It's hard to put into words what the past few days have been like. Going to the Grammys is just like living in a fantasy land. I hope you enjoyed all of the coverage on 20on20 as well as on Grammy Radio. We had a blast doing it for you!
A few of my own personal highlights from the Grammys...well where do I start? Friday night was the MusiCares dinner, which honors a musician each year. This time around it was Don Henley. Now, the cool thing about this party is that a bunch of artists get on stage and perform the songs of the honoree. I had no idea who was performing this year, but you can imagine how awesome it was when things got underway and John Mayer started the show! It continued to be great when we got to see performances by Keb Mo, Trisha Yearwood, Dixie Chicks, Michael McDonald, and then a mini concert by Don Henley himself. It definitely was one of those times I was sitting there thinking, "Am I really here??!?!?!"
The next day my friend Lisa from XM 67 The City got to town and we jetted over to the Style Studio. This is where celebs go to get the freebies. Stylists were roaming the joint scooping up clothes for clients to wear to the Grammys. It was a very laid back and fun time, everyone was just chilling out. We ran into Akon, the guys from The Fray, and my friend Natasha Bedingfield. Even though she didn't end up winning, I know she had a fabulous time and she looked amazing!
The actual Grammys were the perfect end to the weekend. My favorite performances were Mary J. Blige and Christina Aguilera. I was blown away that Christina could still take her singing to a whole new level. Love her or hate her, that girl can sing!!! I was also really happy that Carrie Underwood got Best New Artist. She's just so talented and you can tell she's enjoying her success while still being grateful for how she got there.
Well, until next time...thanks for reading. Like I said, I hope you enjoyed everything the XM crew put together for you. We'll be at it again next year, you can count on it!
Michelle
20on20
Thursday, February 15
Wednesday, February 14
Michelle Gives 20's Post-GRAMMY Perspective
It's hard to put into words what the past few days have been like. Going to the Grammys is just like living in a fantasy land. I hope you enjoyed all of the coverage on 20on20 as well as on Grammy Radio. We had a blast doing it for you!
A few of my own personal highlights from the Grammys...well where do I start? Friday night was the MusiCares dinner, which honors a musician each year. This time around it was Don Henley. Now, the cool thing about this party is that a bunch of artists get on stage and perform the songs of the honoree. I had no idea who was performing this year, but you can imagine how awesome it was when things got underway and John Mayer started the show! It continued to be great when we got to see performances by Keb Mo, Trisha Yearwood, Dixie Chicks, Michael McDonald, and then a mini concert by Don Henley himself. It definitely was one of those times I was sitting there thinking, "Am I really here??!?!?!"
The next day my friend Lisa from XM 67 The City got to town and we jetted over to the Style Studio. This is where celebs go to get the freebies. Stylists were roaming the joint scooping up clothes for clients to wear to the Grammys. It was a very laid back and fun time, everyone was just chilling out. We ran into Akon, the guys from The Fray, and my friend Natasha Bedingfield. Even though she didn't end up winning, I know she had a fabulous time and she looked amazing!
The actual Grammys were the perfect end to the weekend. My favorite performances were Mary J. Blige and Christina Aguilera. I was blown away that Christina could still take her singing to a whole new level. Love her or hate her, that girl can sing!!! I was also really happy that Carrie Underwood got Best New Artist. She's just so talented and you can tell she's enjoying her success while still being grateful for how she got there.
Well, until next time...thanks for reading. Like I said, I hope you enjoyed everything the XM crew put together for you. We'll be at it again next year, you can count on it!
Michelle
20on20
A few of my own personal highlights from the Grammys...well where do I start? Friday night was the MusiCares dinner, which honors a musician each year. This time around it was Don Henley. Now, the cool thing about this party is that a bunch of artists get on stage and perform the songs of the honoree. I had no idea who was performing this year, but you can imagine how awesome it was when things got underway and John Mayer started the show! It continued to be great when we got to see performances by Keb Mo, Trisha Yearwood, Dixie Chicks, Michael McDonald, and then a mini concert by Don Henley himself. It definitely was one of those times I was sitting there thinking, "Am I really here??!?!?!"
