Sights and Sounds: Bryan Adams, Robbie Robertson, Joe Bonamassa

Going into the long holiday weekend there is some pretty cool music news, including several new holiday music singles...Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everybody! 


Canadian rocker Bryan Adams releases new video "Joe and Mary" from his five-track Christmas EP out now

Watch the video for "Joe and Mary" here: https://BryanAdams.lnk.to/JoeAndMaryVideoPR

Stream/Download the Christmas EP here: https://BryanAdams.lnk.to/ListenChristmas

Following on from his Christmas EP release, Bryan Adams has revealed the video for his brand-new song, “Joe and Mary.” 

Directed by Adams, the video features the Canadian rocker reimagining the classic Christmas story of Joseph and Mary, cruising around Vancouver in a vintage Buick car with his very own pregnant “Mary” looking for shelter. The video is a great accompaniment to the track and will bring a festive smile to viewers.

Alongside “Joe and Mary,” the 5-track Christmas EP includes a new recording of the Christmas classic ‘Must Be Santa’, which was previously covered by Bob Dylan, as well as three remastered holiday recordings from his past: “Christmas Time,” “Reggae Christmas” and “Merry Christmas.”

Bryan Adams is one of the world’s most acclaimed singer-songwriters, with a career that has spanned more than four decades. He’s sold over 65 million albums and garnered 21 top ten hits, and his live performances have established him as one of the best rock singers of our time, performing over 120 concerts a year for audiences worldwide.

Connect with Bryan Adams: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Official Website

Robbie Robertson releases original holiday song as new digital single, "Happy Holidays," available now

LEGENDARY SONGWRITER/MUSICIAN RETURNED TO STAGE FOR FIRST TIME IN SEVEN YEARS THIS PAST WEEKEND FOR “THE LAST WALTZ NASHVILLE: AN ALL-STAR CELEBRATION OF THE BAND’S HISTORIC FAREWELL CONCERT”

STREAM/EMBED “HAPPY HOLIDAYS”

Legendary songwriter and musician Robbie Robertson’s new holiday song “Happy Holidays” is an irreverent take on the holiday tune tradition, juxtaposing tongue-in-cheek lyrics about the duality of the yuletide season with some beautiful guitar melodies.

“We love Christmas and the holidays, it brings good cheer, and also stress and depression, so I wanted to do a song that celebrates both sides and have a little fun,” says Robertson.

The recently recorded song, which features Robertson playing a variety of instruments, is now available to stream, download and add to your holiday playlists. Robertson is donating his proceeds from the song to the American Indian College Fund. Stream/download “Happy Holidays” now:  https://RobbieRobertson.lnk.to/HappyHolidays

Robertson is no stranger to holiday music having written The Band’s stunning “Christmas Must Be Tonight,” released in 1977 on their final studio album, Islands. The song has become a seasonal favorite in the holiday canon and continues to be recorded by new generations of musicians. Robertson himself reprised it with an updated version for the classic Christmas film, “Scrooged.”

This past weekend, Robertson made a rare live appearance for his first live performance since 2013 as special guest at “The Last Waltz Nashville: An All-Star Celebration of The Band’s Historic Farewell Concert” Saturday at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The inaugural holiday event was a thrilling celebration of The Band’s historic 1976 Thanksgiving concert, immortalized in the concert film, “The Last Waltz,” and featured performance by some of music’s biggest stars including Darius Rucker, Michael McDonald, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Nathaniel Rateliff, Warren Haynes, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson, Margo Price, Don Was, John Medeski, Cyril Neville, Dave Malone, Bob Margolin, Terence Higgins and Mark Mullins & The Levee Horns.

Robertson recently supervised a suite of new releases to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of The Band’s seminal self-titled “Brown” album. The newly remixed and expanded 50^th Anniversary Edition packages include a multi-format Super Deluxe Edition boxed set that boasts a new stereo mix of the 1969 album by Bob Clearmountain from the original multi-track masters along with a host of unreleased outtakes and alternate recordings and The Band’s long-sought-after full Woodstock performance on 2CD/Blu-ray/2LP/7-inch vinyl. Half a century later the album remains as beloved as ever and the new 2019 collections have earned resounding praise with MOJO declaring in their glowing 5-star review, “50 years on, the music remains both fresh and out of time, simultaneously belonging to past, present and future. Story songs – historical, mythological -- aching balladry, lascivious rockers – performed with tight ensemble subtlety and three of the greatest singers ever trading lines – it’s a work of enduring perfection.” American Songwriter bestowed The Band with a perfect rating and remarked, “With a classic this iconic in the annals of Americana, it’s well worth revisiting The Band to bask in one of the finest albums of its, or any other, era,” while Rolling Stone hailed it as a “masterpiece.” Variety was especially taken by the previously unreleased Woodstock performance: “it’s revelatory to hear these songs, vaunted for their realness, sounding even more real.” Listen/order The Band (50th Anniversary Edition): https://TheBand.lnk.to/TheBand50

Robertson has had an especially exciting and prolific year with the recent releases for The Band as well as his latest studio album, Sinematic, which includes two songs – “I Hear You Paint Houses” and “Remembrance” – that are featured in Martin Scorsese’s mob epic “The Irishman,” alongside Robertson’s original score. Now out in theatres the film will hit Netflix on Wednesday, November 27. Following the world premiere of the new feature film documentary, “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band,” at the Toronto International Film Festival in September where the movie opened the festival, it recently premiered in the U.S. at New York City’s prestigious DOC NYC documentary film festival. Inspired by Robertson’s acclaimed 2016 autobiography, “Testimony,” director Daniel Roher’s “Once Were Brothers” is a confessional, cautionary, and sometimes humorous tale of Robertson’s young life and the creation of one of the most enduring groups in the history of popular music, The Band. The compelling film blends rare archival footage, photography, iconic songs, and interviews with many of Robertson’s friends and collaborators, including Martin Scorsese, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Taj Mahal, Dominique Robertson, and Ronnie Hawkins. It will receive a theatrical release in early 2020 via Magnolia Pictures.

ROBBIE-ROBERTSON.COM

FACEBOOK.COM/J.ROBBIEROBERTSON|TWITTER.COM/R0BBIER0BERTS0N

INSTAGRAM.COM/ROBBIEROBERTSONOFFICIAL

Blues-Rock Titan Joe Bonamassa and Epiphone announce worldwide release of Bonamassa’s Seventh Signature Guitar And Favorite Vintage Les Paul:

 

 “Joe Bonamassa 1960 Les Paul Standard ‘Norm Burst’”

 

Limited-Edition Standard Available at Authorized Epiphone Dealers

Epiphone, the leader in affordable professional instruments presents the limited-edition Joe Bonamassa 1960 Les Paul Standard “Norm Burst.” Joe and Epiphone’s luthiers worked in close collaboration with attention to the fine details at Epiphone’s headquarters in Nashville, TN. As the seventh signature guitar partnership, Joe and Epiphone are committed to producing affordable guitars for Music lovers and Joe Bonamassa fans alike. The exclusive Epiphone “Norm Burst” is designed after the pristine 1960 Les Paul that Joe discovered at Norm’s Rare Guitars in Tarzana, California. The guitar features a classic Les Paul Mahogany body with a Norm Burst finish, ProBucker^TM humbuckers with 50s style wiring and a “Lifton” style case. The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1960 Les Paul Standard “Norm Burst” is available at Authorized Epiphone dealers worldwide.

 

“Norm took ownership of it in the 1980s and his staff nicknamed it the “Norm Burst,” says Joe Bonamassa. “It’s the cleanest vintage Les Paul Standard I’ve ever seen. It’s so new that the nickel pickup covers look chrome. Even the original hang tangs were still there. Acoustically, the first sample that Epiphone sent me sounded like the original. Once again, Epiphone has made a great guitar that I’m proud to have my name on. Tune it up, turn it on and you can rule the world.”

Watch Joe Bonamassa demo the guitar, Here.

Two-Time GRAMMY^TM nominee Joe Bonamassa has become world renowned as one of the most gifted guitarists of his generation. Joe is widely known as an expert and passionate collector of the original Les Paul Standard, perhaps the most coveted vintage instrument of the modern era. The original LP Standard was produced at the Epiphone and Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan from 1958-1960 in limited quantities and today, original guitars sell for $250,000 or more. The new Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1960 Les Paul Standard “Norm Burst” is a stunning recreation of one of Joe’s favorite guitars, a vintage 1960 LP Standard found at Norm’s Rare Guitars.



Read and share the exclusive Epiphone Q&A with Joe Bonamassa, Here.

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1960 Les Paul Standard “Norm Burst” at $699.00.

About Joe Bonamassa:

As Joe Bonamassa enters his 30th year as a professional musician, he continues to blaze a remarkably versatile artistic trail, and amass an authentic, innovative and soulful body of work. Bonamassa's career really began onstage opening for B.B. King in 1989, when he was only 12 years old. Today, he is hailed worldwide as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation and is an ever-evolving singer-songwriter who has released over 40 albums in the last 19 years, all on his own label, J&R Adventures. He founded and oversees the non-profit Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation to promote the heritage of the blues music to the next generation, fund music scholarships, and supplement the loss of music education in schools. Most recently, Bonamassa received his 2nd GRAMMY® nomination, Guitar World Magazine’s Best Blues Guitar Player Award for 2019 and his 22nd #1 Billboard Blues Album (more than any other artist) with his latest live album Live At The Sydney Opera House. There are no signs of Joe slowing down, with tours already booked through 2020 and plans to record in the studio next year. For the latest Tour dates and more visit jbonamassa.com or follow Joe on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

About Epiphone: 

For over 140 years, Epiphone has been a leading innovator in instrument design with models like the Casino, the Texan and Masterbilt Century Archtop Collection. Epiphone began as the “House of Stathopoulo” family business in Sparta in the 1870s and rose to fame during the jazz age in Manhattan before joining Gibson brands in 1957. Today, Epiphone continues to make history from its headquarters in Nashville, TN. Epiphones have powered classic recordings by Les Paul, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones along with today’s top artists like Peter Frampton, Gary Clark Jr, Tommy Thayer of KISS and Lzzy Hale. Epiphone offers innovation, history, and a lifetime guarantee. At Epiphone we're designers, players, mavericks and we're passionate about everything we do.

 

About Gibson:

Gibson Brands, the world’s most iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for more than 100 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, TN, Gibson Brands has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson Brands portfolio includes Gibson, the number one guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, Kramer, Steinberger and Gibson Pro Audio division brands Cerwin Vega, KRK Systems and Stanton. Gibson Brands is dedicated to quality, innovation and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands. Learn more at http://www.gibson.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

  

For more information on Epiphone:

 

EPIPHONE.COM | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE

Masters featured on November titles

Some of music's most notable heroes and underground names have crucial new collections available now, or as part of Record Store Day's Black Friday celebration being held on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019.

Artist: Beck
Title: Hyperspace (Capitol Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Beck, Radiohead
Tell me more: With modern rock no longer a major force in the mainstream, Beck has continued his transformation into the future with his genres-blending fourteenth studio album Hyperspace. Indeed, this is an album that sounds as if it was beamed back in time, dreamt up and recorded years from now. Beck's 2017 LP Colors was a commercial success, but lacked the far-reaching experimental and art rock flourishes that have marked so much of the Los Angeles-based artist's creative output dating back to the early 1990s. The 11-track Hyperspace is a move back in the right direction, thanks to the notable contributions of principal collaborator Pharrell Williams (who co-wrote and co-produced seven tracks on the disc), singer Sky Ferreira (heard on "Die Waiting"), guitar master Jason Falkner, keyboardist-singer Roger Manning, Jr., Coldplay singer Chris Martin (heard on the wonderful "Stratosphere"), and a cast of others. The majority of songs mine probing moodscapes with musical dexterity and emotional depth. The highlight on the album is the Americana-tinged disc closer "Everlasting Nothing," but the future of the sonic-sphere is heard more forcefully on the dreamy "See Through," luxurious "Chemical," blues/electronica/rap mashup "Saw Lightning," confessional "Dark Places" and undeniable single "Uneventful Days." Information: beck.com.

