ATLANTA, GA. (Georgia Department of Economic Development/ www.georgia.org) - More than 30 artists, producers, songwriters, conductors and other musical talent with Georgia ties were honored as nominees this year at the 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Showcasing the diversity of the state's music industry, awards were given Sunday night to Georgia artists in the prestigious Record, Album and Song of the Year categories as well as other pop, R&B, rap, gospel and choral categories.
"Georgia's music industry is among the largest and most diverse in the nation and, as such, supports thousands of jobs and produces millions in tax revenue each year," Georgia Film, Video & Music Office Director Greg Torre said. "We appreciate those individuals who make their music here and look forward to collaborating with them in the years to come to make Georgia 'the' place to record music."
Albany native Ray Charles received the most GRAMMY awards of any nominee with a total of eight and was honored with performances by Alicia Keyes, Jamie Foxx and Bonnie Raitt. Charles received awards for Record of the Year and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Here We Go Again," recorded with Norah Jones. His "Genius Loves Company" compilation album was recognized as Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.
Additionally, Charles and Gladys Knight received the award for Best Gospel Performance for "Heaven Help Us All." He also received awards for engineering, producing and arranging.
Atlanta native Usher received multiple awards as well. "My Boo," recorded with Alicia Keyes, was named Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. "Confessions" was named Best Contemporary R&B Album. "Yeah," featuring Atlanta artists Lil Jon and Ludacris, was named Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
Best Rock Gospel Album went to Third Day, a Marietta-based Christian rock group, for "Wire." The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's rendition of "Berlioz: Requiem" was also recognized as Best Choral Performance; awards were presented to Robert Spano, conductor; Norman Mackenzie, choir director; and Frank Lopardo, tenor.
Finally, John Mayer, who recorded his debut solo album "Inside Wants Out" in Atlanta and went on to pay tribute to the state in the lyrics of "Why Georgia" and "Neon," two tracks from his 2001 album "Room for Squares," was awarded Song of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Daughters," a track from his latest album, "Heavier Things."
Governor Sonny Perdue and the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office will pay tribute to these artists and other Georgia GRAMMY nominees at a special event at the governor's mansion Wednesday evening.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, promoting the state as a location for film and video projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.
Established in 1973, the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office is among the oldest organizations of its kind in the country. In 2002, the office officially added music to its title and intensified its efforts to grow Georgia's music industry and recruit new talent from outside its borders. A division of GDEcD, the office's formal mission is to identify and leverage existing statewide resources, assets and strengths to assist in the retention, expansion, development and growth of Georgia's film, video and recorded music industries and related entertainment businesses.
For more information, visit https://www.georgiamusic.org or call 404-962-4000.
