The monthly news report from our U.S. colleagues in the Producers & Engineers Wing of the Grammy Organisation

Metadata, Metadata: Thanks to all who sent in name suggestions! The response was terrific and your creative thinking is appreciated. It was a tough call, but, in the end, we used a combination of acronyms submitted by Steering Committee member Dan Workman (Houston) and Chicago Chapter P&E Wing Committee member Todd Fitzgerald (Minneapolis). Dan submitted CCCD (Creative Content Contributor Data) and Todd offered CCD (Creative Credit Data). Combined, they became CCD (Content Creator Data). It’s still in testing mode, but July was an exciting month for the application. It was previewed at meetings in NYC for DDEX (Digital Data Exchange) and the NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) Digital Think Tank, and in Arlington, VA for the annual Library of Congress NDIIPP Partners meetings. (Acronym fatigue, anyone?) The CCD app will also be shown in “open house” meetings at The Recording Academy offices from 11AM-3PM in Los Angeles on August 11, NYC August 17, and Nashville August 19. If you’d like to attend one of the meetings, please email tracy.mckee@grammy.com or call 310-581-8752.

On July 13 more than 50 audio professionals gathered at Chicago’s Joyride Studios for an evening of pizza, beer, and audio networking presented by The Recording Academy^® Chicago Chapter, the Producers & Engineers Wing, and EARS (Engineering and Recording Society of Chicago). Hosted by Joyride owner and EARS President Blaise Barton, the evening kicked off with remarks by Chicago Chapter president Larry Sturm, who introduced incoming P&E Wing Chapter Committee Chair Matt Hennessey. Maureen Droney delivered a P&E Wing update, and a “Recording Academy 101” discussion and Q&A followed, led by Sturm, Chicago Executive Director Tera Healy, and membership coordinator Maurice Kalous.

On July 20 the Florida Chapter partnered with the Hit Factory Miami/Criteria to screen The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story for a special group of family, friends and colleagues of the renowned 12-time GRAMMY^® Award-winning producer, arranger and composer. The critically acclaimed documentary, (described in detail in last month’s Update and co-produced and directed by Arif’s son Joe Mardin and Doug Biro), chronicles the life and career of the legendary Mardin and includes interviews with artists including Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Carly Simon and Norah Jones. Following the Miami screening Joe Mardin interviewed Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees who spoke of his profound respect and trust for Arif and his production and arrangement skills, noting it was Arif who convinced him to use the falsetto vocal that became the Bee Gees’ hallmark. For more information, visit the Florida Chapter blog at www.GRAMMY365.com.

 
Producers, engineers and artists gathered at DC-area Omega Recording Studios on July 22 for a hip and educational demonstration of music production software Melodyne. The DC chapter partnered with the Producers and Engineers Wing and Music Marketing Inc. to present In the Studio: Music Production Software Tips & Tricks, an interactive workshop exploring best practices, creative techniques and practical production solutions demonstrated on Melodyne. Along with tips, workshop instructors discussed the fact that, although unique and useful, music software programs are computer driven applications based on complex algorithms, with the interface of a human ear still as necessary as the raw talent of a vocalist or instrumentalist in order to produce an authentic sound. Special thanks to Ray Williams and John DeNosky of Music Marketing Inc., Chapter Governor Janine Wilson and GRAMMY U student Layal Brown. http://www.grammy365.com/blogs/washington-dc-studio-music-production-software-tips-tricks

On July 28 the San Francisco Chapter presented GRAMMY Soundtables: Perception—What Are You Listening For? to a full house at Berkeley’s Pearson Theater. Industry experts Bob Hodas, Paul Stubblebine, Keith O. Johnson and Klaus Heyne addressed the art of making aesthetic choices that determine recorded sound and its quality. Topics included room acoustics, mic techniques, critical listening and mastering. Visit San Francisco’s GRAMMY365 blog for more info.

The Los Angeles Chapter threw its first ever GRAMMY Block Party, benefitting  MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief, on Saturday July 31 outdoors at The  Recording Academy home in Santa Monica’s Lantana Center. Eager for fun in the sun, a happy crowd of members and guests consumed burgers, beer, and ice cream along with special treats by Stefan’s LA Farm. With the LA Chapter’s own Ricky Minor serving as musical director you know the party had to be rockin’–and it was— with performances by Raphael Saadiq, Nashville’s Chuck Wicks, Charice, akaCassidy and La Santa Cecilia. See details on the LA Chapter page of GRAMMY365. If you were there, post your recap via your personal profile on GRAMMY365—we’d love to read it!

UPCOMING Events:

August 10 – Miami—“In The Mix: Second Tuesdays” Mixer at Novecento @ Santo

August 18 – Houston—“Up Close & Personal with Recording Academy VP of Advocacy Daryl Friedman”

Sept 1 – Atlanta—“Music & Digital Crossroads”

September 10 – New Orleans (Memphis Chapter) –“ Unsung Heroes of  the New Orleans Studio Scene” at the Louisiana State Museum

Sept 16 – Atlanta—“Anatomy of a Hit” featuring Tricky Stewart, The Dream & Kuk Harrell moderated by Billboard’s Gail Mitchell.

October 2 & 3 – New York—GameSoundCon at Columbia University

October 7 – Atlanta—A3C Hip Hop Festival

November 2 & 3 – San Francisco-- GameSoundCon at Pyramind Studios

November 4—7 – San Francisco—129^th AES Convention at the Moscone Center