Artist: Tim Buckley
Title: Live at the Electric Theatre Co. Chicago, 1968 (Manifesto Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley
Tell me more: Although Tim Buckley died of a heroin overdose at the mere age of 28 in June 1975, he left an enduring legacy as a groundbreaking artist who explored folk, rock, blues, jazz fusion, funk and other styles over his short career. Fans of the late artist have been rewarded with the release of Live at the Electric Theatre Co. Chicago, 1968, a collection of 14 acoustic songs recorded over the course of a two-night stint at the venue in May 1968. Described in the liner notes as "works in progress", the selections are potent even when heard via this sparse forum where Buckley (on vocals and 12-string guitar) is backed by a bassist and conga player. The lovely "Sing a Song For You," haunting "Danang," a cover of the Helen Deutsch/Bronislaw Kaper co-write "Hi Lily, Hi Lo" (the latter bolstered by Buckley's high-reaching falsetto vocals), a terrific take of Johnny Cash's "Big River" and the intoxicating "Gypsy Woman" are highlights on disc one; his renditions of Fred Neil's "Dolphins" and "Looks Like Rain," as well as his own "Happy Time" and "The Father Song" shine on disc two. Live at the Electric Theatre Col. Chicago, 1968 includes liner notes about the Chicago shows along with remembrances from Buckley collaborators songwriter Larry Beckett and guitarist Lee Underwood. Information: manifesto.com.

Record Store Day's Black Friday Releases

Artist: Paul McCartney
Title: In A Hurry / Home Tonight
Tell me more: The swirling psychedelic-meets-Baroque pop gem "In A Hurry" and infectious "Home Tonight" are featured on a forthcoming Paul McCartney double A-side single set for release on Nov. 29, 2019 as part of Record Store Day's Black Friday. "In A Hurry" is the more interesting of the tracks, with its artful build and the use of creative background vocals and diverse instrumentation. The poppy "Home Tonight" recalls some of McCartney's '70s folk rockers and is as catchy as anything he has recorded in recent years. Fans of McCartney's 2018 Egypt Station will enjoy adding these memorable tracks to their library. An important note: only 12,000 copies of the 7-inch vinyl picture disc will be distributed worldwide at brick-and-mortar music retailers on Nov. 29; it will be very difficult to score a copy of the colorful single to be sure. Information: RecordStoreDay.com.

Artist: New Riders of the Purple Sage
Title: Thanksgiving in New York City (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: the Grateful Dead, Gram Parsons
Tell me more: Recorded live at the Academy of Music in New York City on Nov. 23, 1972, New Riders of the Purple Sage's Thanksgiving in the City should be on every music lover's Black Friday shopping list. The two-disc release serves as both a perfect introduction and an essential addition for those seeking to discover – or learn more – about the legendary American country psychedelic rock band. There is a winning spirit displayed across the recording, with great lead and harmony vocals and top-tier musicianship coming in the service of great strong country- and Americana-styled rock songs. The tender "Leaving on Her Mind," freewheeling take on the classic "Hello Mary Lou," lovely "Contract" and "Linda," a wistful cover of "Long Black Veil" and stylish reworking of the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women" are among this writer's favorite tracks on the collection. Speedy guitar work courtesy of lead guitarist-vocalist David Nelson and pedal steel player Buddy Cage (as evidenced on "Henry") are among the draws on a terrific collection, but the nuanced work provided by rhythm guitarist-vocalist John Dawson, bassist-vocalist Dave Torbert and drummer Spencer Dryden add to the power of the New Riders of the Purple Sage's timeless sound. Information: OmnivoreRecording.com.

Editor's note: In addition to "Thanksgiving in New York City," Los Angeles-based Omnivore Recordings' other Record Store Day/Black Friday releases include the previously-unreleased  Alex Chilton cut "My Rival" (recorded in 1975 and engineered by Big Star co-founder Chris Bell) and a vinyl Christmas single from the Peter Holsapple Combo. 

Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Record Store Day, the global celebration of the culture of the record store, takes place annually in April. Record Store Day’s Black Friday event takes place on November 29, 2019. For more info, visit RecordStoreDay.com.

Robert Kinsler

Review of Paul McCartney's "Home Tonight" and "In A Hurry"

Watch Music Worth Buying co-host TJR's review of Sir Paul McCartney's forthcoming "Black Friday" vinyl single featuring the new tracks "Home Tonight" and "In A Hurry." 