The next day my friend Lisa from XM 67 The City got to town and we jetted over to the Style Studio. This is where celebs go to get the freebies. Stylists were roaming the joint scooping up clothes for clients to wear to the Grammys. It was a very laid back and fun time, everyone was just chilling out. We ran into Akon, the guys from The Fray, and my friend Natasha Bedingfield. Even though she didn't end up winning, I know she had a fabulous time and she looked amazing!
The actual Grammys were the perfect end to the weekend. My favorite performances were Mary J. Blige and Christina Aguilera. I was blown away that Christina could still take her singing to a whole new level. Love her or hate her, that girl can sing!!! I was also really happy that Carrie Underwood got Best New Artist. She's just so talented and you can tell she's enjoying her success while still being grateful for how she got there.
Well, until next time...thanks for reading. Like I said, I hope you enjoyed everything the XM crew put together for you. We'll be at it again next year, you can count on it!
Michelle
20on20
Tuesday, February 13
20on20 GRAMMY Wrap Up
We’re Baaaack!!! LA was awesome to us…and the Grammy people at NARAS (The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) were even better!!! Personally I hoped you enjoyed the XM coverage as much as we enjoyed working the countless hours around the clock to bring you Radio/TV’s most comprehensive coverage of the Grammys’. They don’t call it “Music’s BIGGEST night” for nothing. We at XM recogize that, and are proud to be a partner with the Grammy’s to cover ALL the events that lead up to Grammy night. From Scott Walterman and Lou Brutus on sight at the Grammy Award nomination announcements to the televised award show it-self!
Hanging out on the campus of USC for the Grammy Career Days with artists and celbs’ like Ne-Yo, Imogen Heap, Randy Jackson and Taylor Hicks of American Idol, super producer Sean Garrett (resposible for artists like Chris Brown, Nicole Scherzinger, Usher, Ciara, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Jaimie Foxx, Britney Spears...I think ya get it!!), Corine Bailey Rae all sharing their personal experiences about the biz’ with High School students who want to be part of the music industry. A true opportunity students around the country would not be afforded had it not been for the the Grammys!
Then there was the MusiCares tribute to Don Henley, where I was on the Red Carpet interviewing stars like Trisha Yearwood who performed for Don whowas with her man Garth Brooks, my boy Roger Cross from 24 (Curtis Manning), Jon Secada and his beautiful wife Maritere, the beautiful ladies of the My Grammy Moment contest Africa Miranda, Brenda Radney, and the winner Robyn Troup!! They were all so nice and this was my second time catching up with them, for 3 girls who never walked a red carpet before, they were amazing! I’m sure I’m spacing out on all sorts of names, but trust me this was a who’s who of the music and entertainment biz’. Plus I should tell ya what an awesome cause Music Cares stands for. It’s musicians helping musicians. Like when Hurricane Katrina ravished New Orleans and the surrounding areas, it was this organization that helped the artist get back on their feet. When ya have some time read about MusiCares: http://www.grammy.com/musicares/
All the while I got be live on XM’s 20on20…my home here on XM, sharing the stories, the sounds, the experiences. Honestly it’s mind blowing. The guys on my team were all making fun of me because I get sooo nervous doing this stuff…I know this is what I get paid to do, it’s my job, but come on…you’ve read the names, this is huge!!! I absolutely love it! It’s not just a job…it’s an honor!
Then to be on the red carpet for the Grammy Awards…there are just no words! I got to work with the legendary Lou Brutus, and spoke with everyone from Phil Lesh of the Greatful Dead, to all the ladies of Danity Kane. Truly everyone across the spectrum! Just to be in the presence of such incredible artists and actors alike was truly surreal…and again an honor that you let us come into your homes and cars and let us hang with you for such an important event, I thank you!
Speaking of thanks, I’d really like to thank the XM staff that made it all possible. Everyone on the LA side, Scott Walterman our leader, my fellow broadcasters Paul Bachman, Michelle, Lou Brutus, Lisa Lisa A.K.A Sexy Chocolate, and Robert Aubrey Davis, all the incredible producers under the lead of my man Jim Mcbean, Ben Krech, Jim Shariffi, and Rob Anevia. Our on site engineer Danny, thank you! Plus all the support back in our DC offices, Corey, Joe, Efim, Gavin, the guys in engineering, I know I’m forgetting names but your help is not forgotten!!! And super special thanks to Stephanie, Howard Sandy and Adam thank you for your unparallel kindness that will never be forgotten. I work with the most incredible team in radio…I hope to be able to be apart of this team for a long time to come and can’t wait to bring you the 50th Anniversary of the Grammy’s next year!!!!
