The Recording Academy announced nominees for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards – including those in the recently renamed and expanded American Roots Music field. Winners will be named during ceremonies set for January 31, 2010, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, which will be broadcast live on the CBS television network. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
Joan Baez is the focus of an American Masters series documentary that begins airing on PBS television stations across the country on October 14 at 8 p.m. (ET). Entitled “Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound,” the documentary chronicles the private life and public career of the living folk legend who made her debut appearance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1959 and returned to that stage this past August as part of her worldwide tour celebrating 50 years as a recording artist and performer. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
The Recording Academy announced today that its trustees have voted to rename and expand the Folk Field in the Grammy Awards. Citing the increasing growth of traditional music, the Academy has split the category Best Contemporary Folk/Americana into two categories: Best Contemporary Folk Album and Best Americana Album. In addition, the Folk Field has been renamed American Roots Music. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were the top winners in the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 8. The duo’s Rounder release, Raising Sand, produced by T Bone Burnett, was named Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Folk/Americana album. Plant and Krauss also captured awards for Record of the Year (“Please Read the Letter”), Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals (“Rich Woman”) and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals (“Killing The Blues”). [To read the entire article, which includes a list of other notable winners, click on the headline.]