The songs will be released together as a double A-side 7" picture disc single for Record Store Day's Black Friday (coming Nov. 29, 2019).

For more information, visit RecordStoreDay.com, and be sure to watch TJR's in-depth analysis of the two new McCartney tracks:


https://youtu.be/Oro6fkI6p9k

Prog Rock Christmas featuring members of YES, ASIA, Renaissance, Utopia, Focus, Curved Air, Hawkwind & more...

This sounds like a pretty cool way to ring in the holiday season!

Prog Rock Christmas Featuring Members of YES, Renaissance, Utopia, Focus, Curved Air, Hawkwind & ASIA

Special guest performance by legendary actor Malcolm McDowell!

Join producer Billy Sherwood (Yes, Circa) for an expansive musical journey through Christmas classics of yesterday and today, all performed by leading figures in Prog Rock music!

Includes gorgeous performances by guitar legend Steve Morse, angelic vocalists Annie Haslam (of Renaissance) and Sonja Kristina (of Curved Air) plus Thijs Van Leer (of Focus), Simon House (of Hawkwind) and others! Also a special guest performance by actor Malcolm McDowell!

Available on both CD in an attractive digipak and on limited edition vinyl in your choice of RED or WHITE!

Track List:
1. Run With The Fox - Jon Davison
2. Christmas Lights - Kasim Sulton
3. Carol Of The Bells - Steve Morse
4. The Twelve Days Of Christmas - Annie Haslam
5. Wonderful Christmastime - Billy Sherwood & Patrick Moraz
6. I Believe In Father Christmas - Martin Turner
7. Fairytale Of New York - Leslie Hunt & Robin McAuley
8. O Come All Ye Faithful - Sonja Kristina
9. A Christmas Song - Thijs Van Leer
10.  You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Malcolm McDowell
11. Linus & Lucy (Charlie Brown Christmas Theme) - Geoff Downes [CD ONLY]
12. Silent Night - Nik Turner & Simon House
13. Happy Christmas (War Is Over) - John Wetton

To purchase the CD or Vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=prog+rock+christmas&post_type=product

Lyndsey Parker and Mindi Abair to co-host the 2020 'She Rocks Awards' at 2020 Winter NAMM Show

With the 2020 NAMM Show only two months away, major news related to the music event continues to emerge...

Lyndsey Parker and Mindi Abair announced as
Co-Hosts for the 2020 She Rocks Awards 

Entertainment editor/radio host and GRAMMY®-nominated musician will lend their talents to 8th annual event honoring women in music and audio on January 17, 2020 in Anaheim, CA

