In the case of Universal — where employees recorded a collection of tunes under the name Universal/Motown All-Stars — executives are unabashed about their efforts to sign up more Grammy voters from within the corporation's ranks.
Universal President Monte Lipman estimated that of the 100 or so staff members who chose to sing on his employee album, about 50 ultimately registered to cast ballots. He likened the labels' efforts to a political party's move to bus voters to the polls.
Asked whether employees are likely to vote for their labels' own artists, Lipman responded: "That's like asking Bill Clinton or any other politician whether they voted for themselves."
At the same time, Lipman suggested that it was entirely appropriate to have label staffers sing in order to vote. For one thing, he said, it helps marketing and promotion employees and others in the corporation better understand the process of cutting a record. Besides, he added, "people that work at a record company are creative," no matter which department they're in.
"I found it to be a very, very positive and rewarding experience," Lipman said, "and I encourage all in the industry to do this and exercise their right to vote."
As for Warner Bros., staff members recorded about a dozen holiday songs for a planned commercial album during a session in Burbank several weeks ago, sources said. The recording, made under the supervision of a choral director, was then sent to the AOL Time Warner Inc.-owned label's New York and Nashville offices so that additional employees could add their vocals, according to people familiar with the plan.
The unusual in-house production — and the potential for other labels to make such recordings and distort Grammy voting — has been the subject of industry chatter for weeks.
"I'm not going to comment on this particular situation, but I'm very busy putting together the Firm Choir," joked Simon Renshaw of artist management powerhouse the Firm, which represents such acts as the Dixie Chicks and Mary J. Blige.
Article comments
1 - John Mudd
I love that idea about making a Blogcritics album and donating the proceeds to charity. It could help the needy and get publicity for Blogcritics all at the same time. I would be happy to sing for it, and help Eric coordinate publicizing it. If anyone else is interested in doing this, let's talk. They could download it live from Blogcritics, and maybe Amazon would help us distribute it.
2 - TDavid
Charity raising? Right on. I'd be willing to consider contributing original music to a blogcritics album, but I think another blogcritic would need to sing the main vocals ;)
3 - TDavid
doh! forgot to add this: maybe John you and I should collaborate on a tune or two ;)
4 - John Mudd
That would be very cool, but be forewarned, my vocal style is a combination of Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder and Robert Plant.