Thanks for listening!!!!
Priestly
Hanging out on the campus of USC for the Grammy Career Days with artists and celbs’ like Ne-Yo, Imogen Heap, Randy Jackson and Taylor Hicks of American Idol, super producer Sean Garrett (resposible for artists like Chris Brown, Nicole Scherzinger, Usher, Ciara, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Jaimie Foxx, Britney Spears...I think ya get it!!), Corine Bailey Rae all sharing their personal experiences about the biz’ with High School students who want to be part of the music industry. A true opportunity students around the country would not be afforded had it not been for the the Grammys!
Then there was the MusiCares tribute to Don Henley, where I was on the Red Carpet interviewing stars like Trisha Yearwood who performed for Don whowas with her man Garth Brooks, my boy Roger Cross from 24 (Curtis Manning), Jon Secada and his beautiful wife Maritere, the beautiful ladies of the My Grammy Moment contest Africa Miranda, Brenda Radney, and the winner Robyn Troup!! They were all so nice and this was my second time catching up with them, for 3 girls who never walked a red carpet before, they were amazing! I’m sure I’m spacing out on all sorts of names, but trust me this was a who’s who of the music and entertainment biz’. Plus I should tell ya what an awesome cause Music Cares stands for. It’s musicians helping musicians. Like when Hurricane Katrina ravished New Orleans and the surrounding areas, it was this organization that helped the artist get back on their feet. When ya have some time read about MusiCares: http://www.grammy.com/musicares/
All the while I got be live on XM’s 20on20…my home here on XM, sharing the stories, the sounds, the experiences. Honestly it’s mind blowing. The guys on my team were all making fun of me because I get sooo nervous doing this stuff…I know this is what I get paid to do, it’s my job, but come on…you’ve read the names, this is huge!!! I absolutely love it! It’s not just a job…it’s an honor!
Then to be on the red carpet for the Grammy Awards…there are just no words! I got to work with the legendary Lou Brutus, and spoke with everyone from Phil Lesh of the Greatful Dead, to all the ladies of Danity Kane. Truly everyone across the spectrum! Just to be in the presence of such incredible artists and actors alike was truly surreal…and again an honor that you let us come into your homes and cars and let us hang with you for such an important event, I thank you!
Speaking of thanks, I’d really like to thank the XM staff that made it all possible. Everyone on the LA side, Scott Walterman our leader, my fellow broadcasters Paul Bachman, Michelle, Lou Brutus, Lisa Lisa A.K.A Sexy Chocolate, and Robert Aubrey Davis, all the incredible producers under the lead of my man Jim Mcbean, Ben Krech, Jim Shariffi, and Rob Anevia. Our on site engineer Danny, thank you! Plus all the support back in our DC offices, Corey, Joe, Efim, Gavin, the guys in engineering, I know I’m forgetting names but your help is not forgotten!!! And super special thanks to Stephanie, Howard Sandy and Adam thank you for your unparallel kindness that will never be forgotten. I work with the most incredible team in radio…I hope to be able to be apart of this team for a long time to come and can’t wait to bring you the 50th Anniversary of the Grammy’s next year!!!!
Thanks for listening!!!!
Priestly
Friday, February 9
20on20 is On!
It's ON! Made it out LA, flew out on United and it was so cool being able to listen to XM 55,000 feet in the air... instead of watching the awful movie called "Marie Antoinette"!!
Today we hung out on campus at USC and chatted with Ne-Yo, Taylor Hicks, Sean Garrett (uber-producer for Chris Brown, Beyonce, Britney Spears), Imogen Heap, Corrine Bailey Rae, Randy Jackson and trust me the list goes on!! Matter of fact as I write this, the news on Ch. 11 just reported on it! Then it was time to go live on the 10 (from 3pm - 6pm et) where we broke the unfortunate news of Anna Nicole Smith's death... that's just crazy. Then off to LA Convention Center to pick up the "creds" as we call it, for Sunday's Grammy festivities... wow what a day! And it's only the beginning!!
