SANTA MONICA, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Recording Academy) - Fifteen talented "My GRAMMY Moment 2008" musicians have been chosen from the YouTube community to play with current five-time GRAMMY-nominated rock band the
Foo Fighters as part of their orchestra created specifically for the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Beginning today, three of those top vote-getters - Ann Marie Calhoun from Virginia, Brian Fitzgerald from Pennsylvania, and Tara Klein from Ohio - will have the opportunity to compete for his/her once-in-a-lifetime "GRAMMY Moment" as a featured performer in the orchestra, it was announced today by The Recording Academy®. To view the video submissions of the Top 3 instrumentalists and vote for their favorite musician, music fans can log on to YouTube (www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment).
Music fans also have the opportunity to vote via text messaging on the day of the GRAMMY Awards, Sunday, Feb. 10.
Top Three Finalists (in alphabetical order)
* Ann Marie Calhoun (28, username: theboggster), Gordonsville, Va. - Violin
* Brian Fitzgerald (23, username: brianfitzrock), Coatesville, Penn. - Violin
* Tara Klein (27, username: taraklein1027), Cleveland, Ohio - Cello
Arranging the orchestral piece and taking up the baton as special guest conductor will be Led Zeppelin's legendary multi-instrumentalist John Paul Jones. Together, the Foo Fighters, Jones and this talented musical ensemble will provide the world with an entirely new take on the Foo Fighters' hit single "The Pretender." The segment, presented by Gibson Guitar, will take place outside in the new Nokia Plaza in the L.A. Live complex across from the STAPLES Center. The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards, to be held on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, at STAPLES Center in downtown Los Angeles, is scheduled to be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). "My GRAMMY Moment 2008," sponsored by Chase, will have content also available across the CBS Audience Network and its more than 200 online partners.
"We are thrilled with the enormous amount of talent from the 'My GRAMMY Moment 2008' semi-finalists, and look forward to seeing them work together as an ensemble orchestra," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "Even more exciting for one of the three finalists is having the opportunity-of-a-lifetime to showcase their musical talent to the world on Music's Biggest Night®."
Voting and Performance Information
* Online voting: Online voting for the "featured performer" will take place now through Feb. 10, at 5:59 p.m. PT/8:59 p.m. ET at YouTube (www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment). Only one vote per email per day.
* Text voting: Text voting, enabled by VeriSign, occurs on Feb. 10 (12:01 a.m. PT/3:01 a.m. ET through the first hour of the live broadcast of the GRAMMY Awards at 5:59 p.m. PT/8:59 p.m. ET). The corresponding numbers for each finalist are (in alphabetical order):
* Ann Marie Calhoun - Text "1" to 81818
* Brian Fitzgerald - Text "2" to 81818
* Tara Klein - Text "3" to 81818
Fans can vote up to 10 times for their favorite finalist via text message. Only standard text messaging rates apply. Voters can check their wireless carrier for more details, or text "HELP" to the number 81818 for more information.
* The featured instrumentalist will be announced live onstage during the telecast prior to his/her ultimate GRAMMY Moment with the Foo Fighters.
* For rules and regulations, submission information, and voting site, log on to www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment.
Top 15 in Foo Fighters Orchestra (in alphabetical order, Top 3 finalists noted with a star)
* Luis Alberto (23, username: luisgma), Hattiesburg, Miss. - Violin
* *Ann Marie Calhoun (28, username: theboggster), Gordonsville, Va. - Violin
* Lisa Dondlinger (33, username: LisaGirl2008), Winnetka, Calif. - Violin
* *Brian Fitzgerald (23, username: brianfitzrock), Coatesville, Penn. - Violin
* Christine Wu (31, username: LAstrings), Santa Monica, Calif. - Violin
* Tina Guo (22, username: demix500), Sun Valley, Calif. - Cello
* Rami Hachache (18, username: totalrocketsauce), Los Angeles - Trumpet
* Jennifer Lynn (25, username: jenniebenn), Bonsall, Calif. - Violin
* Jeffrey Hughes (25, username: MaestroJeffHughes), Denver - Violin
* *Tara Klein (27, username: taraklein1027), Cleveland, Ohio - Cello
* Michelle Morales (27, username: michellecello), Chicago - Cello
* Emily Palen (29, username: Emilypalen), Oakland, Calif. - Violin
* Andrew Pearson (18, username: vonditchman), Batavia, Ill. - Violin
* Cameron Summers (23, username: casummers), New York, N.Y. - Trumpet
* Abigail Wilenksy (21, username: bonsaifir), Nashville - Violin
