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| The Recording Academy Elects New National Officers The Recording Academy announced today that award-winning music video director/producer George Flanigen was elected Chair of the Board of Trustees, music supervisor/composer/film music executive Doug Frank was elected Vice Chair, and engineer/producer Glenn Lorbecki was elected Secretary/Treasurer at its annual spring Trustees meeting. Outgoing Chair of the Board and five-time GRAMMY winner Jimmy Jam will become Chair Emeritus. Additionally, The Academy's Trustees voted to rename and expand the Folk Field, restructure the Latin Field, and eliminate the Best Polka Album category. This brings the total number of GRAMMY categories that will be recognized in January 2010 to 109. "Through the election of our new National Officers and the focus squarely on ensuring the Awards process is pertinent within the current musical landscape, the Board of Trustees continues to demonstrate its passionate commitment to keeping The Recording Academy a relevant and responsive organization in our dynamic music community, " said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "We welcome our new slate of officers and the diversity and the depth of music industry experience they offer, and I look forward to working closely with this talented new team." About The National Officers George Flanigen, newly elected Chair of the Board of Trustees, served as The Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President from 2006–2008 and Governor from 1999–2006. Flanigen is co-owner of Deaton Flanigen Productions Inc., an award-winning, full-service film production company based in Nashville with projects ranging from music videos, national commercials, and network television specials. His work with artists such as Big & Rich, Martina McBride, and Reba McEntire have garnered four GRAMMY Award nominations in the Best Short Form Music Video. Flanigen's recent projects include music videos for Kid Rock, Gretchen Wilson, Hank Williams Jr., and Rascal Flatts. He is currently working on a three-hour network television special, "The CMA Music Festival." Newly elected Vice Chair Doug Frank, president of music operations for Warner Bros. Pictures, has served as Trustee for The Recording Academy Los Angeles Chapter from 2004–2009 and Governor from 2000–2004. At WB Pictures, Frank is involved in all aspects of music ranging from the score to the soundtrack album and has supervised the music for such feature films as City Of Angels, The Departed, the Matrix trilogy, Superman Returns, the Harry Potter series, and all of the Batman films. He formerly served as head of music for WB Television where he was responsible for establishing the music identities of shows such as "Growing Pains, " "Murphy Brown, " and "China Beach." Frank began his musical career as a studio musician, following a formal education in music at Brooklyn College. Also a songwriter, his songs have been recorded by many artists including Dionne Warwick and Plácido Domingo. Glenn Lorbecki, elected Secretary/Treasurer, is president/CEO of Glenn Sound — a multi-room music/audio post-production facility in Seattle. He served as Chapter President of The Recording Academy Pacific Northwest Chapter from 2001–2003, Trustee from 2003–2008 and as Co-Chair of the Producers & Engineers Wing from 2004–2009. A producer, studio owner, composer, musician and educator, Lorbecki's engineering and production career spans more than four decades and he has worked with such artists as Kenny G, Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, Heart, Weezer, and The White Stripes. Awards Due to the increasing growth of traditional music, The Academy has split the category Best Contemporary Folk/Americana into two categories: Best Contemporary Folk Album and Best Americana Album. Additionally, the Folk Field has been renamed American Roots Music, which will now include the Best Traditional Blues Album, Best Contemporary Blues Album and Best Bluegrass Album categories. In the Latin Field, the Best Latin Urban Album will now be combined with Latin Rock or Alternative into Best Latin Rock, Alternative Or Urban Album. To ensure the Awards process remains representative of the current musical landscape, the Best Polka Album has been eliminated, which brings the total number of GRAMMY categories to 109. The Trustees of The Recording Academy, along with Academy senior staff, Chapter Regional Directors, Executive Directors, and Chapter Presidents, met May 18–22 at the semiannual series of meetings with agendas designed to strategically chart the course of The Academy and its affiliate corporations. Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |