The University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music’s legacy of producing excellent musicians and music professionals and our dedication to preserving music for generations to come helps to earn multiple alumni GRAMMY nominations.
Presented by the Recording Academy since 1958, the GRAMMYs are a celebration of excellence, the music community’s highest honor, and its only peer-based award.
“The GRAMMYs recognize the best of the best and I am always delighted and humbled to see the impact our alumni are making in the music world”, said Dr. Jack Cooper, Professor of Jazz Studies and Recording Academy voting member. “Being recognized for your passion, contribution and talent among fellow musicians make these nominations so special.”
Congratulations to our alumni for receiving the following nominations:
Bruno Mars and Anderson.Pakk’s An Evening With Silk Sonic album nominated in the Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song categories featured a horn section anchored by University of Memphis alumni: Marc Franklin on the trumpet, Lannie McMillan on the tenor saxophone, Kirk Smothers on the baritone saxophone and Kameron Whalum on the trombone and supporting vocals.
Jeff Powell (B.M. ‘08) cut the master vinyl lacquers at Memphis-based Take Out Vinyl for 7 nominated records: Best Country Album: The Ballad of Dood and Juanita – Sturgill Simpson, Best Americana Album: Downhill From Everywhere – Jackson Browne, Best Folk Album: Blue Heron Suite – Sarah Jarosz, Best Alternative Album: Daddy’s Home – St. Vincent, Best Traditional Blues Album: I Be Tryin’- Cedric Burnside, Best Contemporary Blues Album: Royal Tea – Joe Bonamassa and Best Regional Roots Album: My People – Cha Wa.
Trumpet section leader and leader of the Army Field Band Brass Quintet, Master Sergeant Ward Yager (B.M. ‘01) played on Soundtrack Of The American Soldier, nominated for the Best Immersive Audio Album. The nomination is the first for the United States Army Field Band.
In addition to our alumni, the School of Music’s High Water Recording Company label saw three songs from the Music River Publishing Company catalog, which is owned and operated by the University of Memphis, included on The Black Keys album, “Delta Kream” which is nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album. The songs included on Dream Kream are Coal Black Mattie – written by Ranie Burnette, Do the Romp – written by Junior Kimbrough and Sad Days, Lonely Nights – written by Junior Kimbrough.
“The mission of Music River Publishing Company is to preserve and promote the endangered music of the region”, said Alandis Brassel, Assistant Professor of Music Business. “To have three historic songs included on a Grammy-nominated album speaks to the importance of capturing and preserving homegrown music.”
Founded in the 1970’s High Water helps to preserve the legacy of little known, less popular American-made Jazz, church-grown Gospel, and down-home Delta Blues.
View the complete list of GRAMMY Nominations.
The Recording Academy will present the 2022 GRAMMY Awards show on Mon, Jan. 31, on the CBS Television Network and stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ from 7–10:30 PM CT. Prior to the telecast, the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony will be held at the Microsoft Theater at 2:30 PM CT and will be streamed live on GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel.
If you are alumni and we missed your 2022 GRAMMY Nomination, please email music_marketing@memphis.edu to be included.
UPDATE:
The Recording Academy and CBS announced Wednesday they would postpone the 64th annual Grammy Awards ceremony originally scheduled for Jan. 31.
“After careful consideration and analysis with city and state officials, health and safety experts, the artist community and our many partners, the Recording Academy and CBS have postponed the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards Show,” the academy and the TV network said in a joint statement. No additional details about a future date were available.