MUSIC NEWS: TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018
GRAMMY PRESIDENT UNDER FIRE
The Grammys are coming under fire and this time, it isn't about who won or lost awards Sunday night. Many music fans and critics are questioning whether the Recording Academy is as serious as it says it is in putting women in the forefront. During Sunday's broadcast, there were only two female winners on stage. And Lorde (LORD) -- the only woman nominated for album of the year -- wasn't invited to perform. Academy president Neil Portnow didn't help matters when he tried to explain what many saw as an oversight.
He seemed to indicate that Lorde wasn't compelling enough as a performer to merit air time. Lorde herself clapped back at the Grammy chief, saying if anyone doubts whether she can slay it on stage, they should come see her perform.
---
SHERYL CROW TAKES ON GRAMMYS
Sheryl Crow says it's time for the Grammys to go back to their previous ways and award male and female artists separately. She says it's hard for young girls to be inspired to pick up a guitar when they tune into the Grammys and see nearly category filled with men. She also ripped comments by Grammy head Neil Portnow who said women need to ``step up'' to get more attention from the academy. There were no women up for record of the year honors this year. Meanwhile only one male was nominated for best pop solo performance. And he Ed Sheeran ended up winning.
---
ED SHEERAN AND HIS CAT SAY THANKS
If there were people dismayed that Ed Sheeran for solo pop performance of the year after being the only male nominated in the category, one can only imagine how they might have had their fur ruffled by the fact that he didn't attend Sunday's ceremony.
Sheeran did acknowledge the win by posting a note of thanks yesterday on his Instagram account. He said he and his cat were celebrating the win together. Sheeran beat out stars like Lady Gaga, Kesha and Pink for Grammy for the best pop performance.
---
GRAMMYS - RATINGS
People can't seem to agree on the reason. But there's no disputing the fact: Grammy viewership is down again. The Nielsen ratings say Sunday's ceremony drew about 19 million people.
That's off 24 per cent from last year and is the lowest total in nine years. Some have said the Grammys are seeing the same drop in viewership as other awards shows have in recent years. Others feel this year's emphasis on rap acts may have cooled enthusiasm for the show in the nation's heartland. And at least on conservative news commentator says people were turned off because they expected the event would become an excuse to bash President Trump.
---
(The Associated Press)