Considered the highest honor by some and a total scam by others, the Grammy Awards always get a lot of buzz. And rightly so, because even if it’s not your preferred measure of excellence, it’s still a huge collection of amazing musicians, and industry people. Riding on the excitement of She Rocks Awards and The NAMM Show, we got a surprise invite to attend the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards and Nominee Reception!
We got ourselves all dolled up in cocktail attire and caught an Uber to The Ebell of Los Angeles. (Unfortunately, Brian had to return to Indiana and couldn’t join us. He was with us in spirit, but sorely missed.) Founded in 1894 The Ebell is a philanthropic and educational women’s organization that hosts a wide range of events throughout the year. The building itself is gorgeous, 1920s Art Deco style with sculpted rosettes in the ceiling, original light fixtures, and intricate woodwork. One of the oldest continually operating live performance theaters in Los Angeles, the 1,238 seat Wilshire Ebell Theatre has been the venue of The Grammy Special Merit Awards for years.
We had a perfect view of everything from our front row balcony seats with our massive 137 page oversized glossy programs. It was amazing to see Laurie Anderson, Gladys Knight, the legendary DJ Kool Herc, and N.W.A among others being honored. There were also posthumous awards given to Tammy Wynette and Donna Summer, which were accepted by family members. I was happy to see all the same pomp and circumstance, as seen on the TV awards, present here despite not being televised. And the honorees were equally, if not more effusive.
After the awards we beelined to the Nominee Reception held in all the rest of the building: the Art Salon, Gardens, Lounge, and Dining Room. The party was already in full swing. Open bars everywhere serving a full barrage of cocktails, a spread of seafood hors d'oeuvres, a buffet full meal of multiple choices, delectable dessert tables, and an incredible jazz band. Nominees all received a gold medallion from Tiffany’s with the signature blue ribbon so it was easy to tell who was being honored. It was also a great way to start a conversation with, “Congratulations! What are you nominated for?”
With the place packed, we were lucky to find a table for us to set our plates down. It was here that we shared our table and talked with so many talented musicians, producers, and creators across all the different categories. John Baptist’s engineer, nominees for best children’s album, historical album producers, arrangers, best contemporary blues album artist, best contemporary bluegrass artists. Everyone seemed to be on cloud nine, in an optimistic hopeful mood for their possible win the next day. But, absent were all the heavy hitters. None of the big stars, labels, executives, etc. were there. This event was for all of those who are just like us. The hard working, talented, yet still living normal lives people. These were our people. We fit in perfectly.
And that, my friends, is my biggest take away. The stars aren’t so far out of reach. The party is there and I can’t wait to have my own tiffany medallion one day. So, back to work and onward we go.