The following is from the Facebook group “Bring Polka Back To The Grammy’s”:

In 2009, the Recording Academy who runs the Grammy Awards decided that “Best Polka Album” would no longer be a category in their ceremonies. Let’s look at some of the categories they will be keeping:

Best Spoken Word Album for Children
Best Opera Recording
Best Chamber Music Performance
Best Spoken Comedy Album
Best Instrumental Composition
Best Bluegrass Album
Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording
Best Native American Music Album
Best Hawaiian Music Album
Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album
Best Historical Album
Best Jazz Fusion Performance
Best Norteño Album
Best Regional Mexican Album
Best Traditional World Music Album
Best Surround Sound Album
Best Reggae Album

And the list goes on and on. Can anyone please explain why the academy would keep all of these categories and decide that Polka is no longer worthy of consideration?

Believe it or not, there are still a large number of ethnic communities, mostly from Eastern Europe, who still enjoy listening to Polka music. It is a fun genre to dance to and is still living and thriving around the world, even though it is frequently maligned by those who do not understand it. Please join our group and let the academy know that Polka is just as worthy of accolades as any other music form.

I agree with this author.  The categories listed above, save a few, deserve recognition and deal with a genre of music, but the following are also Grammy Award categories…

* Best Recording Package
* Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package
* Best Album Notes
* Best Album Notes – Classical

It’s sad that they eliminated a genre just as “American” as Blues, Gospel & Bluegrass.  Polkas are an international genre for sure, but the American Polka is just that…American.

The polka in the U.S. is much different from that of it’s European counterparts.  The various ethnic groups that claim the polka as part of their culture (Slovenian, Polish, Czech, German, etc.), melded the music of America…Jazz, Dixieland & Swing…with their ethnic musical traditions to create the American Polka sound.

So whether it be a Chicago Push Style Polka, Cleveland Style Polka or the Upper Midwest Dutchman Style, they are American and are deserving of recognition.  Bring back the Grammy for Best Polka Album!

Nas Dravje!

Pick a card...any card.

Here is a link to few very lifelike (and not so lifelike) 3D art that just nocked my socks off.  Hope you enjoy these…Check out the freckles on Freeman’s face…WOW!

Is this what they'll look like?

Rock Band fans can look forward to a new game this coming year!  The Beatles: The Game…sounds lilke a good title to me!  Apple Corps LTD, MTV Games and Harmonix (creators of the game Rock Band) have entered a partnership to produce a Beatles inspired video game.

The upcoming game will not carry the Rock Band title and is the first time The Beatles music will be presented via the interactive video game format.  Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison offered their creative input and give the project their blessings.  Giles Martin, son of The Beatles producer/mentor Sir George Martin,  will serve as music producer for the upcoming project.  See the official news release at The Beatles Website.

I’m not an owner of Rock Band, but have played the game and must say it’s a blast.  This announcement may give me a reason to purchase this new title.  This is great and fun news, but I’m really waiting to find out when The Beatles digital catalog will be  available…rumors have been going around for ages!  This new game announcement may just be the first step in that direction.

Photo Credit: Tim Jonze

Alison Krauss and Robert Plant

Well we can all be wrong and apparently this one went around the world!!!

My last post has been found to have no credibility and I wasn’t the only one to spread this rumor.  After reports came out recently that Led Zeppelin was recording again and planning a tour in the next year, Robert Plant issued a statement denying any such plans are being made.

“…I wish Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham nothing but success with any future projects…” – Robert Plant

According to Plant’s statement he plans on finishing his tour with Alison Krauss and doesn’t plan on doing anything “for at least the next two years.”

All I can say is sorry for spreading misinformation…but man wouldn’t it have been AWESOME!!!  Check back after two years…see you at the concert in 2011…cross your fingers!

Images: Getty Images, Anders Lennver

Led Zeppelin Reunites

Many thought the day would never come…but it looks as though it may have!  Robert Plant wasn’t going to participate in the upcoming Led Zeppelin reunion tour and the other members, determined to continue without him, held auditions for a replacement.  The band’s hand picked choice was so good that they informed Plant!  (What nice fellas.) Plant reacted by changing his mind.  The Sun is reporting that Robert Plant will be touring with Led Zeppelin’s founding members Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, along with Jason Bonham (son of late drummer John Bohnam) begining sometime in 2009.

UPDATE: Click Here

Richard Wright 1943-2008

Keyboardist and founding father of Pink Floyd, Richard Wright, has died from cancer. Due to his very private demeanor, Wright was probably the most unknown member of Pink Floyd, though his contributions are irrefutable. What would 1973’s Dark Side of the Moon be like without his compositions “Us and Them” and “The Great Gig In The Sky” or his beautiful vocal harmonies blending with David Gilmour and Roger Waters lead vocals?

I found Pink Floyd, as most American teenagers do, during my high school years and my love for them grew through college and continues to this day. I have very fond memories of listing to Echoes from the Meddle album which is based around Wright’s single piano note. I was never fortunate enought to see Pink Floyd during their last tour but the Pulse album and concert DVD are near the top of my all time favorites list.

It is a sad day for the music community as Wrights passing puts to rest not only a gifted musician and by all accounts a wonderful person, but also any chance of a reunion of the founding members of Pink Floyd.

R.I.P Richard Wright…The Great Gig In The Sky awaits!

It’s always a sad day when a legend dies, but even more so when most people didn’t even know his name. Don LaFontaine was “THE VOICE OF GOD” narrator of thousands of movie trailers, tv promos and commercials. We all knew his voice and finally saw him in a rare on camera spot for Geico Insurance.

As an audio engineer in the video post-production world I knew who Mr. Fontaine was and loved his work. Honestly, I dreamed of recording him one day.  He had a unique style and delivery and could make our imaginations run wild with a few short words.  Who knows…maybe God will contract Don to do his voiceover work!

WordPress for iPhone

This is hot off the presses… This post comes direct from my iPod Touch. This new app available from the iTunes AppStore is very cool. There are a few glitches so far, but that will work out with future updates to this app.  Images are a little tricky to get right with my theme.  I may end up blogging more often due to this handy little app! So we’ll see what happens in the future.

Though you may not agree with him, T. Boone Pickens is at least trying to change things.  Since he is an “old oil guy” I’m always suspicious about things like this.  Seems like he’s got a plan…check it out for your self at PickensPlan.com.  The stuff on his site is compelling.  CNN ran a story the other night about the auto manufacturers putting the cabosh on electric cars years ago.  Apparently, one of the automakers leased a decent electric car to a bunch of folks but recalled them and then literally crushed them.  Unbelievable…well not really!