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Bettye LaVette

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Quarantine Diaries: Blues Legend Bettye LaVette Is Staying "Mellow" With Wine & Watching Lots Of TV

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As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
May 7, 2020 - 10:35 am

As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, GRAMMY-nominated blues Hall Of Fame inductee Bettye LaVette shares her Quarantine Diary. LaVette's new album, Blackbirds, arrives on Aug. 28. The album's lead single, "I Hold No Grudge," is available now.

Well wishes to everyone, from West Orange. This is Bettye LaVette reporting.

I've been asked to talk about my daily activities during this terrible coronavirus assault. Most people know that I'm not very active on social media, though I have been lately. But I like to talk to people in person, and I HATE to type. Anyway, here goes...

I came home from my last gig on Feb. 3, and I haven't been out of the house except for some things out in the yard since.

My husband Kevin goes to the store once a week. He doesn't want me exposed. As I have been deemed part of the "elderly." LOL.

Although stuck at home, my days are pretty much the same as they were before the stay-at-home rule went into effect. Except it's EVERY DAY, instead of being mixed with working days. And I have to say, I am SICK of the repetition. If it would only get warm and dry, I'd be happy to work in the yard every day.

[5:30 a.m.–7:30 a.m.] Anyway, my day starts around 5:30 a.m. when Otis and Smokey, our kitties, jump on the bed and wake me up to feed them. They whine, almost speak, bite on my arms and hands gently, sit on my head...and Kevin SLEEPS right through all this!

I get up and go downstairs to the kitchen and feed them. Then I smoke my morning joint and check in on "Morning Joe" until around 7:30, when I go BACK to bed—until around 10:30.

[10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.] I turn on the TV and all day long it's between MSNBC, CNN, FOX and "Bar Rescue," while practicing the first part of the day's housewifery. And/or planning or prepping the dinner for that day. When I get home from the road, I am pretty much sick of restaurant food, so I cook almost everything.

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[12 p.m.–2 p.m.] At noon, I work out for about an hour. I vocalize as often as I can, trying to help keep my voice in shape. But that is no substitute for doing my show. At 74, I worry that I won't come back as strong after this long a break. There is just so much sh*t to think about.

I then go down and say hey to Kevin, who is always working at the computer. I let the kitties in, feed them again, and let them out again. Check in on the TV (old movies from the '30s and '40s, political shows) while practicing more housewifery.

I am not a music enthusiast, so I don't listen to music for entertainment often. And I find reading boring, unless it's for information. I really, REALLY like television.

Occasionally, Kevin will holler out from his office, "Baby, come listen to this," and I go in and listen. It's usually something that he thinks I would sound good singing. Or something completely ridiculous. If it's good and it fits me, then it goes in my "To do" folder. That's about as much work as I do on music when I am not recording.

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[2 p.m.–6 p.m.] I make lunch at around 2, do some other domestic chores, all the while watching TV and letting the kitties in and out. Sometimes the afternoons get broken up by phone interviews. And then I let the kitties in or out.

The one upside about this is that I smoke joints and drink champagne and wine so I can stay "mellow," as they used to say. And I can't quite do it like that while I'm working.

Then I round up the kitties for the last time and start making dinner, sometime between 6 and 8.

[6 p.m.–12 a.m.] Kevin and I meet after dinner to watch TV together. I also play solitaire through all this time to fill in the gaps. Until 11. Then Trevor Noah, Colbert's monologue, over to "Perry Mason," then Seth's monologue, then to bed and Alfred Hitchcock puts us to sleep.

Since I do not write my own material, that means that almost all of my income comes from live performances... Ughh. Thankfully, my husband is a hawk with money, so he is keeping us safe for the moment.

That is pretty much a day in the life of Betty Kiley, which is who I am when I'm not BEING Bettye LaVette. As scary as the current situation is, I think if we can all just hold on, we can beat this. In fact, I'm sure of it.

I'm so grateful to have my wonderful husband and my kitties here with me. I love you all, and I'll see you on the other side of this mess.

