Grammy nod

The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Committee
has placed 13 Hands on the
Official 1st Round Nomination Ballot for the 2007 Grammy Awards
in the following categories:

 

 

Category 6 –

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
13 Hands – Big Lie (Funkafly Mix)
Artist: 13 Hands

 

 

Category 78 –
Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)
13 Hands – The Johnny Introspective
Arranger: Daniel McBride aka 13 HANDS

 

 

 

To be clear so you understand…

 

There are two rounds of voting and 13 HANDS made it into round one in 2007 thanks to the support of Big Noise  in the album artwork production

and track ordering for the JOHNNY INTROSPECTIVE album.

 

 

Most totally independent artists like 13 HANDS with no corporate based label alliance, funding or parent company with major industry distribution and relationships don’t have much of a way

to make it to 2nd and final nomination round and 13 HANDS understood that.

 

FYI:  Macklemore was able to achieve the final round of nominations and win (good for him!) due to hiring ADA distribution for his album which allowed him to access the marketing muscle of the Warner Music Group.  So that is a good sign of things to come, I suppose, where the major corporate systems may alliance more with successful DIY-ers with their own vision.

 

 

For 13 HANDS,  It was pretty much understood that this would serve as the Grammy nominee ballot, 1st round honor/achievement regardless of moving forward in the 2nd voting process.  The hope would be that little achievement like this can serve as an inspiration to any independent artist pursuing a music career and building their resume long term.

 

 

IMPORTANT:

“Don’t let one’s artistic ego or pursuit of an award or nomination stop you from making your music…I never planned or set out for this to happen.  Awards I guess are nice, maybe it helps one’s resume… but don’t let things like that convince you that what you do musically better than someone else, especially if you do get an award or nomination….that’s the trapping of the ego.” – 13HANDS

 

We all live in a results orientated society and award shows, contests, competitions etc. are like the posturing we went through for the High School yearbook categories… Most popular, most athletic, most talented, etc.. See the psychology going on here?  Just be aware of that and don’t get caught up in it. 

 

For the record, 13 HANDS has some made strong observations and suggestions about the award process in general in hopes the Grammy Foundation will strive to improve themselves and limit how much of an influence money and the corporate music industry affect the judging process.

 

The past several years the independent music industry and many in the music loving, public view the Grammy process as sort of a corporate joke (called the Granny’s or the Shammy’s) and how it has been inconsistent in recognizing and honoring true, musical and artistic talent that has nothing to do with selling millions of records to pre-pubescent teens.

 

“The Grammy’s  got it right when Esperanza Spalding won that year”…

Little by little, year by year… they’re getting a “little better” and slowly redeeming themselves and I’m rooting for you..  I truly am… I adore music with all my heart and will continue to be your biggest supporter and strongest critic”