The Recording Academy recently held its spring Board of Trustees meeting in Los Angeles, during which elections for its National Officers were conducted. Award-winning music video director/producer George J. Flanigen IV from Nashville was re-elected to a second term as Chair; recording artist Christine Albert from Texas was elected Vice Chair; Pacific Northwest-based engineer/producer Glenn Lorbecki continues for a second term as Secretary/Treasurer; and five-time GRAMMY winner Jimmy Jam from Los Angeles was re-elected for a second term as Chair Emeritus. Additionally, the Board reaffirmed its commitment to the recently announced restructuring of the GRAMMY Awards with 78 categories to be presented at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012.
"Through the election of our experienced and credible National Officers, we will continue our mission of keeping The Recording Academy a premier organization within our vibrant music community," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "I look forward to working closely with this diverse and talented team of music professionals to continue steering The Academy and the GRAMMY Awards to new heights."
The Board approved the budget for fiscal year 2011–2012 and the previously announced new landmark contract with CBS (for the continued broadcast of the annual GRAMMY Awards, the GRAMMY nominations special and a series of new two-hour specials), as well as discussed various programs and initiatives for the coming year.
Nominations for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards once again will be announced as part of "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night," a one-hour special that sets the stage for the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast with nominations in several categories and performances by past GRAMMY winners and/or nominees. This year's special will be broadcast live Nov. 30 on CBS.
Additionally, the recently announced realignment of The Academy's GRAMMY Awards categories received full support for its implementation as planned for the upcoming 54th awards season. Examination of the GRAMMY Awards structure is a fluid process requiring continuous review, and this procedure has been in place for more than 50 years and includes input from elected, qualified voting members from The Recording Academy's 12 Chapters around the country and a broad spectrum of music makers. It takes place annually to assure that the competition is fair and consistent across all musical genres.
The submissions process for the 54th GRAMMY Awards began on July 6, and will be followed by various Academy Screening Committee meetings later this year. For detailed information on the awards restructure and important dates/deadlines, please visit www.grammy.org/announcement.
The Trustees of The Recording Academy, along with Academy senior staff, Chapter Regional Directors, Executive Directors, and Chapter Presidents — fiduciaries of the not-for-profit organization — met May 24–27 in Los Angeles to discuss goals, set priorities and implement policies designed to strategically chart the course of The Academy and its affiliate corporations.