Soulfully, 

Bettye LaVette

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If you wish to support our efforts to assist music professionals in need, learn more about the Recording Academy's and MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

If you are a member of the music industry in need of assistance, visit the MusiCares website.

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PJ

Photo by Ana Paula Sanchez

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Quarantine Diaries: PJ Is Making TikToks, Covering Roddy Ricch's "High Fashion" & Binging "Ozark" On Netflix

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As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
Apr 2, 2020 - 9:39 am

As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, R&B/soul performer PJ, who has penned hits for Charlie Puth, Meek Mill and Wiz Khalifa, shares her Quarantine Diary.

Wednesday, March 26

I have been extremely lazy and eating everything in my path. Like, way more than usual. And honestly it’s been very hard to switch that up. I keep hearing that it's good to make an actual schedule, so I def have that on my to-do list.  

[8 a.m.] I typically wake up around 8 a.m. every day—today was a little later. Around this time is usually when I reach for my phone and get sucked into the black hole that is Instagram by 8:15 a.m. And it isn’t usually until my dog licks me to death to take him outside that I actually roll out of bed. His name is Zombie, by the way. I walked him for about 35 to 40 minutes. 

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[11:30 a.m.] I finally convinced myself to do something halfway athletic. I don't really know when this mandatory quarantine will be over, and I don't want to come back from it heavier. Honestly, this quarantine has been more of a hibernation period for me. And I've had trouble convincing my body to be active. It's almost as if my body is in a constant state of sleepiness. My friend Fresh sent me a workout. I think it’s only supposed to take about an hour, but due to my A.D.D. and lack of fitness, it was probably about double the time. For the record, I hate squat jumps. And it's very hard for me to take cute fitness pictures, so I’ll pass on that, LOL. 

[1 p.m.] Nothing too crazy, but I did download Photoshop and Adobe After Effects. Even though it's been super hard for me to be productive. I'm not gonna lie and pretend that I've just been churning out songs and content. But I do want to make sure I'm able to create stuff. So I thought it would be dope to figure out how to make some of that content on my own. So I've officially downloaded it, and I really hope I actually get to it.  

[3 p.m.] I ended up with enough courage to make a TikTok for my cover of Roddy Ricch's "High Fashion." It took me unlimited tries, and I destroyed my room changing clothes, trying to pick an outfit. It definitely stressed me out.  But of course, after that, I took a million selfies, since my makeup was already done.

@justpeej

##roddyrich ##highfashion ##remix ##covid19 ##happyathome ##comingsoon

♬ original sound - justpeej

[4:30 p.m.] I sent changes to my engineer Blue for a cover of Justin Bieber’s "Yummy" I'm doing. I've been doing covers to put out during this quarantine. I needed him to move the drums around, and some vocals. Luckily, Blue has his own home set up, so even though Atlantic [Records, my label] is closed I’m still able to get some work done. I ordered some equipment yesterday, but it doesn’t get here till tomorrow.  

[7:15 p.m.] I ended up in the danger zone, a.k.a. my couch. So as we speak I'm binging Netflix. But really I'm just waiting till "Ozark" comes out tonight at midnight. Best show on television, in my opinion. I have other faves, but I'm addicted to this.  
  
So that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing; this was probably my most productive day. And I hope to keep it going and not sleep this entire quarantine away.  

Also, tip.

For those of you still looking for toilet tissue, check Big Lots before 10 a.m. 

Love, PJ. 

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If you wish to support our efforts to assist music professionals in need, learn more about the Recording Academy's and MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

If you are a member of the music industry in need of assistance, visit the MusiCares website. 

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Peter Bjorn And John

Photo by Johan Bergmark

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Quarantine Diaries: Peter Bjorn And John's John Eriksson Is Reading Poetry & Battling Possible COVID-Related Illness

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As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
May 5, 2020 - 11:59 am

As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, John Eriksson of Swedish indie favorites Peter Bjorn And John, shares his Quarantine Diary. Peter Bjorn And John's ninth studio album, Endless Dream, is out now.

