The Grammy Awards of 2012

Every year at this time the music industry has an awards show to recognize outstanding achievements in the music industry. The annual presentation ceremony features performances by prominent artists, and some of the awards of more popular interest are presented in a widely viewed televised ceremony. It is the music equivalent to the Emmy Awards for television, the Tony Award for stage and the Academy Awards for film.

The first Grammy Awards ceremony was held on May 4, 1959, to honor musical accomplishments by performers for the year 1958. Following the 2011 ceremony, NARAS overhauled many Grammy Award categories for 2012. The 54th Grammy Awards were held on February 12, 2012 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Thanks to Wikipedia for the hyper links above.

As a self proclaimed musician and music connoisseur I must say we are scraping the bottom of the barrel these days. If this is how you spell success in the music industry, I want no part of it. Not that I will ever win a Grammy anyway. The music industry has always consisted of a pack of hungry wolves exploiting people for a buck. It doesn't matter one bit that they destroy the lives of so many artist's along the way. They chew 'em up and spit 'em out like yesterdays garbage. They don't give a rats ass about the well being of them either. As long as they are bringing in money everything's hunky dory. The minute a problem comes up and keeps the artist from making a few shows it "toodles toots" and "Hit the Road Jack." A lot of them end up in an early grave when it's all said and done. Whitney Houston was the music industries latest casualty. I won't even go into it since the internet is already about to blow up with it already.

Imagine (if you can) the weight that is put on your shoulders if you are a "signed artist" in the music industry. I doubt most people realize what a demanding and fast paced world they live in. They are literally ran ragged by the record companies traveling all over doing interviews, photo shoots, sponsor obligations, you name it. I think the idea is to keep 'em hot after they "arrive" on the scene. I'm reminded of a scene from the 1976 farewell concert for "The Band" and something Robbie Robertson said during the documentary "The Last Waltz". When asked the reason for their departure from the road and music he replied (paraphrasing) ... "16 years is a long time to be on the road. We started out in little clubs and after 8 years of that we finally hit the big time and done stadiums and large venues. The road is an impossible lifestyle. It's taken many of the great ones like Jimi (Hendrix) and Janice etc .. if you keep it up it's bound to get you too. Unfortunately he didn't know he was speaking prophetic words back then as Richard Manuel , a member of "The Band" ended up being taken by the road.

Personally I didn't care a lot for Whitney Houston's music, but damn .... the lady could sing her ass off, and for that I give her much respect. Rest in peace Ms. Houston. A lot of people are going to miss you greatly. Hopefully people will remember you for the voice and not the other things you ended up getting so much publicity for in your final years on this earth.