAMMY awards
From: frogprince
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 01:56 PM

What was the actual nomination category for the Utah tribute compilation?

Subject: No more traditional GRAMMY awards
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 01:26 PM

The recording academy announced today that it will be condensing the GRAMMY categories from 109 to 78. Among the categories eliminated are Best traditional Folk album and Best Traditional Blues album. The new categories are:

Best Americana Album
Best Bluegrass Album
Best Blues Album
Best Folk Album
Best Regional Roots Music Album

Since the traditional and contemporary categories are now to be lumped together, this all but guarantees that the "Folk" nominations will go to the big names with heavy labels and publicists. Folks like Rosalie Sorrels and The Carolina Chocolate Drops will never stand a chance, unless they can fit as a "regional roots album" - and somehow I think this category will be broad enough to not take much notice of real traditional music.

It's a crying shame.

Dan