Tickets on sale now

Lyndsey Parker Mindi Abair Anaheim, CA, November 21, 2019 – The Women’s International Music Network (the WiMN) announces Yahoo Entertainment music editor and SiriusXM radio host Lyndsey Parker and two-time GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist/vocalist Mindi Abair as co-hosts of the upcoming 2020 She Rocks Awards. Recognizing women who stand out as role models in the music industry, the live event takes place on January 17, 2020, at 7:30 p.m. at the House of Blues Anaheim during the NAMM Show. This year’s honorees include Lzzy Hale, Linda Perry, Gloria Gaynor, Suzi Quatro, and many more. Tickets are available at sherocksawards.com Lyndsey Parker Lyndsey Parker is the music editor at Yahoo Entertainment and co-host of the daily SiriusXM Volume show Volume West. Considered an expert in music and pop culture, Parker is an Online Journalism Award nominee and has written for Elle, MOJO, Rolling Stone, NME, and Guitar. She has appeared as a commentator for the ABC special The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story, AXS TV’s The Top Ten Revealed, and the documentary I Want My MTV, as well as for VH1's Behind the Music, CNN, MTV, The Insider, and Good Day L.A.. She is the author of Careless Memories of Strange Behavior: My Notorious Life as a Duran Duran Fan (one of the first e-books published as part of Rhino Records’ all-digital music book series, which went to #1 on the iTunes Music Books chart), and is currently co-authoring the memoir of legendary groupie Mercy Fontenot, a former member of the GTOs. For more: www.lyndsanity.com   Highly sought-after saxophonist/vocalist and two-time GRAMMY nominee Mindi Abair has been electrifying audiences around the world since her debut album in 2000, flawlessly bringing together saxophone, vocals, and a dynamic stage presence. She has garnered ten #1 radio hits, six Top 5 solo records and two #1 spots on the Billboard album charts. Abair has toured and recorded with: Aerosmith, Duran Duran, Smokey Robinson, Gregg Allman, Booker T. Jones, Trombone Shorty and more. She also authored the book How To Play Madison Square Garden - A Guide to Stage Performance and served as a National Trustee for The Recording Academy. In 2019, she and her band, The Boneshakers, released No Good Deed, a hard-hitting blues rock album. For more: www.mindiabair.com  The WiMN Founder, Laura B. Whitmore, comments, “Lyndsey and Mindi are perfect complements to the inspiring, high-energy, evening we have in store this year. I look forward to working with them to offer our guests another unforgettable experience.”   Gearing up for its eighth consecutive year, the She Rocks Awards pays tribute to women who display leadership and stand out within the music industry, and has become a standard at the NAMM Show. Previous award recipients include Melissa Etheridge, Pat Benatar, The B-52s, Colbie Caillat, Sheila E, Chaka Khan, Ronnie Spector, Orianthi, Lisa Loeb, The Bangles, and many more, plus a collection of role models from all walks of the music and audio industries. Tickets are now on sale for the 2020 She Rocks Awards, available in four tiers that include dinner and more. This event is open to the public; a NAMM Show badge is not required to attend the She Rocks Awards. Find out more and purchase tickets at sherocksawards.com. The 2020 She Rocks Awards is sponsored by Sweetwater, PRS Guitars, Shure, Marshall Amplification, Reverb, D’Angelico, NAMM, Martin Guitar, Rat Sound Systems, Roland, Zildjian, Fishman, Sennheiser, D’Addario, Seymour Duncan, PreSonus, M.A.C Cosmetics, Monster Energy, Hippeas, Gibson, Tech 21, Clif Bar, Sabian, 108 Rock Star Guitars, Soundgirls, Parade magazine, Premier Guitar, Guitar Girl Magazine, The Music & Sound Retailer, Music Inc., MusicNews, Guitar Player, Guitar World, Bass Player, Electronic Musician, Music Radar, KVR Audio, Future Publishing, IK Multimedia, and more.   Learn more about the She Rocks Awards at sherocksawards.com.

# # #

About The Women’s International Music Network (WiMN)      Founded in 2012, the Women’s International Music Network unites women who work within all facets of the music and audio industries. With theWiMN.com as its hub, the WiMN provides a community for women within the industry while enriching their careers and musical experiences through networking and sharing. The Women’s International Music Network produces events such as the #SheRocksIt panel & networking series, WiMN She Rocks Showcases and the She Rocks Awards, and is founded by music industry veteran Laura B. Whitmore. For more information, visit www.thewimn.com.

2020 GRAMMY Awards nominees announced

The Nominees for the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards have just been announced.

Gary Clark Jr.'s 'This Land' has
earned several nominations.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift

The high-profile artists who appear to be front runners in the high-profile categories include Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Bon Iver, Tanya Tucker, Brandi Carlile, Ariana Grande, and H.E.R. 

I have long been less than thrilled with the myriad of categories and overall ignoring truly-deserving artists from a number of genres by the Recording Academy. That said, a number of my favorite artists are being recognized this year, with nominees representing rock, blues, Americana, country and other genres in the mix.

I was especially happy to see The Cranberries' final album In The End nominated for Best Rock Album, and Keb' Mo's Oklahoma nominated in the Best Americana Album category. I was also pleased to see Elvis Costello and The Imposters received a well-deserved nomination for Look Now. That album (read my review here) was truly one of the best albums of 2018.

One category that is very exciting is for Best Contemporary Blues Album. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite here, but it is sure great to see Gary Clark Jr. (This Land), Larkin Poe (Venom & Faith), and Southern Avenue (Keep On); Clark's This Land was also nominated in the Best Rock Performance category.

Other artists I'm rooting for when the trophies are handed out in 2020 include Bobby Rush, Thom Yorke, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Tycho, Sara Bareilles and Tool. 

