2002 Grammys and Celebrations

Sunday

Honoring Van Cliburn at a luncheon in the Los Angeles Biltmore. Our honorable MC is Mrs, George Bush (little georgie's wife)

Van Cliburn performing for us at his luncheon on Sunday before the Grammys. At the Biltmore hotel in LA.

More of Van Cliburn

Van Cliburn and Phyllis Diller (who I only learned at the luncheon was a highly trained pianist).

Monday

"MusicCare" Man of the Year event for Billy Joel.

Michael Greene introduces the agenda of our meeting with the performers that will honor Billy Joel as MusicCares 2002 Person of the Year later that evening

Mary J Blige coming on stage to present us with a $50,000 check to MusicCares from the M-A-C AIDS Fund to benefit MusicCares' clients living with HIV/AIDS. (See Paco's interview piece in May's issue)

Mary J in the check giving ceremonies

Mary J Blige

A few of our performers- (l-r) Richard Joo, Diane Krall, Don Henley, Rob Thomas

More of our performers for Billy Joels award show- (l-r) Jon Bon jovi, Richie Sambora, Garth Brooks, and Paul Reiser (our MC for the event later in the day)

A few of our performers- (l-r) Richard Joo, Diane Krall, Don Henley, Rob Thomas

All of our evenings upcoming performers- Richard Joo, Diane Krall, Don Henley, Rob Thomas, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Garth Brooks,Paul Reiser, Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett

A few of our performers- (l-r) Richard Joo, Diane Krall, Don Henley, Rob Thomas

Billy Joel blurs in

Billy Joel hanging with us to talk about what will happen later that evening. Such a down-to-earth New Yorker, refreshing to be around him after so many years living out here with these westcoast flakes.

Billy Joel hanging

Michael Greene

Billy Joel

Michael Greene

Our performers, with a focus on Stevie Wonder and Tony Bennett

Everyone with Billy

Billy Joel awarded diamond cufflinks honoring his Humanitarian achievements

Billy Joel holding his Person of the Year award for 2002

Rob Thomas and Jon Bon Jovi (Richie Sambora in background)

Don Henley speaks to us(Rob Thomas in back). What a rebel- fighting for Artist rights at a time when the world (mostsl internet geeks and download thieves) want to steal our rights away from us!

Jon Bon Jovi restates that downloads are just like stealing from an artists pocket.

Mary J rushed by the reporters and the rest of us. (See Paco's interview piece in May's issue)

Mary J Blige (See Paco's interview piece in May's issue)

Tuesday

Grammy Nominee party thrown by the Recording Academy for all nominees.

Ike Turner and Paco at the Grammy Nominees celebration the night before the Grammy awards.

Bootsy Collins and Paco blur into the night.

Bootsy Collins and Paco get caught up in reminiscing about times they've had with the various same performers both have jammed with at separate occasions.

Bootsy Collins and Paco

Bootsy Collins and Larry Batiste of Oakland.

Bootsy and his business associate Patti Willis. Both in town from Cincinnati for the Grammy awards.

Bootsy Collins and our friends from Ozomatli, "hi there Will Dog". Congratulations were in order for Ozomatli as they won their Grammy the following day.

Bootsy Collins hanging with LaMafi and the rest of us.

Ozomatli and LaMafia profiling

Kurt Schelling, a (non-music industry) guest and Paco

Dotty Peoples of contemporary Gospel fame and Paco

Lynda Batiste, lovely wife of Larry Batiste.

Wednesday

Grammy Event itself for 2002.

Alejandro Sanz entertains our Grammy audience around the world.

Alejandro Sanz again on stage

Al Green at rehearsal before the event

Alicia Keyes, unseating Jill Scott and India.Irie (who were both the ones I voted for) Shows us what Clive's big money can do, anyone (with marginal to some talent) can win a Grammy if they spend enough money!!!

Bono from U2 at rehearsals for Grammy evening show

Van Cliburn performing for us at his luncheon on Sunday before the Grammys. At the Biltmore hotel in LA.

More of Van Cliburn

Alicia and her money man at a party night before she took away the Grammys from the real artist India.Irie

One of my "newer best liked" artists and his group. This is Dre from Outkast

Emilio Estefan, Gloria's husband and Eric Clapton lookalike :

Eve, who won best Rap song collaboration

Michael Greene (our leader of the Recording Academy) and Van Cliburn at the luncheon

India.Ire at rehearsals. One of my two all-year favorites that got pushed aside by the Grammys and Clive Daviss perverted sense of overspending on that Keyes girl.

Jimmy Jam and Terri Lewis who won Grammy for Best Dance Record

Joshua Bell tears it up with his specials sounds.

Joshua Bell once again

Rehearsal of the all girl, all sexy, few clothed girl singers (Maya, Christina, Eve others) with Patti Labelle doing Lady Marmalade.

Outkast scores a Grammy for Best Rap by a Duo or Group

Outkast at rehearsals

Outkast

Ozomatli wins the Grammy for Best Latin, Rock, Alternative album

They Might be Giants

One of todays Contemporary Gospel reigning "Queens of Praise", Yolanda Adams, wins her Grammy for Best Pop Contemporary Gospel. God Bless her and everyone in that category. (The Recording Academy has always seemed so white-bread with their selections in the Spiritual Music categories-this was such a pleasure to finally see change happening!!!)