Michelle's on her way out right now and the party's only gonna get crazier! So time for bed... but be sure to check out the 20 tomorrow from 3p-6p (et) for more live action! You never know who's stopping by!!
Get ready my friends... the GRAMMYs are coming! Sunday night don't miss em on CBS @8pm and get all of your GRAMMY goodness on GRAMMY Radio on XM's Ch. 200!
Goodnight!
Priestly
20on20
Today we hung out on campus at USC and chatted with Ne-Yo, Taylor Hicks, Sean Garrett (uber-producer for Chris Brown, Beyonce, Britney Spears), Imogen Heap, Corrine Bailey Rae, Randy Jackson and trust me the list goes on!! Matter of fact as I write this, the news on Ch. 11 just reported on it! Then it was time to go live on the 10 (from 3pm - 6pm et) where we broke the unfortunate news of Anna Nicole Smith's death... that's just crazy. Then off to LA Convention Center to pick up the "creds" as we call it, for Sunday's Grammy festivities... wow what a day! And it's only the beginning!!
Michelle's on her way out right now and the party's only gonna get crazier! So time for bed... but be sure to check out the 20 tomorrow from 3p-6p (et) for more live action! You never know who's stopping by!!
Get ready my friends... the GRAMMYs are coming! Sunday night don't miss em on CBS @8pm and get all of your GRAMMY goodness on GRAMMY Radio on XM's Ch. 200!
Goodnight!
Priestly
20on20
Thursday, February 8
20on20 Goes to LA!
Hey guys!
Well, Priestly is already out in LA as we speak for the 49th annual Grammy Awards. I'm getting on the plane to join him in a few hours, and I'm so excited I'm about to burst! I know you usually don't hear much about everything going on behind the scenes at XM, but I'm sure you can imagine how crazy it gets. That's on a normal day, so imagine how this countdown to the Grammys is going! Anyways, rest assured there are so many busy bees working round the clock right now, not only for 20on20's live broadcasts but especially for GRAMMY RADIO on XM 200. Make sure you click over there every now and then to hear all of the surprises and action as it unfolds. We're all really excited and proud of everything Team XM has put together for you. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy doing it.
Now back to my flight...what do I need to pack? How will I sit still for almost 6 hours? I just can't wait to get to the big show on Sunday and see Justin Timberlake perform. Shakira will be amazing, too. We're still finalizing a lot of our schedule, but I do know some of our celebrity friends will be stopping by to chat over the next few days. You definitely don't want to miss it! Next time I talk to you, I'll be soaking up the sun in LA!
Here's to a good weekend,
Michelle
20on20
Well, Priestly is already out in LA as we speak for the 49th annual Grammy Awards. I'm getting on the plane to join him in a few hours, and I'm so excited I'm about to burst! I know you usually don't hear much about everything going on behind the scenes at XM, but I'm sure you can imagine how crazy it gets. That's on a normal day, so imagine how this countdown to the Grammys is going! Anyways, rest assured there are so many busy bees working round the clock right now, not only for 20on20's live broadcasts but especially for GRAMMY RADIO on XM 200. Make sure you click over there every now and then to hear all of the surprises and action as it unfolds. We're all really excited and proud of everything Team XM has put together for you. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy doing it.
Now back to my flight...what do I need to pack? How will I sit still for almost 6 hours? I just can't wait to get to the big show on Sunday and see Justin Timberlake perform. Shakira will be amazing, too. We're still finalizing a lot of our schedule, but I do know some of our celebrity friends will be stopping by to chat over the next few days. You definitely don't want to miss it! Next time I talk to you, I'll be soaking up the sun in LA!
Here's to a good weekend,
Michelle
20on20
Wednesday, February 7
First Things First
First Things First
The theme of this year's Country GRAMMY nominees seems to be "Firsts."
To begin with, (or should I say, 'First off’ ?) there are all the first time nominees. Dierks Bentley and Josh Turner, both double nominees, are competing against each other for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. Miranda Lambert is in the running for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Little Big Town also has two chances for their first GRAMMY trophy, and their competition for Best Country Duo or Group includes fellow first time nominees The Wreckers.