The official media release I received in my inbox this morning is below:

RECORDING ACADEMY® ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR THE 62ND ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS® FIRST-TIME NOMINEES LIZZO, BILLIE EILISH AND LIL NAS X ARE THIS YEAR'S MOST NOMINATED ARTISTS

Larkin Poe's 'Venom & Faith' has deceived a well- deserved nomination. Tanya Tucker has been nominated for 4 GRAMMY Awards. Bobby Rush has picked up a well-deserved nod for his 'Sitting on Top of the Blues' album. SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (NOV. 20, 2019)—Recording Academy® President/CEO Deborah Dugan alongside Academy Chair of the Board of Trustees and renowned record producer Harvey Mason Jr., as well as GRAMMY Awards® host Alicia Keys and past two-time GRAMMY® nominee Bebe Rexha, today revealed nominees for the 62nd GRAMMY Awards in select categories. This year's nominees reflect a melting pot of artistic innovation that defined the year in music, showcasing the unparalleled craftsmanship of established artists and the industry-shifting impact of rising music creators. Leading nominees Lizzo (8), Billie Eilish (6) and Lil Nas X (6) not only topped the charts but ignited a cultural conversation around their genre-bending hits. As the only peer-selected music award, the GRAMMY Awards are voted on by the Recording Academy's membership body of music makers, who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers and engineers. "I am in complete awe of the inspiring nominees who have poured their hearts and souls into their craft, and in turn, have provided fans worldwide a year of music that changed us, stirred our emotions and inspired us to do more," said Dugan. "Today's announcement reflects a new era for the Recording Academy—an army of engaged members that welcomes diversity, embraces creativity and champions young musicians on the rise. It's shaping up to be a year of firsts, and I can promise that the 62nd GRAMMY Awards will pack the same punch as this year's nominees. I am proud to march forward alongside our members and nominated artists." This year's nominees were selected from more than 20,000 submissions across 84 categories, and reflect the wide range of artistic innovation that defined the year in music (Oct. 1, 2018–Aug. 31, 2019). The final round of GRAMMY voting is Dec. 9, 2019–Jan. 3, 2020. The Recording Academy will present the GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, live from Los Angeles' STAPLES Center and broadcast on the CBS Television Network from 8:00–11:30 p.m. ET/5:00–8:30 p.m. PT. The following is a sampling of nominations from the GRAMMY Awards' 30 Fields and 84 Categories. For a complete nominations list, visit www.grammy.com. For media assets, please visit the Recording Academy press room here. Click here to download our social media toolkit. Record Of The Year: "Hey, Ma" — Bon Iver "Bad Guy" — Billie Eilish "7 Rings" — Ariana Grande "Hard Place" — H.E.R. "Talk" — Khalid "Old Town Road" — Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus "Truth Hurts" — Lizzo "Sunflower" — Post Malone & Swae Lee Album Of The Year: i,i — Bon Iver Norman F***ing Rockwell! — Lana Del Rey When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? — Billie Eilish thank u, next — Ariana Grande I Used To Know Her — H.E.R. 7 — Lil Nas X Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) — Lizzo Father Of The Bride — Vampire Weekend Song Of The Year: "Always Remember Us This Way" — Natalie Hemby, Lady Gaga, Hillary Lindsey & Lori McKenna, songwriters (Lady Gaga) "Bad Guy" — Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish) "Bring My Flowers Now" — Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth & Tanya Tucker, songwriters (Tanya Tucker) "Hard Place" — Ruby Amanfu, Sam Ashworth, D. Arcelious Harris, H.E.R. & Rodney Jerkins, songwriters (H.E.R.) "Lover" — Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift) "Norman F***ing Rockwell" — Jack Antonoff & Lana Del Rey, songwriters (Lana Del Rey) "Someone You Loved" — Tom Barnes, Lewis