[4:30 a.m.] Waking up, coughing like a very old man. The sound reminds me of my grandfather. He was coughing a lot, he was a car repairman and he was half deaf. Someone fired a gun right next to his right ear.

[Editor's note: According to the band's management, Eriksson suspects he may have contracted COVID-19. But, because they're only testing people in Sweden who need hospital care, he can't be sure.]

[4:34 a.m.] Trying to fall asleep again by watching an old Swedish criminal drama from the end of the '80s. Everybody is wearing bright white jackets and dresses. Weightless, fluffy humans with untroubled minds, feather-light bodies, relaxed faces. Everything looks so easy and the pace is so unbelievably slow. The investigator is constantly holding a burning cigarette between his index and middle finger.

[5:30 a.m.]  Waking up, coughing and probably waking up my girlfriend for the 45th time during the last three weeks. But, she loves me, yeah, yeah, yeah?

[5:35 a.m.] Trying to read a book in bed. Can almost only read "slow" writers at the moment. Tove Jansson or Peter Handke. Bruno K. Öijer or Tomas Tranströmer. Books where the sentences are not chasing each other, texts where it doesn't matter if you are on page one or 99. Pages that have a mind of their own.

[8:01 a.m.] My girlfriend comes from the kitchen and hands me a black bowl with oatmeal porridge. Eating that in bed, waving goodbye to my son on his way to school. 

[9:17 a.m.] Looking out the window. Coughing.

[10:00 a.m.] Time for a chance of scenery. Walking into the living room. Looking out of that window.

[10:14 a.m.] Standing on the balcony, watching seagulls making love on a roof. It is not cute. A big, dazed bumble bee, already busy, flies around looking for the meaning of life, creating a feeling of melancholy. Feel like touching its fuzzy yellow-black body and wish it luck. 

Another busy creature, the postman, comes on his yellow bicycle, wearing shorts today (why not). He picks up the envelopes, the flyers and magazines from his huge, blue postbag in a relaxed and effortless way, totally at ease with his tasks. He walks slowly to the house next to ours.

On the street below, random people are walking almost aimlessly, like they are on vacation, like the narrow passage in our backyard is the Ramblas in Barcelona. But the people down there don't sound like tourists; the only thing you hear is the dampened sound of their slow footsteps on the asphalt, soft rubber soles, sometimes touching small pieces of gravel. No hard heels and no loud voices. It's like everybody is trying to compose a vast silence, together. A minute of silence after a minute of silence. The only distinct sounds are the spring birds. For all of them, it's business as usual and the only creatures behaving like they are on a charter trip are the seagulls. Screaming, fighting, f**king, acting like they own this place.

[11:30 a.m.] Continuing to read. The book I'm reading smells like dust in a warm attic, its pages yellowed by sunlight and antique cigarette smoke.

[11:55 a.m.] Doing a breathing exercise in order to get the mucus out of the lungs and I end up coughing up a big lump of white-yellow slime that lands on the wooden floor. Looking down at something from another world and it feels like it is looking back at me. I go to the toilet, gather a big ball of toilet paper, go back into the living room and carefully wipes up the slime. I throw the paper in the toilet and look at myself in the mirror. It is unworthy to be sick. Unworthy. 

[1:15 p.m.] Drinking water. Getting a text from Bjorn, asking me if I want to DJ at a livestream event next month. Seriously considering this for a moment, which must be a sign of illness. 

[2:02 p.m.] Have noticed that movies in black and white work better when you are sick, It's like there's more space in them. Watching Wim Wenders' "Der himmel über Berlin" for the first time on a fantastic Swedish movie site and one scene takes my breath away. The camera zooms in on a woman sitting in a laundromat thinking about all the stuff she needs to fix at home before her husband gets there: cooking food, doing the dishes, vacuuming. In the middle of her thoughts, the image changes from black and white to color, illuminating a long row of dark-red washing machines. This almost makes me cry. Don't know why. 

[5:30 p.m.–8 p.m.] Coughing.