Then there are the potential winners. If George Strait wins Best Male Vocal Performance, it would be his first GRAMMY win ever. Ever! How crazy is that? Even more mind boggling is the thought that Bon Jovi could win their first GRAMMY this year – and it would be in a country category. A win for Bon Jovi also means a first GRAMMY trophy for Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland. Their competition for Best Country Collaboration includes Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood. Although it wouldn't be their first joint GRAMMY, it would be the first award they've won as husband and wife. (Ok, so that might be a little stretch to our theme.)
The first country music winner of American Idol is also making her first trip to the GRAMMY awards – as both a double nominee AND a performer, no less! Carrie Underwood has already brought home armloads of awards from organizations both inside and outside the country stratosphere. If she wins the all-genre "Best New Artist" award Sunday night, it will be the first time a country artist takes the category this century. In case you're dying to know – LeAnn Rimes was the last country artist to win it, in 1996.
I could go on and on about GRAMMY firsts this year, but there's one more that all of us at XM are particularly excited about. For the first time ever, the Pre-Telecast Awards – where many of the country trophies are given out – are going to be broadcast live – right here on XM. So tune into GRAMMY Radio Sunday night, and learn if YOUR favorite artist wins their first GRAMMY award at the same time they do!
Joyce Rizer
Executive Producer
XM Satellite Radio
The theme of this year's Country GRAMMY nominees seems to be "Firsts."
To begin with, (or should I say, 'First off’ ?) there are all the first time nominees. Dierks Bentley and Josh Turner, both double nominees, are competing against each other for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. Miranda Lambert is in the running for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Little Big Town also has two chances for their first GRAMMY trophy, and their competition for Best Country Duo or Group includes fellow first time nominees The Wreckers.
Then there are the potential winners. If George Strait wins Best Male Vocal Performance, it would be his first GRAMMY win ever. Ever! How crazy is that? Even more mind boggling is the thought that Bon Jovi could win their first GRAMMY this year – and it would be in a country category. A win for Bon Jovi also means a first GRAMMY trophy for Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland. Their competition for Best Country Collaboration includes Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood. Although it wouldn't be their first joint GRAMMY, it would be the first award they've won as husband and wife. (Ok, so that might be a little stretch to our theme.)
The first country music winner of American Idol is also making her first trip to the GRAMMY awards – as both a double nominee AND a performer, no less! Carrie Underwood has already brought home armloads of awards from organizations both inside and outside the country stratosphere. If she wins the all-genre "Best New Artist" award Sunday night, it will be the first time a country artist takes the category this century. In case you're dying to know – LeAnn Rimes was the last country artist to win it, in 1996.
I could go on and on about GRAMMY firsts this year, but there's one more that all of us at XM are particularly excited about. For the first time ever, the Pre-Telecast Awards – where many of the country trophies are given out – are going to be broadcast live – right here on XM. So tune into GRAMMY Radio Sunday night, and learn if YOUR favorite artist wins their first GRAMMY award at the same time they do!
Joyce Rizer
Executive Producer
XM Satellite Radio
Monday, February 5
Banjos? Yes, Banjos! And dead proud of it!
Last week I had the honor of talking Pete Seeger on the phone. He told stories of his younger years when Charles Seeger, his Dad, was a traveling musician and what life on the road was like 87 years ago. 87 years ago. 1920. Before The Depression. And it was not so long ago that Pete Seeger was sitting in Woody Guthrie’s living room in Coney Island, NY. A little girl with brown curly hair looked up at him, straight and tall, as he played banjo. And that sound, that banjo playing became the bar of what all banjo playing could, should or would sound like to her little ears. I am speaking of Nora Guthrie.
Today, she is a sprite with a magnetic force field around her and she deftly runs the Woody Guthrie Archives in New York City. For real, check it out: http://www.woodyguthrie.org/. And once you go to the website, you will see "Wonder Wheel, Lyrics by Woody Guthrie" has been Nominated for a Grammy -- Best Contemporary World Music Album of the Year. Nora Guthrie recently visited XM Satellite Radio and one thing you notice as she tells her stories is that she automatically weaves YOU into them. You become a thread in an amazingly rich tapestry. Perhaps your thread interweaves with Pete Seeger’s thread. Don’t know. And as if this was not enough on it’s own, Nora Guthrie and I sang Patsy Cline “Walking After Midnight” as we drove past the Pentagon, (a long stone’s throw from DC with a major catapult) on a Friday night --all around the strike of midnight.