Capaldi, Pete Kelleher, Benjamin Kohn & Sam Roman, songwriters (Lewis Capaldi) "Truth Hurts" — Steven Cheung, Eric Frederic, Melissa Jefferson & Jesse Saint John, songwriters (Lizzo) Best New Artist: Black Pumas Billie Eilish Lil Nas X Lizzo Maggie Rogers Rosalía Tank And The Bangas Yola Best Pop Solo Performance: "Spirit" — Beyoncé  "Bad Guy" — Billie Eilish "7 Rings" — Ariana Grande "Truth Hurts" — Lizzo "You Need To Calm Down" — Taylor Swift Best Pop Vocal Album: The Lion King: The Gift — Beyoncé When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? — Billie Eilish thank u, next — Ariana Grande No. 6 Collaborations Project — Ed Sheeran Lover  — Taylor Swift Best Dance Recording: "Linked" — Bonobo "Got To Keep On" — The Chemical Brothers "Piece Of Your Heart" — Meduza Featuring Goodboys "Underwater" — RÜFÜS DU SOL "Midnight Hour" — Skrillex & Boys Noize Featuring Ty Dolla $ign Best Rock Album: Amo — Bring Me The Horizon Social Cues — Cage The Elephant In The End — The Cranberries Trauma — I Prevail Feral Roots — Rival Sons Best R&B Performance: "Love Again" — Daniel Caesar & Brandy "Could've Been" — H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller "Exactly How I Feel" — Lizzo Featuring Gucci Mane "Roll Some Mo"  — Lucky Daye "Come Home" — Anderson .Paak Featuring André 3000 Best Rap Album: Revenge Of The Dreamers III — Dreamville Championships — Meek Mill I Am > I Was — 21 Savage Igor — Tyler, The Creator The Lost Boy — YBN Cordae Best Country Song: "Bring My Flowers Now" — Brandie Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth & Tanya Tucker, songwriters (Tanya Tucker) "Girl Goin' Nowhere" — Jeremy Bussey & Ashley McBryde, songwriters (Ashley McBryde) "It All Comes Out In The Wash" — Miranda Lambert, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose, songwriters (Miranda Lambert) "Some Of It" — Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde & Bobby Pinson, songwriters (Eric Church) "Speechless" — Shay Mooney, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers & Laura Veltz, songwriters (Dan + Shay) Best Jazz Vocal Album: Thirsty Ghost — Sara Gazarek Love & Liberation — Jazzmeia Horn Alone Together — Catherine Russell 12 Little Spells — Esperanza Spalding Screenplay — The Tierney Sutton Band Best Gospel Album: Long Live Love — Kirk Franklin Goshen — Donald Lawrence Presents The Tri-City Singers Tunnel Vision — Gene Moore Settle Here — William Murphy Something's Happening! A Christmas Album — CeCe Winans Best Latin Rock, Urban Or Alternative Album: X 100PRE — Bad Bunny Oasis — J Balvin & Bad Bunny Indestructible — Flor De Toloache Almadura — iLe El Mal Querer — Rosalía Best Americana Album: Years To Burn — Calexico And Iron & Wine Who Are You Now — Madison Cunningham Oklahoma — Keb' Mo' Tales Of America — J.S. Ondara Walk Through Fire — Yola Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling): Beastie Boys Book — (Various Artists) Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz, Scott Sherratt & Dan Zitt, producers Becoming — Michelle Obama I.V. Catatonia: 20 Years As A Two-Time Cancer Survivor — Eric Alexandrakis Mr. Know-It-All — John Waters Sekou Andrews & The String Theory — Sekou Andrews & The String Theory Best Song Written For Visual Media: "The Ballad Of The Lonesome Cowboy" — Randy Newman, songwriter (Chris Stapleton), Track from: Toy Story 4 "Girl In The Movies" — Dolly Parton & Linda Perry, songwriters (Dolly Parton), Track from: Dumplin' "I'll Never Love Again" (Film Version) — Natalie Hemby, Lady Gaga, Hillary Lindsey & Aaron Raitiere songwriters (Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper), Track from: A Star Is Born "Spirit" — Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Timothy McKenzie & Ilya Salmanzadeh, songwriters (Beyoncé), Track from: The Lion King "Suspirium" — Thom Yorke, songwriter (Thom Yorke), Track from: Suspiria Best Music Film: Homecoming — Beyoncé Remember My Name — David Crosby Birth Of The Cool — (Miles Davis) Shangri-La — (Various Artists) Anima — Thom Yorke

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