Recording Academy Invites 900 Music Creators To Join Based On Task Force Recommendations

The Recording Academy is implementing a Member Invitation Initiative in collaboration with its Task Force On Diversity & Inclusion. In an effort to effect immediate change in advance of the upcoming 61st Annual Grammy Awards, 900 invites were extended to a broad range of music vocalists, songwriters, instrumentalists, producers, and engineers representing a diversity of music genres, ethnicities, gender, and age groups. Invitations were based on recommendations from the Task Force in collaboration with the Recording Academy, and all individuals were pre-qualified by the Recording Academy.

The Academy is implementing changes to the membership process in order to build a more diverse and relevant community over time, and the new membership model will go into effect Nov. 19. The new model will center on community-driven recommendations, and also include a Peer Review Panel, which will convene to evaluate all new member submissions in the Spring. The new community-driven membership model aims to drive greater diversity across genre, discipline, gender, ethnicity, and age. The initiative is one of many put in place by the Recording Academy as it works to build a membership that reflects the diverse creative community it represents, and to help the industry thrive as a place where all voices are welcomed, supported, and nurtured to succeed.

Those who accept their invitations to join by Nov. 15 will have the opportunity to participate in the final round of voting for the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, and those who join after Nov. 15 will be eligible to vote in next year’s awards cycle.

“Our invite initiative is a first step to reach out to the diverse, talented individuals who make up the music community,” said Tina Tchen, Chair of the Task Force. “The Recording Academy should reflect the scope and scale of the music industry and recognize the creative and artistic endeavors that enable it to thrive. Having a truly diverse membership is the foundation for any change. This initiative is one of the many ways the Task Force is encouraging change in practices while nurturing a more inclusive organization for Academy members today and for generations to come.”

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at [email protected].

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