For years, members of the Recording Academy lucky enough to earn Grammy nominations received a pair of free tickets to the show. Now, the Academy makes designated members purchase their companion ticket.
The policy change, quietly announced in November, has drawn criticism. Rhiannon Giddens, a two-time Grammy winner in the folk field, wrote a thoughtful Facebook post in which she expressed her frustration with the new policy and put it in the context of life becoming more difficult for working-class musicians.
At the beginning of her post, she talked about the experience of going to the Grammys for the first time in February 2011, when her band Carolina Chocolate Drops was nominated for Best Traditional Folk album for Genuine Negro Jig. Spoiler alert: They won.
“People might not know this, but it's expensive to go to the GRAMMYs — if you're nominated, you pay for the flight, the hotel, the hair, the makeup, the dress, the food, what have you, yourself. All the nominees get a plus one at the ceremony and the after-party, and for a lot of non-mainstream people, win or lose, it's a life time.”
He then addressed the Academy's recent announcement regarding charging prospective members for their +1 tickets.
“The attack on the working class musician has increased greatly this year. I won't be going to the GRAMMYs in February for various reasons but I just heard that the companion ticket is no longer free but costs $1200.
“For all the big names this is easy, and for middle-class musicians like me, it's doable, albeit extremely annoying. For people just getting by, harder than ever in a world that systematically erases every avenue a musician had to monetize their music, from Spotify to indoor venues to digitized orchestras, it's a slap in the face. .
“There are people in the ranks of the GRAMMYs who truly love music and are trying to change things for the better. I understand. The evening ceremony has been slowly upgraded and is now even streamed live! But honestly, that's a pretty bad look – and it makes it all the more obvious who's valued, and more specifically what (that would be a lot of money, for the people in the back).
Giddens attached a photo of her at the 2011 Grammys and noted, “This picture wouldn't exist if the politics then were what they are now, and that makes me sad.
“Music is art. Family. Empathy. Love. We made it with money and this is a tragedy bigger than we know.”
Asked for comment, the Academy provided this statement to Advertising sign: “The recent adjustment only affects prospective members of the Recording Academy, which now brings them on par with all other applicants who already pay this cost for an accompanist position. We recognize that tickets to our show can be expensive, but the additional revenue generated by this small subset of our members allows the Recording Academy, a non-profit organization, to serve many thousands of musicians by helping to fund our educational initiatives , advocacy efforts, diligent programming and immediate assistance extended to music people facing challenges. As with everything we do, the Recording Academy will continue to work to improve and evolve the way we serve our music community.”
Giddens' statement that Grammy tickets cost $1,200 was a little off the mark. tickets were available this year at both higher and lower prices. (tickets in all pricing tiers are now sold out.) Platinum tickets are $2,000 each, Gold tickets are $1,000 each, Silver tickets are $562.50 each, and Bronze tickets are $375 each. . Members may purchase two tickets in any of these pricing tiers and may also purchase two additional Bronze tickets, though extra bronze tickets are $500, not $375. All of these pricing tiers include the Premiere Ceremony (aka the pre-telecast awards). None of the levels include the after-party.
An Academy spokesperson said this policy change of charging member candidates for their +1 tickets applies to all candidates, in marquee categories as well as lower profile categories presented at the Premiere Ceremony.
(Each year, all but about 11 awards are presented at the Premiere Ceremony, which is broadcast live on Grammy.com. These include some high-profile categories, although the biggest awards – including the famous Big Four – album, record and song of the year as well as best new artist – are presented on live television.)
This isn't the only money cap change the Academy has enacted recently. On July 10, it announced that it was raising annual membership fees from $100 to $150, its first dues increase since 2000. The increase took effect on August 1.
The Academy tried to justify the dues increase in an email to voting members. “It is important to highlight the significant accomplishments we have achieved together since the last fee increase in 2000. We have organized more than 650 events across 12 Chapters, celebrated and recognized countless GRAMMY Award nominees and winners, provided $110 million in assistance through MusiCares and has actively supported the passage of numerous bills at both the state and federal levels to protect the rights of creators.”
A third example of increasing fees is that the Academy used to allow members to enter an unlimited number of entries into the Grammy process. Beginning in 2022, all voting and professional members of the Recording Academy receive five “courtesy entries” per year. If they choose to enter more than five entries, they must pay. Last year, the fee was $40 for entries made between July 17 and 31, $75 for entries made between August 1 and 23 and $125 for entries made between August 24 and 31.
The Academy justifies the fee for each member who makes more than five entries saying, “The fee-per-entry structure encourages participants to consider the value of each entry and make careful decisions to present work they truly believe is Grammy-worthy. “
Gidden is nominated for two Grammys at this year's ceremony, set for February 4 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles – best Americana album for You are the One and Best American Roots Performance for a track from that album, “You Louisiana Man.”
It's her first nod for Best Americana album. her third performance for Best American Roots.
Gidden received the second of two Grammy Awards two years ago – best folk album for They Call Me Homewith Francesco Turrisi.
Gidden won a Pulitzer Prize for music last year Omar, a collaboration with Michael Abels. This is the same award that Kendrick Lamar won for five years ago Dime. Gidden has also been honored at the International Folk Music Awards and Americana Music Honors & Awards, among others.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/recording-academy-policy-change-1-free-grammy-ticket-1235586883/