Working at XM is groovy – no question about it. With the job comes a mantle of responsibility. It is my job to keep various long-burning folk flames burning (Pete Seeger, Nora Guthrie) and it is my job to pioneer the new folk frontier.
Enter The Duhks.
They are nominated this year Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for their song Heaven's My Home on their 2006 CD Migrations on Sugar Hill Records. You can hear The Duhks on XM Café, Channel 45 and we play them a bunch on XM15 The Village. You can find them on XM12 X-Country and XM76 Fine Tuning. Bob Edwards on XMPR has interviewed them as well. The Duhks are ALL over XM and certainly not fixed within one particular genre or channel.
You will be doing yourself a huge favor if you take a minute to check them out. http://www.duhks.com. These tattoed, Canadians have been touring relentlessly for the past four years and I do not think one of them has hit the ripe age of 30 yet. Migrations is a recording that belies their age – showing levels of sophistication and artistic acumen that is quite simply refreshing. So go ahead, dip your toe in the font from Winnipeg, Manitoba, splash around with The Duhks.
And you should know The Duhks house a banjo player, Leonard Podolak, who has been listening to Doc Watson since he was 16. "I met him a couple of years ago when we (The Duhks) played Merlefest and (I) gave him a copy of our first record. A few weeks later the director of Merlefest forwarded an email from Doc that said, "Who is this band, I can't seem to take their CD out of the player."
I wonder what Nora Guthrie would think listening to Leonard’s banjo playing.
Mary Sue Twohy
On-air Host
XM15 The Village
Today, she is a sprite with a magnetic force field around her and she deftly runs the Woody Guthrie Archives in New York City. For real, check it out: http://www.woodyguthrie.org/. And once you go to the website, you will see "Wonder Wheel, Lyrics by Woody Guthrie" has been Nominated for a Grammy -- Best Contemporary World Music Album of the Year. Nora Guthrie recently visited XM Satellite Radio and one thing you notice as she tells her stories is that she automatically weaves YOU into them. You become a thread in an amazingly rich tapestry. Perhaps your thread interweaves with Pete Seeger’s thread. Don’t know. And as if this was not enough on it’s own, Nora Guthrie and I sang Patsy Cline “Walking After Midnight” as we drove past the Pentagon, (a long stone’s throw from DC with a major catapult) on a Friday night --all around the strike of midnight.
Working at XM is groovy – no question about it. With the job comes a mantle of responsibility. It is my job to keep various long-burning folk flames burning (Pete Seeger, Nora Guthrie) and it is my job to pioneer the new folk frontier.
Enter The Duhks.
They are nominated this year Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for their song Heaven's My Home on their 2006 CD Migrations on Sugar Hill Records. You can hear The Duhks on XM Café, Channel 45 and we play them a bunch on XM15 The Village. You can find them on XM12 X-Country and XM76 Fine Tuning. Bob Edwards on XMPR has interviewed them as well. The Duhks are ALL over XM and certainly not fixed within one particular genre or channel.
You will be doing yourself a huge favor if you take a minute to check them out. http://www.duhks.com. These tattoed, Canadians have been touring relentlessly for the past four years and I do not think one of them has hit the ripe age of 30 yet. Migrations is a recording that belies their age – showing levels of sophistication and artistic acumen that is quite simply refreshing. So go ahead, dip your toe in the font from Winnipeg, Manitoba, splash around with The Duhks.
And you should know The Duhks house a banjo player, Leonard Podolak, who has been listening to Doc Watson since he was 16. "I met him a couple of years ago when we (The Duhks) played Merlefest and (I) gave him a copy of our first record. A few weeks later the director of Merlefest forwarded an email from Doc that said, "Who is this band, I can't seem to take their CD out of the player."
I wonder what Nora Guthrie would think listening to Leonard’s banjo playing.
Mary Sue Twohy
On-air Host
XM15 The Village
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