Over the years when I heard the words “Grammy Hall,” two things came to mind. In the 1978 Oscar-winning best picture Annie Hall, Diane Keaton–playing the title role–tells Woody Allen (Alvy Singer) that the necktie she’s wearing was a gift from her Grammy Hall. The sound of the name Grammy Hall prompts Allen to ask Annie if she grew up in a Norman Rockwell painting.
More to the industry point, the other more obvious Grammy Hall reference for me would be to the National Academy Of Recording Arts and Sciences’ (NARAS) Grammy Hall of Fame in which music of lasting quality and/or historical significance resides.
But what I didn’t think of when hearing “Grammy Hall” was commercials–that is, until the recent passing of legendary ad man Hal Riney prompted some research which opened my eyes. It was Riney who while at BBDO San Francisco hired up-and-coming songwriters Paul Williams and Roger Nichols to compose a theme for Crocker Bank. The song, “We’ve Only Just Begun,” went on to become a number one hit by The Carpenters. Williams reflected on that experience and Riney in our last installment of this column (5/9).
“We’ve Only Just Begun” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. And while that to some might be a bit of interesting trivia, it carries particular relevance today as the Association of Music Producers (AMP) plans to petition NARAS for the creation of two Grammy Award categories honoring commercials–one for best original score, the other for best original song.
While AMP’s Grammy campaign (SHOOT, 4/18) is just getting underway and could face a long, hard road to its desired destination, Lyle Greenfield, recently elected AMP’s national board president, thinks the timing of such a lobbying effort is ideal in that commercial music is becoming more widely regarded as mainstream entertainment–so much so that major recording artists are embracing the ad discipline, and original music that strikes a responsive chord with audiences is regularly making spots standard fare on YouTube. (Greenfield is president/creative director of New York-headquartered Bang Music.)
Though I’m not much on awards shows–much less the need for yet another award–this industry lobbying effort is worthwhile because it promotes wider spread recognition of advertising music’s artistry and its creative artists. In many respects, Grammy Award recognition of commercials would be akin to the Directors Guild of America’s decision to recognize commercials with the establishment of a DGA Awards category in 1979. Today the DGA Award is arguably the most coveted honor for commercial directors.
So we’re jumping on the AMP bandwagon for Grammy recognition before there’s that large a bandwagon–but we’re confident there will be. As we sift through music for spots and branded content from week to week–not just for our regular coverage but also for SHOOT‘s quarterly Top Ten Tracks Charts–it’s clear that this music when done at its best is a most deserving art form that advances storytelling, message, emotional tone and ultimately is integral to connecting meaningfully with an audience.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Reach Divorce Settlement After 8 Years
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement, ending one of the longest and most contentious divorces in Hollywood history but not every legal issue between the two.
Jolie and Pitt signed off on a default declaration filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, saying they have entered into a written agreement on their marital and property rights. The settlement was first reported by People magazine.
"More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt," Jolie's attorney, James Simon, said in a statement. "She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family. This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over."
The filing says they give up the right to any future spousal financial support, but gives no other details. A judge will need to sign off on the agreement. An email late Monday night to Pitt's attorney seeking comment was not immediately answered.
Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, were among Hollywood's most prominent pairings for 12 years, two of them as a married couple. The Oscar winners have six children together.
Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, after a private jet flight from Europe during which she said Pitt physically abused her and their children. The FBI and child services officials investigated Pitt's actions on the flight. Two months later, the FBI released a statement saying it would not investigate further, and the U.S. attorney did not bring charges.
A heavily redacted FBI report obtained by The Associated Press in 2022 said that an agent provided a probable cause... Read More