TV - The Grammy Awards Show - February 2006

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

The Grammy Award Show is the first and ultimate of all music awards shows - This show was one of the best of all-time - NR Top 10 According To Google

Thursday February 9, 2006

WATCHING THE GRAMMY'S

Watching the Grammy's from Asia was a joy. The production was great with the mix of talent from all genres of music performing or making appearances as presenters.

The Grammy Award Show is the first and ultimate of all music awards shows presented by the National Association of Recording Artists & Songwriters (NARAS).

Having been a musician most of my life and having covered the event as a journalist for 15-years this show was one of the best of all-time. It blended and balanced in its presentation Hip-hop, R&B, pop, rock, country… you name it this years Grammy's had it.

The show had everything… Mariah Carey, The Black Eyed Peas (I love the BEP's), U-2, Cold Play, Faith Hill (love her too), Jay Z, American Idol winners Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia … ah… like an artist says when trying to thank everyone they want to thank for winning the award… Excuse me… I can't remember all the people's names I'd like to thank. In this case it was for a good show.

If you didn't see it I recommend that you do in a re-run if possible.

From the old school there was Paul McCartney of Beatles fame. I always wondered what musicians from the 1960's would do when they get old… particularly when they reach their 60's. McCartney qualifies and he's still rockin.

Dr. John aka Mac Rabernack was performing with a group of New Orleans musicians. He's also a vintage 60+ guy. I've known Dr. John for years, though not well, since the time I jammed (played music) with him at a Love-In at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California in 1968. Those were the days.

It was interesting to hear that NARAS contributed $1 million US to musicians in the New Orleans area that lost their instruments in the Katrina hurricane.

There was a spot appearance for Sly Stone (Stewart) from Sly & The Family Stone during a group of musician and singers including Bonnie Raitt that performed a medley of his hits.

Sly ruined his career and future by not showing up for concerts that gained him the reputation as a risk to hire. However brief… he showed up for this.

Then came the bad news. Near the end of the show the Grammy's pay tribute to those in the music that passed away during the past year.

Wilson Pickett passed away. He was one person that I could relate too since I sang many of his songs during my career as a musician. Songs such as The Midnight Hour, Mustang Sally, 634-5789, Land of A 1,000 Dances and Funky Broadway were requested crowd pleasers.

He recorded those hits with Booker T (Jones) and the MG's the then Stax Records house band. I can really relate to that since Booker T was a guest on my television show in America in the early 80's. But then the really bad news came when they announced the famed jazz organist Jimmy Smith died. I was in shock.

Smith was a personal friend of mine though he was much older. He was a man that was critically misunderstood. I considered Smith a friend. He had been on my mind for several weeks and I meant to call him but misplaced or lost his telephone number. Now it's too late. His hits included Got My Mo Jo Workin, Goldfinger, Walk On The Wild Side and numerous others.

He played with such passion and energy that he could almost make a Hammond B-3 organ talk. He growled while he played and if you made eye contact with him he could give you a cold stare that could turn you to stone. That was the impression Smith gave on the surface but underneath was a man with a big heart who truly cared about others. I've written about him in the past but not as much as he deserved.

Coming… The Real… Jimmy (Hammond) Smith plus (+) Musician Stories.

According to Google National Radio's Top 10 stories are:

(1) Jim Murray

(2) Royal Palace

(3) NBA Trivia

(4) Michael Jordan

(5) Jerry West Builds Memphis

(6) Freshie Boy & Girl Contest

(7) OOPS FAT Did It Again

(8) ASEAN Games

(9) Cambodian Football

(10) Angkor Wat

Past Most Mentioned:

(1) Walter Payton

(2) Marshall Faulk

(3) Barry Bonds

(4) Digital Divide Data