[8 p.m.] Going to bed. Feel a bit better than yesterday evening. Before I turn out the light, I read the last lines of a poem by Tranströmer: 

"Outside, the late spring.
From the greenery a whistling - people or birds?
And cherry trees in bloom pat the heavy trucks on the way home.
Weeks go by.
Slowly night comes.
Moths settle down on the pane:
small pale telegrams from the world."

If you wish to support our efforts to assist music professionals in need, learn more about the Recording Academy's and MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

If you are a member of the music industry in need of assistance, visit the MusiCares website.

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Russell Taylor

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Quarantine Diaries: Russell Taylor Is Listening To Teddy Pendergrass & Watching "Westworld"

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As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
May 4, 2020 - 12:09 pm

As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, R&B singer Russell Taylor—whose new single and video, "Come Morning," is out now—shares his Quarantine Diary

In mid-March all my work started shutting down—first the studio, then the home collaborative sessions, then the lunch meetings for future business and then...my East Coast spring tour got postponed. Full work stop. As I sulked my way through acceptance, I scrolled through some of my unreleased "maybe" songs (I've been recording new material for about eight months now for a new project) and come morning crashed into my spirit. I wanted to release it now because it sounds like "connection" to me. I need connection. We need connection, especially right now. I immediately got to work with production edits in Los Angeles, mixing in Atlanta and mastering in Charlotte. And then via a chat with filmmaker Dominga Martin, we came up with a video treatment that would bring 30 Instagram strangers together into one piece of art while being in different cities—countries even. I am not sulking anymore. This is what art is meant to do; artists are meant to draw folks out of the grey.  

[9:30 a.m.] The alarm knocks me hard in the head. I was up until 4 a.m. doing edits on the video "Come Morning" with Dominga. I open the curtains and let in the sun. Usually I check emails and texts, the news and then Instagram right away. But since Quarantine 2020, I am part of a 21-day meditation group with time deadlines. I focus on nothing but sunlight, quiet and an uninterrupted mind for meditation. Next step is my Treasure Map—it's basically a vision board but in picture book form. Then a cup of strong coffee, some fresh green juice with turmeric and collagen while texting and emailing. 

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[11:30 a.m.] I have my first conference call with Dominga to review final video edits and promo clips. Next I have a call with my publicist Ra-Fael for song and video placement pitches. I think to myself, "Self, what were you thinking? All this during quarantine?" [Insert internal judgy head shake.] 

Back to emailing, texting and calling everyone I know to tell them about the new record. Coffee-fueled frenetic actions ensue. LOL. 

[2 p.m.] It’s lunch time. I’m making egg salad with fresh celery and capers, some homemade Sorrel on ice. I turn on the news and check the updates for the day though I know I shouldn’t because of the stress of it all, but I just can't help it. Trump is on. MUTE! 

I check TikTok. I just joined and I want to see if anyone has followed me or my measly four posts yet. Note to self: Damn, these people are good. I gotta step up my lipsync skill set! I must practice TikTok.

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[3 p.m.] Time to switch gears and put on a T-shirt and cap. I have not had a professional haircut or beard trim for six weeks now. A hat is essential business attire! I wash my face (did I remember to brush my teeth?). I brush
them again (probably for the first time), wash my face, moisturize, brush my beard, throw on a cap. I'm off to Instagram Live for a guest spot on Trina’s (from TvOne's "Sister Circle") at 4 p.m. to discuss the release of the new song and the video. It ends up being 30 minutes because of the jokes and laughs. We all needed it. Thank God for laughs.

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[5 p.m.] Time to get some exercise! I need more coffee. I forgo the yoga/resistance band station I have set up as part of a COVID-19 exercise challenge and decide to take the bike out for some fresh air. 50 feet into the ride, the back tire explodes. Have I eaten that much??? Note to self: STOP EATING EVERYTHING.  

