"MY GRAMMY(R) MOMENT 2008" UNVEILS THE VIDEOS FOR FORTY-FIVE QUARTER-FINALISTS ON YOUTUBE AS THEY VIE TO PERFORM IN FOO FIGHTERS ORCHESTRA, ON "THE 50TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS," FEB. 10 ON CBS
Fans Vote Online at YouTube (www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment) to Determine 15 Musicians Who Will Perform in the "Foo Philharmonic Orchestra"on Music's Biggest Night�
Led Zeppelin's Legendary Multi-Instrumentalist John Paul Jones to Conduct Orchestra
Content Also Available On The CBS Audience Network
The videos for forty-five quarter finalists who will compete for a spot to perform with five-time GRAMMY nominated rock band Foo Fighters in "My GRAMMY Moment" 2008, were revealed today on YouTube. The performance will take place on THE 50TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS, �Sunday, Feb. 10 (8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. The quarter finalists were selected after a thorough evaluation process by a GRAMMY� Blue Ribbon Committee made up of singers, songwriters, producers and music industry executives. Music fans can vote for 15 musicians they think should be a part of "Foo Philharmonic Orchestra" by voting online at CBS.com (http://www.cbs.com/specials/my_grammy_moment/) or YouTube (www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment) beginning today through Feb. 1, 2008.
Over the next two weeks, fans will continue to narrow the field from 15 semi-finalists to three finalists and, eventually, one musician from the orchestra will be chosen as the featured performer. Led Zeppelin's legendary multi-instrumentalist John Paul Jones will arrange a special orchestral version of the Foo Fighters' hit single "The Pretender" and will serve as special guest conductor of the Foo Philharmonic Orchestra. "My GRAMMY Moment" 2008 content will also be available across the CBS Audience Network and its more than 200 online partners.
"A great amount of talented instrumentalists from across the country wanted to play with the Foo Fighters on GRAMMY night, and the 45 musicians we selected reflect a diverse group of talented individuals," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "The Recording Academy has always supported new and developing artists through our many music education initiatives, so we look forward to working with the musicians that the YouTube community picks to play in the Foo Fighters' orchestra."
"We're participating in 'My GRAMMY Moment' because it creates opportunities," said Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters. "Opportunities to write, compose, play and study music - skills that absolutely need to be passed on to generations to come. And thanks to 'My GRAMMY Moment,' a musician from that next generation is going to get the chance to audition on YouTube to play with us at the GRAMMYs as part of our orchestra."
Voting and Performance Information
�� Fan voting for 15 semi-finalists that will perform with Foo Fighters as part of their orchestra will take place now through Feb. 1, 2008, at 11:59 PM, ET at CBS.com (http://www.cbs.com/specials/my_grammy_moment/) or YouTube (www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment).
�� The 15 semi-finalists will be announced on Feb. 2, 2008. These musicians are guaranteed a spot in the orchestra and will fly to Los Angeles during GRAMMY Week to rehearse with the band.
�� The Top 3 finalists to be announced on Feb. 4, 2008. From there, voting for one featured performer will take place through Feb. 10, 2008, at 8:00 PM, ET on YouTube. After that, voting will be open during the first two hours of the live telecast (8:00-10:00 PM, ET) via text messaging. The featured instrumentalist will be announced live on stage during the telecast prior to his/her ultimate GRAMMY Moment with Foo Fighters.
About the Submission/Selection Process
�� From Jan. 3, 2008 through Jan. 20, 2008, musicians - 18 years and older, U.S. residents, and not signed (nor ever been signed) to an independent or major music company - submitted 60-second solo, instrumental performances of themselves performing Foo Fighters' current GRAMMY-nominated song "The Pretender." A GRAMMY Blue Ribbon Committee narrowed down the entries to 45 quarter finalists. Only the following instruments were considered:
�o Strings: Viola, Violin, Cello, Upright Bass
�o Woodwinds: Bassoon, Clarinet, Flute/Piccolo, Oboe, Soprano/Alto/Tenor/Baritone Saxophone
�o Brass: Trombone, Trumpet/Flugelhorn, French Horn
About The Recording Academy
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. In its 50th year, 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. For more information about The Academy, please visit http://www.grammy.com/.
About CBS Interactive and The CBS Audience Network
CBS Interactive, a division of CBS Corporation, oversees all CBS consumer Interactive properties including CBS.com, CBSSports.com, CBSNews.com, CBS Mobile, CBS EyeLab, Last.fm and Wallstrip and the CBS Audience Network. Aiming to be the most widely distributed professional content on the web, the CBS Audience Network complements the best news, entertainment and sports content with original programming and short-form content and provides an all-embracing opportunity for users to incorporate CBS clips into their profiles, websites, blogs, widgets, wikis and community pages. The CBS Audience Network consists of online partners such as AOL, Microsoft, CNET Networks, Comcast, Joost, Bebo, Netvibes, Sling Media and Veoh and social application partners including Automattic, Brightcove, Clearspring, DAVE Networks, Goowy Media, meebo, MeeVee, Musestorm, Ning, RockYou!, Slide, VideoEgg, Voxant and vSocial as well as websites from CBS's 29 owned television, 144 radio, and up to 183 affiliated stations.
About YouTube
YouTube is the world's most popular online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.
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