SANTA MONICA, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Recording Academy) - After a thorough evaluation process by a GRAMMY blue ribbon committee, The Recording Academy today officially announced the 45 "My GRAMMY Moment 2008" quarter-finalists who will vie for the chance to perform on the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards with current five-time GRAMMY-nominated rock band Foo Fighters.
Music fans can view the 45 musicians that have been chosen and vote for 15 instrumentalists they think should be a part of the Foo Fighters' orchestra by logging onto YouTube and voting online (www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment) now through Jan. 27, 2008. "My GRAMMY Moment" 2008 content will also be available across the CBS Audience Network and its more than 200 online partners.
Over the next two weeks, the field will be narrowed from 15 semi-finalists to three finalists and eventually, one musician from the orchestra will be chosen as the featured performer. Led Zeppelin's legendary multi-instrumentalist John Paul Jones will arrange a special orchestral version of the Foo Fighters' hit single "The Pretender" and will serve as special guest conductor of the Foo Fighters' orchestra. Musical instruments for the "My GRAMMY Moment" segment will be provided by Gibson Guitar. The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards, to be held on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, is scheduled to be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).
"A large number of accomplished instrumentalists from across the country aspire to play with the Foo Fighters on GRAMMY night; the 45 musicians selected reflect a diverse group of talented individuals," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "The Recording Academy has always supported new and developing artists through our many music education initiatives, so we look forward to working with the musicians selected by the YouTube community to play with the Foo Fighters as part of their orchestra."
"We're participating in 'My GRAMMY Moment' because it creates opportunities; opportunities to write, compose, play and study music — skills that absolutely need to be passed on to generations to come," said Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters. "And thanks to 'My GRAMMY Moment,' musicians from this next generation have the chance to play with us at the GRAMMYs as part of our orchestra."
Voting and Performance Information
• Fan voting for 15 semi-finalists that will perform with the Foo Fighters as part of their orchestra will take place now through Jan. 27, 2008, at 11:59 p.m. ET at YouTube (www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment).
• The 15 semi-finalists will be announced on Jan. 28, 2008. These musicians are guaranteed a spot in the orchestra and will fly to Los Angeles during GRAMMY Week to rehearse with the band.
Voting and Performance Information (cont'd)
• The Top 3 finalists will be announced on Feb. 4, 2008. Then, voting for one featured performer from the Top 3 will take place through Feb. 10, 2008, at 8 p.m. ET on YouTube. After that, voting will be open during the first two hours of the live telecast (8-10 p.m. ET) via text messaging. The featured instrumentalist will be announced live on stage during the telecast prior to his/her ultimate GRAMMY Moment with the Foo Fighters.
• For rules and regulations, submission information, and voting site, log onto www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment.