OK, the bike is out of play. Instead, I walk just over five miles, and though it starts to rain, I don’t rush home. It’s just rain, I won't melt, and somehow it's even more relaxing. I switch from listening to Teddy Pendergrass' greatest hits to listening to my own rainy day playlist. No stress, just be. Wait—I hear another one of my "maybe" songs, but it is only half done. This could be the next quarantine jam. Note to self: make a  note to revisit. You make a lot of notes.

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[7:30 p.m.] I take a hot shower. I am having leftovers for dinner—shrimp and veggie stir fry. A nice glass of my favorite CocoBon wine while I get caught up on HBO's "Westworld." I have another glass of wine. Let’s make a post on Instagram. Operation rabbit hole initiated. 

[11 p.m.] I must have fallen asleep..."Westworld" is watching me. Get into bed. I call my father to chat about his day and make sure he is feeling OK and taking his temperature at least every other day. I read a bit of Children Of Blood And Bone and it hits me that I didn’t set up my mic today. I didn’t write a thing, I didn’t sing a thing. I did work on music stuff all day, but I didn’t "create" anything. I wanna create more things. OK. Note to self: I gotta make time tomorrow for something creative...For me. Maybe I’ll finish that song from the rainy walk or even start a new one. Or I could paint something. I always wanted to paint. Or I could make a cake. Maybe I should make a cake now. Should I google making a cake. Wait. Stop eating everything. 

Ok, I might need a melatonin tab; let me go to sleep :)

If you wish to support our efforts to assist music professionals in need, learn more about the Recording Academy's and MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

If you are a member of the music industry in need of assistance, visit the MusiCares website.

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Eric Bellinger 

Photo by Sergio Barron

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Quarantine Diaries: Eric Bellinger Is Releasing 'Optimal Music' & Making Mickey Mouse Pancakes

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As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
May 1, 2020 - 10:13 am

As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, GRAMMY-nominated songwriter Eric Bellinger—whose collaborative album with Nieman J, Optimal Music, is out now—shares his Quarantine Diary

Friday, April 24

This was a big day for us because we released my newest project, Optimal Music. This was the first time I dropped an album and didn’t have a big release party, listening party or club event, but we made it work!

[9 a.m.] Ely [Bellinger's son] woke me up.

[9:30 a.m.] Me and Ely got dressed. He likes to dress like his dad, so we wear matching outfits a lot. La'Myia [Bellinger's wife] is with our newborn. 

[9:45 a.m.] Called into the Morning Show with Nick Cannon to discuss the album. Spoke about the recording process, features and some of my favorite moments from Optimal Music.

[10 a.m.] Breakfast made by me. Mickey Mouse pancakes this morning.

[10:30 a.m.] Live with Ely and his school. We did arts and crafts today. 

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[11 a.m.] Yoga and meditation with Ely. I’m big into meditation, especially in times like this. It’s important to make sure I’m keeping a good balance in every aspect of my life. 

[12 p.m.] Work out with trainer. He comes to the house in full sanitation gear so I can still stay in shape while keeping everyone safe.

[1 p.m.] Açaí bowl.

[2 p.m.] Lunch.

[3 p.m.] Cut some new records in my home studio. It’s tough not having my engineer with me, but I can’t help but to still record music every day.

[6 p.m.] Link with Niem for "Malibu Nights." We usually do a concert once a month where I invite some of my friends like Tank, Ne-Yo, BJ to perform acoustic cuts, and then I have some new aspiring artists perform and show off their vocals. Now, because we can’t have a concert, we moved the whole thing to IG live. Every Friday, eight new artists compete with each other in a singing competition that me and Niem host. I love being able to give artists a new platform, and it’s a great way for us to discover new talent as well.

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[9 p.m.] Meet with Niem. We always have so much music in the pipeline, it’s important that we stay communicated and on top of everything. This new project has some big records on it, and it’s important that we have a precise plan for everything.

[10 p.m.] Movie or Netflix with Myia. Right now we're really into "Little Fires Everywhere," "All American" and "The Last Dance."

If you wish to support our efforts to assist music professionals in need, learn more about the Recording Academy's and MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

If you are a member of the music industry in need of assistance, visit the MusiCares website.

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