The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation have announced the 10 finalists for its first-ever Music Educator Award. Ten music teachers from ten cities across eight states were chosen as finalists for the award, out of more than 30,000 initial nominations.
The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college, public and private) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to music education and who demonstrate a commitment to maintaining music education in the schools. The special award will have its inaugural presentation at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony & Nominees Reception honoring recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Trustees Award and Technical Grammy Award during Grammy week in 2014.
One recipient will be selected from 10 finalists each year, and flown to Los Angeles to accept the award, attend the 56th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, and receive a $10,000 honorarium. The nine finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists also will receive matching grants.
10 Music Educator Finalists:
Lisa Bianconi of Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in Westminster  Vt.
Charles Cushinery of Ed W. Clark High School in Las Vegas
Andrew DeNicola of John P. Stevens High School in Edison, N.J.
Vivian Gonzalez of South Miami K-8 Center in Miami, Fla.
Kent Knappenberger of Westfield Academy and Central School in Westfield, N.Y.
Kathrine Kouns of Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Glen McCarthy of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.
Steve Vutsinas of Grassfield High School in Chesapeake, Va.
Jo Wallace-Abbie of Plano West Senior High School in Plano, Texas
Mary Jo West of George Mason High School in Falls Church, Va.

Viacom-owned CMT will premiere seven new unscripted series in 2014. CMT is pursuing younger viewers and men in the new programming slate, and aims to have four nights of original content by 2016.
The new slate of shows includes My Big Redneck Family, Tattoo Titans, Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Ranch, Death Valley, FNA USA, Tobacco Wars, and My Dysfunctional Family.
MY BIG REDNECK FAMILY (premieres on Saturday, Jan. 18)-Thirteen half-hour episodes
After sharing their last three vacations with the world, the Clampet family is back; only this time, they’re hanging out in their hometown of Shreveport, La. My Big Redneck Family will document America’s favorite family in this all-new comedy following their everyday routines and parenting misadventures. From Jared’s awkward introduction to the world of temporary employment, to Doug’s relentless pursuit of intimacy with Wendy, it’s clear that the vacation is over, but their real-life comedy has just begun. My Big Redneck Family is produced by Pink Sneakers with executive producers Kimberly Belcher Ehrhard and John Ehrhard. Lewis Bogach and Joe Livecchi executive produce for CMT.
TATTOO TITANS (premieres February 2014)-Eight one-hour episodes
Television’s first-ever self-contained tattoo competition series inks up in early 2014 when four of the country’s best tattoo artists face off each week for a chance at $10,000 in cold hard cash. Three rounds, 10 hours, no compromises. Which artist can sling the best ink to take down the rest of the competition? Tattoo Titans is produced by Original Media with executive producer Charlie Corwin and co-EP Sam Berns. Jordan Harman, Livecchiand Jayson Dinsmore executive produce for CMT.
STEVE AUSTIN’S BROKEN SKULL RANCH (premieres June 2014)-Ten one-hour episodes
In this ultimate badass competition show, Steve Austin brings eight elite athletes to his Broken Skull Ranch in Texas to test their strength, stamina and endurance. Each episode contestants go head-to-head until the last man standing earns the right to take on the toughest obstacle course in America, the “Skullbuster,” and the chance to win $10,000. The series is produced by Cris Abrego Productions with executive producers Cris Abrego, Steve Austin, Jack Heller, Rabih Gholam and Ben Samek. Melanie Moreau and Livecchi executive produce for CMT.
DEATH VALLEY (premieres summer/fall 2014)-Eight one-hour episodes
Cut off from society and all the comforts it provides, this docu-series follows five Death Valley residents who brave the elements — and the perils of a lawless environment — in order to live their lives on their own terms. The series is produced by Glassman Media with Andrew Glassman as executive producer. Julia Silverton and Dinsmore executive produce for CMT.
FNA USA (premieres April 2014)-Six one-hour episodes
Each week on FNA USA, we’ll countdown the top 20 riotous reasons that America is the most badass, Olympic medal-winning, dictator-toppling, hot dog-eating competing superpower in the world. Based on the premise that Americans work hard and play harder than anyone else, FNA USA celebrates everything from six-packed babes to six packs of beer; and if it rocks, we invented it! FNA USA is produced by Juma Entertainment with executive producers Bob Horowitz, Lewis Fenton, Len Webber and Tim Golier. Harman, Livecchi and Dinsmore are executive producers for CMT.
TOBACCO WARS (premieres spring/summer 2014)-Five one-hour episodes
Tobacco Wars is set in the high-stakes world of Kentucky’s dark fire tobacco industry, following the families of two fifth-generation tobacco men. In dark fire country, carefully guarded farming know-how and family traditions are passed down — and freedom is as essential as the air they breathe. It’s a high-stress world, but these folks blow off steam with ease, living their country life to the fullest with endless wagering and outrageous country-boy hijinks. The series is produced by Leftfield Pictures with executive producers Brent Montgomery, David George, Jordana Hochman and Matthew J. Braley. David Brown, Augi Jakovac, Chuck Ardezzone and Frank Monti are co-executive producers. Ryan Becherer serves as consulting producer. Livecchi and Bogach are the executive producers for CMT.
MY DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY (premieres April 2014)-Eight one-hour episodes
Commando-turned-family fixer and dubbed “Teen Whisperer,” Dave Vitalli pulls no punches as he comes to the aid of teenagers and parents in distress. Armed with lie detectors and years of experience navigating his way through war zones, Dave’s presence provides a wakeup call for the badly behaving teens. Mom and Dad beware, however, as his no-holds-barred approach will put their behavior under as much scrutiny as their teen’s. The series is produced by Shed Media with executive producers Pamela Healey, Dan Peirson and Jeff Cvengros. Moreau and Livecchi executive produce for CMT.
Guntucky, which returns in March 2014, and Dog And Beth: On The Hunt, which returns in spring 2014, will return for second seasons.